Paxil is a dangerous drug?

Question

I just read a post by a woman who lost a baby and was wondering if Paxil was the cause. My wife was given 5 times the regular dose of Paxil for 3 months back when the drug was new and has never recovered. For the entire 3 months she was virtually a ZOMBIE. She didn't care about anything, always had a doped up demeanor (like she was on hard-core street drugs) and was practically emotionless. After 3 months of her "recommended" 6 months dosage I couldn't stand it any longer. I took the drug away and destroyed it. I made it so she could not get anymore! Slowly, over a period of about 3 more months she returned "somewhat" to normal. !!!BBBUUUTT!!! There are BIG changes! She can't remember her childhood anymore (she could before as she was always talking about it - now she can't even remember things that I tell her!), she gained quite a bit of weight (I lover her no matter what) and she has almost NO sex drive. She goes through the motions. How can we stop this drug now!!??

Answer 1

It can take over a year for the after effects of a medicine like paxil to go away. This period is called dysmithia. When you are not weened off of an anti-dpressant and you just stop taking it, There are lingering depressive symptoms. Low sex drive and energy. The weight gain is from the paxil and will go away once her mood is lightened and has more energy. I do believe that some doctors do hand out anti-depressants like candy and it should be screened better.
It will take a while, but she will eventually be the person that you fell in love with again.
All anti-depressants are some what dangerous. They work in the brain by getting neurons to fire properly and or inhibiting or producing dopemine/seretonin and there is no telling how a person will react to them until they are tried.
There are much better ways to deal with mood disorders such as, Diet ( eating small portions 5 times a day) and exercise ( going for about a 45 minute walk in the sun everyday). A scheduled routine of waking and going to bed. Example. Go to bed at 11:00pm every night and get up at 9 am. ( it is said that people with certain mood disorders should not wake until 10 - 10:30 am, because that is when they are in the best mood. (Try this time to have sex, instead of when she is tired before bed) No caffeine and no chocolate and stay away from sugar. As long as you are supportive and try to keep her motivated, she could probably follow a routine.
I hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 2

It's possible that paxil could cause a miscarriage, but it doubt it, seeing how miscarriages happen all the time.....In any case, I think you should avoud taking such a powerful drug while pregnant, if you can avoid it. Who knows how it might affect a developing brain.....

The trouble is this, friend. Emotional changes, memory problems, weight gain, reduced sex drive, etc. are all common side effects of antidepressants. However, they are also all symptoms of depression itself, so going off the drugs cold turkey could make things better, or it could make things worse.

There are lots of different medication and treatment options out there, some better than others, so don't go throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Dealing with the side effects of depression drugs can be extremely frustrating, but it is usually better than the alternative. In any case they need to be *closely* monitored by a doctor (at least at first), since there is always some risk.

*Any* treatment is better than *none*, if it is a step towards managing depression.

Lastly, I am sure that you love and care for your wife very much. Unless she has totally lost her ability to act for herself, it goes without saying that she has a right to take any medications if she so wishes. With all due respect, it is your obligation to support and respect her decisions, even if you don't agree with them.(within reason of course....) Getting "better" is her primary responsibility, not yours.

Best wishes,
~Soylent Yellow

Answer 3

I took Paxil and did not have those side effects when I quit it. I just told the doctor that I felt like I did not have any feelings, and he switched me right away to another drug called Celexa, which works perfect for me. It is not the drug, it is the doctor that is prescribing it. The doctor should know a patient's history, likelihood of pregnancy, how drug tolerate the person is, etc... before prescribing any kind of medication. On the other hand, it can take several tries before the doctor finds just the right medication for you. I went through about 4 before he found the one I can take without life altering side effects. Everyone reacts differently to each medication.

Answer 4

Don't stop the production of Paxil. It saved my life. I was on 25mgs, and went through all the side effects; after 2 months they went away.
Recently, I have been through a rough time and am now on 37.5. I do have memory problems, but I would rather not be depressed and able to go out (I am agoraphobic), than remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday.
She should try Lexapro...it's like Paxil lite.

Answer 5

paxil will never be stopped as everyone responds to it differently, there are benefits and risks, some times the risks out weight the benefits as in your wife's case, however other people would rather have side effects then go thru life depressed and suicidal, sorry I can't help, hope things get better with your wife though

Answer 6

There are numerous lawsuits against the company manufacturing this drug, as well as a motion in court to have it recalled / removed from the market.
In addition I think you have a valid claim to file on behalf of your wife since it seems to have harmed her, I suggest you check out these websites and get in on the lawsuits already in progress

http://www.paxilrisks.com/?gclid=CIaH5JbBj4wCFRzaYAodlR807g
http://paxillawsuit.lawinfo.com/
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/03/paxil_states.html
http://www.breggin.com/paxilcomplaint.html
http://blog.lawinfo.com/2004/12/28/paxil-lawsuit-attorneys-are-ready-to-help-you-with-your-lawsuit-claim/

Answer 7

Beware, it may be propaganda from the Church of Scientology. Theire propaganda does not often mention Scientology affiliation as they are well aware that doing so would make their veiws sound less credible to a general audiance. They are pretty slick when it comes to propaganda. Try getting information from scientific sources rather then anecdotal ones. (Use google scholor)

Answer 8

I am in this question due to the other question you asked and i dont know the answer, the only thing i can recomend to you is to try and get into see a good dr.

Answer 9

Wow.All i can say is i am sorry and thank you for your in formation.It helps to know.