Experience going off anti-depressants.

[smirkymonkey]

I started a post in another forum a few days ago about the side-effects of detoxing from Paxil CR and Wellbutrin SR. I am doing ok with the detox, so far.

What I wanted to know is this: What has been your experience going off/staying off anti-depressants? I went on them a while back when I was really depressed and drinking a lot. But I have been sober four years and have done a lot of inner work and spiritual work (and still am) and have decided that I don't want to be on drugs for a number of reasons.

What are your experiences?

[Droopy]

1. I think a lot of people don't need to be on anti-depressants forever

But you should be careful about doing this.

I went off Wellbutrin and some other meds some time ago and didn't experience any problems for about four months. Then all of my symptoms seemed to gang up on me at once and I wound up in the hospital. I have an illness that causes psychosis, mania and depression. I think in my case it was more going off the mood stabilizer and anti-psychotic that got me.

Moniter your moods closely. If you start drinking again, you may be self medicating. If that happens then it's probably time to start with the anti-depressants again.

I don't know anything about coming off anti-depressants except that I think you are supposed to taper off the dosage of the drugs, gradually coming off them instead of quitting all at once.

I think a lot of people who use anti-depressants may just need them to get through a particularly rough period in their life. That may be the case with you and you may be cool without the meds. Just watch yourself closely.

[smirkymonkey]

4. Thanks for your input!

I'm not sure if I had any real underlying disorder that was not caused by years of heavy drinking as a teenager and in my early twenties. I did have an abusive and difficult upbringing, but through therapy and AA, I have really done a lot of work on these issues so that hopefully they won't come back to bite me in the ass.

I will probably always continue w/ my AA program (I stopped going for about 3 years and relapsed) and now I have 4 years again and do not want to take my chances with that nightmare.

I am having a lot of stomach/digestive/intestinal problems though, and was wondering if that could be a result of coming off the medication, as I have always been a "gut reacter".

[DemExpat]

2. I want to applaud you for staying sober and for your inner work.

In many cases this is what we need to be doing to feel better imo.

I have been off anti-D's, anti-anxieties, sleeping meds, and alcohol for years now, (after years of usage) and intend (hope) never to have to go back on them ever again.

Doing the inner work, facing the truth was the biggest key for me, using my diary daily for many years to help with this.
Sometimes talking with a counsellor/therapist was what I needed.

Daily walks with my dog are excellent for my mental as well as physical health and feeling of wellbeing.

I used the help of a Homeopathic Doctor (both medical doctor and Homeopathic-trained) to help me re-balance myself. I feel that this was a great aid in building up my health.

Look into your diet, maybe some supplements, exercise, herbs, all could be helpful imo and in my experience.

I like Dr. Weil's advice on many issues...
http://www.drweil.com/u/QA/QA327495/
Nose around on his site for other tips....

Take good care and listen closely to yourself at all times......and confer with your doctor if you ever feel things are getting out of hand or over your head.

All the best to you!

:hug:

DemEx

[smirkymonkey]

5. Thank you so much!

It was great to hear that, because I seem to be on a similar path to yours. I go to a Japanese healer and a Chiropractor for healing/balance and AA meetings, work the 12 steps for my emotional and spiritual growth.

I am having some tolerable physical symptoms, but basically I am starting to feel like my personality, creativity, sexuality are coming back to me after years of being dormant.

I really needed the meds when I started them in early sobriety as I was pretty non-functional. But now I want to try to see how I do without it.

Thanks! :hug:

[DemExpat]

6. About digestive problems....

I do not know how old you are, but I have noticed as I get older that I can tolerate less carbohydrates within my daily diet.

I usually save them (whole grains, potatoes, pastas, a little bread) for my evening meal, and not unlimited portions.

I find this helps me with uncomfortable indigestion problems I have if I eat them freely.

Keep us posted on how you are doing!
:hug:

DemEx

[smirkymonkey]

7. I'm 40, and I have definitely noticed a decreased tolerance

for wheat and sugar. I really bloat when I eat them and if I stop eating them, within a few days I feel like I have lost about 10 pounds. I have gone of them for longer periods of time as well because I have found that it makes me VERY reactive emotionally (anger,mood swings,anxiety,etc) and one of the side benefits is that I drop a LOT of weight without even trying.

