Has anyone here ever taken Paxil? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

justins5256 · 04-13-2006, 11:20 PM

I guess this is probably a loaded question, but does anyone have any experience with Paxil? I was thinking of asking my GP for a prescription to deal with some anxiety issues. Of course, I'm worried about long and short term side effects, and the like. I've read some reviews (from the manufacturer's site) saying that it is one of the safer anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medications with minimal side effects. Does anyone have any real world experience with it? If you would rather talk privately about it, feel free to PM me.

Thanks,
Justin

Number 9 Dream · 04-13-2006, 11:25 PM

Well, speaking from experience, Prozac was definitely an anti-depressant that gave me very little side effects when I was taking it. However, I haven't taken Paxil (my brother did, though). But, yeah, Prozac helped a lot (I'm not on it anymore due to insurance issues).

Nighthawk76 · 04-14-2006, 12:07 AM

I take Paxil. The biggest side effect I think is that during the first few weeks of taking it, it will make you really sick until your body becomes used to the medication. It has worked really well for me.

Hollow · 04-14-2006, 12:11 AM

i took it when i was twelve until i was thirteen, or was it fourteen? anyway, it made me faint and i got addicted to it and almost killed myself when i tried to cut it cold turkey.

dawsongirl · 04-14-2006, 12:14 AM

Every day for the past 4 years.

It really is one of the safer anti-anxiety agents out there in terms of side effects, long term effects, etc. I've heard of people who have gained weight on it, but personally, if I have, it wasn't enough to notice. I also don't really exercise, so there's probably most of my problem.

It comes in generic now too, so it won't cost $90/a bottle. And SSRI's are kind of like ibuprofen in the sense that if one doesn't work, another might. So if you got Paxil and didn't see it working in a month or two, your doctor could give you Lexapro, or Prozac (though I'd think that would be more for depression), or Zoloft.

Only bad thing I can say about Paxil (and any SSRI) is that you CANNOT just stop taking it. I've gone without it for a couple days waiting for a refill appointment, and by the second day, my head felt so heavy, and yet I felt dizzy. Not fun. But your doctor would put you on a gradual step down, should you decide your life is great and you want to try life without it.

Just be completely honest with your doctor about how you feel, what you do to avoid things, etc, so that they can give you the correct dose (regular Paxil comes in 10mg up to 60mg). I happen to be on 30mg.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!

dawsongirl · 04-14-2006, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAX

I take Paxil. The biggest side effect I think is that during the first few weeks of taking it, it will make you really sick until your body becomes used to the medication. It has worked really well for me.

It didn't do that to me. I felt fine.

Georgia's on my Mind · 04-14-2006, 12:24 AM

antidepressants did not help me.

Nighthawk76 · 04-14-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

It didn't do that to me. I felt fine.

It made me really sick for like two weeks. Really tired too.

dawsongirl · 04-14-2006, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAX

It made me really sick for like two weeks. Really tired too.

That stinks! Souns like it was good that you stayed with it though.

lol....I sound like Tom Cruise's exact opposite. Yay antidepressants!

Nighthawk76 · 04-14-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

That stinks! Souns like it was good that you stayed with it though.

Oh yeah. Though there were a few times that I felt well enough to believe that I didn't need to take it anymore. And I think you know what happened then.

dawsongirl · 04-14-2006, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAX

Oh yeah. Though there were a few times that I felt well enough to believe that I didn't need to take it anymore. And I think you know what happened then.

That's what scares me....the downfall I might suffer.

Nighthawk76 · 04-14-2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

That's what scares me....the downfall I might suffer.

Yeah, don't ever go cold turkey.

justins5256 · 04-17-2006, 07:14 PM

Just a quick update on my situation -

I went to the doctor today and he prescribed Zoloft. He explained that the most common side effects are weight gain, sexual side effects, and upset stomach (if the pill isn't taken with food as it should). However, he also said that such side effects are rare, and he seemed willing to allow me to try other meds if the Zoloft doesn't agree with me. I have a followup appointment in 3 weeks.

Thanks to all who responded.

