Coming off Aropax or Paxil

[laurandisorder]

Hey my lovelies.

I just have a couple of questions about coming off Aropax. My partner (who has depression, anxiety and I would say some elements of agoraphobia) has been on Aropax for about 10 years (I know - I want to report his old GP who had him an ongoing prescription without ever recommending non pharmaceutical treatment like counseling)

He has basically peaked on his medication and is obviously chronically depressed. He's unemployed with very little motivation. He is anxious and miserable - his whole demeanor has changed. I'm taking him to the GP (a new one) tomorrow to try to help him get off Aropax and onto something that will help him with his depression, anxiety and lack of motivation.

I know that Aropax is an SSRI. He wants to go on an NRI (I'm on Reboxetine) to help with his anxiety and motivation. Or perhaps something like Effexor - which I have also tried and had very few side effects from.

Has anyone experienced a withdrawal from Aropax to transition to another AD? How did it go? He is currently on 10mg.

He's absolutely petrified because he tried to go cold turkey before and it backfired HORRIBLY!!!

I'd love people to share their experiences so I can help prepare him.

Thanks xx

[Yanni]

the next GP will likely perscribe him a benzo that is long acting like Vallium or Ativan and 5 mg of paxil and after a week or so, tell him to stop taking them and it will minimize withdrawals.
10 MG of paxil doesn't seem hard to detox, they perscribe it often to women who have problems with PMS and they take it a week before and a week after. My mom took it for PMS and never experienced withdrawal from 10 MG after two weeks.
of course it's just two weeks, not years, but hopefully the new GP will be able to help.

[laurandisorder]

Well I finally convinced him to see a proper GP and not a walk in Doctor. Both have advised him to stay on Aropax and up the dose to 20mg per day.

Apparently it doesn't peak out like some other antidepressants. Hopefully he'll feel a difference soon.

Just a couple of questions for people that are on these meds: Is it better to take them on the morning or at night? What's the maximum dose for this medication?

Opinions and experiences much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Siegfried]

Morning!!! So that it does not interfere with sleep. Most people take it with breakfast.

[alankay]

I would consider a dose increase(20mg) as well as psychotherapy. 10mg is only 1/2 the base dose. Alakay