Hi all,

Wonder if anyone can help.

I've got a history of depression and anxiety that I've learned to manage pretty effectively. As a rule I'm pretty much on top of it.

However, a few years ago I had series of palpitations that lasted for about an hour. I ended up seeing several specialists, having countless ECGs etc etc and was (inevitably!) given the all clear. However, I struggled to accept the diagnosis and obsesses about the speed, regularity etc of my heart.

Fast forward about 18 months and I'm taking 30mg of paroxetine/paxil a day and have pretty much zero anxiety about it. I'm training for a marathon and am healthier and happier than I've been for a long time.

However, I am still very much "aware" of my heartbeat. I feel it when I'm lying in bed. I feel it in my hand when I'm holding hands with my girlfriend. I occasionally feel it in my back, legs, feet, head etc etc. It's only a couple of times a day, and there's no associated anxiety with it. I'm just concerned that if I don't "unlearn" this overt sensitivity by the time I wean myself off the paroxetine that this awareness will lead to anxiety again.

Any ideas on how to get over this? I don't want to be stuck on paroxetine for ever. Tips, techniques, large sums of money & free holidays will all be accepted gratefully....

Anyway, I'm generally in good health and spirits (I hope the same can be said for all of you lovely lot!). But it's taken me a few years to get here and now I'm looking at an "exit strategy"!!!!

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!