Paroxetine (Seroxat/Paxil)

[Ducky]

I have been on Paroxetine for about 15 years or so for depression, OCD and migraine prophylaxis. However, since I lost my only son in December 2010 what was initially assumed to be grief has, I am sure, developed into a deep depression.

I feel the Paroxetine has lost any effectiveness it may have had (if any), and I wonder if it is possible to combine it with another anti-depressant or if I need to withdraw from it altogether first before switching to another drug? If I have to withdraw completely first, I do not feel I would be able to do this; firstly because it is notoriously difficult to w/d from and secondly I would then be left with no anti-depressant to take.

Any suggestions welcome.

Ducky

[Catbrian]

Ducky....I've experience of Seroxat.  I believe it losses effectiveness after so long.  However, slowly does it.  Ask your GP for a change of anti-depressant onto one which is in the same group as paroxetine and then you can start a new one before completely coming off seroxat.  Some people are on combined anti-depressants.  I am now on a "mood stabiliser" and an anti-depressant.  The Jury is still out as to its effectiveness.

Sorry for your loss.  I wish you the best!

Cat

[Ducky]

Dear Cat,

Thank you for taking the time to respond with your helpful suggestions. It is interesting that Seroxat loses its effectiveness over time, that would certainly be true in my case. I have already emailed my thoughts to my GP and that was part of them - to be honest, I'm not really sure how effective it was in the first place. It certainly didn't do much for my OCD. What medication are you on - ie what are they called - if you don't mind my asking? My GP is very experienced and the best of the three I normally see at my practice.

Ducky

[Catbrian]

Well hello ducky! (that sounds brilliant)

I have just started Quetiapine, which is an anti-psychotic/mood stabiliser.  I doubt a GP will prescribe it, but you could get a referral onto a psychiatrist.  I found the Psychiatrist useless but I think I am benefiting from the medication.  It's the first mediaction that's made any difference to my mood and also my "idiosyncrasy's".  I also restarted the anti-depressant, Citalopram.  I did go through a particularly bad patch these last 2 weeks, but things feel like they are improving.

Seroxat isn't a good one to be on for so long.  I found my GP was overly keen to get me off it quickly.  Don't let your doc rush you.  When I was reducing, I found myself suffering from a weird dizzy like sensation....almost like little electric currents going through my whole body.    It stayed with me for weeks afterwards.  My doctor thought I was exaggerating the withdrawal, but then I heard of other users experiencing the same sensation.  I think the secret is to reduce slowly and if you go onto other med at the same time, you might find it less of a challenge.

Good luck with this. Pleased you've found the forum, I'm sure it will support you through whatever comes your way.

((((((((((( x hugs for ducky x )))))))))))))

[Ducky]

Dear Cat,

Funnily enough, despite my forum name being Ducky for more years than I care to remember, I don't recall anyone ever starting with "well hello ducky", which they easily could and should have,  "!+

How does a GP know which anti-depressant is most suitable? In the early-mid '90s, I twice took myself to the US as I also suffer from tension headaches (and migraines) and in the UK - "in those days" - they had no idea how to treat them other than with pain-killers. In the US specialist clinic, they would try various meds until one (hopefully) worked, they also pioneered the use of anti-depressants to prevent headaches; I tried various ones over there - amitryptiline, prozac, effexor - as I also obviously suffered from depression. The last two worked for a while. Once back in the UK I was able to see the top British migraine specialist who suggested Prothiaden which made me almost suicidal, so, because I also suffered from a form of OCD, I myself suggested Seroxat and have been on it ever since, which must be about 15 years. No one has suggested w/d from it and each time I have brought up the subject, the GP has said "now wouldn't be a good time" - mind you, this was after I had lost my son. But I think now IS time, good or not, as I suspect that after 18 months my grief has turned into depression.

I do, when necessary, take Rizatriptan for a bad migraine and I have read about the risks of serotonin poisoning or whatever ...

Anyway, thanks for listening,

Ducky

[Catbrian]

Ducky

Unfortunately no one knows what anti-depressant will work best for individuals.  It's trial and error, I'm afraid.  Of course, you need to be on it for at least 3 weeks before any benefits can be felt.  It is also quite common to feel something is 'working' to begin with, only to be disappointed some weeks/months later.

Sometimes I think withdrawal from anti-depressants is, to a large extent, all in the mind.  I try not to set myself up for experiencing difficulty.  You could reduce Seroxat slowly and NOT be unaware of anything untoward, everyone's experience really is very different.

I can't say whether now is the right time to come off or not but, without a doubt, I do think you would benefit from a different medication. 

Regarding the OCD....perhaps one of the mood stabilisers would be better for this, but I'd suggest researching them first.  The effect of these is almost immediate, but they are powerful and, to begin with, I wouldn't recommend driving etc

We are all here to listen whenever you want to share. I'm pleased you find it a benefit.

Cat x

[Ducky]

Thanks for that; fortunately, being a duck, I don't drive only waddle.  ()_

Ducky

[Sweetpea]

very good Ducky. S x x x x

[Ducky]

Comes from being quackers. 

[Sweetpea]

Lol I am sure you're not sorry its a chicken,couldn't find a duck lol. S x x x x

[Catbrian]

better go see a quack then

[Ducky]

I've seen many a quack over the years purporting to be doctors.