Depression Blog.com

I have been on Paxil for 5 months. The first week I was on 1/2 pill. Shortly after I began taking a full pill (20mg). The next day, I became very sick. I had terrible sinus build up. infection and pain in my ear and a swollen gland.I made no connection with the paxil because I never dreamed a medication could cause sinus infection.
I went to the Dr. who gave me anti-biotics for my infection. It did not clear up. He put me on them for a second week but symptoms did not go away. I began having muscle spasms or jerking reflexes in my legs, arms and head, similar to when something startles you. This would occur when I would get very relaxed or close to falling asleep. The first week I was on the full dose, I would get zaps or bursts of energy in my head over and over again which I thought were mini seizures. It scared me not knowing what was happening to me.
The mini seizures stopped after a couple of weeks but the jerking reflex continued as well as the sinus and ear infection. Here I am five months later,it finally dawned on me that just possibly this infection was due to the paxil. Last night, I took only a half a pill to see if my symptoms would go away. I am amazed...this is the first morning in 5 months that I have not had a heavy sinus filled head and no ear ache or swollen gland. I will continue taking the half pill and watch my symptoms. The positive thing that paxil has done for me is that I sleep so sound and I am so calm and patient. The problems have been too severe however, to continue taking it, unless the lower dosage continues to alleviate my symptoms. I am absolutely sure because of the timing that my symptoms were the product of paxil. I suggest if anone is having similar problems, see your Dr. about cutting down on your dose.

I have been taking paxil for over 2 years now.I have experienced headaches,nausea,fainting spells,tremors,whooshing in my head,upset stomach,anger,uncontrollable mood swings,diarrhea, frequent urination,heart palpitations and disorientation.Now,for the people who say I should know stopping any medication has side effects......these are symptoms that occur while I am ON the medication.If I miss just one day taking my paxil I feel like I am losing my damn mind.The whooshing gets severe along with the nausea,heart palpitations,sweating,dizziness and I feel like I am in another world somewhere.I originally was put on this medication for severe anxiety attacks due to prolonged depression.I personally would like to see Glaxo-Smith Kline hit with the largest lawsuit against a pharmacuetical company in american history.With a settlement offered to victims so large the companies assets would be frozen and seized to pay for it and never be able to put another medication like this on the market EVER again.This medication has ruined my existence as a functional member of society.I feel I will never be the same again after paxil ever. PLEASE get a second opinion before you agree to be put on this medication.This may be the most important desicion you ever make relating to your well being.Thank you for your time.
Robert

I have been on Paxil for 3 years due to panic attacks. It has been a life savor in regards to my panic diorder. I noticed that I was a lot more angry and aggressive on it, and had no feeling and no sex drive. 6 days ago I cut my dose in half in order to get off this shit and I feel like hell. All the dizziness and nightmares and feeling of uncontrolible angre. I am going crazy but I am determend to get of the shit. Thanks FDA Love yah.

I started taking Paxil about a year and a half ago. My mother put me on it, but failed to look up the side-effects. I recently did so and discovered that it was just as addictive as herion, banned in over 5 countries (including England) and not acceptable for people under 18 to take. I'm only 15. After I realized how horrible the drug was, I began trying to take myself off of it. I experienced every symtom you had after only 3 days of being off of it. The fourth night, I woke up screaming, my whole bed was wet with sweat. I realized that I need to take my pill and when I got up to take it, I couldn't walk hardley at all. I felt as though I were drunk. I can't quit, I'm completly addicted and I feel ashamed that I don't have enought will power to stop. This drug has beaten me down.

[moderator comments: Hello kaitlin
I am sorry for the pain you are going through. I am sure it would be easy for you to be mad at your mother and your doctor, but both were probably ill informed when suggesting paxil to you. I am sure you mother cares a great deal for you. If not, she would not have tried to make things better.

Your body is going through a great deal of chemical changes right now. Paxil sounds to be throwing off your neurochemistry a great deal. Certain illegal drugs share similar side effects to an overprescription to Paxil. Based on my knowledge of said drugs and my knowledge of neurochemistry I believe your serotonin levels are being raised extremely high righ now. Lowering your dosage of Paxil may help aleviate many of the problems you are feeling.

Often times people are quick to "fix the problem" when sometimes the problems we face are just part of growing. It will take a bunch of work to help get you off of paxil, but you should let your doctor know how you are feeling. He/she should be able to help ween you off the drug slowly. You may feel zaps and other problems, but in due time side effects do eventually subside.

