Paxil

[lostnconfused]

I was prescribed Paxil last week for anxiety and depression during a very rough time in my marriage with a separation. I started taking it a week ago and feel like my depression is worse today than a week ago. I started on 10 mg and just increased the dosage to 20 mg last night as prescribed. Woke up feeling very faint and nausious, dont' feel well today. I'm scared to continue on this and scared to someday have to get off of it since everyone complains of such harsh effects from stopping it. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth this compared to before! I'm wondering if I should get off it now.

[Roxann]

I am no longer taking paxil, but I do remember when I did start it, it took a few weeks to help, I think it took almost 3 weeks.


I hope you hang in there and talk with someone before you change the dose or quit taking it. I think you just need to build it up in your system before it starts to work.

[lostnconfused]

Thank you Roxann, I'm trying to hang in there

[cacramer]

i take 25mg paxil everyday, to deal with my problems, and will say it does help me. i understand that everybody is different, but will say that paxil solves a few problems i do not have. so, its like a umbrella!

I had to try 5 antidepressants before I found one that has tolerable side effects. There were two that made me throw up every time I swallowed one.

I was also more depressed when I started the Celexa and it got better after about a month.

You need to call your doctor and let him/her know what's going on. Your doctor may want you to stay on a lower dose or try something else. You don't have to force yourself to stay on medication that makes you very sick. There are others you can try. Celexa is the only one that didn't make me very sick.

So give the doctor a call.

Hugs,
MG

[lostnconfused]

Thank you all for the advice, I am waiting for a message from my doctor. I am feeling so much more depressed now that before I started taking it, I know it takes time but I feel horrible, not sure I can stick with it.

[1Marty]

I agree wth others here. I am on Paxil CR. It did take about 3 weeks before I started to notice it. It works to keep my anxiety attacks under contol. Just follow your Doc's advice. Unfortunately, this stuff is really trial and error for a lot of people. Hang in there!

[ihelpkids]

lost,

There are many medication options. Don't give up based on one experience. I strongly agree that you should work with your doctor; provided he/she is accessible during this difficult period. You can always get a second opinion. I would, of course, tell the new doc what has been going on and allow the to doctors to consult. Don't worry about how your old doctor might feel about that; you need to take care of you.

I hope you are also getting out to meetings. I know that the longer I am alone with my thoughts the worse I feel.

[ddConcerned]

I wound up on Paxil during a medical/family/emotionally horrible time in my life. I experienced nasea(sp) and anxiety for the first month, but I stuck with it because I had nothing else. I stayed on Paxil CR 25's for 8 months and am now tapering off. Paxil didn't so much make the worl rose colored or erase my emotional responses, but it did take the edge off, and helped with my strong anger issues. It kindof acted like a springboard, giving me that help to move through some issues. I know that it sometimes takes several different trials with various medications before finding one you can stay on, just keep in touch with your doctor, and if you feel something isn't right then stand up for yourself, don't stick with a medication if you really know it isn't going to work. hang on, get support and take it one day at a time

[BLUESMAN52]

Hi all,
I am very medication sensitive and was just started on only 5 mg's of Paxil.
One of the side effects is sexual dysfunction. Anybody know if these side effects disappear after awhile?
Also, does Paxil help you sleep, or is it a morning pill. My pdoc didn't specify.
Thanks

[Kit]

I was on Paxil for 2 years. It was good and bad. The good was that after a couple of weeks I felt extremely happy and it helped me through my tough time very well. I was actually VERY happy on 10mgs and I don't don't if you are actually supposed to feel the euphoria that I felt. Even my most troublesome students seemed like perfect angels to me - nothing bothered me. The BAD thing was that I did have sexual dysfunction that didn't ever go away while I was on it. Also, I had a rare side effect - I craved alcohol like crazy. That got me into a lot of trouble because when I started drinking I couldn't stop. I still have a problem today with alcohol, which is why I come to this site. It is different, but still a problem. Coming off of it wasn't too bad except for those little brain zaps that are common, however, I didn't find those unpleasant strange as it seems. Be ever so watchful and conscious about your feelings on this drug! It can be great for some and awful for others.

