Depression Blog.com

Well I was on paxil for about 3 years,felt pretty good while I was on it,didnt give a shit about anything,but I just wanted to get off of it because the loss of my sex drive,I have been off of it for about 6 months now and it has been the worst 6 months of my life,it been that long since I been off of it and I still dont feel right,I feel messed up in the head all the time,I cant think straight,I feel like Im on some kind of crazy drug a lot of the time,my vision goes all crazy,I feel like Im goin to pass out,I get all dizzy when I try to read,I get muscle spasms,I feel pissed off a lot,my advice is to never go on the drug

I quit taking paxil about six months ago, after taking it off and on for the past few years. I got to certain points where I could no longer stand the depressed thoughts, anxiety, and the desire for withdrawl from social activites. I turned to legal drugs. When I took paxil I felt much more relaxed in social situations, worried less and felt an overall sense of happiness. After taking it for a while, my body got physically taxed from processing it. I also had digestive problems while using Paxil. The main reason I don't like taking it is the fact that it's just a synthetic drug that temporarily covers up the symptoms of something that is an ongoing problem. That in mind, I was extremely conflicted during the time I had been taking it.
Regardless of what doctors say, this is a physically and phychologically addictive drug; I still struggle with the cravings. Currently I am looking into a combonation of herbal supplements which will reduce depression and will be much more effective for long term overall health. I advise others to look into herbal medicines for depression as well.

I HAVE BEEN TAKING PAXIL CR FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS. IT'S KEPT ME OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND GENERALLY HAVE FELT REALLY GOOD ON IT,BUT IT'S TIME HAS COME THE SEXUAL LIBIDO PROBLEMS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ORGASAM ARE TAKING IT'S TOLL ON MY MARRIAGE.I'M 26 AND HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 2 YEARS.I TOLD MY DOCTOR AND SHE AND I WORKED OUT A PLAN TO SWITCH ME TO WELLBUTRIN.WHILE THE PAXIL GOES DOWN THE WELLBUTRIN GOES UP.I AM NOW TAKING 25MG CR A NIGHT INSTEAD OF 37.5 A NIGHT, IT'S BEEN 3 DAYS AND I'M FEELING A LITTLE MORE DEPRESSED AND I'M STARTING TO REMEMBER THAT SCARY ANXIETY FEELING BECAUSE I'M STARTING TO FEEL THAT A LITTLE. I HAVEN'T STARTED THE WELLBUTRIN YET,SCARED I GUESS.I AM HOWEVER ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED OF COMING OFF THIS DRUG READING EVERYTHING ON HERE HAS MADE IT WORSE OF COURSE BUT I NEED TO BE PREPARED.I AM HOPING THAT BECAUSE I AM STARTING A NEW ANTI-DEPRESSANT AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS WILL BE MINIMAL.MY DOCTOR WANTS ME TO GO TO 12.5 FROM WHERE I'M AT NOW FOR A WEEK THEN STOP,THAT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME.I KEPT SAYING TO HER,ARE YOU SURE THIS WILL BE OK?SHE SAID YES THAT BECAUSE I'M ON THE CR IT MAKES WITHDRAWL ALOT EASIER.BEFORE IF I MISSED 24HRS OF THE STUFF I WAS DIZZY AND WORST OF ALL THIS STRANGE THUDDING OVER AND OVER IN MY HEAD AND IT FELT LIKE IN MY CHEST TOO ALSO A VERY DISCONNECTED FEELING.I WOULD SUGGEST TO ANYBODY CONSIDERING THIS DRUG THINK ABOUT THE HORRIBLE WITHDRAWL YOU MAY HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND THE WONDERFUL WEIGHT GAIN OF COURSE! ALSO IF YOU'RE A WOMAN MARRIED OR IN A SERIOUS RELATIONSHIP CONSIDER THE SEXUAL STRESS IT COULD POSSIBLY PUT ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP!MY HUSBAND HAS SCREAMED AT ME THAT HE WISHES I COULD JUST GET OFF THIS STUPDID MEDICATION BECAUSE TO BE BLUNT ON THIS PILL I RARELY EVER EVEN FELL LIKE HAVING SEX!OH WELL HOPEFULLY MY DOCTOR IS RIGHT OR I'M GONNA BE REALLY PISSED.GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL.

I'm a 37-year-old male, and I've been on 20mg of Paxil about 7 years, after struggling with clinical depression/anxiety since childhood. The side effects are not bad (dry mouth and occasional nausea are the worst). I've been able to function like a reasonably normal human being, something I wasn't doing before.

I've noticed no loss of sex drive, but it takes longer to achieve an orgasm. Sometimes I get into yawning fits. I tried to cut back to 10mg once and did it too quickly; you definitely have to taper off very slowly. Then my new job got very stressful and I had to go back to 20mg.