There are possitives and negatives of any situation. Because you wrote what you did many others will see your information and many others will not get hurt the way you are. Congress is also currently investigating the FDA about these drugs and how the effect children.

The things I would suggest to do to feel better are
do what you really like
exercise + good diet
eat vitamins
if you need an outlet then create a free blog http://www.blogger.com

i wish you the best
aaron]

Seriously people as I go back and re read these posts I honestly believe we all as victims of this horrible drug should ban together and do something about this.I had no idea it was compared to the addictive nature of heroin and is
banned in 5 countries.I would like some answers on why the U.S. spends billions of dollars on their so called drug war and innocent people like ourselves are allowed to be subjected to this horrible thing called paxil. Bottom line is
SOMEONE is making some very bad desicions on our behalf for their own benefit.....mainly the allmighty dollar.Basically when it comes to our wellbeing versus profit for these companies we as citizens of this country are expendable.

[moderator comment: I think that the drugs are effective for some people. The biggest problems with drugs like Paxil is that many doctors prescribe Paxil without adequately weighing risk and reward AND without adequate diagnosis.]

I stopped taking paxil about a week and a half ago. I have not experienced any really bad headaches, just mild ones. The zaps are about to drive me insane, though. I also threw up all night two days ago. I started taking paxil because I have panic disorder and it has helped this but I lost all of my emotions. I stopped caring about anything and I continually hurt my friends and family often with my harsh "I do not care attitude). I would rather have panic attacks a couple of times a month then hurt anyone. The withdrawals have been quite miserable. the zaps, nightmares, insomnia, and night sweats are terrible. I would not suggest anyone take this crap. It is definately addictive because I almost want to start taking it again to get rid of all these withdrawals.
Hopefully, these feelings will subside soon. I am miserable. I need a feel night's sleep soon or I will be crazy. Let's all ban together and convince the FDA of these horrible affects. Thanks for having t his great post so that I do not feel so alone through this. Feel free to
contact me through email if anyone would like to discuss this further or just vent. I would love to know what the FDA is telling everyone.
krester77@hotmail.com

I will also add that I thought my allergies were acting up but apparently sinusitis and flu-like symptoms are all part of this. I am also suffering from a very bad cough since I stopped taking this shit. Please, everyone let's get the message out and get this drug off the market. It is worse than coming off a two year cocaine addiction and that was pretty f-ing hard. The nightmares are definatly worse that that.

I was on Paxil for a few weeks and hated how it made me feel - like I wasn't really living and just going through life's motions as if I was detached. I'd rather feel depressed then numb so I quit taking it and withdrawl is bad but I won't go back on it. I've got BAD headaches, malaise, dizzyness, depression(worse then before), and an impulsiveness I never had before. I ransacked my boyfriend's gun cabnet looking for a hand gun to use over a very small issue. (Good or Bad - he'd sold it). I have a feeling I'll be rehospitalized because of
this drug.

I have been on Paxil for 2mos now, and I decided that I would wean myself off of this crappy drug and I thought I was doing good until last night, I hadn't taken a pill since Wednesday and I was irritable but I attributed that to PMS. Then last night we were driving home and my baby is in the back seat crying b/c he is fighting sleep and I am in the front seat literally wringing my hands, I almost started to cry with him, then I though I would just start screaming ....finally we get out of the car and I pick up my baby and I felt like I was going to fall to the ground,,,that Paxil makes me so diizy if I miss taking it, but this was the longest that I have been able to not take a pill and I really felt like I was going to lose my mind so I had to take one b/c I have a baby that I love to pieces and do not want to start screaming at him for being a baby who crys when he's hungry, sleepy, etc.... I have no sex drive with this drug, after missing it for a few days I actually got my sex drive back. I am determined to get off this drug it would be easier if I did not work b/c I could get my mom to watch the baby while I went through withdrawls....I am really going to let my Ob-gyn have it when I go back there is a few days....I was only having anxiety b/c I was going through a rough few months, I wasn't depressed or even having anxiety attacks but I just wanted to have something to help me get through that rough patch, I didn't want something that I would need to be weaned off of....my Dr acted like this drug was so great and would make me feel so much better blah blah , I hate Paxil!

