Could Paxil Cause Panic Type Sensations and Short Term Memory Loss

[Katie 2]

Hello -
I have been taking 10mg of Paxil for approximately
4 weeks for anxiety and depression. I have not had panic attacks for about 3 years.   When I  bagan taking Paxil this time I had a queasy stomach for a couple of weeks.  This  eventually subsided and I do feel much less anxious and depressed. However I have recently begun to have panic-type symptoms such as sudden "flashes" of anxiety such as increased heartbeat and hot and cold feeling in my feet. These episodes do not last very long but are very upsetting. I have normal blood tests, blood pressure and am generally in good health. I did have panic attacks about 3 years ago and at that time took Paxil for about a year and have not had panic symptoms since. I am wondering why I would now start having these panic symptoms again when I am have not had these symptoms prior to going on Paxil this time. My question for you is:  Could this be a side effect of Paxil and if so  will it eventually subside?? Also could Paxil cause short term
memory problems and if so would this subside if the drug is discontinued. How long do side effects last?

Thanks so much for your reply.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The most likely explanation is that whatever stress caused you to start taking Paxil in the first place this round, is what is still there.  These symptoms do not sound like side effects, but anxiety break throughs so you might ask your doctor about increasing the dose tempoarily.

[Katie 2]

Has anyone out there experienced anxiety symptoms from taking
Paxil and have they subsided? I have been taking 10 mg for
about 4 weeks and wondered if anyone else has had these side
effects?
Thanks

[jojo7]

I had been on paxil for about 4 years, I started having anxiety attacks about 2 years into taking the med. My attacks were like a burning sensation through my upper body and feeling as if I was not there. They were mild and I just ignored them. I decided to stop the paxil about 3 months ago. I tapered slowly but I still had horrible withdrawl symptoms for about 2 weeks. After that I felt just fine then   about 1 1/2 months ago I experienced horrible anxiety that would not go away. I feel that paxil totally causes this and I just am not sure why. I never had any anxiety ever in my life only slight depression. This is what leads me to believe that it the paxil totally changes our brains. Our brains do not know how to function without the meds. And very likely the break through anxiety is true and I suggest therapy and relaxation to deal with this. If you plan to stay on the drug I would not up the dose, it seems to be a never ending battle to try and find the right dosage. Nobody really knows to much about any of these meds. I have read two books that you may be interested in: The Anti-depressant fact book by Peter R. Breggin, M.D. and Your drug may be ypur problem how and why to stop taking psychiatric medications by peter r. breggin, m.d. and david cohen, ph.d.
you can get these books through the library.
when I first read these books I got pretty scared so beware but keep in mind that if the meds are helping and your not ready to get off them you are just fine. these books just help to explain what is happening to your brain. I myself am now on Lexapro, klonopin at night and a sleeping aid. I have began conseling and relation techniques and exercising. I am hoping that through these things I can become strong enough to handle the anxiety attacks without the meds but for now I must take them.