Paxil Sexual appetite, sleep etc, nurse manager, lack of sleep, memory loss

Dianenurse---I was on Paxil for a short time when I started college 4 years ago; I had severe side effects and it wasn't working for me whatsoever as far as my panic/depression problems went, so I was weaned off of it. At the same time I had developed epilepsy, most likely because I had, had a seizure disorder as an infant until I was about 5. I have suffered severe short term memory loss, and I no longer am able to pass tests, remember readings for my classes, and I have actually lost chunks of time in my memory. I cannot remember my senior year of high school, for example. My high school graduation...gone. I am only 22 years old, and I have a worse memory than my 75 year old grandmother. I am absolutely convinced, that it is the Paxil that destroyed my short term memory and made my life infinitely more difficult and worsened my depression and anxiety.

I am going through alot of problems with trying to get off of Paxil! I finally called my Pharmacist today because I feel like I'm losing my mind! I've only been on it for 2 months and am having a terrible time with the side affects, I thought I would get off of it because I was on Prozac for about 2 years but my weight gain was starting to get out of control I went from approx.160lbs to nearly 190 on the prozac so I finally had enough of that so I decided to try the Paxil. Well I'm definetly wishing I never made that move right now because I feel so sick, The first few days I felt so sick to my stomach and dizzy I couldn't stand it then the past few days I just don't feel right like I'm not in my body at all I feel soooo weird it's scarey!! I think my husband and kids think I'm losing my marbles!! The pharmacist said these will all go away(I sure do hope so!) that I've probably went through the worst part of it already and by starting it back up again isn't gonna help if I've made it this far(by the grace of God)! I would do just about anything to get rid of the way I feel,I think I'm gonna try sleeping through the next week and hopefully it will go away!! I know I'm in know shape to do anything else right now so I'm gonna just sleep, I think if I drive the police would nail me for DUI for sure even though I don't even drink!! I think if I ever get back on any other meds. it would be Prozac atleast I could function and felt good even my kids and husband liked me on that!!! Good luck hopefully everyone that is getting off of this will make it out alive! Pray!!

DIANE, MY NAME IS VIC AND I HAVE BEEN TAKING PAXIL FOR 15 YEARS AND I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A LOT OF SIDE EFFECTS.
THE ONLY ONE IS WEIGHT GAIN AND THE REASON WHY I QUIT TAKING IT 4 DAYS AGO.
ASS FAR AS BEING OFF THE DRUG ITS THE MOST TERRIBLE THING IN THE WORLD, I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO MY WIFE WHAT I FEEL.
PANIC ATTACKS WORSE THAN EVER,MI MIND FEELS LIKE IS FULL OF ELECTRICITY AND ITS SHORT CIRCUITING,I CRY FOR NO REASON
I STARE AT NOTHING AND THINK NOTHING, MY WIFE SAYS CONSTANTLY WHAT ARE YOU THINKING AND I SAY WHAT, HA? LIKE LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NOBODY HOME.
I SERIOUSLY HOPE GOD CAN HELP ME OUT OF THIS,I HOPE IT DOESNT TAKE VERY LONG IM TIRED OF BEING SCARED AND ZOMBIE LIKE.
YOU SHOULD TRY WHAT A DOCTOR TOLD ME:
OMEGA3S AND VITAMIN E.
IM TAKING BOTTLES AT A TIME HOPING IT CLEARS FASTER.
GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING AND JUST KNOW YOURE NOT ALONE.

TURNAROUNDPACK@AOL.COM

Hi,

I've been on Paxil for about 4 years, since my first year of university. I am now an ad exec, and take paxil for anxiety. I found that the paxil has really helped me with my anxiety, however there are definately very unpleasant side effects. Like you mentioned, emotional numbness, loss of sex drive, and I've even experience blurred vision. This past weekend I accidentally forgot to refill my perscription and went 3 days without - it was crazy. Last night I woke up with horrible night sweats, and woke up with Old Hag thinking that there was someone in my room, but I couldn't move or speak. I hate how it has taken control of my emotions and body, but I can't help to think that I'm much better off despite the side effects. It is really really addictive, and that's the part I hate the most - being so dependent on a drug. I've talked to a few people about other medications, and I think it depends on how your own body reacts, but I don't think any drug is going to be side effect - free.

One thing that has really helped me, and I'm from Canada now, is smoking marajuana. I don't know if you are from the States or how acceptable it is where you're from, but around here it's like smoking cigarettes. Anyway, I don't smoke during the day or at work, etc, but I find before bed and when I get home smoking weed really relaxes me and neutralizes a lot of the side effects - it helps you sleep, increases your sex drive, etc. I'd try it out because it has certainly helped me, and I know others on Paxil who use marajuana regularly as a kind of combo drug with Paxil.

Good luck with everything.

Wow Reading all of this just confirms most of my most of my theories!!!! I suffer from anxiety and a sudden onset of panic attacks!!!! I have been taking 30mgs. of paxil for 1 1/2 yrs. now. Although it has helped my anxiety and panic attacks alot, it has also brought on a whole new set of problems!!! Memory loss is a huge one!!! I can hardly retain new information, I can't remember how to spell, and I get my words mixed up all the time, so i say some of the stupidest things sometimes!!!! Weight gain is a huge problem, I weigh more than I ever have in my entire life!!!! my ears hurt alot, and I do have frequent popping in my ears and headaches. The problem is, is that getting off of this medication seems impossible!!!!!! I tried to go off just 5mgs., down to 25,gs. and it screwed me all up. I was fine for 2weeks and then BAM!!!! I had the worst panic attack Ive ever had!!!! It took 2 ativan to get me back to normal. None of this was explained to me when I started this drug, nobody told me of the withdrawl, and all of the possible side effects!!! My body is sore all the time , my joints hurt, and Im tired. Do the good out way the bad? Not sure? I just want to feel the way I did before I had my first panic attack!!!! There has to be someone out there that has the answers, or some kind of treatment program for those of us that want to come off this drug. If it has such serious withdrawl, then why isn't treatment available to us? Thanks for reading, and there is a wonderful website to check out for people just like us, Paxilprogress.org