Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz...

Mozart22 · 11-03-2009, 01:42 PM

I posted a few weeks ago about how Paxil makes me so sleepy.
I take 20 mg per day and I'm often tired, sluggish, low energy levels.

I was told that it just takes time for the brain to balance things out
and that sleepiness is very common with Paxil.

That's true, but still, how am I supposed to do my work and
chores and run my errands? There are important things I need to do
and most of the time I'm just too tired to do them.

When am I gonna be able to do my work and run my errands again?
Even while writing this I feel like I just wanna close my eyes and wake
up 15 hours later.

LCrawford67 · 11-03-2009, 02:02 PM

For most, this is a constant side effect while on Paxil. In fact, I'm betting on your prescription bottle, there's even a "may cause drowsiness" sticker. If not, read your prescription insert, it's there.

You're just going to have to push through it, that's all you can do.

Mozart22 · 11-03-2009, 02:08 PM

Yes it does say may cause drowsiness.
I've known for a long time that Paxil does this,
it just sucks because I feel like I'm often neglecting
important errands and duties because I'm just too exhausted
and sluggish to do them

luc · 11-03-2009, 02:56 PM

I feel what you're saying Mozart22. I was at one point so heavily medicated I could hardly open my eyes. And the scary part of it all was that I didn't know at the time it was the DRUGS that caused all this. I would accuse myself of not doing the stuff I was supposed to do. Hang in there!

scotty · 11-03-2009, 03:17 PM

Ryan slept through his Freshman year of High School on Paxil...it never got better.

jeanie · 11-03-2009, 05:00 PM

I slept 12 hours a night on Paxil, then when I got off it, I couldn't sleep at all!!

Songbird · 11-03-2009, 05:02 PM

I think this is very common. This lack of energy is one of the main reasons why my flower garden has been a weed garden for quite a few years now. Also, I was always a night owl, going to bed around 11 or 12, but while on full dose of Paxil I would often go to bed at only 8:30 or 9:00. I think it improves as dose decreases.

paxilgirl · 11-03-2009, 08:24 PM

I remember yawing so much while taking Paxil for the first month. I thought I was going to dislocate my jaw. Fatigue was with me constantly. I could sleep upside down if I had to.

AussieGirl · 11-03-2009, 10:49 PM

Extreme fatigue and sleeping for hours and hours is one of the most troublesome side effects for me. Even at 10mgs it is a problem for me. When tapering I only noticed it improve when I got to 5mgs ,and when I had to reinstate it came back so quickly.

My family tease me alot abut my ability to sleep anywhere at anytime anyplace. They just ont get its the paxil that makes it so.

samantha · 11-04-2009, 12:07 AM

any psychiatrist will tell you that paxil is a sedative drug...in my opinion its one of the reasons it tends to work for people w/ panic and anxiety. It feels like it slows the brain down and you are not capable of reaching those levels of panic because of the constant exhaustion. This side effect is relentless and has never gone away in the years I have been on paxil. Now that I'm down to 6 mgs it is tremendously better but it still weighs my brain down and I still can sleep more then normal and get tired a lot more often. It also doesn't help that I don't take any caffeine so I have nothing but myself to fight the drowsiness!

scotia21 · 11-04-2009, 08:07 AM

I was tired and sleepy all day long and could take 4 hour naps but then couldn't fall asleep at night. It was not a good thing !

carolyn · 11-04-2009, 09:33 AM

Me too! I could always fall asleep anywhere (now I just wish I could!

).

One of the reasons I was put on Paxil was that my anxiety was so bad that I hadn't slept through the night in about 5 months. My doc specifically recommended it because it would make me sleep all the time.

nickels · 11-04-2009, 10:02 AM

Yup...another one here who experienced extreme fatigue and sleepiness while on paxil.

It got to be so bad after poop out, that I was sleeping a full night then coming home from work at lunch and taking a nap! I would even take a nap after work most days.

Now I rarely need to nap, I'll sit and rest, but never actually fall into a coma like I used to.

Mozart22 · 11-04-2009, 10:50 AM

If only I could get off this damn Paxil without going through a year
of withdrawal symptoms...
Being on Paxil sucks, going off Paxil sucks even more, what a
conundrum

jbglotz · 11-04-2009, 11:27 AM

yes - I had to start taking mine at night...but for many years it would energize me. I don't think the dosage(s) made a difference, but I could be wrong. The changing side effects...floating in and out of my life...are tough to nail down since I didn't know if it was the Paxil or something else that was causing effects. This alone makes me want to get off of it. Started today

good luck to you!