It's important that you really have *clinical* depression and/or anxiety (brain chemistry disorder); don't let a doctor prescribe it to you just because of something temporary going on in your life. Also, everyone's brain chemistry is different, and while the drug has worked well with me, it obviously doesn't with everyone. And I sure wouldn't mix it with alcohol or other meds.

I guess I should have posted that under 'Positive Feedback' - sorry.

My daughter committed suicide while taking paxil and welbutrin to treat depression. She was 19 years old. I want to warn everyone that before you consider any of these treatments make sure you are educated and counseled by health professionals that are not just there to write you a prescription, that is not the end all be all, as we have found out the hard way

I started taking paxil cr about a year ago and took it for about six months. During the time I took it I gained weight, but my biggest problem was these horrible nightmares. I quit taking the drug but I have had these dreams on and off now for six months. I knew this was a possible side effect of paxil but I didn't know that it would continue after stopping the medication. Has anyone else had this problem or am I really crazy.

I could not comprehend how tired I was because of the unconcerned feeling while taking paxil. I fell asleep while driving and flipped my car 2-3 times. Thank God my son and I were O.K. I spoke to a nurse who fell asleep driving while on Paxil also. It's not worth your life. I also had an unconcerned feeling about paying bills and let them pile up - I had the money - just didn't care.

About a year ago, i had something emotionally traumatic happen and became severely depressed. I couldnt get up in the mornings, i began failing my classes in school, my performance at work dropped, i would cry constantly day and nite, and worse of all... i wouldnt & couldnt talk to anyone. Finally i went to the doctor and she gave me Paxil. It stopped the crying and it really helped me get through the days but i began to feel more and more like a zombie... like i was walking thru life in a sleepy daze. I gained 20lbs (wasnt it bad enough that im depressed? the weight gain definately didnt help), and i became completely disinterested in sex. That was only after a month and a half... but that was enough for me to stop & i am glad i did. I now take a combo of St. John's Wort and 5-HTP and i feel it is a much better alternative. It has helped me in the same way Paxil did but without all those side effects -- i dont feel tired all day like i did on Paxil and im back at my normal weight... and i feel better knowing that i am no longer using synthetic or chemical products... and i have really felt a significant difference with my mood with these two products and i think i wont be needing that much longer.

Paxil levelled my emotions and was very instrumental in attaining sobriety however........
YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT ORGASMS!!It is even prescribed for premature ejaculation condition...can you imagine and ....do not try to give Paxil up, because you want to experience orgasms every so often; it is cunning, baffling and powerful and its revenge if you do is excruciating. I have had good results when my doctor put me one weekly Prozac and progressively diminishing Paxil from 37.5 down to 25 and then 12.5 (3 weeks process) Be careful....do not quit cold turkey. You can continue taking Paxil if it works for you and orgasms are not a priority

I HAVE BEEN TAKING PAXIL FOR MANY YEARS NOW, AND I MUST ADMIT THAT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DO MUCH FOR ME. I HAVE HAD THE DOSE INCREASED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. EACH TIME I TRY TO STOP TAKING PAXIL I SUFFER HORRIBLE WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS AS IF I AM COMING OFF A HARD CORE DRUG. I HAVE SUFFERED FROM NAUSEA, SEVERE MIGRAINS, AND TERRIBLE ANXIETY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE THINKING OF TAKING THIS DRUG TO CONSIDER ALL THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT EVERY SINGLE MEDICAL CONDITION THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF TAKINIG THIS MEDICINE.

I have been on Paxil since late 2001. I had some good times on it, but now I am weaning off it as we speak. Some of my symptoms had gotten better on Paxil but my life overall has not improved. Im coming off and already my dreams have come back. On Paxil I either didn't dream or was too numb to remember. I bought some books by Dr. Peter Breggin. He is one of a few doctors who wants to educate the public about psychiatric drugs and their withdrawals from them. Be Strong and be well.

I've been on Paxil for a couple of years and at first really helped me feel normal.Then eventually it would wear off and my doctor recommended another drug. During the in between phase i felt horrible, lightheaded, anxiety over everything.The other drug didn't make me feel better so i went to paxil cr instead. Felt better for a while but then it started wearing off again.Eventually i went to a bio chemist and herboligist and he said my liver was not working right. So i went on a liver detox for 15 days and cut off my paxil. First every other day then every 2 days then every 3 days. I felt great for a week or two. then i hit rock bottom.i havent felt so bad in my whole life...feelings of helplessness, depression, anxiety just thinking about doing something socially,constant lighthead feeling and my eyes couldn't focus..felt like my eyes were buggin out...then dizzy, stomach discomfort all the time...i honestly feel like im gonna have a melt down....I would constantly feel like i would fall over to the left when walking or driving a car...its been a month now....how much longer could this take??? I don't think i can take much more....

