Has anybody benefited from taking Paxil or know somebody who has?

Question

Details appreciated!!!

Answer 1

I was prescribed Paxil for both anxiety and depression. It didn't help much with either but did make me feel like a "zombie." I also gained a lot of weight. When I decided to go off it two years later, I suffered very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, sweating, insomnia, etc.) which lasted a few months.

From my personal experience and subsequent reading, I learned that all antidepressants can be dangerous. While some people may not have serious side effects while taking them and may benefit from them, many people experience disturbing withdrawal symptoms (some physical, some emotional) once they start the quitting process. That's why it's best to avoid antidepressants unless there is absolutely no other choice (you or someone else's life is in danger, or other types of therapy haven't worked well enough).

Answer 2

Well, personally, I benefited greatly from Paxil. It saved my life.

I had TERRIBLE depression, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and was just all around f'd up. It got to the point where I was almost agoraphobic, afraid to leave the house.
I got a different job, and finally got insurance, so I went to the doctor, and he saw through my body language right away how high my anxiety was. He put me on Paxil (my first psychiatric drug), and let me tell you - it changed my life. I could eat in restaurants, go to the store, DRIVE, talk to people without freaking out. And it helped my depression as well.
I'm not on it anymore because I plateaued on it and couldn't take any higher doses, but I am currently on about 5 different meds to help with my depression and panic disorder. Paxil worked best for me, but everyone reacts differently to each drug. Remember, all these drugs work on theory - no one really knows WHY they work, but they THINK they do.
And Paxil has one helluva terrible withdrawal to it. Just be aware and be careful.

Answer 3

I took Paxil in 2002, it caused me to loose 8 pounds in 5 days and to have no sex drive whatsoever. It did releive my anxiety and depression, but I could not remember yesterday or think about tomorrow, all I could concentrate on was today. I suppose that focusing on the present back then was the reason I became able to deal with my problems and stopped taking the medication after about 4 months.It is important to take Paxil when prescibed because it has to get into your blood stream and maintain a steady blood level in order to be effective. I'm proud to say that I am medication free to this day.

Answer 4

I have a friend who was mildly depressed. Paxil helped her and she has had no ill effects from it. I became severely depressed and it was no help to me. I don't know if the difference was that I was severely depressed and she was not or if it just worked for her and not for me. I was given another antidepressant (Cymbalta) which has been great. Everyone is different. If you have had it prescribed and for some reason are unhappy with it, there are many anti-depressants. Don't give up. Keep trying. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

i'm on paxil and wellbutrin. i started out taking paxil at 20 mg now i take 60 mg. i think i'm becoming immune to the paxil if that's possible, this explains the wellbutrin. i can tell when i don't take it for awhile as i start feeling like crap and the suicidal thoughts come back. i don't like the weight gain, but i would probably gain the weight anyway without it. i also tend to get mean when i haven't been taking the paxil for awhile.

Answer 6

I benefited some many years back but found I became even more depressed due to weiht gain, I'm a small gal so 20+lbs. can be miserable...I needed medication but refused for a time because of weight gain. I spoke with my doctor and we tried another medication that doesn't cause the weight gain. I want to be well not well and fat!

Answer 7

I have taken Paxil. I don't recommend it at all. It is addicting and getting off the drug is difficult due to the withdrawal symptoms. It did not help with the depression. Don't take it.

Answer 8

It sucks. I got those "brain zaps" from it and I gained weight. Brain zaps are those little zaps of pain you get in your head every so often. They hurt and are annoying. I stopped taking after about 8 weeks. I told my doctor what was happening and he it was like well "don't throw the baby out with the bathwater", his words exactly. This sh*t didn't work, made me gain like 5 pounds in 2 months, and was hurting my head. Read all the controversy about it. This is still a new drug and I won't mess with it ever again.

Answer 9

I have been on paxil 40 mg every day for several years for depression,anxiety,panic attacks and it really works.If I miss a couple of days I can really tell it.It has made life bearable.No side effects noted for me.

Answer 10

Yes, Paxil is a selective seratonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that can be useful is assuaging symptoms of depression and anxiety. The side effects are fairly minimal but there are no side effects to psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy and other forms of psychotherapy found useful in treating these problems.