CAN PAROXETINE STOP WORKING AFTER AWHILE?

[AnxietyRelief]

I have been on this medication for about two years now and just this past month all of my symptoms have came back again like I have never even been on the medicine.
I keep calling my doctor trying to get him to prescribe a different medication but he keeps brushing me off and last time he just gave me xanax and told me to take that when needed. I took a half of one and felt absolutely horrible and made things much worse so I haven't taken them since.
What do you think I should do?

[AnxietyRelief]

I realized that I will do just fine about rising my kids, but I want to feel "NORMAL" again. I want to feel as if I don't have a worry in the world when I am with them. It really doesn't affect me too much when I am playing with them, but it is just hard because I know that when I am done playing with them all this stuff will come back again. I want all of this to go away and hopefully the counceler that I am going to see next week will help me start. Thanks for all of your posts. It is very much appreciated!!

[Paxiled]

Don't worry about your kids -- my sister raised two wonderful, problem free kids while suffering agoraphobia.  

[AnxietyRelief]

Thank you so much for your comment. That really means a lot. I am seeing a doctor as of right now. But I am actaully calling today to see a Clinical Social Worker. I am excited to start this process as I am ready to get rid of this horrible anxiety and panic that I face everyday. This has been a horrbile process for me. I have two beautiful children and I am just ready to move on. I need to be heathly for my kids to support them and learn to be strong for when they are in need. I have a two yr old and a three yr old so I do believe a lot of my stress/anxiety comes from them plus a boyfriend that doesn't really help as much as he should, but I am learning to do more and more on my own and to be independant.

[Paxiled]

Are you seeing a doctor or a psychiatrist?  And if a psychiatrist, a health plan hack or one who really cares?  From the sound of it, this one doesn't care, he or she just wants to prescribe meds and collect the money.  You need one who listens, and they are not easy to find or to afford.  And remember, going off Paxil can be extremely difficult, so you'll need a knowledgeable and caring psychiatrist who knows how to properly taper.  I wouldn't trust the doctor you're seeing.  And yes, all meds can and often do stop working after a time.  The only permanent cure is you curing yourself, which doesn't sound very optimistic but is unfortunately true.  Don't ask me how you do that, though, but therapy is important in the process, not just meds.  

[AnxietyRelief]

Thank you so much for all of your support in this matter. I have actually not stopped taking the Paxil yet. That is why I was just asking first though. My sister and her husband since this is his profession (reason I am not going ot see him because one he is family and two he lives in TN) are setting me up an appointment with someone in the field of anxiety/panic disorder. I am thinking that might be my best bet. Thank you so much for your advice. So, basically the whole reason I was asking about the medicine was because I was starting to feel the same way I was before I started taking the medicine and thought maybe I have become immune to it. But I will def. keep you posted and let you know more when I know more. Thanks again!!!

[RubyWitch]

When you say you are going to start seeing a counsler "sometime soon," what exactly does that mean? Do you actually have an appointment with someone, or are you just thinking about it? And what kind of "counsler" are you talking about? Personally I would suggest seeing someone who has the ability to write prescriptions for you. They have a MUCH better understanding of psyhcotropic meds than your GP, and will follow how you're doing on them as opposed to your current doc. But whoever you see, I would most certainly tell them how your doctor has blown you off. That would probably be the very first thing I told them!
I think it's obvious your current doctor does not really have your best interest at heart and I again recomment you find someone who does.
And yes, you do have to taper off most psych meds. Some take a very long time and other's not, it all depends on the med and how long you've been taking it. Almost all of them come with the warning to not stop taking them abruptly. Your doctor was remiss in not telling you this. Some of these meds can be extremely dangerous to withdraw from and Xanax is at the top of that list. I realize your doctor told you to take them PRN (as needed) which I will give him credit for, but what if he had put you on those in the first place without telling you what could happen if you stopped abruptly? Xanax can cause seizures and even fatalities when discontinued suddenly.
If you are doing fairly well after being off the Paxil for two weeks, in my humble and non-medical opinion, I'd say it was OK to wait until you see your therapist. The fact you are still having "good days and bad days," tells me you are still going through  some withdrawal. These kinds of "waves" are normal in any w/d. If it would make you feel better, you can call any pharmacist, who is a DOCTOR of PHARMACOLOGY and talk to him/her. Most are happy to "counsel" you and offer suggestions. They cannot prescribe anything, but can be very, very reasurring that what you're feeling is normal and if they feel it's not, they will recommend seeing your doctor immediately. Most folks don't realize what a valuable  resource these folks are.
I hope your therapy appointment is soon as you are walking around feeling not so great when you don't have to!
You're gonna be fine, really. But I still say to s**t can your doctor!
Keep us posted!
Peace
Greenlydia  

[AnxietyRelief]

Well I am actually going to go and start seeing a counceler sometime soon so do you think I should just discuss this stuff with him than? Explain to him that my doctor is brushing me off and I need further assistance. I mean if he is not going to help me I don't know what else to do besides go see another doctor. So you have to taper off of you other medication before you can start another one? I never knew that they couldn't just switch you over. See that is something else that he never explained to me before as well. Isn't that a surprise? LOL...well I have my good days and bad so I am assuming so that I should jsut hang in there until I see the counceler or whatever they are called?

[RubyWitch]

Simple. Find another doctor who actually cares about you. That your doctors "solution" was to toss a script for Xanax at you and basically tell you to go away is bad medicine. Period.
As with any medication, after two years, it's efficacy for you personally CAN change and that SHOULD have been evaluated by your doctor! A discussion should have followed with some options for you to either increase the dose or try another medication. (After properly tapering off your current one!)
Find a doctor who understands benzos. They ARE out there!
Peace
Greenlydia