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← Return to Paxil doesn’t seem to be working.
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Paxil doesn’t seem to be working.
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Oct 17, 2025 | Replies (22)Comment receiving replies
@heyjoe415 - Hi, Joe - Thanks so much for your kind and helpful response to my post. It gives me hope that you have had such long-term success with Paxil. I had been on Zoloft for about 25 years, with much success, until it “pooped out” on me during the height of COVID. Since then, I have tried numerous antidepressants and they either don’t work or the side effects are unbearable.
My psychiatrist increased my dose of Paxil
to 20 mg last Tuesday, so I’m praying I eventually have a positive response to it. I think her goal is to get me to 40 mg, but it feels like such a long wait to reach a therapeutic effect. In the meantime, I’m struggling quite a bit with my anxiety and depression,
Thank you, again, for your encouragement, advice, and for sharing your experience with Paxil. I am extremely grateful and wish you continued good mental health.
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Wow Ellen - your kind words absolutely made my day. Than you so much!
Interesting that you were on Zoloft for almost as long as I have been on Paxil. I really hope it starts to help you, and if you don't feel it at 20mg, 40 mg may just work. Here's why I say that:
Last year, for whatever reason, I started tapering down from 40mg/day under my PCP's guidance. I first dropped to 30mg (that was kind of a pain cause there isn't a 30mg pill, but a small problem). I was fine at 30mg for a month, and then dropped to 20mg.
At 20 mg I started feeling worse. Certainly not a deep depression, and no return of panic attacks, just not feeling quite right about things. I usually am pretty enthusiastic about life and I didn't feel that way. Where I used to look forward to going to the gym everyday, suddenly it became harder.
Well I went back to 40mg and I'm fine now. I hope that will be true for you.
Another thing that has helped me tremendously in dealing with depression is vigorous exercise. In my 30s and 40s (well before I took Paxil), I took up long-distance running and felt much better. My knees are no longer able to withstand that impact, so I spin 5-6x/week.
So I hope you get to a better place Ellen. 40mg seems like a good therapeutic dose for Paxil.
And if this doesn't work, don't give up. There are always new drugs being introduced. And please do update me on your progress.
All the very best to you Ellen for bright and happy days ahead! You deserve that.
Joe