Justin

Kazza · 04-17-2006, 07:18 PM

I took Paxil one night and slept fine, the next morning my eyes looked like they were ready to come out of their sockets. It was a terrible feeling.

Other anti-depressants made the muscles of my face tighten up; it was like someone had injected Botox on me, constipation and no arousal (TMI).

Mr. Stefani · 04-17-2006, 07:47 PM

Anti-depressents weird me out. I'm not against them, but I think it's too easily distributed, it's a serious medication with side effects.

question to the people on it, what exactly was the proccess for being put on it?

04-13-2006, 11:20 PM	#1
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	Has anyone here ever taken Paxil? I guess this is probably a loaded question, but does anyone have any experience with Paxil? I was thinking of asking my GP for a prescription to deal with some anxiety issues. Of course, I'm worried about long and short term side effects, and the like. I've read some reviews (from the manufacturer's site) saying that it is one of the safer anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medications with minimal side effects. Does anyone have any real world experience with it? If you would rather talk privately about it, feel free to PM me. Thanks, Justin

04-13-2006, 11:25 PM	#2
Number 9 Dream That '70s Girl Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,875	Well, speaking from experience, Prozac was definitely an anti-depressant that gave me very little side effects when I was taking it. However, I haven't taken Paxil (my brother did, though). But, yeah, Prozac helped a lot (I'm not on it anymore due to insurance issues).
	__________________ Live a little be a gypsy get around http://www.librarything.com/profile/skelterhelter http://retrogirl82.dvdaf.com/owned formerly Retrogirl82

04-14-2006, 12:11 AM	#4
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,418	i took it when i was twelve until i was thirteen, or was it fourteen? anyway, it made me faint and i got addicted to it and almost killed myself when i tried to cut it cold turkey.
	__________________ the artist formerly known as safety pin

04-14-2006, 12:07 AM	#3
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	I take Paxil. The biggest side effect I think is that during the first few weeks of taking it, it will make you really sick until your body becomes used to the medication. It has worked really well for me.

04-14-2006, 12:14 AM	#5
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Every day for the past 4 years. It really is one of the safer anti-anxiety agents out there in terms of side effects, long term effects, etc. I've heard of people who have gained weight on it, but personally, if I have, it wasn't enough to notice. I also don't really exercise, so there's probably most of my problem. It comes in generic now too, so it won't cost $90/a bottle. And SSRI's are kind of like ibuprofen in the sense that if one doesn't work, another might. So if you got Paxil and didn't see it working in a month or two, your doctor could give you Lexapro, or Prozac (though I'd think that would be more for depression), or Zoloft. Only bad thing I can say about Paxil (and any SSRI) is that you CANNOT just stop taking it. I've gone without it for a couple days waiting for a refill appointment, and by the second day, my head felt so heavy, and yet I felt dizzy. Not fun. But your doctor would put you on a gradual step down, should you decide your life is great and you want to try life without it. Just be completely honest with your doctor about how you feel, what you do to avoid things, etc, so that they can give you the correct dose (regular Paxil comes in 10mg up to 60mg). I happen to be on 30mg. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!

04-14-2006, 12:24 AM	#7
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	antidepressants did not help me.

04-17-2006, 07:14 PM	#13
justins5256 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2002 Posts: 3,866	Just a quick update on my situation - I went to the doctor today and he prescribed Zoloft. He explained that the most common side effects are weight gain, sexual side effects, and upset stomach (if the pill isn't taken with food as it should). However, he also said that such side effects are rare, and he seemed willing to allow me to try other meds if the Zoloft doesn't agree with me. I have a followup appointment in 3 weeks. Thanks to all who responded. Justin

04-17-2006, 07:18 PM	#14
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	I took Paxil one night and slept fine, the next morning my eyes looked like they were ready to come out of their sockets. It was a terrible feeling. Other anti-depressants made the muscles of my face tighten up; it was like someone had injected Botox on me, constipation and no arousal (TMI).

04-17-2006, 07:47 PM	#15
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,757	Anti-depressents weird me out. I'm not against them, but I think it's too easily distributed, it's a serious medication with side effects. question to the people on it, what exactly was the proccess for being put on it?