Jac, You probably don't remember me, but you sent me a butterfly bush last year! I was (and am, but not practicing at this time) a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist for the past 22 years. Every antidepressant has problems that can be associated with it, from sexual dysfunction to life-threatening electrical changes in the heart. I also consider that every time my son had strep throat, the antibiotics I gave him could cause Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. A tylenol with a viral illness could lead to Reye's Syndrome, or just a plain tylenol with a fever could be "the one" that causes liver failure in a person with a hidden hepatic illness. I totally agree that you should have been told of the potential for Serotonin Withdrawal Syndrome, and the possibility of another associated problem called Serotonergic Syndrome that can be associated with all SSRI's. Thats where having people who are trained specifically in the treatment of depression is invaluable. Primary Care Physicians can spot and begin treatment of depression very well these days (thank goodness for everyone who, like myself, uses a GP), but if I had cancer, I would want to see an Oncologist, not an OB/GYN. The same thinking should be applied to any illness requiring special training, in my opinion. For as many people as I have seen who have had problems with a particular antidepressant, I have seen four times as many do beautifully. My hope is that one day, the science of the mind/emotions will advance to the point that a swab or a blood test will be able to identify the type of depression a person has and tell us, like a culture and sensitivity test does for bacteria, which medication has the best chance of treating the disease. Until that time, even the most well-trained and brilliant minds will continue to do their best and offer medications in the treatment of depression. Not all will be sucessful or pretty, but for those who have truly had a case of Clinical Depression, at least someone is trying. Not to try when a patient is asking for help would be worse. I will take a patient who is suffering side effects from a medication (though never the goal) over a patient who is no longer around to have a side effect, anyday. Do I think medications are over-prescribed? Absolutely! Do I think that people who have no business prescribing them are doing so? Absolutely! Do I think even the most highly trained Mental Health professionals sometimes miss the mark or over-prescribe? Absolutely!! I also know a woman who was told she had the flu and had an Aortic Aneurysm which ruptured on the way home from the hospital. I cared for a woman who convinced herself she had a yeast allergy, treated herself at home with vitamins and dietary restrictions, and all the while had a brain tumor that took her life. Her diagnosis came after she had killed a man and was court commited for evaulation to stand trial. Most people are amazingly resilient. Some are not. I am championing for those who are not and need a little help along the way (myself included at one time). I know my thinking is in direct opposition to many, and I never wish to challenge someone's right to choose treatments that that they deem right for themselves or their families. I just wanted to say, these medications, warts and all, make it possible for many people to work, maintain families and relationships, and in some cases, just survive another day of depression. I just hope that someone who needs treatment sees this and doesn't decide to throw the baby out with the bath water. Lea

Seven years ago I took an Oxycut wieght loss pill. It set off a panic attack that lasted from February to June. And I mean it was a full fledged attack, racing heart, crying, etc. for five solid motnhs, I lost 30lbs, I could bearly function. I couldn't leave the house and breath at the same time. The paxil got it under control. Paxil was a very good choice at the time. I had tried Buspar with worse effects,the paxil made me feel normal again. Now after seven years, my husband and son comment on how much my personality has changed,I have gained back the weight I lost plus another 40lbs. I have sexual dysfunction and still have a few break through anxiety attacks. I decided to wean off with out telling my doctor. I did it pretty well, as you can see in the above post. Today is day 8. What I didn't realize is that no one was talking about how long it takes to get off. I weaned the way I was supposed to. The withdrawls didn't come until a few days being completely off. I have now found some obscure websites that say it takes 10-25 days/ 2-6 weeks to get rid of all of the withdrawls. Every day gets better,so I don't think I'll be on the longer side, but boy does this suck. The electrical surges, food aversions, stomach problems,dizziness, exhaustion, etc. The side effects are managable. I have not taken anything to ease them. I am making it to work, although I am so exhausted I can't wait to get home. My husband, son and co-workers have been wonderfully supportive. My anxiety has been fine. I can't believe that with today's technology, they have not found medications that do what they are supposed to with out this very addictive quality. I have heard that Paxil is non addictive. I have not read the actual definition of addictive,but if I need to wean off for this amount of time and have withdrawls as long and as intense as I do, I would call it addictive. I have had a decent amount of medical experience, so I think I weanned off well. If you are planing on coming off, talk to your doctor and do it under thier care. Unless something horrible happens, I plan never to go back on this med. If I need more anxiety help, which I probably will (I already do counseling, meditation and healthy eating), I will ask my doctor for a short lived med. Good luck everyone. It is too bad more people do not look at this post, or have a good active blog for Paxil and other meds. The support of smart people who have been through what you have been is priceless. Thank you for everyone who posted here over the past years, I hope my posts help others.

