Obsessing over Paxil withdrawal. Need some help!

I am a 36 year old male. I have been taking Paxil 40mg/day for about 12 years. I was originally diagnosed with GAD and Panic Disorder. I have done pretty well on the Paxil for these many years with minimal side effects. Occasionally, however, I have some breakthrough anxiety. When this happens, I am always worried that the Paxil is "pooping out" and I begin obsessively reading about the thousands of Paxil withdrawal horror stories that are out here on the web. Websites like paxilprogress.org and quitpaxil.org are full of people that have tried to quit or are in the process of weaning off of this drug, and they are all going through absolute hell. It really scares me. It's an odd feeling when you realize that you are afraid of the very thing that has helped you for so many years.

I guess my question to you is this. If the time comes that I need to change medications or come off of the Paxil, is it possible to do so successfully having been on 40 mg for so many years? What is the success rate of weaning off Paxil after long-term use (10+ years)? I recently spoke with my own psychiatrist about the breakthrough anxiety I was having, and about my Paxil concerns, and his recommendation was to up my Paxil dose to 60 mg/day or to augment with Buspar. I am a successful Art Director, a husband, and a father. I am so afraid that I will eventually lose those things that are most precious to me if I ever have to come off of this antidepressant. Any insight or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards.

[Arsia]

Coming off of any kind of addiction (even if you take everything as directed, your body becomes addicted) isn't easy. If you ever have to get off of it, talk to your doctor and he'll probably taper you off of it. That's the best idea. Usually, the worst withdrawal symptoms will be the first few weeks, then it'll gradually get better. If you do it, talk to people about it. Tell your family that you're coming off of it and you'll be a little off for awhile.
I don't know much about coming off of this particular prescription, but what I said above is usually true for any kind of pill addiction.
Don't stress it too much. Just always be honest with your doctor.

[metalfan1]

Hi there, I"m sorry to hear about your breakthrough anxiety and about your concerns. I'm not an expert but I do think that it is possible to be wean off paxil without having to go through hell. I've heard of people going through awful withdrawal from different medications, but I've also heard about people having a great outcome when weaning off medication when they see the proper medical professionals. And I feel very positive, about your future outcome cause I feel like I hear more positive stories about weaning off meds than i do about negative ones.

[acleme1]

Thanks guys for the quick response. I do really well with my anxiety. There are times that I actually don't even think about it too much. Every so often though, I start to get those old feelings back. That's when I start worrying about my Paxil and looking into "poop-out" and withdrawal all over the web. It's a snowball effect and I start having overwhelming anxiety again.

I just need to stay off of those sites that scare me, and quit googling "paxil withdrawal" and "paxil poop-out". I should trust in my psychiatrist and not worry so much about it.

Thanks again!

[Arsia]

That's an awesome idea. I knew that was my major problem. I'd be fine until I started thinking about it again.

[metalfan1]

yeah, stay off those sites. I know that I would do the same about xanax withdrawal and I would end up freaking out. I no longer go on sites that talk about medication withdrawal. Like right now I'm freaking out about my psychiatrist weaning me off zoloft and switching me to another medication but like you said I am going to trust my psychiatrist and any decision she makes. She went to school for years and has years of expeirence so I shouldn't worry. And neither should you. tohether we can get through this.