"Paxil worked wonders when I first started"

I have been on Paxil for 5 years now. It worked wonders when I first started. For the last two years I have been trying to get off it. Like some of you I tried to quit cold turkey. I ended up in the emergency room with a headache so severe, they thought I had ruptured a vessel in my brain. Depressed by the event, I went back to Paxil. Then I tried to taper it down, from 20mg to 10mg a day, and now I take half of that for last two months, when Itried to quit that, I fell into a depression so severe that I became suicidal, so I went back again. Now a friend (a psychiatrist friend of mine tells me that if I substituted it with Prozac, it will be easier to wean off Prozac. I havent tried because I am afraid of the side effects. I have gained 20lbs, and lost the motivation and spunk I had before. It is sad that the general practitioners dont know about the adverse effects.

I will be trying the Prozac maybe next month. If it works, I'll let you know. Good luck to you all. Whatever you do, NEVER quit suddenly, especially if you have been on it for more than a year.

-- submitted by Dr. Swadud, 39

"I had a sour stomach, and fatigue and reached a point that I could not get off the couch."

Now, to tell my story I have been on Paxil for 3 1/2 years and when I first started it felt an immediate improvement in my anxiety and depression. My attitude was a noticeable improvement to everyone around me. In the 3 years I tried to take myself off many times. I honestly don't remember all the physical side effects that alot of people have mentioned. But, I did experience extreme mood changes and extreme anxiety and depression. So, like everyone else I decided to go back on. Well, in the last 6 months I felt the PAXIL wasn't helping me. I felt I was (am) entering into a deeper depression. I have extreme fatigue, don't feel like working, much less taking care of my home and 3 children and HAVE NO SEXUAL DESIRE AT ALL. Oh, and not to mention the slow but steady weight gain.

One day I heard an ad on the radio saying "Do you want your sex life back" "Tried of feeling ...." The ad then when on to say that these are part of the long term effects of anti-depressants and gave an 800 number to call to see if you qualified to part of the study. Well, for some reason I did not qualify. But started believing that my lack of interest in sex was due to the Paxil. So in December I have slowly started to wean my self off. Again, I can't pinpoint the all the side effects like many people have mentioned. But, I can say that my depression and fatigue is so extreme all I want to do is sleep!

I have been completely off of Paxil the entire month of February and was forced to go t to my Doctor today and he told switched me to EFFEXOR. I now wonder that my feelings my all be part of the withdrawal problems.

I am remembered a period in December over the course of two weeks where I felt somewhat similar. It was December and that terrible flu was going around and I really thought it was that. But now that I am reading and remembering I don't think it was the flu and believe now it was the "withdrawals". I now remember telling my husband, God, if this is the flu why don't I have a fever like everyone else. I remembering one Monday I had such an extreme headache I took Excedrin PM and slept from 8:00am-3:00pm and the went to bed that evening at 7:00pm. And just like Friday, I had the same flu like symptoms. I had a sour stomach, and fatigue and reached a point that I could not get off the couch. I am getting worried that all these flu days were not flu days withdrawal side effects.

-- submitted Jane, 37

"Paxil was very beneficial in getting me through a rough patch"

I have been on paxil for over 2 years. At one point I self-upped my dose to 60mgs/day. Paxil was very beneficial in getting me through a rough patch but I don't need it anymore and am trying to wean off. I self weaned down to 30 successfully, but when I went down to 20 I started having mood swings, headache, flu/cold symptoms. I am an attorney and can't afford to not be sharp. I will probably go up to 25 and take it more slowly from here. It sucks that it could take another year before I am free of it.

I wonder if anyone has successfully used st. john's wort to help them wean. What about prozac? I had a friend get off paxil onto prozac with no problems. Is it possible to go to prozac and then get off prozac which doesn't have such terrible withdrawal?

-- submitted by John, 27

"I feel that Paxil saved my life"

Before anything I want to say that I feel that Paxil saved my life. It transformed my life- and got me out of a severe depression which I suffered for three years which one year of therapy alone was not able to cure.

However, now that five years later after taking 10 mg a day (initially I took 60 mg daily) I am having some withdrawal symptoms from trying to stop too quickly. My doctor says that I can successfully withdraw if I do it slowly enough. I realize there are some side effects, but I also experienced side effects for two weeks when I began, which eventually went away. SO I want to say while there are clearly side effects which are negative, I think this has been a very useful and positive medication, which helped me to return to my highest functioning, while I took it.

