Paxil pros/cons???
 

My doctor prescribed me Paxil today and after reading the pamphlet that came with it, Im worried to start taking them....the doctor is giving me Paxil mainly for severe panic attacks although I do suffer from depression.

I almost go into a panic attack thinking of the side effects from Paxil...can anyone tell me how they feel now they are taking Paxil? I do want the pro's and con's but some good stories about it would put my mind at ease...

I have heard one horror story and that has always stuck with me...

Dawn

Anyone??

I can't say anything about paxil personally but I do have family members that are on it and they seem to be doing fine and not having any side effects. I am on Lexapro and it has changed my life. I take it for social anxiety and mild depression. All I can really say is that I have found trying to find the right antidepressant is a trial and error situation. I was put on Celexa and it made me a emotional wreck so I switched. Just make sure that if you don't feel like the Paxil is working or you feel your anxiety or depression get worse make sure you contact your doctor and let them know.

I don't know anything about Paxil, but my husband takes Lexapro for anxiety issues. It is a newer drug and is used for the same things as Paxil I believe. I am so grateful that he got this med, it has changed him tremendously, for the better. He has had no side effects.I say give it a try, medicine can change your life for the better, you will be so glad you did. If you start to have side effects the Dr. can prescribe something different.

I guess maybe I have been reading TOO MUCH about it. I have read there are issues with weight gain, loss of sex drive and big time withdrawl symptoms if you ever need to get off it...talk about depressing!! I should have asked for Lexapro maybe...

Dawn

it's not too late to try Lexapro - that's one I've tried and the side effects aren't as bad - also Wellbutrin had no sexual side effects -

my cousin who used to be in the pharmacy biz did say PAXIL is one of the best ones out there to fight depression

I was on paxil for 3 yrs due to anixety/panic attacks (all because of my former boss) although it did help me the withdrawls were horrible! I can't get into it right now ...I am off to an interview but, I will explain when I get back...later this afternoon...I would ask if there was something else he could put you on.....How many Mgs does he have you on?

yes and ALOT more!

I agree with you V....did help with anixety and panic but, it is one of the WORST for withdrawls...I missed 2 weeks of work and if I had been a suicidal type person...that would have been the time that I would have done it...the side affects were 10 times worse than my panic attacks.

ih wow - I've heard that on the news & IF you EVER FEEL LIKE THAT - CALL !!!!! I'll be happy to send you my phone number.

My cousin DID commit suicide - she actually called me on a huge high a week before she did it - I didn't know at the time what I know now about it ...but that's the time to get close to someone who has clinical depression - they do that because they made the decision I WISH I knew that 20 years ago but for you or anyone else feeling THAT down - You have FRIENDS and don't forget that !

My friend took Paxil for panic attacks and depression and after all the news reports about the horrible withdrawals and suicides after coming off of it, her doctor switched her to Lexapro. She is doing very well on Lexapro. I am sure your doctor would not mind at all if you called and chatted with him/her about switching to another brand if you are worried about taking Paxil.

Thanks V!

This happened in May, Eric took a FMLA to stay home with me...It was horrible! I felt like a junky!! My work people really didn't care what I was going through...I had only been at my job since the previous August and they didn't understand or I feel...just didn't care. When I went back to work they never even asked how I was doing...Only the guys in the factory seemed to care (I worked in an office) at the end of the week that I went back to work, my boss,....who is a 38 yr little BI**H who only cared about herself...and the girl from HR called me into the office and told me that my job had been eliminated...YA RIGHT! I asked them if it had anything to do with the fact that I was out of work for 2 weeks and they said no...I don't believe them...I did contact a lawyer and planned on sueing...and I am not that kind of person but, I do feel I was being let go because of medical and that is against the law...well, the lawyer told me all they have to do is re-post the job under an different job title and guess what.....they did...so I have been looking for a job since May...(I think I might have one but, won't know until the end of the week). I am doing so much better now..but, the withdrawls were awful....If I had known what the withdrawls were before I took it I never would have....I much rather would have had the panic attacks...they were easier to deal with....

As for your friend..that is terrible!!! was she on Paxil? Eric was just telling me that there is a lawsuit going on right now because it has caused deformed babies...I went on a paxil site and you would n't believe how many lawsuits are going on right now because of this med...

Thanks for your concern V!

I'm really sorry about your cousin, V. PAXIL actually increases the incident rate of suicide... unfortunately. At least that's what I've learned in my pharm classes. And I've also heard it really does decrease sexual desire. Antidepressant meds are different for everyone though, like someone said above, it's trial and error.

Girl - you don't need to ever go thru that alone - and that woman at your work obviously has never lost anyone to depression and how lucky for her....

it was my cousin who took her life - and it was years ago before paxil so I'm ALL for anything that will help people with depression.

