Has anyone got any experience of paroxetine?

[OnTheUp13]

GP has prescribed paroxetine 10mg a day to help with my depression. I've been on it for 10 days now & I wondered if anyone has any experience on it?

[AnxiousMunchkin]

Many years ago (about 15). It didn't suit me at all and I actually became actively suicidal on it when I wasn't before. I believe this is much more common in young people though. Everyone responds differently to different medications though.

Have you been prescribed medication before? Paroxetine is not a common choice any more for first-line treatment of anxiety or depression.

[HelloNormal]

It's not necessarily hard to withdraw paroxetine - everyone is different. I too took it as a teenager and became suicidal and self-harmy, but as Munchkin said, it's more likely to do that in young people. I was left on it for ages too, as it "should've" been working. :( I had no problems at all stopping it. Sometimes the depression comes back if you stop taking it, which isn't really withdrawal, but some people get other unpleasant effects when they stop. Those go away eventually too - a lot of people try to get off antidepressants but go back on it when the withdrawal is unpleasant. Some of them taper off, which can be easier but stretches the whole thing out much longer.

It didn't help me at all; made me agitated and very unwell - but it was the wrong medication for me. My mum took it for many years, and it helped her for a long time (though it eventually stopped working for her and she changed to a different one).

I'd give it a chance if I were you - are they planning to increase your dose once you get used to it, if 10mg doesn't help?

[mylaptopismylapdog]

Yes took it for several years and had horrendous withdrawal symptoms (including being suicidal),every time I tried to stop taking it, changed to prozac which suited me better. I was in my late thirties.

[OnTheUp13]

I'm in my late 20s. It was prescribed as I'm breastfeeding. My DD is 17 months and life has been stressful and it has just reached a point where I was really really struggling. The dr thinks it may be hormonal but they can't check whilst I'm still BFing. I haven't felt suiciudal/self harmy on it.

I don't know how to describe it but I seem to be able to feel emotions now without being in a rage or overcome with grief? It's odd but it's nice. They have talked of upping it if needed but I don't think I do. Seeing GP again next week to discuss.

[HelloNormal]

Oh good, you feel like it's helping already? I hope the consultation goes well :)