Paxil success stories (Is it a good antidepressant?) 

In this blog post, we are going to talk about the successful experiences of people on Paxil. It is an antidepressant which is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. 

When it comes to starting a new antidepressant, people feel a little scared and it’s absolutely normal. Paxil is not free from side effects, but there is a reason why it is a prescribed antidepressant. 

What is the success rate of Paxil?

Paxil has a success rate of about 55-70%. It is a well tolerated antidepressant, but we know that no antidepressant can produce the exact same effect in every other individual. 

Some people have seen significant changes in their symptoms within a few months of their treatment with paxil. On the other hand, some people had to stop the treatment either because they suffered from an allergic reaction or intolerable side effects.

What people have experienced so far on Paxil? 

Many people have come forward throughout the years and explained the effects of paxil. A 56 year old Amy user stated:

“I always see discouraging comments about antidepressants on the internet and it bugs me a little as my journey was completely different. My antidepressant of choice was Paxil and it’s safe to say that this antidepressant has been wonderful for me, not once but twice.”

She continued:

” I was diagnosed with depression 17 years ago and my doctor put me on Paxil. It worked pretty well for me, cured my depression and made me feel like myself again. My doctor then tapered me off the drug and I finally stopped using it. I never suffered from any relapse.”

She further continued:

“Recently I was diagnosed again because I began to suffer from panic attacks, anxiety and depression because of some issues in my life. My doctor again put me on paxil. It’s my 8th week and I already feel much, much better. Paxil never disappointed me and it gave me mild side effects. I’m looking forward to gaining much more relief within the next few months.”

Now, this is a wholesome review. It’s good to see when antidepressants work. Depression and anxiety are nerve-racking illnesses. They literally strip you off every single piece of happiness from your life and leave you empty. 

Amy’s review is positive and can really help a person who’s reluctant to the treatment with paxil. These meds do produce effects. It’s not a fairytale and I’m not here to tell you an imaginary story. 

Paxil does produce unwanted effects, but these side effects begin to subside within 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. You have to push through them for the sake of your mental health. Trust me, you will not regret it. Another paxil 28 year old user stated:

“Paxil has been a lifesaver for me. It fixed my personality and I still thank my doctor when I visit him. Now we laugh about how I can’t get over the effects of paxil that changed my life. I was diagnosed with PTSD after my sister’s death. It’s normal to grief when you lose a loved one but you eventually get out of that feeling, I didn’t.”

She continued:

“I felt lost! Like my body was here but my soul was gone with my sister. This is when my parents took me to our healthcare provider and he put me on paxil. I did experience some side effects, but the one that really upset me was insomnia. I couldn’t sleep and because of that, I kept overthinking. I would get up in the middle of the night and look at our childhood photos. This lasted for about 2 to 3 weeks, but eventually I started falling asleep.”

She further stated:

“When paxil finally kicked in, I began to feel as if my soul returned back to my body. I felt more connected to myself, my family and my friends. I started going out again and I kinda resumed my life. I still miss my sister, but like a normal human being. Just can’t thank God enough for making paxil work for me.”

This indeed is a little heartbreaking for us how our mind can get affected when we lose a loved one. Thanks to the antidepressants for helping us out. These meds give us an option to feel like ourselves again when we give up and nothing seems to work anymore. Another paxil user stated:

“Paxil has worked amazingly for me. I was diagnosed with mild depression and panic episodes and my doctor put me on 10mg paxil. I did suffer from side effects, mostly nausea. I lost my appetite for a few weeks but one thing my doctor warned me about was the complications that can come with inconsistent treatment.”

The user continued:

“I made sure to take my paxil on time and I never skipped a dose, even after the side effects. Within a few months I started to notice that my appetite came back, my energy levels increased and there was a marked reduction in my panic attacks. I also felt less depressed and more happy. 

There’s one thing to bear in mind that paxil may not produce the same effects in every other individual. It is impossible to predict how your body will react to this antidepressant. Some people have positive stories to tell, but some of them are still haunted by the side effects of paxil. 

Make sure you immediately report to your healthcare provider if you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any other abnormal or unusual side effect. 

What are the upsides and downsides of Paxil?  

Upsides of Paxil

• Paxil is widely used in the treatment of mild to severe depression. 
• It is known to reduce the symptoms associated with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). 
• It can also be used in people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). 
• It is also used to tone down the intensity and frequency of panic attacks. 
• It is also approved to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), relieving symptoms such as avoidance and intrusion. 
• It is known to reduce the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. 
• Paxil is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including symptoms like mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness.

