medication recommendation

I need help; PAXIL worked GREAT for just under one year, then I became suicidal and needed to be taken off. The withdrawal symptoms almost killed me (no Joke) so I went on Effexor xr. It worked ok, I felt desensitized but still better for a little over a year..., now it is time to come off again!! Side effects felt equal to if not worse then the paxil.

My question is which medication can I start ,that if and when I need to come off it, would not be so horrific in side effects?

My diagnosis ranges from PTSD, Social Anxiety, Depression

I had tried Zoloft some years back it was intollerable for the first three or four days, that "they" had me stop taking it.

[Rikili]

I would NOT recommend you take Zoloft, the withdrawal symptoms I am going though,dizziness, numbness and weakness in my arms and legs (so bad that I can't drive), nausea, fatigue, abdominal cramps, tingling, headaches, shaking, forgetfulness, loss of motor functions, and mood swings.

A lot of people have said that Prozac is one of the better Anti-depressants to switch to while coming off Effexor, it lessens the side effects of Effexor withdrawal.

But Prozac,like all other Anti-depressant medication has it's own withdrawal symptoms too.
No anti-depressant really seems better than the other in the way of withdrawal symptoms,

I'm in the same boat as you and I really wish you the best of luck.

[needsreaders]

Have you ever tried Wellbutrin?  I've been on it for years, and in that time I have accidentally run out a couple of times and have had ringing in my ears and a slight headache, but that's really all.  It also is a great antidepressant with no sexual side effects.
needsreaders

[SuperMe]

Thank you for your replies.
I never tried welbutrin or prozac, will I GAIN weight on either?

[markv]

You will if you don't watch your diet.

[donb_fl]

Wellbutrin is my drug of choice too, it dampens my chronic depression without all the nasty side effects SSRIs have, normally people dont gain weight with it or loose libido/function, withdraw is mild especially if tapered off over about 3 months after long term usage. Welbutrin is also used for ADD, stopping smoking, and sexual dysfunction in adults also. Since getting my hormones corrected recently I have reduced to 150mg and didnt experience any problems.

[SuperMe]

thanks I will be looking into wellbutrin. I will let you all know what I decide. Thank you soooo much for your input.
By - the -way  I am off effexor xr now for 2.5 weeks and even thought the side effects are still occuring, they are muh less powerful then last week. This is stil however a grewsome experience. I am so very concerned about going bck on meds... but I still need them so I can have a better relationship with my children. I dont like being angry all the time (anything gets me annoyed), and I am not wanting to be around people again. That is unfair to them and myself.

[SuperMe]

thanks I will be looking into wellbutrin. I will let you all know what I decide. Thank you soooo much for your input.
By - the -way  I am off effexor xr now for 2.5 weeks and even thought the side effects are still occuring, they are muh less powerful then last week. This is stil however a grewsome experience. I am so very concerned about going bck on meds... but I still need them so I can have a better relationship with my children. I dont like being angry all the time (anything gets me annoyed), and I am not wanting to be around people again. That is unfair to them and myself.

[ckelly514]

I also read online that Prozac is recommened for the use of getting off other antidepressant meds. It stays in the body longer that other drugs which is why you have less withdrawal symptoms. Well, I should say they aren't as bad. Exercise is also another good way to help with depression. Get out and walk when ever you can.. daily would be best.  Best of Luck!

[donb_fl]

BTW, the problems im taking it for is for severe PTSD and depression. I dont want to go into the cause of either here, but I know what it feels like. I also feel less tense in social situations now so I guess it might be helping for that, im no longer panicking say when im in a cluster of people in the supermarket. Ive never talked to my shrink about Social Anxiety cause i really dont want to have to start digging into that while im still trying to learn to prevent flashbacks... Feel free to message me if you want to talk about things.

[ckelly514]

I've read online that EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been proven to help with anxiety, depression, panic and PTSD. You can find more information about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMDR

I've been thinking about trying it myself (I have issues with social phobia and depression) but I haven't gone so far as to find out the cost involved.

[SuperMe]

Hi

Talking to you all is great, I wanted to say thank you it is helpful.

I am inches away from phoning for an appointment with a Doctor to discuss the next round of meds. I just dont want to start all this cr_p again. I do see however that it is necessary. I will keep you posated. Have a happy day.