Paxil and it's longterm side effects

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Paxil and it's longterm side effects
6
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 10:35pm

Hi Im new to your group and Im glad that there is one for people like myself who suffer from anxiety/panic attacks. My question is I've been on paxil now for about 8 years and Iam starting to worry about any long term side effects this may cause. Im not ready to go off my medication where as Iam a single mom and work full-time. So stress to me is a on going thing in my life. However I have learned coping techniques with handeling my anxiety but if anyone has any ideas or knows anything about my question please let me know.

Thanks,
Happy to be a Part of the group!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 11:00pm

Hi,

Welcome!! I don't know much about meds, but hope someone else can help with your question. This is a great group so glad to have you here. :)

Smiles,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 12:30am

Hello & welcome to our caring community! I don't have personal experience with staying on antidepressants for long periods of time. The most I ever stayed on was 4 years. I regained my balance & with the proper coping skills, went off the meds entirely. Since my panic disorder seems to run in spells, there's a very good chance I will need to start the meds again in the future.


I do know others on our board have been on long term & hopefully they can tell you their experiences. I DO know people personally who have been told that they would need to take antidepressants for life. Do you have specific concerns about long term use? Are you experiencing any problems? If you could share your story, we'll be glad to suuport you in any way we can.


I wish you luck in coping with the anxiety. It is possible. Many folks on our board can attest to that. We care about you & hope you'll keep in touch. Check out the other folders below & join us in chat. We'll save you a seat! (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 8:20pm

Hi & welcome!!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2006
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 11:29pm

OMG! You sound exactly like me when I first joined. I have been on paxil for 7 years, and I was wondering the same thing. There are many people on here that have been on the medication for much longer than that, and are doing fine. To reassure myself, I called a pharmacist and asked him the same question. He told me that some people are on the med for lifetime, if necessary, and there are no reported long-term effects. The only downfall of the med is the withdrawl when you discontinue it.

If the med is helping you, don't worry about it. Since it is a medication that "fixes" chemicals in our brains, we will naturally worry about what it is going to do in the long term. My advice to you is to not look up info on the net about it. That is what freaked me out in the first place.

If you have any questions about the med, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They know what's best, and they put my mind at ease!!!

Take care,
Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2005
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 9:44am
Hi I have been taking PAXIL for about 20 years
I have no long term side effects from it---
I have upped my dose once in the 20 years!!
It is very effective dealing with panic disorder I FIND!!
The one draw back is weight gain which is a fair trade for
the horrid PA's I HAD! Welcome to the site!! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 7:01pm
Thank you all for the great advice and reassuance that I needed. Im very happy to be a part of this group and thank you for making me feel so welcome!! I will definetley be connecting with this group!!