i am weaning off of paxil after taking it for nine months and you know something? the entire time i was on that godforsaken drug i was happy as a lark, nothing bothered me and i mean NOTHING. i did not have ONE fight with my husband the entire time i was on it, my mother didn't bother me a bit, i could have found out i was dying of a terminal illness and i would have thought "i don't have time for this ****, i'm going out and having some fun" la di dah!
and you know what else? i had not one interesting, insightful, creative thing to say to anyone! the anxiety ridden, moody, sometimes miserable, sensitive, tortured soul is ME! not some happy fool! i like me, hypochondria and all and i am happy to have something to say finally!

[This message has been edited by pauline38 (edited 09-15-2003).]

Pauline,

I read your posts and it sure sounded like hell coming off of Paxil. I am currently taking 20mg. since Jan. I do have to say it has helped me tremendously. No side effects, no weight gain. In fact, just the opposite, I have actually lost weight due to really watching my diet.

I was prescribed it for depression/anxiety which has been chronic for me. Worry about everything and also extremely angry and irritable. It has really helped me. I was afraid to give it a shot because of all the things that I had read on it. My therapist told me it is basically trial and error with these meds. Maybe you didn't truly need to be put on it. I think people need to find out for themselves as to whether it works for them or if they do need it. I'm sure it is over prescribed.

As to coming off the med, I can't say as I have not reached that point yet. Thinking of staying on until the year is up and then discontinuing very slowly. I've talked with different people who have had problems and others who have said it wasn't that bad.

Only Me