I hate this drug and seem unable to get off of it. It just makes you so dependant. My doctor says it is like food it replaces a missing serotin level . What bullshit

I started to take Paxil over 3 years ago. I was started on the maintenance dose of 20mg. Because of the emotional state I was in when I started the drug, it was hard for me to figure out what was side effects and what was my own emotional issues. I was prescribed this by my family doctor. Eventually, it became obvious that the Paxil wasn't working. Or so at least I thought. I never seemed to get passed my emotions. I asked for further help from the mental health office in town. I thought that counseling would help, as well as having a psychiatrist taking care of my medication. They increased my dosage to 30mg, and when the side effects increased, the dosage was put up to 40mg. Finally, after constantly complaining of nightmares, insomnia, confusion, feeling not attached to my body, etc, etc. I was told to decrease to 30mg for 3 weeks, and then go down to 20mg. After another 3 weeks, down to 10mg, until I was off the drug. I have to say that the two worst decisions I ever made was to first of all, take Paxil, and secondly, to try to stop taking it. I have never been suicidal until now. I am in the middle of the withdrawal right now. Having been a former smoker, I thought nothing could be worse. I am sleeping about 2 - 3 hours every 3 days. And when I do sleep,the dreams are frightening. I wake up sweating, screaming and crying. The electric zaps are uncontrollable. My mood is way up and then way down. I go for days when I can't get dressed. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I am so glad I found this site and realized that it isn't me going crazy. Instead, the crazy ones are the doctors who prescribe it, the company that manufactures it, and the FDA for ever thinking that it isn't addictive. I hate every day that I am awake right now, and I am hoping that my hell will soon be over.

I was on Lexapro for a while until I started having panic attacks that wound me up in the hostpial, sedated. I'm 17, no kid should have to deal with that. I was switched to Paxil by the hospital without any real knowledge of the drug. I've been on Paxil for almost a year and now I'm starting to go off of it. I was forced cold turkey a few times because of missed perscription refills,

I had horrible shocks that started in my calvs and zapped me up in the head so hard that i would pass out. i threw up, didn't eat, cried for no reason, felt the room spinning, saw things that weren't there, extreme headache and exhaustion.

i am currently trying to go off of the drug and i've been feeling the effects of the minor withdrawal towards the evening when it wears off. if anyone has any advice on natural remedies that help with the withdrawals, please email me at banqrupt@hotmail.com. THANKS!

Hi everyone:
It has been very helpful for me to read all the stories about what Paxil has done for you all. I have been paxil for a year and a half and now I want my life back. I am weaning myself off of the drug with the help of my doctor and my husband has a close eye on me. I have noticed alreay that I get angry faster and am real emotional. I also feel very tired and have dreams that seem so real. My body aches and I have had muscle cramps.When I was on the med, I was even in my emotions and I missed my competitiveness and some of the feelings emotionally. I am going to beat these withdrawl symptoms. I feel good one day and then the next tired and weepy. My drive to workout is gone and I just want to hang at home or in my car and not go anywhere. Does anyone else feel that way? I feel ugly and fat and like everyone is looking at me. Let me know if you feel like that. Well, this is my 3rd week of taking 1/2 of a dose which is 20mg and then tomorrow I will take 1/2 a pill for two days and then no pill for one day and do that for 2 weeks. I am also getting body massages once a week to get the toxins out...so I am trying and hope I will succeed.

My name is Lisa. 0ne year ago, after having troubles maintianing employement and suffering from stress of working at McDondals, I decided to get tested to see what was wrong with me. For years I had moments of Aggerisviness, sadness, anixety, and irratiblity. I was also in Special Ed up untill grade 12 because I was told that I had a learning disablity. Anywase on April 1st 2003 I went to the Human Recourses off in Red Deer, AB, Canada and spent a hole day being tested for leaning and emontial disavantages. 3 weeks later on April 31st, my mother and I went back to Human Rescourses and was told by this neumorologist that I had what was known as Organic Brain Syndrome which is associated with Depression. At this time I was also suffering from severe headaches, chest pains, and Insomia. The doctor told me that I would need to be put on medication right away and that I would need to see a counsilor regualy. After hearing this I started crying my eyes out and feared for my future. I was also told that if I wanted to go to college, I would need to take this program called Transitional Vocational Program (which I am now in). 1 year of trying to obtain my high school diploma (which I got in 2002) had just gone down the drain and I would need to quit my job at Mcdondals. So one month later I was put on Paxil. After being on the drug for a few weeks in May of 2003 I noticed a lot of things. I was tired, had stomach aches, Nausous, terrible heades, and still was sad.... but I stayed on it; untill December when I noticed I was running low on my prescription. So I missed the pill for 3 days and guess what happened? I had a crying spell that was so bad that my doctor forcesed me to spend the weekend in the hospital. But I never allowed that to happen. Instead I phoned my mom, and stayed with her and my step-father at their place all weekend. I also got my prescription re-filled and started taking again.