[BLUESMAN52]

Originally Posted by Kit

I was on Paxil for 2 years. It was good and bad. The good was that after a couple of weeks I felt extremely happy and it helped me through my tough time very well. I was actually VERY happy on 10mgs and I don't don't if you are actually supposed to feel the euphoria that I felt. Even my most troublesome students seemed like perfect angels to me - nothing bothered me. The BAD thing was that I did have sexual dysfunction that didn't ever go away while I was on it. Also, I had a rare side effect - I craved alcohol like crazy. That got me into a lot of trouble because when I started drinking I couldn't stop. I still have a problem today with alcohol, which is why I come to this site. It is different, but still a problem. Coming off of it wasn't too bad except for those little brain zaps that are common, however, I didn't find those unpleasant strange as it seems. Be ever so watchful and conscious about your feelings on this drug! It can be great for some and awful for others.

Thanks for the info. I'll try it for a while, and if I get those symptoms I'll stop.
Last thing I want to do is drink again. I am almost at 90 days sober.
The sex thing? Well, I don't mean to sound crude or anything, but if I get sexual dsyfunction, I'll stop the meds also. That would only depress me more and wouldn't be fair to my wife. Sex is one of the few things I still enjoy.
Have a good day

[Kit]

I don't blame you, the sex thing was a drag!
Love, Kit

[BLUESMAN52]

Originally Posted by Kit

I don't blame you, the sex thing was a drag!
Love, Kit

Were you taking it in the morning or evening?
I don't want to be sleeping all day.
Also, how does caffeine work with it.
Can I have coffee with paxil?
Thanks for all your help

[Wolfstarr]

lostnconfused and Bluesman, hello!
Try this link and see if it can answer some of your questions...
Also, Paxil is an SSRI--a group of antidepressants which includes Prozac and Zoloft. They all have an effect on decreasing the sex drive. The only antidepressant that doesn't is Wellbutrin.

http://www.paxilcr.com/index.jsp

There are so many antidepressants out there these days. When I started twenty years ago on an antidepressant, it was Ludiomil. Ugh it was awful...lots of side effects but it did get me out of the major depressive episode I was in. Then came prozac. That has helped me so much and I continue to stick with it, after stopping and starting others...it is the best for me.
Talk to you Dr. and let her/him know your concerns.

Hugs,
Wolf

[BLUESMAN52]

Thanks Wolfstarr
I have tried wellbutrin and it made me too manic. I am also bipolar.
I doubt the paxil is going to be any good for me because I have already been on every antidepressant known to man, and they all have failed in one way or another.
I'll check out that link.
Thanks!

[Kit]

I took paxil in the afternoon, because I found it gave me a boost of energy and when I got home from work I would clean my house. I don't know if it gives everybody an energy boost. I don't think it matters what time of day you take it as far as the sex goes, because it is in your system.
I drank caffiene with paxil.
As I said before, be careful with alcohol (maybe you don't drink since you are a visiter to this site?) because my neurologist had told me that if you are bi-polar and drink with paxil, you will feel euphoric. I felt euphoric without the alcohol and REALLY euphoric while drinking alcohol. I therefore suspect I just may have a little bi-polar going on.
Love, Kit

[BLUESMAN52]

Originally Posted by Kit

I took paxil in the afternoon, because I found it gave me a boost of energy and when I got home from work I would clean my house. I don't know if it gives everybody an energy boost. I don't think it matters what time of day you take it as far as the sex goes, because it is in your system.
I drank caffiene with paxil.
As I said before, be careful with alcohol (maybe you don't drink since you are a visiter to this site?) because my neurologist had told me that if you are bi-polar and drink with paxil, you will feel euphoric. I felt euphoric without the alcohol and REALLY euphoric while drinking alcohol. I therefore suspect I just may have a little bi-polar going on.
Love, Kit

I don't intend to drink. I am an alcoholic in recovery so that hopefully won't be an issue.
What bothers me most is if Paxil interferes with my sleep and sex life.
If it does, it is not worth taking.
I guess I'll try it tomorrow morning and see what happens. It's only 5 mg's to start, so maybe if I go slow with it, my side effects will be less? I'll keep you posted.

