PAXIL AND PANIC....PAXIL SIDE EFFECTS...WEAK MUSCLES

[A]

Hi there,
I appreciate this forum!
I'm on a low dose of Paxil (3-5mg a day)for panic attacks/slight depression.  The dose is so low because I'm extrememly sensitive to medications...esp. SSRI's for some reason.
I have been on it for about a month.  I have some side effects that are bothersome and some that I can ignore.  The main one that I can't ignore so easily is that I have very weak and shaky muscles after I take the Paxil....from 1-8 hours afterwards.  Sometimes it is worse than others...but it usually feels like my legs are so weak I can hardly move around.  I also am internally shaky.  It's almost like I can't control my muscles.  I sometimes even stumble around from it.
It is fairly effectively blocking my panic attacks which I greatly appreciate though!!   However, I'm having a hard time with the muscle weakness.  Is this a normal side effect????
I also have lost my sex drive.  I also feel pretty low energy physically a lot of the time.  I try to get up and go but it seems like it got up and went without me.  But, my moods are more stable, I feel stronger mentally, I'm no so nervous all of the time, and I have a better outlook on things..etc.... Maybe there is just a trade-off with antidepressants...?  
I also am soooo thirsty all of the time!  I drink a gallon of water a day it seems!
I have tried others...like Effexor and the side effects of that were worse for me than I can describe. (constant anxiety and panic).  I was on st johns wart for almost two years and it was great..but did not completly relax me or block panic. I would like to stay on paxil but what I'm wondering is if these side effects might go away after another month or two?  Are they normal?
I wonder if some people take it at night for these reasons?  
I hope that you can answer my questions.  

THANK YOU!!!!! :)
A
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[HFHS M.D.-SW]

Dear A,

Paxil (paroxetine) may have multiple side effects. Patients taking Paxil may suffer few or no side effects. The dosage you're taking (3-5mg/day) is low, the average therapeutic dose is 20mg/day. Despite the low dose you are suffering from side effects. The incidence of these side effects are, decreased sexual desire (upto 25%) sedation 24%, weakness 22%, dry mouth 18%. You may consider taking Paxil in the evening or at bedtime inorder to reduce daytime side effects.
It is not uncommon for side effects to decrease with time.  It is important you discuss your concerns with your doctor, preferably a psychiatrist.
The information provided in this Forum is presented for general educational purposes only. Specific questions you have pertaining to your health should always be directed to your personal physician or you may call Henry Ford Behavioral Health at [phone] for an evaluation.

Sincerely,

HFHS M.D.-SW

*Keywords: Side effects of Paxil, Paxil

[Lee]

Greetings, I've had exactly the same response to paxil.  I'm among the 5-8% that cannot tolerate it, but I didn't understand until the 27th day of 30mg/da.  Then, after the crisis unit mistakenly over-dosed me again, I nearly flipped.  Now, I'm supposed to taper off of it at 10mg increments.  The symptoms have come back.  Its awful.  I feel near the end of the rope.... Beyond weakness, I've tremors, sweats, cramps, body-jolts, eye shakes, ringing ears, dizziness, sleeplessness for 4 days and hyper-sensitivity to negative stimulae.  I felt better for 2 hours on day 24, before the axe fell.  This is scary stuff. Anyone who gets any of these symptoms should not touch paxil under any circumstances.  Thanks.

[Elizabeth Jasper]

This is sort of a wimpy complaint, but is excessive yawning a side-effect of Paxil?  I have some nausea and some drowsiness and fairly consistent loose stool; but somehow I find all of these more tolerable that the constant yawning that seems to have come with the start of the medication.  Only been on it a few days, but I have yawned to the point of dislocating my jaw, a feat usually reserved for the dentist's office.  Any comments appreciated.  Is this something that may pass?  I can't say I feel any better, but it may be too soon to hope for that.  I am normally very tolerant to most meds...I also take Norvasc, Prilosec, Celebrex and PremPro.  Maybe some interaction? I have taken the others for several years...only the Paxil is new.

[PATTY]

I have taken Paxil for depression for a couple of months and have had "body jolts" as Lee described them, when I am trying to go to sleep (and only then), and also if I take a 20 mg dose instead of a 10mg dose per day, I get jaw tremors--anyone else have these?

[chris]

I was on Paxil for about 2 years after 4 major life events. I have to say that Paxil did initially help but the side effects eventually became my reason for tapering down (10mg to 0 in 2 weeks) and eventually stopping. During my Paxil days(20mg/day)I experienced headaches, loss of memory, dizziness, blurred vision, sexual dysfunction, always feeling tired, restless sleep, popping sounds in my head, etc. I have tapered down a few times to see how I would feel and  even though the side effects were minimized I found myself feeling increasingly anxious and panicky. So I would return to 10mg/day which for a while was a bearable comfort point. After a few days the afore mentioned side effects would reappear. So as of Jan 28th I am Paxil free! My symptoms during withdrawal have been nausea, dizziness, feelings of disassociation, increased anxiety and momentary feelings of panic, (these could occur during the day or after awaking mid-night), 'brain zapping sounds', tiredness, moodswings, heightened emotions, numb lips, aching teeth, frustration, easily moved to anger. It is now Feb 15th and even though many symptoms have lessened I am still experiencing moments of increased anxiety and panic, heightened emotions, tiredness, numb lips and aching teeth. Lack of ability to mentally focus on tasks.(One of my main reasons for discontinuing Paxil is that I am now in school and I could not retain information) If anyone has experienced the numb lips or aching teeth I would like to know anything about that.

[mildred]

I have recently been given paxil by my physician.  I am on the ninth day of treatment and do feel less depressed even though I have several things in my life to depress me.  I have not had any of the suggested side effects thus far.  What is the average length of time one may stay on at 20 mgs a day?I began the RX by taking 5mgs a day for 4 days,then 10 mgs for 4 days and am now taking 20 mgs daily.

[Ashley]

I am taking 20mg of paxil and it makes my muscels week, i get cold sweets, I can't stay awake in my classes I haven't taken it very long but are these things normal???????? My doctor said that soon they might have to up my dosage if I don't snap out of my depression. But are these things likely to lesson w/ time?
Thanks