I am suffering from depression and am taking Paxil.?

Question

If you are a Paxil user or have used Paxil, what has been your experiences with it? Was it hard for you to get off of it. I personally don't feel that it is having any effect whatsoever, except for diminished sex drive and dry mouth and making me feel sluggish.
What do you think? I would like to slowly taper myself off of this drug, but my doctor insists that I keep taking it. I think it just keeps him in business. He's a psychiatrist, but he doesn't do any counseling. All he does is write prescriptions. I would like to have some counseling, but my insurance doesn't cover it. I don't think that pills are the answer at all. Please help!

Answer 1

Oh dear, I will not have a lot of positive things to say in my answer. I was on Paxil, the perscription written by a family physician. It didn't help me at all but made me feel worse, suicidal a few times and that is not ME to be that way. My doctor encouraged me to keep taking it, it was supposed to help 'social disorder' he said. I suppose my obvious aversion to him led him to think I needed this pill.

I decided to get myself off Paxil. It was very difficult. I tried cutting the pill in quarters and decreasing it that way. I thought I was loosing my mind, that is the violent effect of Paxil withdrawal. I ended up just bumping around the house for a couple weeks as I SHAVED little pieces off the pill with a razor blade to gradually decrease the dosage. I was a wreck BUT I had been on Paxil for years. I hope it won't be as bad for you as it seems you have just started taking it.

I recommend you stop taking it NOW, it is an addictive BAD drug. I think you are right about the doctors and pharaceutical companies wanting the population addicted for life. Lots of money that way.

Start by cutting the pill in quarters with a pill cutter machine, you can get one at the drug store. Try taking 1/4 less and see how you feel. If that is OK in a few days take another 1/4 less, then you'd be at half the original dose. You get the picture. So good luck. A therapist that lets you talk your problems out is much better than drugs. Find out if your community has a facility that charges sliding scale for a visit to a therapist. Most places have a clinic like this.

You won't suffer permanent harm from this withdrawal and the bad feeling you'll have while getting off the drug will pass.

The way things are going in the world these days, if a person doesn't feel depressed something is wrong with them, not the other way around. The next step is learning how to deal with the horrors and live a happy life in spite of everything.

Also read this book---Living with Joy by Sanaya Roman It helped me a lot.

Answer 2

Boy, so many issues! Ok, see a second doctor, most insurance plans pay for a second opinion. If the second doctor agrees you should stay on it, then that's what you should do.

As an experienced paxil taker, yes, there are some side effects. All psych meds have them, and they differ somewhat with each person. I personally had to switch around quite a lot until I found a combination of two meds that managed my symptoms and didn't turn me into a whale. But I will tell you it takes about six weeks before you get therapeutic on paxil.

No, it's not addictive, but you do have to taper off. Generally, in nursing, we do this by decreasing the dose by half each week until you're off the medicine.

And by the way, if you start thinking about suicide at any time, notify your doctor immediately. Depression is not a game, but it is usually temporary with the proper treatment.

Answer 3

I am currently a Paxil user. I also take Wellbutrin. For me, this combination has been quite successful. I have been seeing a psychiatrist since I was 13 (now I'm 30). I've had a dozen doctors, countless therapists, numerous diagoses, and an amazing number of drugs in that time.

There are so many drugs for depression these days. My phD chemist brother has explained that some of the different drugs are simply chemical "mirrors" of one another (forgive my lack of technical knowledge), or in some other way just slightly different. If you have an imbalance of some kind, there's no really good way to find out what it is chemically, so the best thing psychiatrists can do is try the ones they know to be successful for a lot of people first. If it doesn't work, then it's not like they are out of options. It's taken me 17 years to find the right combination. If Paxil doesn't work for you, another drug might. You might mention this to your doctor...something like, "I know this isn't the only drug for depression, and it's not working. I really would like to try something else."

And yes, I have gone through periods in that time where I have told myself it was all in my head and that I didn't need "no stinking pills" and went off my meds. For me, that was a very bad idea, because in my case the imbalance (whatever it is) is quite real. I eat a vegan diet and do lots of aerobics and yoga, and still have problems.

