Withdrawl or relapse???

Hi Everybody,

Wow I see I'm not alone!!

Have been off Paxil for 10 weeks & still don't feel like my old self. How long does this take?? My family doc thinks I have relasped & need the medication.

The majority of the physical symptoms have disappeared, but still having anxiety, early waking, trouble eating, bad mornings.

On the positive side, there are parts of the day when I feel completely fine? I feel like my old self. Then other days I'm constantly debating going back on Paxil becuase life was better - I good sleep, eat & function without anxiety.

My psyciatrist put me on Paxil in 2001 due deal with post partum depression.

For 13 months I took 20mg for the 1st half of my cycle, then 30mg pre-menstrually (I have severe PMS so my doc suggested increasing the dose to offset this).

Then dropped to 10/20mg for 5 months. I felt ok but hubby told my doctors that I was aggressive, more irritable & generally always in a bad mood. So doctor said just stop the Paxil & try just taking 10 mg of Celexa for PMS.

Well, the sudden stop was unbearable. Had all the horrible physical symptoms, but had no idea about withdrawal symptoms (doc never told me). Found the info on the net, so I went back on Paxil & tried a more gradual tapering for 6 weeks.

Haven't taken the Celexa for PMS as doc suggests. Couldn't bear the thought of taking it for 2 weeks to 'help' PMS then suffer for the next 2 weeks with withdrawal.

I guess I'm just confused. Any information/advice would be sooooo helpful.

How long does this withdrawal last. Could this be a relapse of the initial depression??

Thanks for listening...........Cool Mama