I am 42 and have been miserable for the better part of the last 9 years. I used to think it was my job making me so unhappy so I left it for a lower paying job which I hated even more! I worked there for a year and a half and finally got fired which is what I thought I really wanted because I had lost all desire to work. It didn't help that my new boss constantly made me feel as though I could do nothing right.This was not the person I knew to be myself. I used to be out going professional and ambitious but I had lost all of my will to work any longer. During the first 6 months while I'm on unemployment I cried most days and didn't want to leave the house. I told myself I was trying to figure out what I really wanted in life and did so by reading books and scouring the internet for information on different careers. Eventually, I found out what's really going on with me was my hormones were making me insane. I never felt so alone in my entire life. My mother didn't offer much in the way of support because while she had a tough time with menopause, it was of a different kind. She had hot flashes and the night sweats and the crying all the time but my symptoms have been different than her. I'm not yet in menopause I guess, but perimenopause? I'm obsessed about my symptoms and spend all of my free time, at work, scouring the internet for information on how to help myself because I do not trust doctors. The last time I saw my gyno she was removing the IUD that she had inserted 3 months prior that escalated all of my symptoms. Since having the IUD I have had cystic acne the makes me want to wear a bag over my head. Speaking of bags, I also have had chronic sinus issues for 9 years that no prescription has helped and this leaves me with a bag under my right eye that no expensive eye cream can help. I have spent thousands of dollars on credit seeing 2 other doctors who tested my hormones and determined I was low on progesterone and vitamin D of all things, I live in the sunshine state! Have taken compounded, natural progesterone and felt better long enough to find a new job. Then my dog of 13 years died, followed ny my stepfather of 37 years dying. During the last several months of taking care of my stepfather I stopped taking care of myself and find myself back to feeling hopeless. I feel like no one understands what I am going through or wants to be around me. Going to see the same gyno today and plan to discuss whether or not she can help me. I need to feel better NOW. I am so miserable, I can't stand myself!

Scarlett, I had a c-section with my 3rd baby so while I was opened up they did the tubal ligation. There is actually something like a 3 percent failure rate on tubals, and before surgery you sign a release form releasing the doctor from responsibility if you would get pregnant and that you understand that there is a risk of pregnancy. Well today was the day that things really hit me and got to me. My mom was up and told me that my family is concerned about how DH treats me and how I do everything as far as the kids, house, and family are concerned with out much help. When I do get some help it is like we should have a party lol. I told DH I was fed up and physically exhausted and was a step away from calling our minister. Well I did call him and he came over and we talked for some time over the things that were happening, he even had my mom go out and talked to her about things. DH is going to be gone through Sunday but I am hoping that he will go and talk to Mel the minister sometime next week. The things that he doesn't understand are: The physical effects of pregnancy and breast feeding. Over the past 6 years except for 5 months I have either had a baby in my belly or at the boob. I am physically wore out. Hayden was only 5 months old when I got pregnant and Dr. was the one to recommend the tubal because my body had a hard enough time with the last pregnancy that she didn't know how I could handle another pregnancy, surprise baby comes in November. The effect of his actions and reactions on our kids as far as his spending time with them and yelling at me and our arguements. That even though I am a sahm I don't have to to everything for him, that he can help too. And that being a sahm is a job, and one that I work hard at. That because of my health, mentally, physically and emotionally, he needs to step up. I will keep everyone posted. He is at a conference all day tomorrow and leaves Thursday for Sturgis bike rally with his younger brother. So will be home alone with 3 kids for 5 days, will be tough. I think that they might go down to my sisters this weekend, and I might have the weekend to myself. Except for an hour this morning when I went to town to the pharmacy and grocery store, I haven't had a free minute with out one kid or another or all for months and I need a break. I will keep in touch and let everyone know how things are going. I am at the point where it is touch and go and I am just about ready to go. Stacie girlsingardens