Now here we are on April 16th 2003 and in the Red Deer College libary after having an appointment with the psychologist and feeling confused and worried about going off the drug again and onto a new drug called effexor. Oh what am I to do? I don't want to go to the psych ward...ever. I want my life back. Already I'm lonely and having thoughts again of sucidie... But I would never go though with it. I have any advice... email me at one_big_hottie.com

Hi,well about 7 months ago i went to the doctor because i knew i had anxiety,she put me on ativan,which worked but made you feel drunk and goofy.So i noticed i was gaining weight off those so i went to the doc again,she gave me paxil almost a week ago.ive been taking it and i feel icky,it makes me feel dizzy and sick to my stomache,the ativan didnt do that,but this one does.It helps my anxiety a whole lot,but when i get up in the morning or go to bed i feel sick and want to get sick.I read its for depression,i dont have that,i have anxiety,i dont think its a good thing for me to take it.Not to mention i feel really tired the next day,im taking the 20mlg also.Should i only take half? i dont know.I just want to feel healthy again,its not a normal feeling,feeling like your going to pass out every time you turn around.It helps to read all of these comments.Thank you

oh my goodness someone HELP me!!! I am miserable. I started taking Paxil in Feb to try and help with my panic disorder. It was mainly because I use to take it long ago and I could drive on the interstate and I can't now, so my doctor and I tried Paxil again. It hasn't worked for that and since I am on other meds I asked my doc about taking me off of it. She said that was fine and didn't give me another prescription. She didn't suggest that I wing myself off or anything. I tried to anyway though. I broke my pills in half and took on half for a week and then took a 1/4 of a pill for a few days and then no more. Since then I feel as if my head is going to explode, I am nauseated, my heart feels like it is going to rip my chest open, I am flushed my body inside is burning up, I can't sleep, I am so dizzy I probably shouldn't be walking, and my mind feels like I am going crazy!!!!!!!!! Can someone please tel me when these symptoms of coming off this drug will go away? I haven't called my doctor yet because I didn't relate it to the Paxil until I typed my symptoms into my search engine, and there you all were. I WILL NOT give in and take this pill again to rid myself of these side effects. I will get over it, it is just so HARD. If anyone has any suggestions as to making this easier PLEASE help me. I may even have to go into the hospital and get regulated on just my other meds again. I didn't have these side effects while taking the medication just now that I have stopped it. I am not really sure how to feel about Paxil because it did help me at one time when I was younger, and I'm sure that it may halp others as well but these side effects are MURDER on the BODY AND MIND. Please talk it over A LOT with your doctor before accepting it as a remedy.

I recently visited a psychiatrist because I have been suffering from severe rushes of anxiety as well as panic attacks...
he said paxil is the wonder drug that would help. I just started taking it two days ago (one 10mg pill cut in half)...I don't notice anything different yet, though I am also on xanax which may be masking the effects of paxil...
eventually, i will be tapered off of x a n a x.... wondering if it is all worth it. Feel free to respond, and thanks to all who post here.
pat

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seven years. 40 mg. took myself off. tapered for 3 weeks. now i'm a former practicing attorney who failed a proofreading exam run by a guy wearing a t-shirt. i can't adequately concentrate. the zaps have been overwhelming at times. the mood swings - well, 7 years of tears have a way of creating a flood when the cork is removed. i will not go back on. i wont even take the Tums in my medicine cabinet because it has the name Glaxo on the label. BigPharma, including their government wing - the FDA - thanks for your care and support. now piss off.

my husband takes paxil and I'm ready to lose my mind since he started this drug things have gotten crazy does the drug cause someone not to have any emotions? and he just wants to be left alone and does'nt like me to hug are kiss him if I cry to him he acts like it means nothing he says one day he loves me then the next day that he has no feelings for me we been married for 35 years i'm going crazy he also has days where you can tell he feels like theres no hope and feeling sorry for his self. and we have not had sex since he started the drug he think its because he does'nt care for me. and he gets angry fast over nothing. can someone tell me if this a normal feeling when you take this drug?

