Wow Ellen - your kind words absolutely made my day. Than you so much!

Interesting that you were on Zoloft for almost as long as I have been on Paxil. I really hope it starts to help you, and if you don't feel it at 20mg, 40 mg may just work. Here's why I say that:

Last year, for whatever reason, I started tapering down from 40mg/day under my PCP's guidance. I first dropped to 30mg (that was kind of a pain cause there isn't a 30mg pill, but a small problem). I was fine at 30mg for a month, and then dropped to 20mg.

At 20 mg I started feeling worse. Certainly not a deep depression, and no return of panic attacks, just not feeling quite right about things. I usually am pretty enthusiastic about life and I didn't feel that way. Where I used to look forward to going to the gym everyday, suddenly it became harder.

Well I went back to 40mg and I'm fine now. I hope that will be true for you.

Another thing that has helped me tremendously in dealing with depression is vigorous exercise. In my 30s and 40s (well before I took Paxil), I took up long-distance running and felt much better. My knees are no longer able to withstand that impact, so I spin 5-6x/week.

So I hope you get to a better place Ellen. 40mg seems like a good therapeutic dose for Paxil.

And if this doesn't work, don't give up. There are always new drugs being introduced. And please do update me on your progress.

All the very best to you Ellen for bright and happy days ahead! You deserve that.

Joe