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Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/11/2013 4:18:18 AM

kiwisub12

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This is my 10th day post last dose of effexor, and finally seem to be feeling fairly normal.

I have to admit i went cold turkey because i forgot to get my meds filled (dumb!), but i probably wouldn't have stopped otherwise. Which is a shame because i don't think i need antidepressents, and haven't done for a long time. I just knew that i would feel bad for a while when stopping, and didn't want to have to deal with it.

How many others have had to deal with withdrawl symptoms from SSRI's, and how long did it take to feel normal, or even half way decent?
It was a bit rough for a while, so this stuff is nothing to laugh at.

One advantage is that i come like a hopping toad now. I forgot about the sexual side effects when starting the stuff, so i guess that reverses itself too. Cool!

Post #: 1

RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/11/2013 1:20:19 PM

littlewonder

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I've gone off my meds without a doctor's permission and I felt awful. I felt awful for months. It's not something I will do again.

I am concerned that you went off of them without your doctor's knowledge. I know you say you don't think you need them but I also hear that from a lot of people who say that....until they are off of them and everyone else around you can see the difference and it's not good. If you truly feel you don't need them anymore then you should talk to your doctor. Get another evaluation, talk to the dr about your thoughts.

Another thing is if a doctor wants you off of them they normally tell you to taper off a little at a time until you are off of them completely. This is why you are feeling the way you are. It's like going through total withdrawal. By tapering off a little at a time, the effects won't be anywhere near as bad.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/11/2013 3:49:30 PM

kiwisub12

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I warned the people i work with, and my family and sweetie that i might become moody - so if i become a real bitch, i should get feed back. Actually, i would think most people i work with would be thrilled to death to tell me if i became a bitch. lol. Usually i'm very laid back, so if there is a personality change it should be rather obvious.

At this stage, i will only go back on effexor if i become very depressed - and if i don't notice, someone else will.

I was really looking for others experiences in doing this...........

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/11/2013 6:47:41 PM

littlewonder

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well like I said, I was ill for months when I tried it. It started with my memory being even worse than it is now, I was feeling dizzy all the time to the point of almost passing out, I was nauseous and felt basically like I had a serious bout of the flu that lasted forever. I'm on celexa and wellbutrin. Oh I was also extremely emotional and barely could get out of bed because my depression came back even worse than before.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/12/2013 9:49:52 AM

agent0fchaos

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I've done it. Not on purpose, but because I couldn't afford my meds.

it was hell. I was dizzy, nauseous, zoned out. I couldn't drive, could barely work. THEN my depression came crashing back.

Honestly, I would never, ever, ever wish it on anyone.

The "I don't think I need meds" thing worries me, I'll admit. It's my reaction to having felt good -because- I was on meds. I'd strongly, strongly encourage you to talk to your doctor about dialing down slowly and figuring out if/what you -do- need

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/12/2013 3:16:51 PM

kiwisub12

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Damn - i have to say that i certainly haven't felt THAT bad. Actually, its been 11 days and i am having occasional short bouts of dizziness, and thats about it. So far, no depression apart from that engendered by the thoughts of my sister dying. Probably not the best time to come off antidepressants, but it is what it is.

Worked through it all with no problem other than feeling like crap , but i've worked through viral illnesses with the same feeling. No pleasant but not a reason to call in sick. I am very aware of my emotional level, so if i have an issue, i can start back ..... but i don't want to. *pout*

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/12/2013 3:26:23 PM

epiphiny43

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The friends and SO are very important here. Believe them if they express any alarm or concern? And take time every day to check in with someone who Listens to you and cares how things go. That alone is worth more than many meds. It's the common essential to almost all supportive and therapeutic interactive programs. And why good communities are so important to our health.
Most effective psychoactive meds also have high metabolic costs. Don't skimp on nutrition and work for as varied a diet as possible. Research the particulars of your meds and do what you can to replace what they use? Not feeling like eating is a red flag you Need to bring attention to diet and general habits that are more critical during your readjustment.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/12/2013 4:34:30 PM

Lynnxz

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From: Atlanta
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Dude.

You are REALLY, REALLY supposed to taper off of Effexor- it's got a reputation for horrible withdrawal effects.

Effexor has a short half-life, which leads to the medication leaving your system as abruptly. Since it's an SNRI, it works by blocking the reabsorption of Serotonin and norepinephrine. More serotonin/norepinephrine leads to better signaling in the brain- which in turn leads to fewer depression symptoms.

Sudden discontinuation leads to an abrupt decrease in these chemicals. In most people, this ends up with flu like symptoms and mood swings. in ~20% of people you also end up with insomnia, nausea, mood swings etc. If you're really lucky, you end up with a case involving pychosis and severe congitive impairment.

Come on people. Don't start and stop medications without your doctor. Web MD can't do everything for you.

< Message edited by Lynnxz -- 2/12/2013 5:18:55 PM >

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/12/2013 5:30:44 PM

kiwisub12

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Oh oh - psychosis sounds like fun. I've always wanted to see pink spiders!

and i agree with you Lynnxz - morons stop meds without doctors input - except of course - me.

On the other hand, it was something i had talked about with my doc. He was of the opinion i needed to do it in the spring/summer. Of course, not remembering to pick my meds up could have been a freudian thing related to not wanting to be dependent on meds. ..... or maybe its early onset Aultzheimer. *sigh* its very hard to know........

