Hi - I recently started suffering from some anxiety due to menopause. The Dr. has put me on Paxil and I starte a half of a 20 mg pill each night. I've only been taking this for four nights. I've noticed some side effects such as nausea, tiredness and actually my anxiety increased a little. The Dr. said these symptoms are normal for the first week or so and should clear up. Has anyone else experienced these same symptoms with starting a new anti-depressant? I think I am expecting it to work miracles right away and I'm not patient.

I am on Paxil and I was told that it takes about 1 month to fully get in your system and change things. You might be experiencing a placebo effect right now.

However, tiredness can be a sympton that results from taking Paxil. I have notcied that for a few months after I started, I had more trouble getting up in the mornings and I would always sleep for a long time, usually about 9+ hours a night or else I felt tired.

I am a young male though, so I do not think my experience can be transposed onto your experience. I would not worry too much though, I have not heard too many people having to get off Paxil because of its side effects. It can have bad side effects when trying to get off it, but when you are on it, especially when it is only 10mg, I dont think you should have too many problems.

Thanks for the info. I am supposed to increase the pill to a whole one after a week; I'm hoping then maybe I'll see more of a difference.

You were started off on a really low does. I started off on 10 mgs and then increased to 20. I took Paxil a while back, and I had no side effects from it at all. I'm now on Paxil CR 12.5 mgs and I've had no side effects with that, either. I'll probably end up increasing my dosage because I'm going through a very difficult time and I still don't feel 100%. I hope it works for you, I loved it.

Have any of you noticed any weight gain with the paxil?

No, I lost 8 lbs in the one week I've been on it because I have no appetite. Are you on Paxil and did you get any side effects? I'm supposed to start taking a whole pill tomorrow and I don't know if I should. I'm thinking maybe it will help more or maybe make it worse?

No, I'm not on paxil yet, but may would like to try it. I am supposed to be taking effexor xr now, but I stopped it early. I've tried lexapro, zoloft, and wellbutrin, but never seem to give one long enough. I am so scared of the withdrawal symptoms from the effexor, especially the thread about how to withdraw from effexor.