Coffee really messes my digestion up too - same thing w/ bloating,etc. I have been such a coffee addict for years and what is interesting is that since I have discontinued my medication, I have stopped drinking it! Just like that. No conscious decision. I guess the need just disappeared.

I still crave a hot beverage, but have switched to tea and it doesn't have the negative effects that coffee had.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

3. Be very, very careful.

Take half a dose for a while (at LEAST two weeks). Then take half of that dose for a while. Depending on how big your starting dose was, you may want to take half of *that* dose for awhile, too.

My experience has been that if you come off anti-d's too quickly, you wake up one morning absolutely suicidal. Your serotonin levels drop lik e a rock.

That's my experience. Your mileage may vary.

[smirkymonkey]

8. Thanks. That's what I am afraid of, but I do

have a support network of friends and healers who are aware of what I am doing so that if I do start to have a bad experience being off it, they will know what is going on and be able to help me. They are on "alert" so to speak, but so far most people have only noticed that I have seemed to come alive over the past week or so. Not in a manic way, but just that I am more "me" than before.

When I first started the medication, it was the opposite, I was so depressed, that the meds gave me myself back from the depression. They really helped me when I just couldn't get out from under it.

[jdots]

9. mine are severely bad

it depends on the meds entirely and how long they have been in your system.Unfortunately the prescribers are in the dark alot of the times about long term use.My 20 year old daughter just had a bad thing happen when she ran out of a new one called lexapro.
the hard part is getting honest info and the web is loaded with sites that have hidden agendas ,not being paranoid here but check into a site that has info on anti depressants.
At first the doctors were led to believe that certain meds could be used for a short time ,and effect you so you could stop.Finding a good doc is the hard part, the drug companys don't give much of a shit about anything other than the profit margin.

[no name no slogan]

10. I always have problems changing/dumping meds

I think I may get physically addicted to the SSRIs and related drugs.

I'm currently taking Effexor and lithium, and last week I accidentally missed a couple days (very busy life, long story). I physically felt absolutely horrible by the end of the second day, so I 'broke' my schedule and took a half dose, just to feel better. It worked.

I've also had bad experiences going off Paxil (twice) and Wellbutrin. In fact, I had to go on sick leave from work because of Wellbutrin.

It sounds like you're doing great, and that's fantastic! Hang in there!!!

[smirkymonkey]

11. Well, I am not doing so great anymore.

Thank you for your input, but I actually almost ended up in the psych hospital tonight after a terrifying meltdown. I spoke w/ the docs and they talked me down and said I should not have gone off abruptly.

I admit it was not a very smart thing to do, but I had no idea the withdrawal could get that bad. Tomorrow is monday and I have to go see my psychopharmacologist (who is a drug pusher and was a total jerk when I spoke w/ him on the phone tonight). I am supposed to go in tomorrow, but I really want to see a doctor who KNOWS about Paxil withdrawal and how to deal with it.

Most docs just prescribe and have no clue as to how to deal w/ going off these meds. The first week or so I was fine and then starting yesterday, things really started to get bad. Violent mood swings, dissociation, anxiety attacks, feeling like I wasn't real and that horrible empty pit in the abdominal area. Really shaky and crying (I never cry, but I was sobbing uncontrollably) and a general feeling of sheer terror. It was awful. I am going to get some help tomorrow, but I really afraid of what I am going to have to go through to get better.

[DemExpat]

13. Oh no, dear!

Do what you have to - this sounds intolerable!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

DemEx

[smirkymonkey]

15. Thank you for your concern!

It was awful - that feeling was the most horrifying feeling in the world. To me, it's worse than any kind of physical pain. It just feels so final and so hopeless.

Today, I am feeling better. I am stuck in this war between my Psychopharmacologist who wants me to go back on the Paxil (after being off for 10 days now) and my Acupuncuturist/healer who thinks it is a horrible, dangerous drug and that I should stay off and continue my treatment w/ them.

I have decided to go with the alternative route and stay off the meds for now, since I am getting some support now (which I should have done all along). I have a feeling my Psych doc is on drugs himself and is totally in the pocket of the pharmaceutical companies. At least I know if I have another episode, I can always take a cab over to the Payne-Whitney (NY Hospital Psych Ward) if I just need to be in a safe space.

