SSRI advice

[Blake96]

anyone know if there are any long term side effects of SSRI medication. Currently on 40mg of Paxil. (7 months on the medication). curious if people just stay on them forever or get to a point they feel good and start to wein off the meds.

[Agora1]

Hi Blake, why rock the boat? (7 months isn't that long)

You are feeling good because of the medication.

Talk with your doctor regarding the length of time he may keep

you on Paxil. Never make any decision on what you read or hear.

Consider yourself lucky if your doctor found the right drug and the

right dosage in keeping you functioning. My best xx

[Blake96 in reply to Agora1]

your right! i will ask how long he intends to keep me on the medication. That questions oddly enough i have not thought of. it does work it seems although i deal with some side effects.

[Agora1 in reply to Blake96]

Hi Blake, by all means bring up the side effects as well

as any questions you might have with your doctor.

I've been on Lexapro for 7 years and not planning to change

that right now. Doing well with no side effects. Good Luck xx

[Mike7777]

Bro ive been on zoloft for a year and half before. Theres side effects to anything. If it helps take it.

[PuzzledLife]

The effects are not the same for everyone, this is why we have different meds and doses. Paxil might work for you but not me or it might just with different doses. But like the other person said don't rock the boat. My other thing here is, meds should be thought of as a tool not a cure. It's to help you get to a place that allows you to add other things in your process of getting better. This of course differs for each of us, but there are those times that we find that we need those meds for the rest of our lives. But in my opinion meds are the tool we use not the total cure. So don't expect it to fix everything if that's what you hope for, you'll need to add a little to it yourself. I found this out myself but unfortunately I haven't found a med yet that has me to this point of contributing to my illness and getting better. I'm still on that search. By the way another great idea for this is looking at your medications effects on the paperwork you get on them. You know the side effects sheet? It should detail long term effects on it.

[Blake96 in reply to PuzzledLife]

my goal is to have Paxil get to a place where i feel comfortable and tapper off and continue working on anxiety/panic etc on my own. i dont want to be hostage to medication. and currently i feel im in a good place with it and its helped me to a degree.

[PuzzledLife in reply to Blake96]

I'm happy for you that you feel well enough to stop. Id recommend talking to a professional prior to stopping though.

[stuarm2]

Yes there are many. SSRIS and SNRIS are not made for long term use use . I've been off them 4 20 plus years. look for trusted resources

the internet can help or hurt so be careful. Sometimes after trying everything other that prescription antidepressants you have to still keep an open mind to them. Google about antidepressants with the least amount of side effects. Good luck. Be well, hang in there 💚

[oicuamy]

I have been on Paxil for 30 years with excellent results until just recently. I’m 50 now and hormones are changing. Paxil has stopped working. The Dr. today switched me from 40mg of Paxil to 10mg of Lexapro. I’m scared to death to switch so abruptly but I have been feeling really depressed and anxious all summer. I hope all goes well for you. 🙏🏻