PUffy · 11-15-2009, 02:32 PM

Hello Mozart, I'm kind of new around here and mostly take it all in but I had to reply to your post about being tired. ME TOO!!! I really started to notice it about 6 months in and found it to be the most debilitating and difficult aspect of taking Paxil. I also gained about 20 pounds and even when I could find the energy to exercise or try to eat a healthy diet, no amount of work seemed to budge my weight from that extra 20. I weaned off earlier this year starting in January and remained tired every day to the point of needing a nap most afternoons. Minimum 2 hour nap. Finally, I've noticed an increase in my energy levels in the last month or so. I've been exercising like like my life depended on it and eating so healthy it's crazy. I occasionally still feel fatigued but not every day like before. And, as a bonus, I'm 5 pounds away from being my former slender self.

The hardest part is hanging in there but that's what it took for me. Eventually my body and mind slowly returned to normal, whatever that is for me. I feel for you! Barring any kind of illness that causes fatigue, your energy should eventually re-establish itself.

11-03-2009, 01:42 PM	#1
Mozart22 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 109	Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... I posted a few weeks ago about how Paxil makes me so sleepy. I take 20 mg per day and I'm often tired, sluggish, low energy levels. I was told that it just takes time for the brain to balance things out and that sleepiness is very common with Paxil. That's true, but still, how am I supposed to do my work and chores and run my errands? There are important things I need to do and most of the time I'm just too tired to do them. When am I gonna be able to do my work and run my errands again? Even while writing this I feel like I just wanna close my eyes and wake up 15 hours later. __________________ October 2000 : Zoloft for S.A. and depression, didn't help. A few months later: Remeron, didn't help. Jan. 2001: Attempted suicide, 2 months in hospital mid-2001: Prozac, didn't help, and anti psychotic mid-2002: 40 mg Paxil, worked well 2003: Paxil makes me sweat a lot, very embarassing 2004: 20 mg Paxil Tried switching meds, major w/d, back on Paxil 2007: 1st w/d attempt 2008: 2nd w/d attempt 2009: 3rd w/d attempt, failed again Dilemma.

11-03-2009, 02:02 PM	#2
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... For most, this is a constant side effect while on Paxil. In fact, I'm betting on your prescription bottle, there's even a "may cause drowsiness" sticker. If not, read your prescription insert, it's there. You're just going to have to push through it, that's all you can do. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

11-03-2009, 02:08 PM	#3
Mozart22 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 109	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... Yes it does say may cause drowsiness. I've known for a long time that Paxil does this, it just sucks because I feel like I'm often neglecting important errands and duties because I'm just too exhausted and sluggish to do them __________________ October 2000 : Zoloft for S.A. and depression, didn't help. A few months later: Remeron, didn't help. Jan. 2001: Attempted suicide, 2 months in hospital mid-2001: Prozac, didn't help, and anti psychotic mid-2002: 40 mg Paxil, worked well 2003: Paxil makes me sweat a lot, very embarassing 2004: 20 mg Paxil Tried switching meds, major w/d, back on Paxil 2007: 1st w/d attempt 2008: 2nd w/d attempt 2009: 3rd w/d attempt, failed again Dilemma.

11-03-2009, 02:56 PM	#4
luc Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 158	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... I feel what you're saying Mozart22. I was at one point so heavily medicated I could hardly open my eyes. And the scary part of it all was that I didn't know at the time it was the DRUGS that caused all this. I would accuse myself of not doing the stuff I was supposed to do. Hang in there! __________________ 2001-2008: 40mg Paxil+1mg Xanax Xanax c/t in July 2008 Paxil c/t December 2008 Waves and windows pattern. When in a wave: "Why is it taking so long?!" When in a window: "It's been improving, NO DOUBT! "Patience is passion tamed"

11-03-2009, 03:17 PM	#5
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... Ryan slept through his Freshman year of High School on Paxil...it never got better. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

11-03-2009, 05:00 PM	#6
jeanie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NC Posts: 873	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... I slept 12 hours a night on Paxil, then when I got off it, I couldn't sleep at all!! __________________ Jeanie Nov 4th started the weaning process 10-5 mg Nov. 28th---2.5 mg Dec. 26th--1.25mg Jan 7th----ZERO Scripts taking-ZERO Paxil made me feel sleepy, content and nonchalant. Supplements- Multivitamin, B complex, C, Fish oil, magnesium citrate and E. Therapy- attending church, listening to Christian music and praying. Thank you, PAXILPROGRESS I can do all things thru Christ, who strengthens me.