I have been having some strange symptoms since i started taking paxil, i am also new to the anxiety thing and i have only been taking it a little over a month now. I have had lower right abdominal pain since my first anxiety attack and i first thought it was nerves in my stomach. It comes and goes and some days it's worse than others. I though it was my ovary but had a pelvic exam and was told i was fine down there. the first couple of weeks on paxil my stomach was so upset that i began taking it at night to sleep through the side effects. The pain is dull and not really painfull, but rather, bothersome. Does this sound like anything to anyone? My digestion has not been the same since my anxiety attack. Another thing that has been happening is a numbness in my left arm similar to the feeling my arm had during my anxiety attack but to a lesser degree. I don't know if it is related to smaller anxiety attacks or what. Is this a side effect of paxil maybe?

I have been on Paxil for 5 years now and has worked incredible for my anxiety and ok for my depression. The worst side effect has been the loss of libido. I am 26 years old and have not had sex in 2.5 years....not right at all. It has been worth it so far, living with little anxiety and panic but I need to enjoy my 20's! A bit of advice, do not go off Paxil cold turkey. I get the most horrible "brain zaps" after 3 days of not taking my meds and usually cry over nothing (which is actually relieving, since I can not cry on Paxil nor show any emotion).
I'm going to the docotrs tomorrow and I am going to request Wellbutrin with my Paxil.

I'm 16 years old and took Paxil for about 3 years. I started taking it for social anxiety disorder/sociophobia. For awhile I was on the normal clinical dose of 20 mg and was doing pretty well without much of this zombie side effect (but with mild weight gain) then my doctor thought maybe we could get more progress on 30 mg. Big mistake. I turned into a zombie and gained 20 pounds in 3 weeks, and was quickly put back to 20 mg. About 6 months or so later my doctor lowered my dose to 10 mg and I had the same effect. Over the course of the last year I slowly weaned myself off paxil on accident as I started forgetting to take it more and more often and eventually just stopped. I was fine for about 2 months after this, and just in these past few weeks I've been torn apart with thoughts along the lines of "What's the point of all this work I'm doing? Where is this gonna take me?"

Do not take paxil!!!!

As a Business man in my mid 20's I have issues with my anxiety and OCD for 10 years, last year I finally was put on Paxil, huge mistake, I graduated to 30mg and gained 25 pounds and became a zombie. I have been athletic all my life, coaching and playing in college, I lost control of my body and mind after being on Paxil for 7 months. After the doc said to stay on, I quit cold turkey and supplemented more cardio and weight training to release stress and anxiety. It worked I had one or two rough days which were helped by concentrateing on exercise and vitamins. Use your body to naturally regain control!!!!!!!! I have lost 15 pounds and will losethe rest within two months, naturally.

I have been paxil since 2001. I am no longer prescribing to that method. I am working through my withdrawals and determine to succeed.

My only concern is how long will I endure these horrible side effects.

I was put on paxil at the age of twenty-two after my mom died. It really seem to help for the first couple of years, but now that im trying to get of the drug; I feel worse than ever. I literally feel im going crazy. I never knew something that is supposed to make you feel better, in the end can destroy you. Everyday is a struggle.

WOW!!!!

I just found this blog and never realized that I'm not alone in my fight against this powerful drug. I have been on Paxil for 11 years after suffering through the loss of two very special people 7 months apart and having to under go a emergency surgery. I also quit smoking during this time after smoking for over 20 years. Needless to say I was a total mess. I started off with 40mg apx 6 years ago I weened myself slowly to 20 mg which is where I am today. I have tried to go off it with no sucess. My sex drive is non existant I have gained 70 lbs which I have lost 25 and it seems I will never loose any more. I'm now having break through depression I have no desire to do anything and feel totally alone. Thank god my husband of 23 years has put up with the lack of sexual desire sometimes you just have to through the motions to keep things on even keel. When i do have sex with my husband it takes me forever to reach orgasm with almost intense pain. I hate this damn drug it is holding me hostage and I want to be set free. Thanks for letting me vent my frustrations. -V-

I took paxil 5 mg for about a month. I took it at night with .25 mg of zanax and it made me slep good for a while but i'd wake up at 4:00 and would be wide awake. Made me have night sweats. When i went off it, it made me feel dizzy and have a little anxiety worse than usual for a few days. I went off it because it did nothing for me. Now it's 2 months later and i'm going to try effexor xr 37.5 mg. I hope it works!!! Good Luck

I took Paxil in the fall of September 1997. I was 18 years old. A doctor prescribed it for me, thinking I was depressed when I had just broken up with a boyfriend. Within 3 weeks I gained 25 lbs and felt more horrible. I was so angry. I quickly went off it to take another one stupidly Effector. I have now battled with my weight now for 10 yrs, going up and down. I have finally found now a nutrionist who said this has been the link to my problem. I eat healthly and teach fitness and there is no reason that this should have happened. Apparently Paxil alters your adrenal gland function.. I am now on rebuilding herbal vitamins to treat what that horrible drug did.

