Anyone ever gone off of an antidepressant? *Update bottom of page 2*

[lovingpaws]

I was on anti depressents in the late '80's, the 'other" kind before ssri's. then in the '90's I was diagnosed with bi-polar and have made the rounds with ssri and anti convulsant type combos. I've finally ended up with prozac & topamax both which have the bonus of helping me with migrains which were almost a daily occurance. Different types of med effect people differentlly, and some people do react to them with anger - small percentage, but biollogically there are other things going on as well. prozac all take about 6 weeks to get into the system and see/feel difference and the same to exit. Also while these meds are ok alone, it is best to seek/have therepy during treatment to understand what your're going through, and 'talk' it out.

I had my share of going on & off the meds due to the side effects. For me that really is not an option. I do well on them, and I do have seasonal dosage changes, so that may be something to consider, sometimes you may need more sometimes less.

[JenBKR]

Well, I hadn't updated for a while, just wanted to thank everyone for your support. The B vitamins have helped a little, but I was still not doing well. I talked to my doctor, who recommended a low dose of Prozac. I have been on Prozac before, and it's a medication I can continue to take when I get pregnant. So far, it has helped tremendously. I think I'm starting to realize that I may be on an antidepressant for the rest of my life, or at least for a very long time, but I think I'm ok with that. I've been feeling so much better the past few days (been on the Prozac for a couple weeks now, it's finally starting to really kick in). It really hit me when I was on vacation for a few days and couldn't stop crying that something was wrong. I just wanted to update and thank everyone so much for all of your support. It helped more than you know. ((((hugs))))

[moosmom]

JenBKR,

Weaning off anti-depressants is very important. Stopping them cold-turkey can have very bad affects, depending on the medicine you're on.

The best way to get off of them is with the help of your doctor. I tried going off of Effexor and the side effects were awful. Dizziness, vertigo, nausea.

Please talk to your doctor first.

[Craftlady]

I was put on Cymbalta (spell?) for one month when I first found out about Thumpers tumor.

The side effects while on it was unbareable. The runs up to 3 x a day and gas (I smelled like a sewer system) was awful. After consulting the pharmacy
I tried every other day. Potty problems on days I took medication. No brainer.... Stop taking the crap (no pun intended LOL)
It took 2 weeks to stop the diarreha and gas once I stopped taking all together.

The medication was wonderful but the side effects were unbareable.

Now, that Thumper is doing so much better I dont need have the need for medication to control emotions.

[Catty1]

JEN {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

I think of it as diabetes of the brain, hon...serotonin instead of insulin.

The rest of my life? Likely.

For now, just a day at a time, and feeling better!


HUGS