11-03-2009, 05:02 PM	#7
Songbird Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 7,046	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... I think this is very common. This lack of energy is one of the main reasons why my flower garden has been a weed garden for quite a few years now. Also, I was always a night owl, going to bed around 11 or 12, but while on full dose of Paxil I would often go to bed at only 8:30 or 9:00. I think it improves as dose decreases. __________________ Jul 01-Feb 02 Aropax Feb - Dec 03 Citalopram Jul 04 Aropax Jan 07 - Feb 08 20mg - 5mg Apr 4.5mg 5mg Jun 10mg zopiclone > seroquel Jul 20mg Aug + methionine Oct aropax > loxamine Dec off seroquel 7 Dec 17.5mg 30 Dec 15mg 24 Jan 12.5mg 16 Feb 10mg 10 May 9mg 30 May 8mg 5 July 7.5mg 2 Aug 7.25mg 1 Sep 7mg 9 Oct 6.75mg 8 Nov 6.5mg Appreciation is the antidote to stress - Trust is the antidote to fear

11-03-2009, 08:24 PM	#8
paxilgirl "Stinks of lavender" Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 10,382	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... I remember yawing so much while taking Paxil for the first month. I thought I was going to dislocate my jaw. Fatigue was with me constantly. I could sleep upside down if I had to. __________________ Paxilgirl Put on Paxil for situational depression in August 2003. Was also on .5 mg of Clonozapem. Started on 10mg and increased to 30mg. Weaned off during the summer of 2004. Became PAXIL FREE October 4, 2004. Completely recovered!!!

11-03-2009, 10:49 PM	#9
AussieGirl Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 1,223	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... Extreme fatigue and sleeping for hours and hours is one of the most troublesome side effects for me. Even at 10mgs it is a problem for me. When tapering I only noticed it improve when I got to 5mgs ,and when I had to reinstate it came back so quickly. My family tease me alot abut my ability to sleep anywhere at anytime anyplace. They just ont get its the paxil that makes it so. __________________ 1988-1997:Nardil ( MAOI) for PND & Panic attacks 1997: Off Nardil & comm.Paxil 60mgs 1998:Went c/t. w/d was awful . Went back on 40mgs paxil. 1998-2001: 20-10mgs paxil. 2002: 20mgs paxil whilst pregnant. Daughter 2 months prem 8th Sept.08 To 10mgsTHEN found this site!!!! 31st Oct. 10mgs struggling 1stDec.9mgs1stJan09.8mgs1stFeb.7.5mgs 28March6.8mgs23rdapril6.1mgspharmacist liquid23rdMay5.5mgs15Jun5mgs7thJuly4.5mgs[[b]23rdJulyCrashed. Back to 10mgs.

11-04-2009, 12:07 AM	#10
samantha Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 353	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... any psychiatrist will tell you that paxil is a sedative drug...in my opinion its one of the reasons it tends to work for people w/ panic and anxiety. It feels like it slows the brain down and you are not capable of reaching those levels of panic because of the constant exhaustion. This side effect is relentless and has never gone away in the years I have been on paxil. Now that I'm down to 6 mgs it is tremendously better but it still weighs my brain down and I still can sleep more then normal and get tired a lot more often. It also doesn't help that I don't take any caffeine so I have nothing but myself to fight the drowsiness! __________________ March 18th 2009 - Starting Taper again Down to 9mg April 6th - 8mgs April 15th- Back to 10 mg's to wait until a later date. August 12th- Resuming taper, 9 mgs August 30th- 8mgs September 15th - 7.1mgs October 7th - 6.5 mgs October 18th - 6 mgs November 9th - 5 mgs

11-04-2009, 08:07 AM	#11
scotia21 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 5,419	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... I was tired and sleepy all day long and could take 4 hour naps but then couldn't fall asleep at night. It was not a good thing ! __________________ 1/05/07 20mg-17.5 1/20 17.5-15 2/24 15-12.5 3/08 12.5-10 3/29 10-7.5 4/12 7.5-5 6/15 5-3.75 6/30 3.75-2.5 7/28 2.5-1.5ish 8/11 1.5-1 8/25 1- zero "Keep lighting candles, eventually nobody will be in the dark" me "Why is it so hard for everybody to believe that a pill can change brain chemistry for the better but not for the worse?" me "Time does not come in pill form" me