I want my husband to take something but he won't. ....back when he got told he had only 6 months left - I did go see a doctor because I was so depressed and scared - but it didn't do much for me ...he's right at that 6 month time frame now - so I'm REALLY trying to stay cheerful on my own... but man it's tough sometimes.:( If I could find something that took away the hopeless feeling I'd take it - but as of now I have pills but don't take them.

you can call me ANYTIME night or day if you ever get that way again - that's nothing to fool with.

Thanks V! I am sorry to hear about your husband...What did they give you to take? Depression is nothing to fool around with...I have known young people...I'm talking high school kids, that have committed suicide because of depression...Believe me I tried everything to not have to take anything...I am not a pill person...I would walk, exercise, listen to very calming music and meditate...this usually would help me, when it didn't,,,I had to give in to the meds...I was headed for a nervous breakdown...My boss, at the time, was the most horrible person I had ever met. It wasn't stressful enough that I worked in a prison (which I absolutely LOVED my job) but then I had this alcoholic, verbally abusive and harrassing Basta** to work for...I put up with his SH** for 2 years hoping it would get better,,,even with the meds I just couldn't do it...I had to resign...only to find out he was terminated from his position 7 months later...The only thing I take now is Xanax, and this is something I don't take all the time...when I feel like I am going to be stressed (I feel shaky) I will take a couple...they are very addicting so I am careful but, they do help instantly...I haven't had to take one in a while so hopefully I won't need them anymore...Maybe you should ask your MD about Xanax? It does take the edge off...I will pray for you, my friend....

B~

I take Zoloft for Panic attacks and went on because of a terribel boss/work situation, that resulted in her eliminating my position after 33 years with the company. It really has helped me take life day by day and it allowed me to not stress out over getting a 2nd dog after wanting one for so long. It really has helped, but I have tried to go off and Iget so down which wasn't thereason I went on Zoloft and I get so irritable so I just go back on. So it can be a lifesaver but you have to make sure it's right for you. Good luck!

Thanks - here you are trying to help ME when you're going thru all that -

I've considered it but I'm like you - not a pill person - the only thing I WISH I had pills for right now is my shoulder - I tore it then RE-injured it and it's totally affecting everything I do - especially sleeping - ouch

but I may try the Lexapro again since I have 4 months sitting here doing nothing. My cousin said comparing Paxil to all the other meds - it comes out with the best result for depression ....but you're right about the side effects - they can be horrible and he did tell me that too -

with the lexapro - when I stopped after 2 months - I was just fine....but the reality was I felt the same ON it as off it so I just don't bother.

I tried Wellbutrin and man - I was so edgy on it I couldn't believe it....one day the girls barking got on my nerves & I STOPPED that day - they normally NEVER get on my nerves for 'talking' lol - so medications work different on all of us - I have a friend who swears Wellbutrin helps - but it just wasn't for me.

and Patti - that SUCKS About your job - omg - 33 YEARS ?? You should have a pension after all that time - man I'd be on medication too if I had to go thru that - what a kick in the face - I'm so sorry !!!!

On a postive note - burying your face in your yorkie knowing they're happy and loved is one of the best ways I get myself out of the blues - :) no pill compares to THAT feeling right ?

I do have a pension but due to my age 52 at the time it is 1/4 of what I was making as I was a Director in charge of 100 person department before they moved out the customer service to a cheaper state and put me under this horrible witch of a women. 6 months of hell later they just called me in and said my postion was eliminated. But we cut expenses and I have been able to take care of my parents who help me financially when needed (5,000 in vet bills for Cali) so things do have a way of working out sometimes for the better.

I am taking Paxil because I lost my husband and was getting to the point where I couldn't even get thru a phone call without breaking down in tears. Since I've been on it, I feel much better. I do get choked up and teary-eyed if someone say something when I am not prepared for it, but aside from that, I am functioning normally. I have no side effects and can't even tell I am taking anything. No buzz, no sleepiness, just a nice normal feeling. I won't be on it much longer, so I don't know about the withdrawls, but I don't think they will be bad because i frequently miss doses because of my work schedule. I also went a couple week without them when I ran out and couldn't get to the store to refill them. I would reccomend them. I am actually taking the generic form. Good luck with whatever you decide.

My husband, and daughter have been on paxil for many years. They also have anxiety attacks and my husband is bi-polar. The paxil works to keep you normal. It really doesn't do anything to them, except keep away the bad guys.(feelings) If you are taking the right dosage you won't notice any difference. The real difference is feeling good and thinking you don't need it anymore and then stopping it on your own. This is bad. You have to taper off of it. Just try it and see if it doesn't make you feel better about yourself. Good luck-Debbie