Gina-
I recently started taking Paxil and think some of the things you described might be normal for someone on it. I know that I want to be left alone all the time and I also get angry fast over nothing. I get annoyed at people just for talking to me, trying to interact with me. There are definitely days when I just don't want to be around anymore. Also, I think the Paxil makes me feel worse physically, and when you add that to mental problems, I think it sort of just compounds things, ie if you were depressed, anxious, irritable before, feeling unwell just makes you more miserable. I can't say for sure, in my case or in the one you described, how much of it is the mental issues present before starting medication and how much of it is the result of Paxil, but I thought I'd let you know there might be a correlation. It's got to be tough to live with people going through these things, in my experience I often find that I unintentionally hurt the people I love the most. Hope that maybe helped answer your question, and hope your situation starts improving. Best wishes.

Well Paxil people it seems somebody got their pockets full making users of this nasty drug go through HELL!!!

I was prescibed 10mg of this poison and took it for about 16 months. This crap caused me to lose all emotions concerning what life had to offer,BILLS,RELATIONSHIPS,WORK,ETC.

I weaned myself off this mind altering garbage,going through all the brain zaps,numbness in legs,dizziness,and all the other side affects including thoughts of suicide.

I have been off this S*#T FOR almost 3 years and the hot numbing tingles and shocks in my thighs still continue to remind me that pill pushing doctor that prescribed this DRUG to me should have his practice pulled due to lacking his responsibility to know what the side affects are to users trying to get their thoughts back.

Using this poison has caused me to be near bankruptcy due to the severe lack of concern about anything.No matter what came along while using Paxshit it was ok and I did not need to due anything to resolve any issue!

To all of you who want their life back there is hope and you can get away from this ugly drug,DO NOT GIVE UP,BE STRONG AND YOU WILL OVERCOME!!!

DO ONE DAY AT A TIME AND THE REAL YOU WILL COME BACK!!!!! (BE PATIENT, EVERY MINUTE WITHOUT THE DRUG IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEING THE WINNER OF THIS FIGHT!!! (WEAN OFF SLOWLY!!!!!!!!)

Ray

After reading some of the feedback on this site, I feel like I'm not alone. I have been on Paxil for over 10 years now. I feel like I'm trapped and am scared to go off of it. A few years back I made the mistake of trying to go off of Paxil cold turkey. I remember that the first day was not bad, in fact, I felt great. It seemed like all my sense were so alive and this living life in a fish bowl was going to be over. It was not till the second day that I knew something was wrong. Everytime I would turn my head, I would hear this loud whooshing sound and would make me disoriented and make me feel like my world was spinning. I just tried to ignore it hoping it would go away. Then I started having heart palpitations, balance problems and extreme anxiety. I then started to feel like I was losing my mind and the whooshing sound was getting louder. Towards the evening I then started getting these strong emotions, anger, laughting for no reason, and then breaking down and crying. You know how certain events happen to us and cause an emotional reaction, well, there were no external events to stimulate my emotional outbursts. It was like someone just went right into my head and turned on the emotion button to full strength. I was in a hell that simple words cannot describe. Even now it is hard for me to remember those events. I managed to get ahold of a pharmacist and that when I found out what was going on. That night I had a friend bring me over valium (I know this is wrong, but you have to appreciate the emotional hell I was in at that time; I would have done anything to escape it) and finally got some sleep. The next morning I called the doctor and he ordered me a new prescription. Since that time i have been terrified to go off of Paxil. I still have the problems of difficulty concentrating, memory problems and living in this kind of fish bowl atmosphere, but going off of Paxil scares me so much that I have learned to live with these problems. I tell you the manufacturer of this product has really created a drug to get someone addicted to. I hope they profit from it well.

