[millenniumman75]

Anyone else experience rapid weight gain on this medication? Also, any experience severe withdrawl symptoms when trying to whean off?

Lady *waves finger* :lol, I gained 40 pounds from Paxil....have lost maybe ten of those since reducing to 20mg.

With the holidays, I am down to 15mg and trying to exercise a bit more - it's just to maintain :fall.

 

[millenniumman75]

Exactly. I crave food even when I'm full. I'm always hungry. And sweets....OMG...I would snapped someone's neck for just one bite of sugar. I want off Paxil so bad, but I can't seem to get past the withdrawl. I get really bad vertigo and tend to snap at people. I'm pretty much a mess emotionally when I'm typically not that way. So frustrated about this.

You have to taper off the Paxil. When I was forty pounds heavier, I was on 50mg.

 

[millenniumman75]

Is it worth taking paxil for depression?

Does it make a big difference?

YES!

Paxil doesn't work on depression all that much, but it definitely takes care of the anxiety that fuels the depression. Which would you rather have alleviated?

 

[millenniumman75]

i had a really positive reaction to paxil as well, as mentioned above, i didn't gain any weight nor suffer from any sexual dysfunction, and it, combined with valium, took care of my anxiety to a very manageable degree for more than 10 years before it lost efficacy. that was tragic.

paxil haters!

That gives me about two years before I hit my ten-year. That could be a goal to taper off with proper CBT. I probably feel stronger now than ever in those eight years so this is a positive sign.

 

[millenniumman75]

be mindful of the risk of relapse should you decide to taper off. even though you are feeling stronger now than ever before, the drug may very well be aiding in such feelings. i've felt similar on more than one occasion and decided to taper off with pretty devastating results despite other therapeutic intervention. not at all to say that you can't do it, but just be mindful of the risk of relapse.

I know.
I am doing pretty well - the last four months, I have been under a lot of stress that, I have been told, would make many people (nonSAers) have panic attacks, but got through it.

Life is going to be stressful; I just need to learn not to let things get to me so badly.

 

[millenniumman75]

I had just lost 38 pounds and got into really good shape before I started paxil. My eating habits were perfect and I went to the gym daily. All that out the door due to this drug. So mad.

Yep - I am glad I am defintely not the only one. Sorry about the Paxil fat - that's what I call it. :roll
It's like I fight to maintain the extra 30-40lbs to keep from getting worse.
Some scientist needs to work on this part of the drug. :lol