-- submitted by John, 31

"I've tried twice to get off of paxil"

I've tried twice to get off of paxil. The first time with the weaning process under a doctor's care. It didn't work and only after three weeks I was back on my full dose of 40mg. I then decide to stop completely, which was a bad choice. I went a total of five days and had to have my husband go to the drugstore and have it refilled. I seemed to be ok for the first two days, and then my husband and son would notice that I was talking a lot to myself, which I'm not in the happen of doing a lot of, especially if someone is around, and when they would bring it up to me, I didn't remember this. I just thought I was "thinking" to myself. Then there was the chest pains, the arm pains and the worst ever dizzy spells I have ever had! I was sick at my stomach, lost my appetite, I had chills one minute and the next I was burning up. I did take my temperature once during the period of have this hot flash and it was 96.1 I'm back on my 40mg. per day. I don't like the drug, feel even more depressed on it, and someday I will sleep 19 or more hours! And did wake up tired and sluggish. I was totally unsuccessful my two times getting off of this drug.

-- submitted by Crrickkett, 37

"I am taking 15-30mg. of paxil per day for severe depression and OCD."

I am taking 15-30mg. of paxil per day for severe depression and OCD. Mentally, I feel great. Physically, I'm in good health, but have gained 30 pounds while taking paxil. My docotr explained that I could get off paxil after taking it from 6months to a year. Well, last month was 6 months and I felt great-so I tried to get off it. My docotr explained that some people need to be weined off and others can just quit taking it. I tried to just stop taking it. This was a bad idea. I felt those same electrical pulses you described. It was too weird. I also started crying a lot-not sure if this was from PMS, the depression returning, or from withdrawal. I have read that withdrawal from paxil can cause "alcohol withdrawal" like symptoms. For two weeks, I endured these electrical pulses, night sweats, and extreme nightmares. I didn't want to take it anymore, but my husband begged me to get back on it and try weining myself off. A few weeks ago, I started taking 15mg a day again. Now, I feel fine. I still want to get off this stuff. I'm interested to know how to get off it?

-- submitted by Amanda, 27

"I tried to describe to my doctor the electrical zaps I have been feeling."

Wow. About a month ago, I began decreasing my Paxil does of 20mgs. daily. I've been on Paxil for about 2 years and before that I was taking 150 mgs. of Imipramine (Tofranil). Most recently, I tried to describe to my doctor the electrical zaps I have been feeling. She attributed it to pre-menopause stuff. Mainly because I told her that my menstrual cycle, which is normally like clockwork, has been highly irregular. I got my period THREE times in January. I am now thinking that this is one of the withdrawal symptoms of Paxil. I also suddenly have terrible water retention. After reading the other posts, I am convinced that the electrical "surges" as I call them are a direct result of me weaning off Paxil. I hate this. Will I have to spend the rest of my life feeling these "surges?" A couple years ago, there was an article in the Pacific Sun, a Marin County California publication about the lifelong side effects of antidepressants. I will have to dig that out and read it again. Otherwise, I think the Paxil did me some good. However, I feel happy and content enough with myself to try life without it.

-- submitted by Ede, 45

"I was diagnosed with clinical depression three years ago"

I hope that all of you that have written in are feeling better. I was diagnosed with clinical depression three years ago. My doctor at the time perscribed Paxil. I was on the drug for two and a half years at 20mg and experienced all the usual side effects, weight gain(20 lbs) and a general feeling of laziness being the most prominent. My mood greatly improved and I was finally able to function as a normal human being. When it came time to go off Paxil, my doctor instructed me to drop down to 10mg for a week and then down to 5mg for another week. After being on 5mg for a week, I would take one on Monday and then skip Tuesday and then take one on Wednesday and so forth for a couple of weeks. This method of weining seemed to work. Though I did experience some side effects(Brain Buzzing and sleep disorders) all of which were gone after a week or so after completely going off Paxil. In short, I feel that Paxil did indeed change my life for the better. There is a light at the end of all tunnels.