11-04-2009, 09:33 AM	#12
carolyn Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,105	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... Me too! I could always fall asleep anywhere (now I just wish I could! ). One of the reasons I was put on Paxil was that my anxiety was so bad that I hadn't slept through the night in about 5 months. My doc specifically recommended it because it would make me sleep all the time. __________________ 10mg: 5/02 - 8/07 for panic disorder 20mg: 8/07 - 8/08 CBT: 8/07 - 2/08. Recommended! 1 unsuccessful taper in 7/08; went back to 20mg 2008: 8/2: 18.75mg 8/24: 17.25mg 9/28: 16.10mg 10/19: 15mg 11/9: 13.75mg 11/30: 12.5mg 12/21: 11.25mg 2009: 1/11: 10.6mg 2/1: 10mg 2/22: 9.4mg 3/6: 9.2mg (liquid) 3/29: 8.4mg 4/19: 7.6mg 5/10: 6.8mg 5/31: 6.2mg 6/21: 5.6mg 7/12: 5.1mg 8/2: 4.8mg 8/23: 4.4mg 9/13: 4mg 10/4: 3.7mg 10/25: 3.4mg 11/15: 3.1mg

11-04-2009, 10:02 AM	#13
nickels Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,813	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... Yup...another one here who experienced extreme fatigue and sleepiness while on paxil. It got to be so bad after poop out, that I was sleeping a full night then coming home from work at lunch and taking a nap! I would even take a nap after work most days. Now I rarely need to nap, I'll sit and rest, but never actually fall into a coma like I used to. __________________ Nicole 2000 - 20mgs Paxil for GAD & Panic Attacks 2001 - 30mgs increased to 40mgs 2006 - back down to 20mgs - poop out 2/2007 - C/T off 20mgs - went back on at 10mgs 7/2007 - stabilized then started my taper off of 10mgs 8/2007 - down to 5mgs then found PP and began 10% taper 9/2008 - 1mg 10/15/2008 - 0! 2/2009 - started CBT to finally work on anxiety

11-04-2009, 10:50 AM	#14
Mozart22 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 109	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... If only I could get off this damn Paxil without going through a year of withdrawal symptoms... Being on Paxil sucks, going off Paxil sucks even more, what a conundrum __________________ October 2000 : Zoloft for S.A. and depression, didn't help. A few months later: Remeron, didn't help. Jan. 2001: Attempted suicide, 2 months in hospital mid-2001: Prozac, didn't help, and anti psychotic mid-2002: 40 mg Paxil, worked well 2003: Paxil makes me sweat a lot, very embarassing 2004: 20 mg Paxil Tried switching meds, major w/d, back on Paxil 2007: 1st w/d attempt 2008: 2nd w/d attempt 2009: 3rd w/d attempt, failed again Dilemma.

11-04-2009, 11:27 AM	#15
jbglotz Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 14	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... yes - I had to start taking mine at night...but for many years it would energize me. I don't think the dosage(s) made a difference, but I could be wrong. The changing side effects...floating in and out of my life...are tough to nail down since I didn't know if it was the Paxil or something else that was causing effects. This alone makes me want to get off of it. Started today good luck to you! __________________ ********* jbglotz aka Julie ******* Paxil 30mg for many years joined site 11/1/09 25mg 11/4/09 27.5mg 11/7/09 *********

11-15-2009, 02:32 PM	#16
PUffy Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C. Posts: 2	Re: Zzzzz... Yawn... Zzzz... Hello Mozart, I'm kind of new around here and mostly take it all in but I had to reply to your post about being tired. ME TOO!!! I really started to notice it about 6 months in and found it to be the most debilitating and difficult aspect of taking Paxil. I also gained about 20 pounds and even when I could find the energy to exercise or try to eat a healthy diet, no amount of work seemed to budge my weight from that extra 20. I weaned off earlier this year starting in January and remained tired every day to the point of needing a nap most afternoons. Minimum 2 hour nap. Finally, I've noticed an increase in my energy levels in the last month or so. I've been exercising like like my life depended on it and eating so healthy it's crazy. I occasionally still feel fatigued but not every day like before. And, as a bonus, I'm 5 pounds away from being my former slender self. The hardest part is hanging in there but that's what it took for me. Eventually my body and mind slowly returned to normal, whatever that is for me. I feel for you! Barring any kind of illness that causes fatigue, your energy should eventually re-establish itself.

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