Damn. Look at everybody knocking the hell out of Paxil. Well, I for one personally thank God and Glaxo-Smith Kline for inventing Paxil. I guess I'm one of the 'lucky' ones that find it effective. Panic attacks were a quarterly, monthly, and then progressively a daily reality in my life. I became afraid to go to work for fear of having one, especially with the complete lack of explanation for any reason to be upset. My insecurity bordered on paranoia, and I was losing the ability to control those constant, upsetting, alarming thoughts in my head before they became huge epics of massive disasterous proportions. When I couldn't take it anymore, I wouldn't turn to alcohol or illegal drugs, so I started cutting myself. When that escalated into a desire to throw myself off out of a window, not because I wanted to die, but simply to stop the miserable feelings of constant extreme panic....I was on my knees praying to God that somehow I find a way to control this problem. 10mg of Paxil a day combined with a regular course of therapy has changed my life. I felt some slight nausea when I started taking it, but it's pretty much gone. There's some increased gas, sure, I find it hilarious. I'm a little sleepier at times, even when I've had 8 hours of sleep, but this tends to be a problem if I slack in my eating habits-not just what, but when I eat. I read alot about weight gain being an issue for some people on this drug, and I've noticed that food for me actually tastes better, and I have more of an appetite since I'm happier and more relaxed....but I have made it a general practice to control my eating habits, and it's only when I slack that I notice bad gas and other side effects becoming a problem. What has not happened is that I have not become devoid of emotion. Maybe this is because i was way tooo emotional before I started taking it. I feel like I'm standing on an even keel, now, like I'm myself the way I should be. I don't overreact to situations, and the negative, impulsive thoughts have pretty much gone away. My friends, my family, and my boyfriend have all noticed that i'm calmer, more motivated, happier in general. Not a zombie, not walking around 'drugged', but more alert, more straightforward, and much more focused than I was before. I can concentrate on required tasks, and the smallest emotional issues do not carry on for hours the way they used to. My relationship has improved 10 fold, and while my sex life had driven itself into a ditch in the midst of terrible panic attacks and depression that my boyfriend could not understand, it is definitely healthier now. I'm a healthy, fit, 27 year old woman. My sex drive is through the roof. What I like the most about the change is that I can really articulate myself in speech the way that I can in writing. Conversations made me nervous, I avoided debates because they increased my anxiety....and whenever I tried to articulate, I would end up taking way wayyyy too much time, going into too much detail. Now it's easy to create a summary of exactly what I need to communicate and relate it whenever I need to. I haven't read alot in this blog about the involvement of therapy while taking this drug. I have two doctors, who are working together to manage my counceling and medication to suit my needs as closely as possible. They have a 1 year plan for me on Paxil, after which they intend to gauge my progress and move towards weaning me off of it. I'm very confident that my treatment is working and has been worth it. I hope whoever reads this blog does not freak out and buy in to this demonization by people who may be the victims of unscrupulous medical practices, or who may expect that a pill will solve all of their needs without changing their diets, exercise, recreational habits, regular therapy, or who are bitter because it simply did not work for them. Everyone is different, and requires specialized care in these matters.

Blogs that scare the crap out of people could lead those who might benefit from Paxil not to get the help they need.

I missed one dose of paxil and my anxiety went through the roof for a couple of days.

i feel crazy on paxil weird angry irritable no patience what so ever. thoughts out of control want to do nothing at all or just tell people to go %^^&&& themselves. hard to concentrate achy depressed still even on these meds nervouse just all over shitty i have lost my get up and go just cannot stand it any longer have tried almost every drug with NO help if they didnt cause migrains with auras then it was some other weird thing.

THANKS!!!!!!!! I have been having horrible ear pain and sinus problems over the last 3 months. I've been to the doctor 3 times, taken all kinds of anti-biotics and over the counter stuff to find any kind of relief.
It finally occured to me, today, that this all started when I began taking Paxil. I cannot believe that an anti-deppresant causes this much pain in your ear, for heaven's sake, but I am going to wean myself off of it starting now. :-)

I've been on Paxil about a year and a half and it had been a revelation in terms of stopping my depression/anxiety. However, I always felt like a zombie, with no sex drive and ED. Now being 19 it wasn't exactly fun when my girlfriend suggests and I'm just laying their not wanting any. I keep trying to go off but only last a week or so because the pain gets horrible. Anybody else have those problems?

I have been taking Paxil (10 mg) for about 6 weeks now for depression and what I believe to be Social Anxiety Disorder as well (although not diagnosed officially). I am experiencing a lot of fatigue, multiple dreams every night and some weight gain. I am pleased with what the drug is doing for me but I still don't feel like I can get back to work due to the extreme fatigue. At my last Dr visit a couple weeks ago he was going to up me to 15 mg but thought that I was just very sensitive to the drug so he kept me at 10 mg. Is this too much? Why am I so sensitive? Does this have something to do with my Serotonin level? I have been told that my Serotonin level is naturally low. I just want to get off of these drugs and have my life back but I believe that it is helping me more than it is hurting me right now. Is there something that I can take for the fatigue?

I was prescribed paxil to prevent depression, i guess i was close to it, crying all the time. I was told to take 10mg a day and them increase to 20 after 2 weeks. I did that and started experiencing a sort of impulsive gag reflex feeling in my throat, it worried me so I started taking a pill and a half (15mg) until the following week went to the doctor. She told me that she was glad I lowered it, and that I should go back to 10mg a day. I feel good, am not crying all the time, I do not feel like a zombie, I am more patient and more positive. The only thing, I do get a bit sleepy during the day. I wonder if I should take it at nite, but I'm afraid to make the change myself. Other than that, thank God for those pills. I feel like myself again.

