topic Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil in Wellness

Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

LoveSG — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 16:43:43 GMT

Since i was a teen I've always had issues with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and at other times Major Depressive Disorder , yet I remain highly functioning. Now that I'm in my early 50s, the panic attacks have really kicked in again; I think they may be related to hormonal changes. I have a wonderful psychopharmacologist who has helped me tremendously. He has asked me if i am willing to wean off Prozac and try Paxil now for the panic type of anxiety. However, I have concerns after reading all the crazy info that I find on the Internet concerning Paxil..anyone care to share their experience. I appreciate so much! Thanks again!

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

janetsellshomes — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:41:46 GMT

I also have GAD. It went from situational anxiety to generalized during the menopause years. It certainly isn't fun and no one understands it unless they have been there. I was put on Lexapro and after a few weeks, it did the trick. I could go to the grocery store again and enjoy my work and attend meetings etc etc. I now take the generic Lexapro which is escitalopram...works the same. No side effects whatsoever. I hope you can feel great like I do...Good Luck.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

HiLo — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:48:49 GMT

I took Paxil for over 10 years; had some side effects, the worst being having trouble sleeping which gradually got better. A few years ago it stopped working and I was put on Effectzor (sp). My side effects are about the same as they were with Paxil, however, my Dr. said that she wasn't too pleased with Paxil as it stays in the system too long.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

Piper54 — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 18:11:55 GMT

Have you asked about Buspar for anxiety? It takes a few weeks to work but worth it.

Piper

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

qvcfan526 — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 18:16:51 GMT

I have been on Effexor XR for years now for anxiety/depression issues and the only problem I have is trying to get weight off. It has been the hardest since I started it. I have tried to get off but experience terrible brain fogginess. I guess I will be on it forever.

I used Buspar for a few months and had luck with that before the Effexor XR when I was having anxiety attacks one upon the other.

Try eliminating beef from your diet for awhile and also caffeine. This too helps.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

wonderwoman — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:32:01 GMT

I was on Paxil for many years and would advise against it. It doesn't work very well, makes you fat. I was overweight for years because of this drug. It has been my experience that Doctors don't recommend this drug due to the negative side effects. And - -if you should ever try to wean yourself off of paxil, watch out!!! The withdrawal is 100 times worse than weaning from cigarettes. I have been on 60 mgs. of prozav for the past 2 years and it has been a lifesaver in controlling depression and anxiety. Good luck whatever you decide.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

Shogirl — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:39:51 GMT

On 1/22/2014 Piper 54 said:
Have you asked about Buspar for anxiety? It takes a few weeks to work but worth it.

Piper

Buspirone (Buspar) is strictly for anxiety and it works wonders, not to mention it's cheap. Both my husband and I have taken it and gotten off it with no ill effects. I believe at the time we took it, I was taking Prozac and my husband was taking Seroquel. It generally works immediately, depending on how much you take, which is why I really like it as far as handling anxiety issues.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

MarthaStewardess — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:48:39 GMT

On 1/22/2014 wonderwoman said:
I was on Paxil for many years and would advise against it. It doesn't work very well, makes you fat. I was overweight for years because of this drug. It has been my experience that Doctors don't recommend this drug due to the negative side effects. And - -if you should ever try to wean yourself off of paxil, watch out!!! The withdrawal is 100 times worse than weaning from cigarettes. I have been on 60 mgs. of prozav for the past 2 years and it has been a lifesaver in controlling depression and anxiety. Good luck whatever you decide.

I took Paxil for a few years and my experience was not like yours at all. It worked wonders for me and I had no bad side effects. It didn't make me fat and I had no problems when I stopped taking it.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

violann — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 20:12:38 GMT

Just wanted to mention that whether for good or for bad, all of us tend to have unique reactions to serotonin managing medications, for all kinds of different reasons. I have never ever had any problems stopping any drug, have gained on some and lost on others, and have had relief from some and no relief from others as well. I think there is a pretty general belief among mood disorder specialists that a combination of medication and talk is usually the best way of accessing recovery. Hopes to all of you that you are doing well.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

okBlonde — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 22:21:46 GMT

On 1/22/2014 wonderwoman said:
I was on Paxil for many years and would advise against it. It doesn't work very well, makes you fat. I was overweight for years because of this drug. It has been my experience that Doctors don't recommend this drug due to the negative side effects. And - -if you should ever try to wean yourself off of paxil, watch out!!! The withdrawal is 100 times worse than weaning from cigarettes. I have been on 60 mgs. of prozav for the past 2 years and it has been a lifesaver in controlling depression and anxiety. Good luck whatever you decide.

Same thing with me - I took Paxil for 6 months and in that same time period I gained 50 lbs. I weaned myself off it and lost the weight. Never again.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

Hearts4Me — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 23:53:38 GMT

I have severe OCD (many years), and just recently (menopause?) am also suffering from major GAD. In fact, I just went to the Dr. again today. I recently started on Luvox, and he is bumping up my dosage as I have had zero benefit at this point.

A few years ago I took Paxil for a very short time because I had such trouble with even a low dosage. I literally could NOT stay awake. I was simply exhausted and would fall asleep even sitting down to fold clothes. It was horrible. I was not on it long enough to experience the weight gain, etc.

We all react so differently to these drugs. I wish I didn't have to try them at all. I have refused for years to take them, but am at the desperate point now. I have panic attacks all day long, for no logical reason...and the OCD is ruining my life.

Good luck. You surely are not alone.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

terriebear — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 23:58:34 GMT

I took Paxil for several years. I did not gain weight and it worked. My husband is on it now, and he did not gain weight either. No side effects.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

Gayle2 — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 17:11:48 GMT

I was on Paxil years ago. I found it to be ""strong"". I was falling asleep around 7 pm but the worst part was that my eyes were dialated...I looked drugged. I was on a starter dose. I hesitated writing about this because meds that may work on me/ may work on someone else. Good luck with it.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

ThinkOutsidetheBox — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:39:25 GMT

LoveSG, you do not need another anti-depressant IMHO (most likely). Try Barlean's Omega Swirl in Pomegranate Blueberry. One tablespoon two to three times a day (no, pills will not work the same). So many people suffering from anxiety, depression, anger, or other so-called "emotional" issues would see within 24 hours such a huge difference by adding the beneficial fats from flax, fish and evening primrose/borage oils into their diets. I have experienced the miraculous response myself, and posted about these things here often. Sadly, many people seem too close-minded to even try this. Since these oils are so beneficial for so many other things as well (brain health, heart health, dry skin and eyes, psoriasis/ezcema, etc.) I just wish more people would just try this. As long as you do not suffer from mania of any kind, adding the Barlean's Omega Swirl fish oils in as well yields some amazing mood results too. Go to Science Daily's web site and look up omega 3 information if you need some facts to read. Good luck and take care.

Re: Need some honest reviews of SSRI Paxil

TootyJane — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 01:01:44 GMT

I took Paxil in the past. It worked wonders for me.. No weight gain but you do need to wean yourself off it. My son has social anxiety issues and depression. He is currently taking Paxil. He had a hard time staying awake during the day so the doctor recommended that he take it in the evening rather than in the morning. That helped tremendously. He now sleeps well at night and is able to stay awake and focus during the day. As to his anxiety issues, he does have occasional panic attacks but he takes Xanax (low dose) for that. HTH and good luck to you!