Paxil side effects

ForeverFreeNY · 01-17-2005, 10:37 AM

Hello,

I am 20 years old and I am starting Paxil again for the 3rd time (I hate staying on it for more than a year after I am feeling better). Lately I've been getting such bad panic attacks and bad depression that I am afraid to leave my house! I've only been on it for four days so far and I get worried because I never have a problem stopping Paxil, I have a problem STARTING it! I feel like I am on a roller coaster ride sometimes. I was wondering if anyone knew how long these side effects will last? A doctor told me that the first week is the worst, and then after that they should start to subside. He also told me that it takes about 3 weeks to begin to see some effects of Paxil. I don't remember from years ago (I was 15 when they had me on Paxil, before the suiscide craze). I need my life back, and I tried for 5 months without medication with therapy, self-help books, meditation, etc. and it got me nowhere. I'm taking 10mg now, with 2mg of Xanax a day (only until the side effects stop because as I said, I get increased anxiety when I start the pill). When the side effects go away, I stop the xanax. I have felt wonderful on Paxil in the past (i just got a little chunky on it). What do you think about the side effects of STARTING, not stopping. I'll cross that bridge down the road.

Thanks! : )

davedood · 01-17-2005, 10:56 AM

When I started it I had wierd blasts of euphoria...I'd just randomly get really, really happy and start giggling. It ends up I had this for a while coming off, too. Didn't suck, but wierd.
Going on, I had the jitters, headaches, nausea, and clenched my jaws REALLY tight most of the time...people had to tell me to stop.
All that lasted about a month.
Then I was cool with it. I was great for about 6-9 months. Then I became a zombie for three years, then I found this Web site, now I'm getting off it and GLAD.
Good luck going on though, I really hope it does some good!!

ForeverFreeNY · 01-17-2005, 11:47 AM

THanks Davedood,

Yes, Paxil makes me very tired. I'd have to take a nap in the middle of the day to be able to stay up late at night. The jitteriness is supposedly normal when you start drugs that are serotonin reuptake's. It's called akathasia or something, where you can't sit still. It usually subsides as you take it. I get it on and off, more so a few hours after I take the pill and it lasts about 4-5 hours. This is why I am taking Xanax till it kicks in! I think once we all feel better for a few months we realize the side effects, because at first we are so desperate that we just think about feeling better and not about the side effects. Then all want to do is get off the meds! : )

01-17-2005, 10:37 AM	#1
ForeverFreeNY Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 28	Paxil side effects Hello, I am 20 years old and I am starting Paxil again for the 3rd time (I hate staying on it for more than a year after I am feeling better). Lately I've been getting such bad panic attacks and bad depression that I am afraid to leave my house! I've only been on it for four days so far and I get worried because I never have a problem stopping Paxil, I have a problem STARTING it! I feel like I am on a roller coaster ride sometimes. I was wondering if anyone knew how long these side effects will last? A doctor told me that the first week is the worst, and then after that they should start to subside. He also told me that it takes about 3 weeks to begin to see some effects of Paxil. I don't remember from years ago (I was 15 when they had me on Paxil, before the suiscide craze). I need my life back, and I tried for 5 months without medication with therapy, self-help books, meditation, etc. and it got me nowhere. I'm taking 10mg now, with 2mg of Xanax a day (only until the side effects stop because as I said, I get increased anxiety when I start the pill). When the side effects go away, I stop the xanax. I have felt wonderful on Paxil in the past (i just got a little chunky on it). What do you think about the side effects of STARTING, not stopping. I'll cross that bridge down the road. Thanks! : )

01-17-2005, 10:56 AM	#2
davedood Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York, 40 miles north of NY city Posts: 620	Re: Paxil side effects When I started it I had wierd blasts of euphoria...I'd just randomly get really, really happy and start giggling. It ends up I had this for a while coming off, too. Didn't suck, but wierd. Going on, I had the jitters, headaches, nausea, and clenched my jaws REALLY tight most of the time...people had to tell me to stop. All that lasted about a month. Then I was cool with it. I was great for about 6-9 months. Then I became a zombie for three years, then I found this Web site, now I'm getting off it and GLAD. Good luck going on though, I really hope it does some good!! __________________ -Dave Paxil-Free since February 6, 2005 37.5 mg daily from 1/2003 until 10/2005 when I started weaning off the evil crap.

01-17-2005, 11:47 AM	#3
ForeverFreeNY Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 28	Re: Paxil side effects THanks Davedood, Yes, Paxil makes me very tired. I'd have to take a nap in the middle of the day to be able to stay up late at night. The jitteriness is supposedly normal when you start drugs that are serotonin reuptake's. It's called akathasia or something, where you can't sit still. It usually subsides as you take it. I get it on and off, more so a few hours after I take the pill and it lasts about 4-5 hours. This is why I am taking Xanax till it kicks in! I think once we all feel better for a few months we realize the side effects, because at first we are so desperate that we just think about feeling better and not about the side effects. Then all want to do is get off the meds! : )

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