-- submitted by Dan, 25

"I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE ABOUT 5 - 6 PANIC ATTACKS A DAY"

I WAS PUT ON PAXIL IN JULY 1999 , I WAS ON 20 MG UNTIL I TOOK MY LAST DOSE ON JAN 1 2000 IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO GO OFF OF IT. I HAVE BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS AND I FEEL BETTER, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL NEVER GO ON IT AGAIN. I GOT MARRIED ON JUNE 11 1999 A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE ABOUT 5 - 6 PANIC ATTACKS A DAY, I THINK THAT IT WAS JUST A CHANGE OF LIFESTYLE THAT PUT STRESS ON MYSELF, I WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND HE PRESCRIBED ME PAXIL, AND THAT IS WHEN MY NIGHTMARE STARTED. I GAINED ABOUT 40 LBS AND I WAS ALWAYS TIRED AND LOST ALL INITIATIVE TO DO ANYTHING AND I LOST ALL SEXUAL DESIRE. IT DID STOP THE PANIC ATTACKS, BUT IT ALSO MADE ME FEEL THINGS THAT I NEVER FELT BRFORE EITHER. THE WITHDRAWALS WERE HORRIBLE, AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE DRUG TO ANYONE.

-- submitted by DAWN, 24

"I have gotten extremely dizzy, lightheaded and have bad headaches and pains in my neck and shoulders."

My doctor prescribed Paxil at the time my husband had terminal brain cancer. I DID NOT request medication and did not feel I was depressed..sad, yes, but NOT depressed. This was about five years ago and I have tried unsuccessfully more than once to withdraw from the Paxil. Every time, I have gotten extremely dizzy, lightheaded and have bad headaches and pains in my neck and shoulders. Each time, I have reduced the dosage slowly but still have the systems and each time, I have resumed the medication of 10mg rather than continue withdrawal. Last week, I discussed this with my doctor when I went for my annual physical and he seemed totally disinterested. He said I "need" to take it and it is doing me no harm. (How the heck does anyone know what long-term effects it will have!) I am now happily remarried and as far as I can tell, have no adverse reaction to Paxil such as sleeplessness, sexual dysfunction, etc. The positive effect is that I do feel more organized and not quite so "hyper."

-- submitted jchimsef, 54

"The anxiety was situational. My situation changed, I stopped taking it and the third day I was very ill."

This was the second time I took Paxil. This time 30mg. for anxiety, last time 20mg.for depression. The anxiety was situational. My situation changed, I stopped taking it and the third day I was very ill. I thought I had a stomach virus at first then I found out what it was. PAXIL WITHDRAWAL! I called the doctor and asked for some 20 mg. so I could taper off. She recommended. One a day for a week, then one every other day for a week, then one 3 times a week. Today I went back to the doctor because I have felt so bad. I didn't get much help there. I appreciate everyone that posted here because it validated my illness. I have several(most) of the symptoms posted here. I told someone today that I felt like I had a migrane without a headache. (Thank God) the nausea comes and goes but mainly on the 2nd day of no Paxil. I am going to start 10mg. everyday and see if that is any better. People need to be warned of the withdrawal. The first time I took Paxil, it was worth it because I was so depressed, but there was no withdrawal. Please help get the word out. I feel emotionally better because I know now that is not in my head.

-- submitted by forkers, 34

"This is my 3rd attempt to get off the paxil"

