Coming off Meds

[stacii]

Hi everyone,
I've been given the OK by my doc to try to come off of my meds. He gave me a plan that slowly weens me down over the course of several weeks. I'm just curious to know how you all have reacted to coming off of antidepressants. I'm currently on Zoloft and just want to know what to expect....I'm a little nervous because Zoloft really made all the difference in the world to me last year when I started taking it. I turned back into myself. But I'm committed to trying to come off of it. Anyway, you can tell I'm nervous about it because I keep rambling.

 

[Jeshu]

Hi

I have come off lots of antidepressants over the years and for me it wasn't a great deal. However I was only on them between two days and four weeks as a seem to go manic from all anti depressants, so your outcome may differ as you have been taking them much longer.

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Congratulations! You may feel a little off at first but then you should go back to feeling normal. When I was weaned off the last of my pills, I was a little bit sensitive in the two weeks or so after I stopped taking my pills completely. Then, I was fine.

 

[stacii]

Thanks for the responses. I'm on day 2 and so far so good. I am feeling a little down, but nothing major yet. I think the down feeling might truly be "all in my head" because all I think about is what if I slide back into a crippling depression all because I stopped taking these pills. It's driving me nuts!

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Thanks for the responses. I'm on day 2 and so far so good. I am feeling a little down, but nothing major yet. I think the down feeling might truly be "all in my head" because all I think about is what if I slide back into a crippling depression all because I stopped taking these pills. It's driving me nuts!

Try to avoid the "what ifs". Also, start telling yourself you will not backslide into depression and believe it. A doctor would not have taken you off your medications if he thought you weren't ready.

Exercise can also help.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Try to avoid the "what ifs". Also, start telling yourself you will not backslide into depression and believe it. A doctor would not have taken you off your medications if he thought you weren't ready.

Exercise can also help.

Couldn't agree more. Take that heavy burden of worry and place it at Jesus' feet. Find things to do and focus your energy on them rather than the "what ifs".

 

[stacii]

Just an update. I had panic attacks all day. I just don't think I'm ready yet. I talked to my doctor who said it was totally okay for me to stay on them until I'm completely sure that I'm ready to try coming off again. I'm a little disappointed. I really didn't want to be pill dependent forever....My doc suggested counseling, which I haven't done in a while, while I'm weening off. After today's experience though, I think i'm going to try in a few months. Please keep me in your prayers. I feel so defeated right now.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Just an update. I had panic attacks all day. I just don't think I'm ready yet. I talked to my doctor who said it was totally okay for me to stay on them until I'm completely sure that I'm ready to try coming off again. I'm a little disappointed. I really didn't want to be pill dependent forever....My doc suggested counseling, which I haven't done in a while, while I'm weening off. After today's experience though, I think i'm going to try in a few months. Please keep me in your prayers. I feel so defeated right now.

Heya,

I think it is awesome you have this frame of mind. I agree with the counciling. Something must be triggering your attacks, and probably going to need help figuring it out.

Don't feel guilty about taking the meds, just look at them as a crutch. Goal is to be able to walk on your own two feet. Keep hope and one day you can put that crutch down.

 

[stacii]

Thanks for the encouraging words. it really helps.

 

[catlover]

Heya,

Don't feel guilty about taking the meds, just look at them as a crutch. Goal is to be able to walk on your own two feet. Keep hope and one day you can put that crutch down.

Would you tell a person who suffers from diabetes insulin is a crutch?

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Would you tell a person who suffers from diabetes insulin is a crutch?

Yup,

Unfortunately some 'crutches' you just have to take for the rest of your life. Others like in this case have a chance of no longer needing.

Also lets expand apond my view here. What is a crutch? A solid support to help you distribute your weigh. Taking pressure off your leg so it can heal and you can keep moving. Medications, including insulin injections, are a supportive means to help your body and allow you keep moving on with your life. Ultimate goal in medicine is heal you back to full health is it not? Don't we want to find a cure for diabetes among other ailments? So that you won't need the 'crutch' any more? Sorry to say some ailments going to require that crutch for long time, but keep hope that one day may not need it. Just like our sister here, I hope one day she will be strong enough not to need that 'crutch' she is taking.

Please don't look to be offended. I have an aunt and grand mother with diabetes.

 

[stacii]

I hope for that one day also. Unfortunately, that day is not today. :o) But I know it is coming!

 

[HannahBanana]

I also take Zoloft, and I, too, have tried to wean myself off of it (but my anxiety got too bad for me to want to stay off of it for good), so I know what you're going through. I'll keep you in my prayers, and I hope you're able to get through this time okay. Good luck!

 

[catlover]

Yup,

Unfortunately some 'crutches' you just have to take for the rest of your life. Others like in this case have a chance of no longer needing.

Also lets expand apond my view here. What is a crutch? A solid support to help you distribute your weigh. Taking pressure off your leg so it can heal and you can keep moving. Medications, including insulin injections, are a supportive means to help your body and allow you keep moving on with your life. Ultimate goal in medicine is heal you back to full health is it not? Don't we want to find a cure for diabetes among other ailments? So that you won't need the 'crutch' any more? Sorry to say some ailments going to require that crutch for long time, but keep hope that one day may not need it. Just like our sister here, I hope one day she will be strong enough not to need that 'crutch' she is taking.

Please don't look to be offended. I have an aunt and grand mother with diabetes.

"Strong enough" has nothing to do with the illness of depression or coming off medication which treats depression.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

"Strong enough" has nothing to do with the illness of depression or coming off medication which treats depression.

I don't understand why you have this bitter feelings towards me. I am not going to turn this into a fight.

I will pray for you. Please don't lose hope of coming out of your depression.

 

[catlover]

I don't understand why you have this bitter feelings towards me. I am not going to turn this into a fight.

I will pray for you. Please don't lose hope of coming out of your depression.

No bitterness. I think people have misunderstandings about depression~I thank-you for your prayers.

 

[Kathleena]

I came off of zoloft cold turkey without telling my doctor. I know, bad move, but I couldn't take it anymore. It only made things WAY worse.

The side effects I experienced by coming off of zoloft cold turkey was diziness for weeks, loss of concentration, and extreme irritability. But my irritabilty was already off the wall before I was on zoloft, it increased times five when I was on zoloft, and increased times ten the weeks after withdrawing from zoloft.

Withdrawal=sucks.