Sometime back I wrote a Dr on the internet with Drug Awareness about paxil. Here is my letter along with her response. I would appreciate feedback on this. Are SSRI's making IBS worse for us in the long run???Dear Dr. TracyHere is my question. I do suffer with anxiety, obsessive behavior, and depression from this physical illness. I want to quitpaxil, which I have tried slowly to do 3 different times resulting in bad side affects especially uncontrollable fear and crying.. I am down to 10mg a day, and working on going to one every other day... Do you have any other suggestions for a anti-depressant other than these ssri's that may help in my case and condition. I'm afraid to go off the paxil because of the spiral physically it puts me in, but I want my emotions fully back too...Breck, Please forgive me for taking so long to respond. I have been out of town on a court case and just returned. I hope that you were able to get my book and tape (800)280-0730 to help you in the meantime. You desperately need the information in them. You are trying to go off the Paxil MUCH, MUCH, MUCH too rapidly! After three and a half years on Paxil, I would not want to watch someone come off any sooner than nine months at least! That may seem like a long time, but if you want feelings back and to overcome the adverse effects I have found the body needs time to adjust its chemical levels via a slow withdrawal. Sometimes IV vitamin therapy can speed the withdrawal. Another thing you should know is that these antidepressants produce serious abdominal problems - lots of digestive and bowel problems because 90% of serotonin is in the abdominal cavity. One of the main functions of serotonin is to constrict muscles. What I am saying is that I think the Paxil has probably made your physical problem worse. Dr. Tracy[This message has been edited by bkitts (edited 04-06-2000).]