Hi i been on a small dose of paxil for about 10 years only 10mgs and boy i cant come of even that small dose after a few days i get crazy panic attacks that i think im going crazy i get so dizzing my heart races so fast i can hear it for me want works best for anixty is atavin it clams me down when im anger or when im having a panic attack best of luck to all

I hope this helps somebody!!
Paxil was prescribed to help me sleep as I have CFS and Fibromyalgia and they robbed my sleep.
After being on this toxic stuff for 15 years, it stopped working (I was taking a generic version) and I had horrible stomach aches. So I began to cut back--I still had the stomach aches and I got really moody and everything irritated me.
I had to go off of it cold turkey as the stomach aches were intolerable. Guess what? One of the side effects I'm still experiencing is...stomach aches. They're horrible, and I can't eat; I am nauseated, yet I can't vomit--at least that might bring relief, but I don't know.
I can only walk short distances due to my diseases--I've read about folks who walk and work out at the gym--they're healthy to begin with.
Get this: I never was depressed before the Rx; now I'm depressed, suicidal, moody, I get angry and I start to shake; I have headaches. I'm taking Essence of Perelandra and ETS (both available on the Perelandra site--google it--it's helping.
I have a small trampoline and I jump on it daily, but I get dizzy.
Here is what I'm planning to do: I'm going to learn to crochet again--it's meditative.
I am also going to do some macrame again: meditative.
I have started meditating: the word "Om" means something (I can't remember, as my memory is practically gone) and it helps to breath with the belly and while exhaling, say "Ommmmmmmmmm".
It helps.
I also will begin drawing again--I'm sure my drawings, which have always had energy, will show a lot of anger and I can maybe get some of these toxic feelings out of my system.
Mashed potatoes work well as this is a comfort food.
Understand that we are going through hell, and please keep a log of what's going on--that helps too.
I recommend the DVD
Dee Insight" by Kelly Howell--it takes me away from myself--it takes you into theta waves which are one step above sleep. She has other dvds on sale--I'm heading for her site right now.
So: keep a log, draw, have someone take you on car rides, knit, crochet, write, sing (THAT helps!), eat comfort food, take vitamins, get a great doctor who understands what you are going through.
I believe the Essence or Perelandra and ETS are preventing the zapping.
Know that you are not alone, and tell everybody that this drug is evil--you may keep ONE person off it and that's worth it!
Sorry this is so disjointed--I've become that way...
If you are healthy, walk, work out at a gym.
I'm considering buying a small sauna (one with a far infrared light and a tent set-up. I've heard that far infrared and near infrared help reduce toxins in the body.
Taking baths with epsom salts are incredibly relaxing and I highly recommend.
I hope this helps; I have no idea how long this will take.
It has been well over a month since I've stopped this evil drug and I've read on many blogs that heroin is easier to kick.
My boyfriend made a great comment: "well, if my kid were out on the streets at night looking for drugs, I guess I wouldn't worry as much but if he were in a doctor's office I think I'd be really worried!!"
Paxil is simply evil and I'm going to send the bottle with the unused pills back to Glaxo SmithKline's CEO. Maybe HE's on it!!!
He can HAVE it!
I hope this helps.

I missed one dose of my paxil and iam cranky an depressed is this normal

Wow. Some of these stories are like horror stories! I'm sorry to any of you who have experienced negative side effects from Paxil, but its good to remember that just like ANY drug, for some people it works and for some it dosen't. For me Paxil has been a great tool in my fight with depression and I only experience side effects like nausea when I miss a dose. So just because it may not be the right drug for you doesn't mean that it should be completely banned.

I was prescribed paxil for depression. I took exactly 2 pills. Each time I threw up with in the hour of taking it. So I stopped.

I was on Paxil since 1998. Due to a job loss and no health insurance I abruptly stopped taking Paxil on April 24th, 2010. Today is Sep. 21st, 2010 and I am still experiencing some withdrawl symptoms, though not as severe as when I first stopped taking this damned drug. I had the brain buzz, electric shocks, headaches, nausia and the severe panic attacks that came back once the Paxil was out of my system. I just recently started to realize something though: the entire time that I was on Paxil my head was in a cloud. I behaved as if EVERYTHING was OK, no matter what. I was totally numb. I now see that for those 12 years I was not myself and those 12 years of my life have a very bad track record associated with them. Coming off of this shit is terrible. I've heard it compared to withdrawing from heroin. Being off of it now however is a miracle and I'd never take this shit again or advise anyone else to either. Good luck to those of you trying to come off of Paxil. It will be very hard to do but you can do it if I did!