Downsides of Paxil 

Paxil is associated with the following side effects:

• Weakness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Inability to concentrate 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Flatulence 
• Drowsiness 
• Forgetfulness 
• Constipation 
• Abdominal pain
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Loss of appetite 
• Loss or gain of weight 
• Changes in taste and smell
• Xerostomia or dry mouth 
• Sweating 
• Muscle or joint pain
• Loss of libido in both male and females. Males may suffer from inability to release, while females may suffer from inability to have a climactic experience. 

Paxil (Paroxetine) is also associated with some serious side effects, which may include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Auditory or visual hallucinations 
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat 
• Convulsions 
• Infections associated with sore throat, fever, flu and cough etc. 
• Black stools
• Painful and unusual erection in males
• Bone fracture 
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

In order to achieve the maximum therapeutic response from a drug, it is extremely important to use it right. Make sure paxil is the right choice of antidepressant for you. Stick to your doctor’s recommended dose. Do not take more or less than that. 

Ask your doctor before taking paxil if you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or if you’re a breastfeeding mother. This drug can pass into the breastmilk, which is why it is important to ensure its safety in a breastfed baby. 

If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist. In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when. 

If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if a lot of time has passed and your next dose is near, do not take it. It’s better to skip the missed dose and take the next one.

Conclusion 

In this blog, we have talked about the success rate of paxil, which is about 55-70%. Paxil is a well tolerated antidepressant, but as we know that no med produces the same effect in all the individuals, same is the case with paxil.

Some people have seen significant changes in their symptoms within a few months of their treatment with paxil, while others had to stop it because they could not tolerate it well. We have also learned about some people who revealed how paxil changed their lives. 

However, paxil may not be the best choice of antidepressant for everyone. That’s why it’s recommended to start paxi with the lowest effective dose in order to ensure your safety and tolerability. 

If you experience too many side effects or any allergic reaction, the treatment with paxil will not be continued. If you tolerate the antidepressant well, then your doctor will gradually increase the dose to achieve maximum therapeutic response while maintaining the safety. 

FAQs: paxil success stories 

How long does Paxil take to work for anxiety?

Paxil can take up to 4-6 weeks to kick in and start reducing the symptoms associated with anxiety. However, this time duration can vary from person to person. Some people may start to notice differences within 2 to 3 weeks, while others may take up to 8-12 weeks to see noticeable results. 

What is the success rate of Paxil?

Paxil has a success rate of about 55-70%. It is a well tolerated antidepressant, but as we know that no med produces the same effect in all the individuals, same is the case with paxil. Some people have seen significant changes in their symptoms within a few months of their treatment with paxil, while others had to stop it because they could not tolerate it well.

Is it possible for Paxil to work right away?

No, paxil does not start working right away. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which inhibits the reuptake of serotonin by blocking serotonin transporters (SERT). This results in increased serotonin activity. However, increased serotonin can not change your symptoms in a day and this effect has to be consistent to produce noticeable changes. 

How does Paxil make you feel at first?

Paxil may make you feel worse before making you feel better. This is because it takes 4-6 to start showing noticeable therapeutic results but it starts producing side effects way earlier. 

How do you know if Paxil is working?

You’ll know your paxil is working when it starts to relieve the symptoms associated with the mental health condition for which you started taking this antidepressant in the first place. Paxil is used in the treatment of depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. 

What are the worst side effects of Paxil?

Paxil (Paroxetine) is also associated with some serious side effects, which may include:

• Allergic reaction associated with symptoms like redness of skin, itching, burning sensation, blisters, blue-purple patches, tightness of chest, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness etc. 
• Auditory or visual hallucinations 
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat 
• Convulsions 
• Infections associated with sore throat, fever, flu and cough etc. 
• Black stools
• Painful and unusual erection in males
• Bone fracture 
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body.

References 

• R H Foster et al. CNS Drugs. (1997) – Paroxetine : a review of its pharmacology and therapeutic potential in the management of panic disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23338224/
• Paroxetine oral route https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/paroxetine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20067632 
• Paroxetine Hcl – Uses, Side Effects, and More https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6969-9095/paroxetine-oral/paroxetine-oral/details