Paroxetine aka Paxil - Last Chance Saloon......

[Meredyn]

After an almost 3 HOUR (!) appointment with my psychiatrist yesterday after my GP wrote to him saying that he had grave concerns about my suicidal ideation, it has now been agreed that I will start Paroxetine at a low dose. I now also have a further tweak to my diagnosis - adding in Briquet's Syndrome, which is not used all that much nowadays as a diagnosis (basically a somatoform disorder).

So - i'm asking. Has anyone got GOOD stories about their experiences of this drug? I know already about the potential for weight gain as a very real side effect, and hard withdrawals. But - considering the other option is to top myself after dealing with this unrelentlessly since 2012 and severely so for the last 3 years, I have to take those downsides on the chin.

Due to the Briquet's, I am EXTREMELY sensitive to start up side effects, so we are going slow at a start of 10mg and for now i'm 'pre medicating' to try to stay calm for a week on 8mg valium per day.

I'd love to hear from other Paroxetine users if you're happy to share your experiences. Thank you! (Oh - by the way. My psychiatrist revealed that his own Mum has been on Paroxetine on and off (mostly on) for a good few years as it suits her best). ❤❤

[Adore]

Hi Meredyn,

I was on Paroxetine for about a year some time ago when it had gained a reputation as the SSRI or antidepressant of choice for those suffering chronic anxiety. In fact anxiety was and remains my primary issue however I do suffer depression secondary to it. I took 20mg per day and tolerated the drug well. Having said that, I had trialed quite a few SSRI's and SNRI's to try and assist with my anxiety and depression, all without success. I did not experience any difficulties transitioning off the drug as I was switched to yet another SSRI so my brain chemistry wasn't subject to a major change - really just a subtle alteration. It is also the the case that I started went onto Aropax from another SSRI so I wasn't coming to it "cold" so to speak. In summary, I found it rather unexceptional both in terms of side effects and efficacy alongside the many drugs of that class I have been on. I finally settled on Lexapro as the SSRI of choice for me, but all these years I have been on benzo's as the bedstone of my anxiety treatment - they simply do the job where other drugs and I have to keep control over my dosage to deal with tolerance.

So in conclusion, I would not fear being put back on paroxetine, but I certainly acknowledge that some people are more sensitive to the action of SSRI's than I. I have found that the side effects I do incur from starting a new one usually resolve pretty well within about 6 weeks and it's good that you are starting at 10mg.

Hope this is of some use for what it's worth.

D.