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Global Patient Feedback for Paxil (Paroxetine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been taking wellbutrin and Paxil for seven years......weight gain is a BIG factor,also No libido god thing Im not in a relationship. I also take medication for lupus,levothyroxine,blood thinner, I am interested in all the people saying they itch ,my skin is dry in spite of drinking something constantly sometimes feel like I have to urinate up to four times per hr and I am up every hour all night long. I am always tired,exhausted is more like it. My dr tells me that wellbutrin and Paxil will not cause weight gain but I have gained over 80 lbs since starting them.I itch everywhere all the time and no amount of lotion helps.I forgot to put my paxil in my medicine bx ,so I didnt take it for two weeks,NEVER just quit taking it, I went to the ER three times, numb limbs, lips numb,unbalanced of course crying all the time,when I finally figured out what i had done it only took two doses to lessen the side effects and after a few days I was back to normal what ever that is ! What do the rest of you find helps with the itching,is it a reaction that means I am allergic to something in it?? ghm
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-19 10:04:32
Member Answer/Reply:
I had been on paxil for 7 years. Gradually noticed itching. Didn't relate it to the paxil. I accepted the itching as part of life. Thought it was from getting older, or the forced hot (dry) air in my new home. In particular I had very itchy feet, which made it difficult to sleep at night. A few times the itch was so bad I actually broke the skin scratching. Never thought it could be the meds. I got off the paxil about a year ago. (Cold turkey, long story - be VERYcareful if you want to switch to Wellbutrin as alternative to paxil to help you lose weight - ended up in hospital for 5 days from a toxic reaction. Almost died. Took months to recover.) It wasn't until a few weeks later, since I stopped the Paxil, that I realized my skin no longer itched and started to think it might have been the paxil. It's been a year now and I rarely itch any more. Any itches I do have seem to be directly related to weather or allergy to pets.
Itching is not a good side affect for meds. It basically is an allergic reaction. Taking a variety of drugs can add to this allergic reaction and it can get serious. So be careful. Do your research, and don't feel bad asking your doctor for lots of information.
Side bar: I have also noticed I am not as tired as I was on the paxil. Anxiety is worse. But fear of meds is greater than trying to deal with the anxiety on my own. No more paxil for me. There are times when i miss it, but after going through what i went through with the Wellbutrin, I am very cautious about taking any meds.
Curious ... those of you with itchy skin, have you ever had allergic reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDS?
Hope this info helps.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-23 13:37:03
Member Answer/Reply:
ghm, i replied to another woman's question about itching and paxil. it has posted just below your question. regarding weight, i did gain a lot of weight with paxil. my sister did as well, but only after she upped her dosage. paxil can cause weight gain and weight stabilization, and it is documented. you can just google weight gain and paxil, and see all that pops up. then show the list to your doctor.
on a side note, ask your doctor to check your thyroid numbers next time your getting a blood test. hypothyroidism can cause very dry and itchy skin, as well as weight gain. it slows your metabolism, makes you tired. it can also cause depression and anxiety. and thyroid tests are rarely done during routine physicals. an underactive thyroid can cause a myriad of other medical conditions. unfortunately, those medical conditions are diagnosed and treated with meds, when treating the thyroid could eliminate those other health problems altogether.
hope this helps.
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-23 13:48:58
Question/Comment:
I just got home from afghanistan and i have PTSD and i was put on zoloft first and that did not work for me it also made it hard to have a orgazim so i went back to my doctor and she put me on ativan to take as needed but i want to be on something to prevent my panic and anxiety so now i am taking paxil and it is the secend day and i want to no if it will make it hard for me to have a orgazim it is the 10mg pill
25 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-15 12:24:16
Member Answer/Reply:
Never mind about that orgasim because it just kills libido so you dont even want anything and it also is making me angry for some reason i hope that it starts working the right way soo
i am the guy who asked the last question
25 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-18 18:56:05
Member Answer/Reply:
To the 24 year old male fresh home from Afghanistan. First off, thanks for fighting for my freedom and welcome home.
My doc told me to give the drug and my body a couple of weeks to get to know each other. I felt weird at first, like I was walking around in a daze of sorts. And you can forget about libido during the break in period. Since you are young, 'things' will start working for you eventually but be patient.
After a few weeks, you SHOULD begin to stabilize. If you don't, tell your doc. It took me several dosage changes to find what was right for me.
56 year old male
57 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-25 22:36:25
Member Answer/Reply:
try wellbutrin xl...i had the same prolem when I used zoloft. dont settle for no limbido or any other crappy symtom. Make them find the right meds that work for you.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2009-01-01 23:05:56
Question/Comment:
I have been on Paroxetine for a couple months, but my head seems to itch constantly and I itch alot more than I ever have in my life. Is this a normal side effect???
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-03 16:39:53
iGuard Answer/Reply:
iGuard members using paroxetine have not reported side effects of itching. However, the product labeling for paroxetine does report that some patients experienced numbness or prickling sensations during clinical trials.
Posted: 2008-09-08 15:50:49
Question/Comment:
I seem to itch everywhere on a constant basis, is this normal with Paxil???
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-03 16:23:50
Member Answer/Reply:
I have not itched untill Iwent on lisinopril and paroxetine,now my head itches and all over.Age 73 -female
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-07 11:29:39
Question/Comment:
Question?.......is Paxil a generic of prozac?
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-09-02 15:41:45
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The generic for Prozac is Fluoxetine. The generic for Paxil is Paroxetine.
