Experiences with Paxil?

[Raine9]

Just wanna hear about your experiences with Paxil.  

Thanks!

[suzi-q]

Hi Raine...I have been on paxil for 10 years....I know that in the beginning it was a life saver for me...I was at my witts end until I started taking it.  It gave me my life back...I still do, however, suffer from anxiety.  However, not as terrible as it was in the past...I don't think anything is 100%...it can help, but it is up to you to make the difference...and THAT'S what I have to do...I have to stop dishing advice and start TAKING SOME!!!

But, like I said, Paxil works for me, but I don't have anything to compare it to!

[LBSooner]

Just started on Paxil - They started me at 20mg/day - Did not feel good felt very drugged down actually felt a band around my head - not sure if it was the Paxil or the anxiety (I have some pretty nasty physical symptoms). I was told to try it at 10 mg/day and have been doing that now for just over 2 weeks.

I have not had any huge success unless I am taking Ativan with it. I am not sure if it has not yet kicked in or if it is not the drug for me.

Thanks,
LB

[suzi-q]

Wow! 20 is a lot to start with!  I started with 10 and then to 15 before 20 (and up!!)  see how it goes...give it a little time...then if it isn't helping, there are many others that may!!

[LBSooner]

How long before it really started working for you?

How severe has your anxiety been (physical symptoms?) Just curious because it seems like you have been on Paxil a long time? I have been hoping to only use meds for a while and then get off of them.

Thanks,
LB

[suzi-q]

I know that a lot of people are on them for only short periods of time, but I had some ups and downs in my life that it was better that I stayed on it!  I hope to come off it one day...but don't know when that will be!

When I began taking it, I was a complete disaster!!!!  I had constant nausea, shaking, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, diarrhea and a total fear of leaving my house.  It was horrible.. I was like this for 4 months before I truly got help and started meds.  I do not remember how long it took for the meds to kick in....it was so long ago.  And I also don't know if I had any side effects because I felt SO TERRIBLE to begin with, that anything would be an improvement!!!!!  Yes, I know of many people who do come off, but please know that I heard paxil is very hard to come off of...I heard that there are terrible withdrawals...now I don't know if this is for everyone, or if the other SSRI's are any different...but it is something to check into!!!  It is too late for me!  I am already hooked!!  LOL