Need Buddies/Support Please!

I am a 27 y/o mother of three.  I have GAD, as well as Agoraphobia, and have major panic attacks, etc.. stemming from taking illegal drugs while on Wellbutrin when I was 18... whole other story.  I have been taking Paxil (Paroxetine, actually - the generic form since Paxil has been banned from Canada) since 2001.  I was taking 20 mg per day up until about a year ago, when I noticed that it wasn't working as well for me anymore.  I had plans to quit the drug all-together and went to see a doctor, who then advised me to actually up my dose to 60 mgs per day.  I didn't agree with that at all, but nevertheless, upped my dose to 40 mgs.  I'm noticing major side effects now, and it's really affecting my life.  No sex drive, and I'm basically just an emotionless shell of what I once was.  I desperately want to get off this drug and will make an appointment with my GP (a different one) tomorrow.   I was really happy stumbling upon this site tonite as I need to make this change in my life.  I want to be able to go places with my children, walk in the mall without feeling like I'm suffocating, etc.. and I know there are other people out there like me!  I would like to find other people out there with the same or similar condition, who are taking or have stopped taking Paxil.  Appreciate your input!

[Paxiled]

First, you should always do this type of medication through a psychiatrist, not a general doc.  Even psychiatrists often don't understand these meds, and general docs tend to have a very superficial understanding of them.  Second, when you find a psychiatrist you like, discuss it with that person.  Going off Paxil or any antidepressant should be done by tapering off at a pace that suits you; going off too quickly can cause a withdrawal.  A good book you might want to read on when it's time to come off a med and how to do it is The Anti-Depressant Solution by Joseph Glanville.  I was on Paxil for several years, but I didn't experience the same side effects.  There were sexual side effects, but that can be true of all ssris, and I've read a lot of posts on here about people losing their emotions on meds, but that never happened to me.  But meds do often stop working, and if that's the case, it probably is time to change.  Just do it prepared.  Good luck.