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I see no reason for you to go off the Paxil medication. You have benefitted from the treatment and in many cases it is a lifelong treatment.

Since you have responded well and it has helped you there is no reason to go of the medication, unless it was used to treat your first major depression. In these cases people are this kind of med for 9-12 month before they stop taking it. If they later have another depression they have to take the meds the rest of their lives in order to prevent relapse. It sounds like the benefits of staying on the Paxil are greater than the benefit of coming off the medications and risk increased anxiety, agoraphobia, and the risk of you starting to drink again in order to selfmedicate yourself. Alcohol used to treat anxiety has far many more downsides than staying on Paxil. I suggest you talk to your doctor and renew your pre>

Lynchmob,

I have been taking prozac off and on for about eight years for depression and anxiety.
I have taken myself off of it a few times because I felt that it was just another crutch. I too had used alcohol and drugs to self medicate.
I can do ok for awhile but the depression and anxiety always comes back. I have realized that I may need to stay on prozac for the rest of my life. It helps make life alot more bearable for me.
You can always go back on your meds if you find it hard to deal with life without it.

mike

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Hi Lynch,

I take paxil too for the same reasons as you. It has done the same good for me as it has for you. I have made peace with the fact that I will take it for the rest of my life because I have twice stopped taking it and my depression and anxiety have come roaring back each time. And the difficulty with getting off of it is that you will experience a sense of like sound waves going through your brain for about a week. It's not being dizzy but a first cousin to it! And then, two or three weeks later, for me anyway, the floor gives out and I go crashing into hell.

No more. My little white wonder is $4 a month at WalMart and it's the best investment I make for myself every month. Hope this helps.

Taz

Lynch,

I think Taz makes a point that you should take into consideration. Many people with anxiety disorders do remain on their medications long term. Those that come off their medication have completed a course of therapy to learn skills for managing their depression and anxiety disorder. If you haven't completed therapy, make sure you monitor your emotional state and get back to the doctor instead of back to the bottle.

Peace, love and good luck!

Michael

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