[Struggling2live]

Ehh,I am no Doctor but I do know that Paxil is an evil drug!..I was on it for about 2 yrs and the withdrawl was HORRIBLE.Felt like I was dying.Still get zaps in my head.

I know drugs effect everybody differently,but the majority is negative!

[Kit]

Struggling, I know lots of people who feel that way. How long have you been off of it?

Joe, although I got energy from it during the day, I slept really well. But if you and your wife enjoy a sex life, then you may want to talk to your doctor. I know how it affected me, as a woman, but I don't know how profound the effect is for men. I hope it agrees with you.

[BLUESMAN52]

Originally Posted by Struggling2live

Ehh,I am no Doctor but I do know that Paxil is an evil drug!..I was on it for about 2 yrs and the withdrawl was HORRIBLE.Felt like I was dying.Still get zaps in my head.

I know drugs effect everybody differently,but the majority is negative!

Why did you stop it after 2 years? It must have been working?
For me, thats the last drug left. I have tried everything from a - z.

Now I am afraid of it. I started today. Only 5 mg's to begin and I feel a little anxious, but otherwise, I am OK. I have to be on meds for the rest of my life, so if Paxil works, why stop? I won't have to deal with withdrawal. I don't know anymore, Your post has frightened me.

[Struggling2live]

My comment wasnt intended to scare anybody.Just figured i'd throw my experience in.

Never said it didnt help me.What I meant was its an evil drug because all of the side effects the Doctors DONT tell the patients.Not to mention the horrible withdrawl from it.The company is being sued by countless patients because of witheld information.

[BLUESMAN52]

Originally Posted by Struggling2live

My comment wasnt intended to scare anybody.Just figured i'd throw my experience in.

Never said it didnt help me.What I meant was its an evil drug because all of the side effects the Doctors DONT tell the patients.Not to mention the horrible withdrawl from it.The company is being sued by countless patients because of witheld information.

I took my first dose today and I feel like jumping out of my skin. I have a terrible buzzing in my head, and sort of suicidal, and I am NOT allowed to call my pdoc. I guess I have to stop it and wait a month till I see the B---tch again! I wonder if I can report them to the American Medical Association?
How could ANY doctor tell not to call with med issues?

Joe,

Have you taken other SSRI's like Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, etc...

They are all in the same family. If you've tried the others then Paxil should be similar. Some of these meds raise energy levels, some are neutral, and some have a calming effect, but they are similar. Paxil I've heard is one of the worst for sexual side effects, but that differs for each person. I don't think that side effect goes away with time. I think that Paxil is one that has a calming effect. I can't remember for sure though. I know that Prozac is known to raise energy levels and Celexa is neutral.

My daughter took Paxil and tapered off of it without problems. My son stopped taking it abruptly and was very ill. I've seen many patients taper off without problems. I talked to a psychiatrist last month who told me that Effexor is the hardest to stop taking. Even worse than Paxil. I've heard a lot of bad stories about withdrawal from Paxil, but I've also heard some bad stories about withdrawal from medications that I stopped abruptly without any problems. Each person is different.

Just don't stop taking it abruptly and you should be able to handle it if you need to stop taking it.

Hugs,
MG

Oh sorry. I was typing and didn't see your reply.

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with these doctors and medications. I am very sensitive to medication also and have the rare side effects that no one else gets. The instructions on the anti-depressants are to monitor the patient very closely for the first 6 weeks. This is what your doctor's should be doing when they start you on a new medication like this.