August 9, 2009 - 10:02am
I have been on this medicine for 10 years straight and I was told i will have to take it tghe rest of my life along with Xanax . so I have been on Xanax and Paxil for 7 years everyday for PTSD and AD and agoraphobia. Is there any one out there that knows if these cause dmage if taken long Term not abused? thanks
August 9, 2009 - 4:57pm
#2
Taken Xanax for 25 years for about the same reasons
I had agoraphobia for 3 years and the only thing that aided me was the Xanax. I also have PTSD and severe general anxiety. I've had periods in my life when I could lighten up the amount I took and other times it was full strength. I have constantly been told there should be no bad side effects with it. That's 25 years I've been taking it and no side effects at all. I'm not sure about the paxil. Once I got the problems under control with the xanax I no longer had the depression. I have been taking the same dose all this time and haven't had to increase it. I just take when needed now. I too was told forever. I've done a lot of mind over matter with those and got to where I could take the meds only when my attacks were their worse. Good luck and believe me I know where you're at.
August 9, 2009 - 7:49pm
#3
I have taken.......................
Xanax and Prozac since 1987 for PTSD my starting dose back then was 20 mg Prozac once a day and 1mg Xanax t.i.d. Now my Prozac is 40mg once a day and the Xanax is written where I can take up to 6mgs a day but I rarely take over 4 mg a day so really if used properly tolerance isn't an issue and I have never had any adverse effects.My advice especially on the Xanax is to keep it to the minimum. Good luck and have a great day!!
August 16, 2009 - 2:54pm
#4
Thanx
Thanks alot I feel much better now take care all.
August 16, 2009 - 3:10pm
#5
If you do decide
to ever stop or slow down, remember you have to do it very slowly. Personally I have been taking klonopin for several years, similar to xanax, and can stop for days without a serious problem, but I was first rx'ed paxil for anxiety for several months, it did nothing for my anxiety although it did make me a little less stressed, so I stopped taking it suddenly. I went in to the biggest depression you could imagine. Yuck. I know most need to adjust doses of both medicines slowly. Take care.
I don't believe there is any danger in taking either medication long-term. Some people have tolerance issues with Benzodiazepines, especially short-acting ones like Xanax. I myself have been on long term treatment with long-acting Benzodiazepines without developing tolerance, and I believe the risk is exaggerated.
Regarding Paxil, some people complain that it and other antidepressants stop working after a while, and they have to be switched to a different medication.
As with all medications, one should probably get blood work done once in a while to make sure the liver is functioning well.