Hi MJ,

I was on 40mg/day of Paxil for a very long time. A few years ago my PCP had me cut down to 30mg/day for one month and then 20 mg/day. Once I got to 20mg/day I just didn't feel right. Hard to explain. My mood was darker and for whatever reason, it bothered me most in the afternoon (I'm retired now and in the gym everyday).

He put me back on 40mg/day and things got better. Then this year, still on 40mg/day, the dark afternoon clouds returned, along with OCD. I saw my new PCP, and her recommendation was to increase by 10mg to 50mg/day, and that has helped quite a bit.

It sounds like Paxil has helped you as it has helped me. IMO there is no reason to stop taking it, and to only lower your dose and taper to a stop under a Dr's guidance. If 60 mg/day is what works for you and your Dr is ok with it, then stick with what works.

It sounds like you're at 20mg/day now and increasing the dose until you feel it is really working? Is that right? Is there a reason your Dr won't put you back on 60 mg/day if that is what worked?

It's always best to take the lowest dose possible. Your case sounds a lot like mine. I'm at 50mg/day now and I do feel better. As for OCD, I have to work at it and catch myself doing something I know to be useless, then I can stop. Problem is that those behaviors seem normal in the moment and are hard to spot.

All the best MJ! Please stay in touch.

Joe