[sooverpanic]

I was wondering if there are any users on this forum that have successfully changed over their anxiety medications?
I had been taking 20mg of paroxetine for 6 years. It was working really well however in early 2011 a gp advised me to stop it cold turkey and swap to Pristiq...in those 4 weeks everything went to absolute hell. I started seeing a psychiatrist who upped me to 40mg to balance me out?
So since then I have been tapering off this medication in order to try a new one. 2 years on and I am down from 40mg to 10mg.....it is horrendous!
I am now struggling daily. I have developed severe food phobias convinced that I am allergic to most foods. I am having up to 8 panic attacks a day.
My psych has given me valium, which does nothing but make me sleepy.
I work full time, study and have a small family.
I just want this irrational behaviour to end and I think that medication could help? My psych however thinks I would get seratonin syndrome if I change so won't prescribe me anything.
Has anyone had any success in changing, in particular from paroxetine? If so what did you swap to?
Living in constant panic is exhausting
Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Perna]

Paroxetine and Pristiq are antidepressants, not anti-anxiety meds and serotonin syndrome is primarily a worry with antidepressants. I think you need to have a long conversation with your psych (or another) and make sure you are working from the same page?

Anxiety Medication: What You Need to Know About Drugs for Anxiety

[sooverpanic]

Could you please advise what are anti-anxiety medications?
I have had another wasted visit with my psych who stated again to "stop fearing the fear" and it will go away.....sadly it isn't though :'(

[sooverpanic]

Thank you for your reply and the link. the Buspar looks interesting has anyone used this before? Has anyone made a successful swap from paroxeteine?
I went to the psych today who told me once again to stop fearing the fear and it will go away? It isn't sadly :'(