planning on getting off an SSRI

[Blake96]

Due to another recent post about coming off of a medication/SSRI im curious what those experience when stopping an SSRI. I will not cold turkey stop, I plan to taper off with my doctors advice of how to. ive been on paxil for about 7 months now and i feel its got me to a place where i feel good and have made improvement although I feel some lingering side affects from the med are here but it has helped me more than hurt me i feel. I went from being in the house all the time and not working out or exercising to getting exposure outside of the house (i have agoraphobia/anxiety/panic disorder), going to the gym every morning 5-6 times a week for an hour, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and doing my best at coping and accepting my visual symptoms related to anxiety (went into more detail on another post). I dont remember exactly how i felt when i wasnt on meds but i feel they make me more tired, sexual dysfunction, maybe even foggy at times or out of it (maybe the meds or maybe me still unsure). i feel i can come back on the medication if after a few months i get worse or back track.

[Amz1987]

Definitely do what you feel you need to do. As you said you can always go back on them if you feel you don’t cope well once you come off them. Speak with your GP to help you taper off them very slowly.

[nicoleacrow]

Hi, I had wonderful experience with Paxil in the past as it seemed to remove all worries, anxieties, and doubts from my mind. It made me feel confident and in a good mood all the time. I have gone off it several times in the past 15 years and never had any withdrawal symptoms by tapering slowly off the medication. It takes awhile, but if you do it right it should be okay (however I know this is not everyone's experience). Food for thought- I would have a relapse usually within 6 months after coming off Paxil- depression and anxiety always came back. My longest drug free period was two years. I noticed whenever a stressful event occurred it triggered my symptoms. On the Paxil I could easily get through stressful events without a complete downward spiral. If things are going so great, I'm not sure you should go off it, especially since it has only been 7 months. My brain really needs the medication to function "normally". This last time I was on it for six years straight and it stopped working, unfortunately. The first time in around the 15 years total I have been taking it that it is no longer effective. I am pretty devastated and several other SSRIS I have tried aren't working either. I am currently not taking any antidepressant and my quality of life has been horrible. I am hoping that if I try it again in a few months the break will be enough for it to start working again. Good luck in whatever you decide!

[Blake96 in reply to nicoleacrow]

wow so you have had alot of experience with paxil. well im hoping to soon cut back and stop taking it. I want to get to a point where i feel good and comfortable that i dont need it anymore. i feel it has been helping but i dont want long term effects of this. and ive never heard of it "stop working" all of a sudden. how did you know it stopped working?

[lillyofthevalley37]

50% of people have problems withdrawing from antidepressants and 50% of them have long term problems

Hope it goes well.it's a good idea to try withdrawal at this point in my opinion

[Bilabong]

I had a pretty nasty experience coming off escitalopram: healthunlocked.com/anxietys....

The positive was, every month passed would be better than the previous. The effects only completely tapered off and left early this month.

Advice? Do not stop CT. Also remember even after a gradual taper, people have experienced very shortlived and mild withdrawals. Goodluck to you.