DON'T TAKE PAXIL, it will ruin your life.

I was put on paxil after suffering from panic attacks, suicide thoughts, and depression after my friend commited suicide. It really did very well for me while I was getting through everything...however I was on it for about 3 years and before that I was on wellbutrin. I'm only 23 years old and about to be married in 3 months. I decided to wean myself off the drug and have been doing so for the past 6 months or so. I have been paxil free for 6 days now. This past year while on the drug I started not being able to have a grasp on reality, Have blood sugar problems, no libido, vivid crazy dreams, memory loss, weight gain, and a fear that something bad was going to happen to me or the people I love. I have found faith in my life and I'm thankful for having paxil while I did, but I'm telling you if you can avoid taking this drug...PLEASE DO!!! This drug and others have messed me up so bad!!! I'm determined to never take another drug to affect my behavior and body again! I'm not the type to talk online or leave a message, but I just want to help others not to make this mistake!! I'm haveing terrible withdraws but I'm determined to fight through this! I hope this helps someone and I'm interested in natural alternatives if anyone has suggestions or knows how to take the edge off??

Anyone know of an effective way to quit paxil in a hurry.
I don't need it anymore but find it difficult, if not impossible to
quit so far.

Thanks!

Thank you Paxil! 7 years of having the inability to achieve an orgasm.

I am a 37 year old female that started on Paroxitine about 5 months ago. I was on 20mg a day. After hard work and getting my life back on track I decided to stop taking the drug. I took 1/2 a pill for about 4 days and then quit cold turkey. Well it is about a week now of cold turkey and I have had the horrible paxil withdrawl symptoms that many of you describe. I had the vivid 3 dimensional dreams, the swooshing sounds in my head and the cattle proding electrical shocks. Those have gone away, however the extreme dizzyness is still upon me. I have bad bowel problems and feel as if I am going to pass out from the light head. However it will be worth it to achieve an orgasm again that I have not had in 5 months. Quitting this drug cold turkey is not reccomended. What a nightmare!!!

I was on Prozac 40mgs for 10 years I would party on that stuff drink beer fridays and saturdays finally after so many years i started going thru some withdrawal issues wich wer to serious to even get into 2 years later i still feel like im going thru withdrawal, jut recently i started Paxil at 20mgs it seemed likeit helped for 2 months and then i was still feeling majorly depressed, so i started to taper off of it, and felt better till 2 months later i started having major panic attacks still hearing my name called out and bunch of other crap, Ive been back on 20mgs for 1 month has not helped my depression at all, i feel like some ass hole so damn depressed i feel High like im in another sector or some shit, if anything I will give it one more month and if doesnt help Ill give Prozac a shot, anyone out there with OCD and major depression who wishes to talk feel free to email me at ezq2003@yahoo.com only people seriously suffering who may offere some help or I may help.

Im 24 years old and Ive been on Paxil 30mg for the past 11 years. Being on this medication is like riding a roller coaster. I have to admitt the first couple of years on paxil was ok, but now 11years later, its hell. I was up all night last night due to what I call disturbing dreams. Once awaken by my dreams I couldnt get back to sleep because everytime I would close my eyes something strange would happen in my head. I felt like a complete lunatic. I kept having to wake up my boyfriend so I didnt feel so alone. This morning I feel strange, I dont quiet feel like myself Im tired and just feel powerless.
Ive been wanting off these pills for a while now but reading peoples comments freaks me out a little. I feel like Im going to be on them forever, and I dont want t be I dont feel well I want to be me again. sometimes I have sooo much anger I can honestly hurt myself. Paxil took over my life and now I feel like im loosing the battle I dont know what to do. A part of me is petrified to get off them because I dont want my panick to be as bad as it was 11 years ago. Thats my fear and at the same time Im afraid Paxil will drive me to insanity. Waht am I to do??

I have been taking paxil since 1998 and I basically don't have any idea what feeling "normal" is any more. I want to start trying to come off of this stuff but I am currently dealing with anxiety/depression. Maybe I will just taper down "very slowly". I will probably freak out but whats new. Maybe I will just start running like Forest Gump.

Hi,
I'm a Registered Nurse currently writing a book about the negative (or possible positve) experience any of you may have had trying to come off of Paxil. There is not alot of research on this subject and the stories are amazing! If you are interested in having your story published (anomously) please e-mail me your personal story in 1000 words or less. I will get back with you if I plan on adding it to the book.
hart.shelly@yahoo.com