This is my 3rd attempt to get off the paxil. I wonder if I'll be successful? I believe I will (also did the other times). It's now been a year that I was prescribed paxil for panic attacks. Let me tell you that most doctors do not inform us well at all. If I had known there were so many withdrawal syptoms, I would have chosen something else. I can say the paxil at a proper dose really helped me. But when I first started on the paxil it didn't work. The doctors said it was going to be a gradual improvment. A month and 1\2 passed and I wasn't better. (I took 10mg for 3weeks and then 20mg) I was only better 2 to 3 days after the increase but for only a couple of days. I still had to go to the emergency many times, cause the panic attacks persisted uncontrollably. So between the hospital, my GP and the psychiatrist everything got mixed up. The hospital put my dosage up to 30mg. (good for a few days) Then I was worst. Now not only panic attacks but obsessive suicidal flashes. (which I feared tremendously cause I did not want to do that) So again to the emergency room for a huge panic attack and confusion. My dosage was put up to 40mg. What a mistake. It got worse after a few days of feeling good. With the panic attacks and suicidal flashes, add lots of ups and downs (laughing then crying 10-15 times a day). Also the shakes and increased occurrences of the attacks. So my GP put the paxil up to 50mg. What an overdose. You figure between them they would know the increase is worst. So this time the emergency admitted me for a week. I automatically refused to take that high of a dose of paxil. With lots of pushing they agreed to reduce it to 30mg and they gave me some ativan. I felt great after two days and then even better after a week. I say I felt great cause it was really hell before. so when I left the hospital we reduced it to 20mg with regular intake of ativans(ativans for about 1 month). It worked wonders. Panic attacks were controlled and not as frequent. Like once or twice a day instead of 10-12 times. And improving to only a few controlled ones a week to almost nothing. Now 9 months had past. I was well so decided to quit the paxil. Big mistake. I stopped cold turkey. It feels really great for a few days but then it's hell. I experienced major dizziness, being like off balance, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, being light headed, major tingling and vibrating and numbness in my arms, hands, legs and feet, lack of energy. I coulldn't stand cause I would be sick and I was weak almost not able to move around. I forgot to add the major heart palpitations. fast regular fast regular... After a week I couldn't take it anymore and went back on the paxil at 20mg. a few weeks later I attempted to do it the right way and reduce the dosage slowly to 10mg and the 5mg. But I felt bad everytime I reduced. There's this high everytime for about two days and then it's hell. So I went back to 10mg and stayed at that for a few weeks. I didn't feel good but I wanted off so bad. So I managed to regulate my system at 10mg. Wow. I took it for about 15days after that then reduced it to 5mg for a week and then a few days of every other day. Today I did not take the 5mg and all the withdrawal symptoms came back. I'm so upset. But I'm also determined to get off. I'm taking my last 5mg tomorrow. My doctor said that the withdrawal symptoms would last about 2 weeks and fade away. He said that the symptoms were well documented. Yah right, WHERE? I can someone have access to this info before taking the medication in the first place. I'm pretty frustrated by my experience and the lack of knowledge of the doctors regarding paxil. It almost feels like were rats. Well I'll let you know if I last and how long it took for the syptoms to go away . (if I succeed) Good luck to all of you out there. We'll find what works.

-- submitted by cveer, 27

"withdrawal symptoms are incredibly awful"

if someone would like to respond, pleas do so!!

I must be on day 11 now, paxil free. i am so proud, these withdrawal symptoms are incredibly awful. But i need to change the subject here...

Has anyone been to a doctor and discussed this with them. I went to three different doctors last week and got the run around?? why?? is this a conspiracy?? do the doctors get "kick backs" from giving this drug to us?? i don't understand.!

What's funny is, i am going to my doctors office tomorrow and requesting a copy of my medical files for the period of time i was on paxil, as i sit here and think about it, i think i was having more side effects than i realized. I feel like a detective right now, and i need to get to the bottom of this.

I think people should obviously be made more aware of the options they have before going on a drug. I think consoling is the way to go..

-- submitted by Tristan, 27

"I have been taking an SSRI similar to Paxil, called Zoloft, for over a year"

I have been taking an SSRI similar to Paxil, called Zoloft, for over a year. Curiously, I've experienced every negative symptom described by the participants of this web site, all of whom were using Paxil.

Believe me, Zoloft can be every bit as terrible to drop.

My doc suggested switching from Zoloft to Paxil; the idea being that a person must try a few anti-depressants to find the one most effective for him or herself.

But after researching on this site and others, the withdrawal symptoms associated with Paxil, no way will I get on Paxil.

Which leaves me with a lot of thinking to do about next steps...

