Struggling with anxiety/mood swings

A little bit about myself:  I'm 23 years old, in my fifth year of college, with another year to go.  I'm married to a very supportive man (also in college), and we are living with two roommates (both also in college).  I was on anxiety medication from October 2008 until November 2009.  First, a generic brand of Paxil.  On this medication, I was always tired, inactive, and I gained 20 pounds.  Six months later, I switched to Prozac.  Felt fine, though I couldn't lose any of the weight I'd gained.

I gradually tapered off the Paxil, WITH NP supervision.  I'm now experiencing incredible mood swings that are most often ignited by common nuisances:  loud people, messy people, loud noises, unhelpful people, etc.  My husband bears the brunt of this, even though he rarely does anything that would cause a mood swing.  If I can stay away from people, I just sit and smolder, because if I'm around people, particularly loud ones, I'm not too nice.

Taking a mental break from college isn't an option.  I receive financial aid for studying, and if I'm not studying, I'd need to get a job, but nobody's hiring.  My husband and I will be moving into our own place this summer, so that might help a little, but I wouldn't place a bet on it.  I can't restart my medication because it's too expensive.  I can't just stay away from people, because I still have classes to attend.

I'm already attending fitness classes, so aside from that, I don't know what else to do.

[greenlydia]

I would suggest a good medical work up to rule out an organic reason for your mood swings. Do you notice an increase in these around your cycle?
Are you on some form of birth control............again a hormone issue.
Perhaps moving into your own place will help, but it's pretty difficult, not only on a college campus, but in life, to get away from loud, messy, unhelpful people, and loud noises.
Unfortunately staying away from people is not really an option unless you have spent your education getting a PhD. in "Hermitology."
You were on meds before which aside from the weight gain, seemed to solve this problem for you. There ARE meds out there that do not cause weight gain and perhaps it would be a good idea to discuss this option with your NP. Many meds have become generic, so the cost is much less. If you do not see that as an option, I would suggest some therapy. The bottom line, in my humble opinion, is that you need some help to get over this hurdle. I also believe that being connected with a college/uniersity should make that help accessable and low cost.
Peace
Greenlydia