Posted by Jackster on January 19, 2002, at 15:03:37
After the miracle of starting Paxil combined with exposure therapy I was able to do just about anything with relative ease (a bit of nervousnous at the start, but not too much). After 3 years I foolishly decided to taper off - and back came the panic attacks. After going through several other SSRI's - I came back to Paxil just to stabilise myself (which hadn't been working near to what it used to before). My PDoc has combined it with a low does of clomipramine. I am now back to the exposure therapy - but it's a LOT harder this time. Some things I have a lot a pre-anxiety - but to my surprise i am fine when actually doing it. Others - I have been so anxious I've been on the verge of vomiting. I'm convinced that while the Paxil may be working - it will never get to that point that I used to be at - it's just working to about 50% of what it used to. Hence while I'll be able to do some things - I'll never be able to travel overseas like I used to.
Or is it just me? Have I just forgotten how hard exposure therapy is? I'm sure it was easier the first time when the Paxil was working to it's full extent. Both my PDoc and my partner keep saying "it's bound to be harder". I would like to try an MOAI - but my PDoc doesn't seem to be open to this.
Does anyone have any advice on how they were with exposure therapy when they were on medication?
Thanks
Jackie
poster:Jackster
thread:90780
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020116/msgs/90780.html