-- submitted by LM, 29

"I began taking paxil for anxiety and since have encountered a new host of difficulties"

I began taking paxil for anxiety and since have encountered a new host of difficulties: I am so dizzy as I am writing this that I will make it as brief as possible. I experienced extreme tiredness for months, on paxil, I feel that my whole system has gone into slow motion and I have gained almost thirty pounds, has anyone else experienced this? I am now seeing a homeopathic medical doctor and have been easing off the drug, I am now going through the withdrawals I am beginning to hear others are experiencing such as; extreme dizziness, headaches, more tiredness, feelings of anxiety, disorientation or blurriness and I relate to what one man referred to as brain shocks. I also feel that my heart is beating funny even though my pulse doesn't seem to reflect this. I also feel like I am out of breath some times. My moods have been WILD as well. I am interested to know if anyone feels that this drug has slowed their metabolism down, this was supposed to be an anti-depressant, but gaining weight has not helped my self image very much. I am angry to discover how many others are going through the same things, no doctor ever warned me about all of this!!! Did this drug help me at ALL?

-- submitted by oldjed, 25

"i have watched my wife spiral completely out of control"

i am the spouse of the person taking this damn drug paxil - and i want to tell you i am at my wits end with all this - this is really a long story ill try and compress it - i live in canada and am moving to san francisco - have been spending lots of time here in san fran where my parents live - my dad is dieing - my mom got fleeced by some con men for a lot of money - my brother in law tried to grab the estate etc - am now 3 days from taking oath for us citizenship - my wife who is in canada right now had started on paxil after i came here in july and she has gradually increased the dosage to i believe some where in the neighborhood of 40-50 mg - also she is taking atavan and drinking - everything has been ok between us and we have been together for about 10 years - we were looking forward to moving to the us and she had taken stress leave from work back in july and the damn doctor had prescribed this to make her feel better - yeah right - i have watched my wife spiral completely out of control - we have been visiting as she would come here or i would go there to see each other - so i was not completely tuned in to what was happening - i am horrified from the things i have been reading about here and in other places on the net - and i am mad as hell that this doctor prescribed this stuff to her - the absolute least he should have done was to inform me of what was happening

well monday night i spoke to her on the phone and all i can say is "this is not my wife" - she told me among other things that she wanted a divorce - never wanted to see me again - never wanted to speak to me again - and that she was going to mail my personal possessions to me and she was going to see a lawyer etc etc - for about 45 minutes of screaming yelling and crying - for the next 4 days i have been a complete wreck - i can not leave here to go back there until after the oath taking ceremony for citizenship on tuesday - i will be leaving right after that - yesterday was the first time i was able to put this whole thing together - i now feel as though my wife is suffering from some kind of paxil induced psychosis but none of our friends want to hear that - they are all convinced that she wants a divorce and thats that - i have just heard today that she has stopped taking this paxil cold turkey - but i dont know if thats true or if she stopped last week and this is withdrawl

at this point my life is going down the toilet and i am not the one taking this damn drug - i am so mad at the doctor and at the medical establishment in general also pissed off with her family and friends as everyone thinks she just wants a divorce - maybe she does i dont know - 3 weeks ago when she was here which was a few days before my citizenship interview she told me she was hearing voices - i asked her directly if she was really hearing voices and she said no so i thought she had been joking - now i know and i feel very guilty for not having realized that she was out of control

what in gods name has happened - i am a wreck - she must be a lot worse but i didnt realize this til yesterday when i put it all together and started reading about paxil - im afraid that now its too late to salvage my marriage

i dont know what to do - i need to talk to someone - no one (our friends) seems to understand the dangers of this drug - im positive this is all due to the drug or her withdrawal from it

-- submitted by Chris, 44

"I have been feeling boosted like hell for 2 or 3 months, though side effects were still there."

I am not yet about to stop. I am taking 10mg a day since 6 months. My experience isn't very positive so far. I was very unwell during the two first weeks of treatment. I quickly realized that the medicine I was taking was not an "innocent" one. Part of the numerous side effects disappeared after 3 weeks. I have been feeling boosted like hell for 2 or 3 months, though side effects were still there. Some remain today and do not evolve anymore. One of the most intrusive is sexual (in first instance difficulty to have an orgasm (while erection was no problem), later significant decrease of the sexual desire. Another side effect I can't ge rid off is a kind of internal vibration. And finally I can't really sleep for a whole night. Falling asleep is no problem but after an hour or two I get awake and remain awake for hours. I can't have a really nice night with the feel that I recover some energy. The boost I got is gone and I merely feel any positive effect anymore (energy is low, I am always tired). Considering the low dose (10mg) I would not be surprised that my doctor would increase it. But when I read the problems you got to withdraw ... then I really get scared.