I have been on paxil for about 3 months now. I have noticed that i am more depressed than before, im constipated, no sex drive, extreme nausea and abdominal cramping, sudden spells of severe irritablity, fogginess, especially when driving, increased urination, sinus problems, suicidal thoughts and just a general feeling of fear. I have noticed that all these symptoms never occured until after starting paxil. I went to the doctor a couple days ago and he doubled my dosage. I havent started it, and im not sure that i should take it, especially after reading all the previous posts. Im scared of
the drug, but im scared of the anxiety attacks too. I dont know what to do.

I was put on Paxil for PTSD and anxiety. At first I didn't notice any adverse effects and felt fine, I could sleep without having horrible dreams. Six months later I had a panic attack for no reason and my Dr put me on the strongest dose of Paxil. That's when I had the worst experience of my life. I was completely numb to the world and angry as hell. I feel as though I lost my mind and began doing things I would never have done if I were not on Paxil. I stopped taking it all together which is bad to do cold turkey. I had horrible nightmares, insane night sweats and the feeling of electricity coursing through my body. I also felt dizzy and confused. After a few weeks these 'withdrawal' symptoms went away and I am off that horrible medicine. My Mom says I am back to my normal self, laughing and enjoying life. I will never take an anti depressant again.

I have been on paxil(10mg) for almost a month now and it so far is doing great for me. I was on zoloft before this and was at 100mg and it did nothing for me, just made me worse than I was before I took it. The only 2 down sides in my opinion to paxil is it gives me really bad, bad stinky gas all day/night long. Everyone around me wants to die from the smell (sorry tmi I know) and I have noticed that it makes me sleepy, I find my self napping almost every day. I am a mom of 2 boys under 4, so thank god I live at home with my parents, my mom helps me out a lot when I fall asleep. Other than that I think paxil is great. :)

I have been on PAXIL for 15 years. I cant explain how I have felt over the years. I have felt empty inside. I have had no interest in sex. It did not come to my attention until the past year that this is related to paxil. I met the most wonderful man and he treats me like a queen yet I have no feelings and once again not interested in sex. I have tried to come off Paxil 3 times and have had awful side effects. I hate this feeling.

i am on a 10mg of paxil for anxiety and depression and i feel like my old self again it did make me feel whole lot better but the problem is once i tried to take a lower dose i started to have horrible chest pains that woke me up at night almost if i was having a heart attack and when i missed a dose i experienced the same thing ......i really dont wanna get off the medicine because of the side effects and its helping me ...does anyone know if this will happen if i take a different med ?

Well I've been taking Paxil since feb 2011 after I had my son and I had all these symptoms described here when I don't tak it... The dizziness the zaps are the worst part especially in the head no sex drive at all very angry all the time.... Didn't know it was all due to Paxil until I started researching it!!!!!'. I hate it I'm going to my doc ASAP after reading all this I appreciate it..

I have been taking paxil 20 mg and it has worked wonderful for me. It really does help. I love paxil.

I was only on 20mg for two days why does my stomach still hurt from it

Paroxetine(Paxil) has been a god send for me. I've been on it for about 3 months now. I have Social Anxiety Disorder and obsessive thoughts and this drug has made a huge difference to my life. I am far more calm about my lot in life and worry has all but left my life. Over many years I was mostly drug free, but I have tried Prozac and Pristique. Personally I don't care if I'm on Paxil for ever as finally I can be happy in life. It's not perfect as there are side effects, tiredness is the worst side effect for me but I can live with that. One benefit has been sexually. erections are better and last much longer, :)
Of course I would prefer to be living drug free but I was struggling before starting Paxil.

I took paxil for 4 days and by the 4th night o woke up in compete terror feeling like my brain was on fire, I've never experienced anything like it on my whole life. I stopped taking it and haven't been the same since. I feel numb and head pressure in my head all the time now. I got in MRI done and they found a 3mm chronic lucnar infraction and now I wonder if the paxil caused it. My anxiety is so bad now I can't even deal with life. Has anybody been affected by this drug just within a week like me?