Thanks again! :hugs:

[DemExpat]

17. Thanks for the update!

As long as you can think rationally enough to do this in a crisis when in the throes of all the terrible feelings. :hug:

At least I know if I have another episode, I can always take a cab over to the Payne-Whitney (NY Hospital Psych Ward) if I just need to be in a safe space.

In my experience, as long as I had some faith that I would not be permamently stuck in a hell-hole of feelings or an unbearable lack of feeling void, I could get by day by day, hour by hour until balance returned.
Sometimes this can take some time until it is more or less stabilized......

Support systems are most vital too!

:hug:

DemEx

[no name no slogan]

22. Oh NO! Glad to hear you're better!

The first time I dumped Paxil was not good. I did a gradual withdrawal (like the Dr. recommended) over the course of a couple of weeks. Right near the end of it, I had a massive panic attack: I felt like I was having a heart attack and couldn't stop crying. Very very bizarre.

If you don't feel like your doctor is doing right by you, by all means get another opinion. Modern psychiatric meds are still a new thing, and IMHO it's impossible to know how each person will react to them.

Hang in there. We're all with you on this! :grouphug:

[smirkymonkey]

27. Thank you - I think that is what I had too and it scared the

crap out of me! I would do almost anything NOT to have to feel that way again.

Thanks so much for your support! :grouphug:

[Droopy]

14. If your doctor is worth anything he/she should know

how to come off those drugs. Chances are they won't want you to for fear of relapse, but if you insist then I think they should be able to help you.

I didn't know that coming of meds could be so traumatic. I've come off mine before and didn't experience anything for 4 months when I relapsed. Take care of yourself, smirkymonkey. And don't be afraid to switch doctors if the one you go to isn't helpful. You have to let the doctor know that you are in control of who you see and don't see. That might let him/her know that they are replaceable and may get you better care.

[smirkymonkey]

16. He doesn't want me to, but he is a Psychopharmacologist

and his business is to prescribe drugs. Lately, I have been getting more concerned about having these meds in my system as I am not sure I need them and I think they can cause some long term damage.

Also, I just felt like I was vegetating on them. I didn't really have much of a desire to do anything and I didn't have any energy. Just after being off them for a short time, I feel like I have come alive again in a lot of ways.

Thanks for your advice - and I think you are right, I need to find somebody who is not so vested in the drug industry. Part of the reason I went off them without telling him is because he didn't think I should. I also see an acupuncturist/asian healer who has a lot of experience getting people off antidepressant medications and they are very supportive and available to me and assure me that I will get through it.

Thanks for your concern! :hugs:

[derbstyron]

12. me too.

I'm also on Lithium and Effexor (among other things).
Boy, that Effexor's a bitch, isn't it?
:hi:

[no name no slogan]

21. Yeah, it's some wacky shiznit

Thankfully I went on the extended release version a few years back, so I don't 'forget' it as often as I used to. But yeah, it's got some nasty withdrawal symptoms associated with it. It feels like you've got the flu or something.

Oh well,..... it's either take the happy pills, or stay in bed all day.

:hi:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

18. i am getting off from paxil too and have been an utter mess lately

hot flashes, cant breathe, tired, cranky. But am getting better.

[smirkymonkey]

19. How Long? Are you taking anything else or going off meds

completely? I am so confused as to whether to stay the course or go back on something. I would like to be drug free, but I don't want to go back to an existence where my days are completely about managing my mood.

I would love to hear your experience, as it is kind of a frightening process and it helps to hear what others are going through. :)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

20. i have been on paxil for 6 months and it hasnt made any difference

the withdrawal has been bad for about 2 weeks

[DemExpat]

23. You could always take them in a low dose again and slowly lower your

intake until you are off of them entirely, but much more gradually.

I would think about doing it this way if you are in far too much discomfort to function well.

So keep the goal, but do it more gradually...take a month or more to cut down.

I found this info about Paxil...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2295501.stm

And this site looks interesting to from the UK...
http://www.april.org.uk/

They both advocate a SLOW withdrawal from anti-depressants....

:hug:

DemEx

[smirkymonkey]

24. Thanks, I am actually considering that...I don't see my doctor

until Dec. 17th, but last night I took 1/2 a tablet just to try to mediate the symptoms a bit. It seemed to help, as I am feeling back to normal today.

