Question about the side effects of Paxil

I've been on Paxil for perhaps 4 days now for social anxiety, and have suffered no adverse side effects except fatigue. This morning, however, while taking a shower, I suffered a dizzy spell complete with nausea so debilitating that I fell to my knees, thinking I was going to pass out. I then had shaking, sweating, diarrhea, and chills - not unlike flu-like symptoms. This lasted for about 10 minutes before I went back to bed for an hour. When I woke up, all that I experienced was mild light-headedness and nausea, but nothing like before. My question is, could this attack have been the result of the Paxil, or is it more likely that it's something else?

I don't want to scare you, but have to tell you the truth. I think what you experienced was the first side effects of paxil. I took paxil for 4 years and recently *finally* got myself off them.

The doctors put me on a very high dose (90miligrams) and I started to get very addicted. I started popping them in my mouth any time I felt nervous, and I went to the hospital one night from an accidental overdose.

It was alright at first..The pills did make me 'happier' in a sense..I was going out a lot, socializing, but I started to get manic. I don't remember somethings I did, the pills made me a completely different person. I would talk so fast and laugh loudly, always running around, I couldn't sit still. I would crave attention (which is nothing like the 'real' me) and I would embarrass myself infront of others then cry about it at night.

I started to get suicidal and nausiated everyday. I got fired from my job because I was too sick to make it on time. One night I just stopped taking them cold-turkey, and that is the worst possible way to stop them. I was thrashing about on my bed and hallucinating-my friends said it was like I was coming off herione or something.

It's taken months to recover, am I'm back to being the person that stays inside, doesn't talk to anyone, and is always depressed...I'm trying to get help now, but I would never take Paxil again.

You should really look into an alternative medicine-my mom took Zoloft and it really worked for her with no side-effects.
You never know though, Paxil might have been just bad for me...Just be careful.
Take care. *hugs*

There is a table on the side effects of each type of medications for anxiety conditions in this web site.

Side effects of drugs for anxiety disorder and panic attacks

Paxil gave me dry mouth and made me feel like a smiling statue, ugh.

I took it for about two weeks and cannot stand the side effects. My mouth would always be dry, and I always felt fatigued and lazy. I stopped taking it cold turkey because social anxiety is something I am willing to deal with.

I also have some other unknown issue going on with me and that causes more problems than my social anxiety. It actaully makes the social anxiety seem worse than it really is. All in all I would much rather deal with social anxiety than take some medicine to try to cover it up.

I stopped 5 days ago but since have been having weird headaches and I have been feeling nauseous often. I am hoping these are just side effects from the Paxil, or withdrawal effects. Either way, I will never take an anti-depressant again, especially not this one.

Dealing with social anxiety is not so bad; it is only bad when you have other problems that can amplify your self-consciousness, which I do. If you know you have other problems that make you so self-conscious I would suggest that you tackle those rather than cover it up with a medication.

Paxil CR is a controlled-release formula that works by taking a single dose that processes in the body throughout the day. Paxil CR is manufactured in tablets of 12.5, 25 and 37.5 mg.
Some of the common side effects associated with Paxil (paroxetine) therapy include:
Weakness
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea
Anxiety or nervousness
Dry mouth
nsomnia
Constipation or diarrhea
Increased sweating
Decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory/orgasmic inability or delay.
Some people experience a reduction in some of these side effects after being on the medication for a while. If they remain bothersome, though, you should consult with your doctor.

I'm on 60mg of Paxil (40mgs for 2 years...was recently upped). Although I haven't experienced the side effects that you mentioned, it could be related to the Paxil. The start of any SSRI will cause nervousness when you start taking it. Sounds like you had almost like a mild panic attack. Since I've been on it, I have had no adverse side effects.