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zosolizard · 08-25-2005, 12:31 PM

I took Paxil years ago & had a bad time coming off of it (I did it slowly but still suffered).

Does anyone know how long you would have to take an SSRI in order to go through "withdrawals" once you are ready to stop taking it?

Thank you for your help

hry33 · 08-25-2005, 02:30 PM

paxil is known for being unusually difficult to stop
see paxil discontinuation syndrome
since its just 1 of many prozac type meds, I cant see why docs are so happy to prescribe it, maybe it gives the most frequent flyer points to them

if the paxil helped you then this suggests you try another SSRI or prozac type, if it didnt then try some other type of antidepressant, there are several

the term SSRI means prozac type only

NiceguyEddie · 08-25-2005, 03:31 PM

My best guess would be that if you take it for long enough for it to be effective (and for most SSRIs, that is 4-6 weeks), and then try to get off it, you will experience some withdrawal. However, it does makes sense that the longer you are on an SSRI, the worse the withdrawals will be - due to the fact that your brain and body acclimate themselves to the drug over a long period of use.

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