-- submitted by Pierre Becquart Av. de Tancarville, 18 1410 Wareloo Belgium

"I have been having panic attacks since I was 14 or 15."

I have been having panic attacks since I was 14 or 15. Finally, I went to a doctor a year ago and he diagnosed me with social phobia/generalized anxiety disorder. I waited a year to see another doctor. That was Thursday. It's Saturday now. I was prescribed paxil, without knowing anything about it, except the doctor said "it can be weird at first, but stick with it". I am very grateful for this website, because, after only taking it for 2 days, I am not going to take it again, I don't think. I hate it. I feel very weird. I was usually awkward around people, but know I am paranoid. I feel like I am floating. I feel either apathetic or emotional. I can't even listen to music I usually like. I woke up the first morning and looked in the mirror. My pupils were huge and I felt like I was looking at someone else. My jaw started shaking and chattering. This is unlike me. I am only awkward in social situations. I was in my own bathroom and felt very, very strange. I started crying, thinking "this is not me..." Do NOT listen to people who try and say that your withdrawal is because you are "so depressed". Get real, it is no coincidence that so many people experience weird feelings, immediately after they quit. That is weird and messed up. I think all of these new "cures" for depression and anxiety and all, are weird as hell. I have also noticed that doctors do not take people with mental ilness very seriously. For example, one of my first concerns was "Don't even mention Prozac, because I know a girl who took it and and it made her really weird. She was bipolar and she said she felt better when she forgot to take it." The doctor laughed and said "Ha, well, most bipolar people do feel better when they don't take their medicine". He kind of chuckled again. I was thinking, this is my friend, that was rude. Do not let some doctor tell you why you feel the way you do. They might have more insight than you do into the brain, but you know how you feel. They don't. Anyway, thanks a lot for the information. I was looking earlier, and all I saw was : "May cause drowsiness, constipation, decreased sex drive". I wanted to hear something real. They forget to mention that the drug makes you feel insane. Another good example of the weirdness - I am a cashier, and last night when i was working, I became totally paranoid. I thought everyone was laughing at me, and that they knew I was on Paxil. Weird, huh? Oh, finally, I find it impossible to study like this (the major reason I'm not taking it anymore).

-- submitted by page, 20

"I was prescribed paxil for panic disorder related to post traumatic disorder."

I was prescribed paxil for panic disorder related to post traumatic disorder. I was on 40mg of Paxil for one year. I decided to go off the medication because I believe it was making me lethargic and lazy. I also believed that it was causing more anxiety accompanied with heart palpitations. I began reducing the dose by 1mg weekly. I have been off the medication totally for three weeks. I continue to experience withdrawal symptoms which include: dizziness, anxiety, head and facial "jolts". I have also been very emotional. I am easily angered which is not in my character. I wish I could rid myself of these irritating withdrawal symptoms.

-- submitted by monkeyboyt, 29

"I was having a very difficult time sleeping, and didn't have any energy. I was extremely lazy.."

Been taking paxil for 3.5 yrs. Last week i decided that paxil wasn't doing anything for me, that i didn't need to take it. I was having a very difficult time sleeping, and didn't have any energy. I was extremely lazy.. So on Thursday, i stopped taking paxil cold turkey. I was feeling fine over the weekend, i still couldn't sleep, but on sunday night i was feeling "crabby", monday i had a horrible day at work, felt very moody. Tuesday was the worst day of my life. My hands and fingers felt numb, my legs felt odd. My mind was cloudy. like i was in a haze. hard to explain how i felt, and how i am still feeling. I became very emotional. started crying a couple of times. which is not a characteristic of mine. so i can to the internet and i was honestly surprised at the other responses i read.. It seems like a lot of people describe the same feelings toward paxil.. why is that?? because its a sham?? it made me feel better to know that others were feeling the same way i was, that i wasn't alone. I went to a psychologist yesterday, explained the way i was feeling, and his response was: Thats the depression kicking in without paxil... That made me mad, because of all the people that are talking about its ineffectiveness. I know i am fine, i just need that drug out of my body. I feel paxil was making me sleeplessness, i believe it was zapping my energy, making me lazy.. Whatever it is, i can control it myself, as soon as i rid myself of Paxil. thank you.

-- submitted by Tristan, 27