The worst thing is the feeling like the bottom has dropped out of your life, like suddenly you have no ground. That frightens me more than anything. Thank you for your good advice. I like the idea of being drug free, but I think my Japanese healer is a little too aggressive about everything and I don't think he understands this drug and the process of withdrawing from it.

Is Seroxat what they call Paxil in the UK? It's funny, but most of the info I have found on what it's REALLY like to withdraw from Paxil or other SSRI's is on European websites. The Pharmaceutical industry has way too much power in this country. It's so wrong.

Well, thanks again for your advice and concern! :hugs:

BTW, What kind of dogs do you have? I always thought that I could never be depressed again if I had a dog! :)

[DemExpat]

25. Good, smirkymonkey.....

I would agree with you that the Japanese healer might not have all of that much knowledge/experience with the process of withdrawal. You say that your doctor doesn't either....:eyes:

Hope you have enough tablets to last taking 1/2 until your appointment. :hug:

I have to have a dog in my life at this time! Bonnie is my second Jack Russell terrier, so full of action, energy, good humor, joy, and freely given love that I can't help but be inspired by her spirit. :loveya:
But a lot of care and attention too - long walks good for the both of us!

Yes, by that info I gathered that Seroxat was perhaps the EU name for Paxil......

All the best, keep the faith, and keep us posted.

DemEx

[smirkymonkey]

26. I think this might be one of those life lessons where I have to

learn to stop giving away so much power to other people to make decisions for me and take it upon myself to become informed enough to make my own decisions, albeit with guidance from trusted others.

I am taking the "middle way" which is to go with 1/2 tablets every other day until my appointment and checking in w/ my regular support system and AA meetings. I have enough to get me through and I just printed out a Paxil Withdrawal Guide from this website called Paxil Progress that is pretty extensive.

Your dog sounds like godsend! They really are such wonderful creatures! I always say, "DOG" is "GOD" spelled backward - they just seem to represent all that is good in life - love, joy, enthusiasm, presence, etc. Someday....I will have my own little pooch! :)

Thanks again for all your support - I really appreciate it! :hugs:

[DemExpat]

28. This brings a smile.....

I think this might be one of those life lessons where I have to
learn to stop giving away so much power to other people to make decisions for me and take it upon myself to become informed enough to make my own decisions, albeit with guidance from trusted others.

Way to go, :toast: for this indeed is a great lesson to learn, imo.

Your plan of action sounds JUST right to me.....:-)

And keep reading and have those supports around, and always keep focussed on the goal that YOU want to attain....

:hug::hug: :hug:

DemEx

[no name no slogan]

30. You've done good research on Paxil

When I went off it seven years ago, there was not that information about stopping Paxil or even the side effects. I had an atypical reaction to being on it, in that I gained 80 lbs over two years (I originally weighed 140 lbs, and ballooned to 220 lbs).

But now there's a LOT more information on side effects, reactions and especially on withdrawal symptoms-- for a drug that supposedly did NOT have any withdrawal symptoms!!!!!

I think you're on a good course right now, and you'll be off the Paxil in no time. It doesn't seem like much, but it's a VERY big step to kick the SSRIs. Keep letting us know how things are going, because we truly do care.

:hugs:

[Dora]

29. I've used anti-deps at different times in the past 12 years

Each time was for a legitimate depression. The first two times I was prescribed Paxil and it worked wonderfully, and was able to quit taking the drug after a year.

The third time Paxil did not work for me, and so I was switched to Zoloft. The transition was horrible, but after a couple of weeks I did begin feeling better. After many months on Zoloft, I found a doctor who agreed to change my birth-control pill to a low-dose pill, and a couple of months after that I went off the Zoloft with no problems.

Last year I had another depression, but I also wanted to quit smoking, so I specifically requested a prescription for Wellbutrin. I quit smoking easily, and the depression lifted, and I quit taking the Wellbutrin this year in February after eight months of use. I have not had any negative side effects, and I haven't had any depressive symptoms return.

[Chimpanzee]

31. Don't go cold turkey

Consult your doctor on how to withdraw the medications. This usually requires a weaning process, decreaasing the dosage slowly over time. I went off Paxil according to my doctors directions and I still had one major side affect: It was like an inner ear imbalance - when I would stand up, occasionally I would completely lose all balance and orientation and fall over! It went away after a month or so.