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/12/2013 6:34:15 PM

DesFIP

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You're very lucky that it hasn't been that bad. Effexor is supposed to be the worst to come off of.

I tapered down over three months. Finally taking one pill every four days for two weeks before totally ending it.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/12/2013 6:49:14 PM

breagha

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i have never taken effexor. i know people who have though. any type of medication that alters the chemistry of the brain isn't really something to mess around with. if all you have is some dizziness i would say you are very very lucky. i know that with Zoloft i had to taper down and it took a month to be off it completely. ( that was a train wreck too btw )

may i ask why you wanted to discontinue the use of effexor? was it not working for you?

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 3:54:24 AM

kiwisub12

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Ok - this is cliche among those taking drugs, but i honestly don't think i need it any more. I definitely could be delusional about that but my life is so different from that of 15 years ago that i think the reason for my depression is gone. My kids are grown and (almost) out of the house, my ex is gone from the area and i have completed my talk therapy to where my shrink thought i was good alone.
I hate to take something just because its easier to keep taking it.....

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 7:37:31 AM

fucktoyprincess

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kiwisub12

Ok - this is cliche among those taking drugs, but i honestly don't think i need it any more. I definitely could be delusional about that but my life is so different from that of 15 years ago that i think the reason for my depression is gone. My kids are grown and (almost) out of the house, my ex is gone from the area and i have completed my talk therapy to where my shrink thought i was good alone.
I hate to take something just because its easier to keep taking it.....

It sounds like you are in a good place now in your life, and that's great.

I would just be in touch with your doctor sooner rather than later to fill them in, and bring them into the information loop. Better safe, than sorry.

As others have said, I would generally not recommend this approach to people as things can go awry when going off of certain types of drugs. Just as dosage of these types of drugs needs to be monitored carefully, so does eliminating the drug from your system. There is no way of knowing beforehand, how any given person will respond to stopping such a drug. You might have just been lucky.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 8:15:36 AM

lior4

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dealing with witdrawal is very tricky and tough, especially for the person itself :(
not that i ever been in one but i dealt with people who were in withdrawal, take care and witness it for years.
how long will it take, it depends on the person, can be days or weeks until it ends or can be never for a lifetime.
sometimes you will assure yourself that you better without it and never feel so good, but at some point of time you will blame everything that happen in your life due to you are off your meds. that's why i said it's tricky and tough.
when you think you don't need any more of antidepressant, sometimes it's actually when you need it. please kindly keep on contact with your doc and discuss it and the development with him closely.

glad you feel better now though >:D<

sometimes doctor will say that you won't need any more presc and that it will only make you worse, because the study about medicine always develop and there will always new information about side effect of this and that.

however, if you're already in it for quite a long time, it won't be that easy to just let go.
it depends on your own motivation and inner strength...you might want to think about it well and discuss it with your doc. find information about withdrawal and think about what you want, to stay with it or not? which option you prefer the most and which make you feel better?
i'm sure you know that doctor don't just give persc as he wishes, but he also take account of his patient's need.

good luck :)

< Message edited by lior4 -- 2/13/2013 8:26:52 AM >

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 6:31:23 PM

breagha

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kiwisub12

Ok - this is cliche among those taking drugs, but i honestly don't think i need it any more. I definitely could be delusional about that but my life is so different from that of 15 years ago that i think the reason for my depression is gone. My kids are grown and (almost) out of the house, my ex is gone from the area and i have completed my talk therapy to where my shrink thought i was good alone.
I hate to take something just because its easier to keep taking it.....

i know where you are coming from. i have been off mine for 3 year now... and it was a good decision. i still have a few ups and downs but generally i feel much better for not taking them than i did when i was. i would just recommend keeping in touch with your doc and therapist ( in case you feel you need a session ) and keep up the good work on keeping you happy and healthy! congrats!

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 6:42:28 PM

DesFIP

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Not all depression is situational. Some is but some are genetic and some are just wonky brain chemistry.

Sometimes it doesn't matter how good your life is, you're still subject to depression.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 6:45:05 PM

focalss

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I had some experience coming off these things. I don't know your situation but I found that taking prozac for a few days helps relieve the side effects depending on what you are on and it was pretty cheap last time I looked so money shouldn't be an issue or your doctor may be able to give you some samples. Cold turkey isn't the way to go on most of them, not sure about effexor.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 8:04:47 PM

ShaharThorne

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With me, the damn SSRI quit working on me 4 years ago. Luckily I had an episode and the hospital got me on a mood stabilizer and I was better in a few days. They referred me to a local clinic where I got a month's work of meds, came back to TX and got MHMR to take me in (they kick me out when their hospital said that I was not bipolar...and not treating it...and was ready to fight a few patients for being germphobes because I developed a nasty summer cold.) The local MHMR got the paperwork from Tennessee and Johnson county and realized that Terrell don't do shit.

I am on Depakote & Geodon to help with the mood swings and PTSD. If I don't take them, I am not a happy camper.

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RE: Coming off antidepressents isn't fun... - 2/13/2013 8:49:39 PM

littlewonder

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

Not all depression is situational. Some is but some are genetic and some are just wonky brain chemistry.

Sometimes it doesn't matter how good your life is, you're still subject to depression.

This. I wish mine was situational.

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