As for the side-effects, I feel your pain. Definitely I have all the same ones as you and a few extras like profuse sweating, light sensitivity, and headaches if I don't take it the same time every day. I've landed myself in the hospital enough times by not taking my pills to decide that I prefer those side effects, though. Sad isn't it?

You might start with a different diet and exercise. But I'd still ask your doctor for something different.

Answer 4

I have used Paxil before and the main thing I remember is that it drained me of all energy. I was told I would feel less tired (probably because it was supposed to lift my depression) but I felt just the opposite. It slowed my brain down and I felt exhausted...I also remember having headaches....as for sex drive I have had diminished sex drive from all of the antidepressants I have tried so that was nothing new to me.

I do not know how long you have been on it to say whether or not you should taper off. Some drugs require weeks to see the maximum benefit. Your psychiatrist probably wants to give the drug time to work if you haven't been on it very long.

Psychiatrists do not provide counseling services. Their job is to write scripts for the most part. In the beginning they get background history so they can analyze you and figure out what drugs to prescribe you. After that they basically hand out meds like candy or combinations of them until they do or don't find you relief.

I can tell you that I have tried therapy and it isn't really all it is cracked up to be. You basically sit there and talk to someone who gets paid a ton of money to listen to your woes and could care less whether you are there or not. They may seem very compassionate but usually they have no solutions, perhaps some feedback but it doesn't solve anything. Depression is often biochemical so I don't see what good they really do. Sometimes you can walk out feeling good for a little while because you tell them things you don't confide to your family or friends about but then the feelings return and you are miserable again....

I never got any help for my depression or anxiety from any pill. In fact I was on seven all at once at one point in my life and now I have seizures because I was trying to get myself off of one of them after the practitioner gave up on me....

Everyone is different. I hope you find the help you need and you have better experiences than I have had. Good luck....

Answer 5

I've been taking Paxil for over three years, took a while to start working and I've reduced the dose slightly but I get really down without it. I've had the counselling and it only helped a little.

I'm afraid the diminished sex drive is a fact of life on the drug.

Answer 6

If you dont have insurance for counseling, contact your local mental health center (state or county) which usually have a sliding fee scale.

And, if you don't like your psychiatrist, find another one, one who will talk to you. Sounds like you are experiencing normal side effects from the Paxil that could diminish in time but there are also other psychotropic meds for depression. You have the right to go the the doctor/psychiatrist of choice.

Answer 7

Every person is different and requires different medication. What works for some does not for others.

Let me give you a perfect example: As I read the other answers one said Paxil did nothing for them.......well it works great for my sister who was once suicidal and now she is not.

Another answer said that zoloft did nothing for them........well without my mothering being on zoloft she would have never made it through her sons suicide. He committed suicide by hanging.

You can not judge what is best for you by others and you should not even try.
Your mental health is to important for that.
Talk to your doctor, tell him how you are feeling, tell him what you think of the prescription you are taking, and ask him if there is another medication that he can try on you.
And as with any antidepressant......it takes awhile to get into your system, and then it takes longer before you will see results.

Also, you need to start out an exercise program for yourself slowly and build yourself up. Get off the junk food and the soda and coffee. These foods are depressant foods.
Exercise and eating healthy along with your meds will help get your state of mind on a healthy track.

Answer 8

How long have you been taking Paxil? It takes 4 -6 weeks to work.

As for counseling, I'm not sure what your insurance is like, but often, if you can get a referal from your doctor they will pay.

Answer 9

My husband takes paxil He had to have his dose increased once. It had not affected his sex drive. If a doctor had given you Paxil he should be monitoring you to see if and how it is working. Don't taper yourself off, find another doctor. There are many many different anti depressants. Good luck!

Answer 10

Psychiatrists don't do counseling..
How long have you been on the Paxil? It takes at least 1 month to be effective. You might need a higher dose.
It has worked well for me :)
Drink more water.