I don't know about paxil from personal experience, but I've heard from a lot of people that it's very effective. You have to be patient with it though because it's not going to fully be in your system until about a month, although you might start to feel better in a few weeks.
It all depends on your brain chemicals. Different anti depressants belong to different classes. Like I'm on cymbalta it's an SNRI and that class works for me. I've tried Lexapro which is an SSRI and it doesn't work for me. So, if paxil by chance doesn't work then just know there are lots of other things you can take.

paxil is one of many prozac type meds, you will have to take it for 2 to 6 weeks to see whether you can cope with the side effects and whether it will help you, if it helps, you will get a big improvement, the panic attacks and anxiety will be reduced or stopped

start with a low dose for the first few days, split the tablet if needed

Harry, thanks for your response. I tried the Paxil for a couple of days and it has made me so sick and nervous. Diarhea, jitteryness, etc. I stopped taking it. I am going to my pdoc today and see if he will prescribe me some Xanax. The only problem I am having is sleeping. I cannot go to sleep at night. I am constantly on 10!

Have you tried exercise, diet change, meditation? I urge these things because it is difficult getting off drugs.

Mark, thanks for your reply. I have not been exercising like I should lately. I was working out with a personal trainer, etc. I have been so busy with full-time work and school until its crazy. I just feel overwhelmed most of the time. My pdoc prescribe Trazodone for sleeping and nothing else. He says I did not have acute anxiety, just a mild form of stress related anxiety ... and this is true.

Paxil worked wonders for me..
after about 4 months of being on it, I was able to be taken off all of the meds I was on completely and have been off of them for a year now :)
but I was on a combination of pills at that time so maybe it was just the right combination for me.
trazodone, paxil, and ativan did it for me..
all the best wishes for you though :)

trazodone works for some but not all, guess it must have worked for your psych so he is enthusiastic about it

Harry, currently I am not taking anything. I am doing CBT, Claire Weekes, meditation, prayer and simply just living each day as it comes. Panic does not feel good, but it does not kill either. I know that once I am done with school, and other medical issues are taken care of, I will be ok.

to miss honey,
sadly many of us panic attack sufferers have severe reactions to a new antidepressant and some psychs wont accept what happens and think you are exagerating or have some hostile transferrence against him..... ask psych for some xanax or other valium type med to take at start of a panic attack and also to help you get off to sleep

if he refuses, go elsewhere, it depends entirely on the prejudices of the individual doc or psych as to whether he will give you any

did the trazodone help with sleep?

I have not tried the Trazadone Harry as I have a very high sensitivity to anti-depressant type drugs. When I was going through this years ago, they tried everything and nothing worked for me but the Xanax. No side effects, was able to sleep and get my life back on track. The pdoc I am currently seeing is dead set against Xanax because of its addiction factor. I am not a drug addict, I could care less about any drugs but I have not been sleeping well the past 5 weeks and I have had no real help from him. I will ask him one last time for Xanax and if he refuses, then I will not go back to him. The only purpose of seeing him is to get my meds.

i was on paxil about a year and a half ago. I did not notice any side effects myself I did however feel a lil high do to my dose. i told the doc that it was too much at one time for me to cope with but he said i would get use to it. needless to say I have a new doc and a new med. I am on a low dose of Klonopin now and it works well. I still have a small dose of ATIVAN i keep close by JUST IN CASE i need to really come down fast. Also the paxil made me sleepy as hell too. I suggest taking it like you have pllanned to and have someone near you so they can see how you react as well to it. I wish you so much luck on this new endevour.

I agree with you, xanax is only one of many valium type meds but it is a favourite for drug addicts who have run out of drugs so they often pretend to be anxiety sufferers to get it from docs

ask psych for some clonazepam, another valium type med that is longer acting so doesnt have to be taken so often, and if he refuses any valium type meds, go back to doc who sent you to see psych and tell him what happened

really your psych isnt much good, he apparently cant tell the difference between an anxiety sufferer and an addict pretending to be one, IMO

yes, trazodone is an antidepressant that has now been promoted as a sleeping pill as it sedates some
try having a long soak in a hot bath while breathing deep and slow before bed

My experience with p a x I l was good. At the time in my life it was what I needed. After 3 months I found I had gained 10 pounds. I also felt flat. No emotions.

I slept well. No anxiety attacks. Just didn't feel. I was switched 2 wellbutrin. A long with that camee trazadone. Because I could not sleep.

I did Paxil for a month and didn't really see any difference. But of course the chemicals for each person is different and it might take one or more. I'm on klonopin which is a safer drug than xanax. Though it is still habit forming klonopin is an 8-10 hour drug where xanax is called a half life pill meaning it only lasts 4 hours. I'm not a drug addict either but with xanax being a half life pill just a lot easier to become addicted just b/c you wanna take more than what you are suppose to, to still feel calm. My suggestion is Klonopin. I'm on a low dose but I became immune to my low dose had to up it then I went back down. I'm only using that instead of with my Celexa only b/c I hate meds. Paxil will make you feel that way which most anti depressents have those effects. Just give it a month if no change they might need to change you. Hope you get some relief soon. Prayers going up for ya!