Posted: 2008-09-03 10:10:05
Question/Comment:
I have been on Paxil for around 8 years or so. I have gained a bit of weight, but I am not sure if it is all from the meds or just me eating too much!!! I feel it has effected my libido and my ability to have an orgasm. It is frustrating, but is better than how I feel when I am not taking the medication. I do hate the feeling when you don't take it for a few days though- the ZAPS yuck!
34 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-24 21:57:13
Member Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Paxil a bit longer than 8 years, and I have gained so much weight it isn't funny. I am diabetic and my stomach is large, plus with the weight gain I look like a huge teddy bear. I have tried and tried to reduce my weight, nothing seems to help.
65 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-02 08:07:32
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Paxil for 14 years! It has worked for me. Yes, weight gain is a problem. I am having a hard time losing the 25 pounds I have put on but it could be from other things as well. I would rather suffer with weight gain than the terrible depression/anxiety I went through.
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-17 23:32:07
Member Answer/Reply:
i agreee i just started taking paxil about 2 weeks ago and as long as it helps my panic attacks i can lose the weight later because my attacks i thought was going crazy and losing control so i hope these help i am also on buspar and clonazepam hopefully i can get this under control but good luck
29 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-07-19 10:18:46
Member Answer/Reply:
Hello, I've been taking Paxil for about 5 years. You'll feel better soon! It does really help a lot! Best Of Luck!
26 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-21 14:46:48
Member Answer/Reply:
I also am on paxil around 13-14 years. My only regret is trying to have stopped it twice. My anxiety can be so severe that I am prepared to use it indefinitely. It has improved my quality of life immensely.
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-27 22:45:05
Question/Comment:
Hi, I am 53 years old. I having been taking this for over a year. I am gaining weight and also have leg tremors. I will definitely be talking with my doctor on this when I see him next month. I will be changing to something else very soon.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-06-29 05:31:14
Member Answer/Reply:
I'm on generic paxil and I've developed rls - restless leg syndrome. RLS.org has a brochure that connects the general family of drugs that paxil is in with rls. Read it at:
http://www.rls.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=524&srcid=471
Since my rls is severe and the drug to control it (requip) is almost as bad as the rls, I've been trying to switch to a family of antipressants that includes Wellbutrin because rls.org's brochure suggests it.
However, the Wellbutrin (again, the generic version) is not at all effective controlling my depression. I'm about to rip my hair out (at least). Does anyone have any suggestions?
Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-09 15:40:44
Question/Comment:
I have been on this drug for over 5 years and it works great for me. I suffer from severe depression and so far this is the only thing that has helped me. If I don't take it my family can really tell.
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-05-24 21:13:07
Member Answer/Reply:
10 mg Paxil zap menopause hot flashes like magic!
71 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-15 21:22:34
Member Answer/Reply:
I am reading all your comments on Paxil and am trying to make a decision on starting on it (10mg) for hot flashes. I have just come through breast cancer, having had chemo and radiation therapy. Now I'm having as many as 15 hot flashes a day. My oncologist prescribed Paxil and I just don't want to become addicted to anything. I'm 65 years young and thankful for each day God has given me.
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-08-28 14:10:37
Member Answer/Reply:
NOT! I have the wet, sweatyhair to prove it!
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-11-15 13:03:30
Member Answer/Reply:
I sweat all the time!!!!! Just loading the dishwashes, walking down the hall a couple of times. I thought it was a side effect of Paxil so I started taking it at night thinking that would help & it didn't. I can't even get ready in the mornings w/o sweating half way through the process, so that instead of having fresh stylish hair, I have a sweaty mop to go to work with. I also take estroven & vit. e, as recommended by some friends with hot flashes, but nothing seems to help stop the sweating. I am an active, middle sized woman, why do I sweat so much? Is it a side effect of the paxil cr or something else. I have asked my doctor & he just pushes it aside as a normal side effect, but it is excessive when coworkers are asking me if I am running a fever getting sick. ANY ANSWERS WOULD BE APPRECIATED!!!!!
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-12-17 00:22:47
Question/Comment:
I used Paxil for Nueropathy pain for about 10 years. It completely wrecked my libido and gave me leg tremors at times while sitting or lying down. I changed to Neurontin and went through hell weaning myself off Paxil. I kept lowering the dose from 40mg to 20mg and then 10mg over months. Then 10mg every other day and quit entirely. I experienced headache, anxiety, dizzyness, nervousness, mental confusion, etc. Please be careful about starting this drug.
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-05-22 10:27:19
Question/Comment:
be patient, it takes a little while to start working. You will just notice little changes at first and notice times are just not as bad as they where.
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
I'VE HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH PAXIL.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
just talk to your doctor
52 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Be sure to take it as prescribed.
59 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
It works,but takes at least 2 weeks to get into your system until you feel better.
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Only that I wish I had started taking it sooner and that it was life changing for me.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Try to tell doctor not to increase your doses too fast. Once you hit the max you have to add another medication just for the effects your used to.
46 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Effective for me.
67 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Difficult to stop.
67 year old Male – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Seek information online, because your doctor doesn't always think the small things are as important as you might.
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
talk to your doctor ask questions
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
just to research the various side effects as they vary with each person i'm sure.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Just be sure you know what your prescription is for.
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
It takes a few weeks to really feel the effects and relief. Also, most side effects only last a few days.
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
take it regularly if you miss you may find that you get anxious or irrated easily
32 year old Female – Source: iGuard
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
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