Still suffering 9 weeks after coming of Anti-depressants

[ArtyF]

I posted a few months back about how coming off anti-depressants has really thrown me out of whack. It's now gotten to a stage where I'm finding it hard to even concentrate on simple things, let alone more complex things that I have to get up and speak infront of people. I feel like I've lost perspective and that I can't make sense of my mind. Has anyone felt this? I came off relatively slowly, but as soon as I stopped I felt my mental health really suffer. I was on ADs for around 13 years for all of my 20s.

I've tried to "ride it out" for 9 weeks but I've got to a point that it's severely affecting my work, my relationship with wife and my hobbies. I know going back on isn't a failure, but I do feel disappointed. Whay should I do? Any help is really appreciated.

[kenster1]

maybe ask for advice from your doctor before going back on them again.i was messed up as well last year I was all over the place.i was given two weeks sleeping tablets and felt amazing only to be put back on mirtazapine again its a vicious circle sometimes.

[ArtyF in reply to kenster1]

Thanks for your reply, I have booked a doctors appointment. I was did come off the ADs slowly but soon as I was off it hit my like a truck. I'd rather be back on them than feel like this and come off much slower.

[ArtyF in reply to kenster1]

Just anotjer question Ken, did you feel going back on helped? Did you go on the same dosage or the lowest dose?

[Reallife72]

Have you looked at the site surviving antidepressants. There is a lot of information on there. You may can find some support there as well. They recommend a 10 percent taper on pretty much everything. It takes a lot of effort and a long time and a doctor that’s willing to help. I have only been able to come off of one of my meds and I got so depressed a couple of months afterwards that I ended up going back on it. I am currently trying again. Some people find that taking a different antidepressant for a short time helps in the withdrawal process. Which is probably what you are still experiencing. It takes our brains a long time to rewire itself. I want to think it’s Prozac but not positive on that. Also some people find that small doses of Valium or valerian root also help in the process. Keep researching, but like you said you are not a failure to have to go back on either

[ArtyF in reply to Reallife72]

Thanks reallife, did you find your symptoms improve once you went back on them?

I checked out the site but found it quite confusing. The general consensus seems to be that most doctors don't understand withdrawal symptoms. Which makes sense, because my doctor said after coming off slowly from 20mg citalopram to 10mg, then 1 every other day, then one every two days would mean I have no withdrawal.

I am at a point now where I feel I need help, as its getting in the way of everyday life.

[Reallife72 in reply to ArtyF]

Yea my symptoms did improve. It is a confusing site.

[ArtyF in reply to Reallife72]

I read that some people are battling withdrawal, years after coming off. I would rather taper my doses as much as possible and come off later. I really can't afford the disruption this has caused in my day to day life.

Did you manage to come off successfully after going back on ADs?

[Reallife72 in reply to ArtyF]

I am in the process of tapering one of them now. The same one I came off of before. I take 3 different medicines I would like to come off of. I am 47 and the youngest has just left the house. This was my plan to go through this after they had all left. Because I knew it was going to be a struggle. I have been a stay at home mom. I don’t work outside the home. I don’t face those challenges but I do struggle with being lonely and trying to find purpose in my life again.one of my medicines I was able to taper to a small dose and I won’t attempt to completely come off of that one until I am off this first one. It is a really slow process and something I know will probably take a few years. I don’t think you can taper as fast as your doctor told you to. There are psychiatrists that specialize in helping people taper. I found a list buried on that site once. My doctor now

[Reallife72 in reply to ArtyF]

My doctor now has agreed to help and I guess once I get to a certain point I will have to seek out one of those...or just be at peace with how far I can go.

[ArtyF in reply to Reallife72]

Thanks for your honesty and support. How long have you been on ADs? How long did you wait before going back on the AD you tried to come off? Did you also feel the withdrawal and symptoms I described?

[Reallife72 in reply to ArtyF]

One of them 20 years. The others 8-9 years. I don’t think I had symptoms exactly like you described. I was just in a constant state of worry/ anxiety/ depression.... crying all the time etc. probably 4 months or so.

[ArtyF in reply to Reallife72]

I have those similar feelings like that for a few months too. State of disproportionate worry, anxiety difficulty concentrating.

I went back to the Doctor and he has prescribed me 10mg of Citalopram again, saying if it helped I should go back on and try to reduce it again later. Really unsure whether I should take it - I feel like I might be going backwards.

[Reallife72 in reply to ArtyF]

Such a hard decision. I understand. Maybe he could recommend something else that might be easier to taper. Or go on the ten and taper much much slower. It took me about 18 months to taper off Zoloft once. Now I only take 25mg but that is pure h e double hockey sticks trying to get off that. When I get ready to climb that mountain I will probably end up having to do a liquid taper

[ArtyF in reply to Reallife72]

Thanks for your support Reallife. I still haven't taken the tablet. Right now I don't necessarily feel depressed or emotional, just really really foggy. It feels a bit like my brain has shut down somewhat . I'm struggling to concentrate and get things done work wise. Like things I'd thrive in, I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on.

Its coming onto 10 weeks since I stopped, I feel like I've made a bit of progress but earlier in the week, when I was in despair and I made my Drs appt the suggestion to go back on is making me nervous. I know 10 weeks is relatively short period, but I feel like if I go back on it will be for a long time before I feel I can try to taper.

I know you're not a doctor, but what would you do? Would you go back on? I appreciate your opinion.

[Reallife72 in reply to ArtyF]

So many different factors to consider. You should probably know why you are wanting to come off. Weigh risks/benefits to staying on for a while longer until you are prepared for the withdrawals. Everybody is different. I have been curled up in the fetal position begging my husband not to go to work believing I was truly dying. Doctor told me to go back on. I didn’t lol. I continued to taper and made it (this was not an ssri). But...after all that, I ended up going back on an ssri bc I got so tired of being depressed all the time. It was a quality of life issue. I guess it just depends how bad your withdrawal symptoms are and how much you can tolerate.

[abc30]

Here are advice that works for me:

- Seek a medical advice. This is the most important advice, you must find a doctor which work with the latest discoveries in mental health.

- Take a pet

- Help others before helping yourself

- Stop thinking at your problems and start thinking at others problems

[ArtyF in reply to abc30]

Thanks, but I think some of your points are easier said than done. You can't pour from an empty cup.

[fauxartist]

Why did you stop taking your SSRI's?

[ArtyF in reply to fauxartist]

It was recommended by the Dr, as I'd been on for 12or so years. They did a review and asked 'do I feel depressed' - then started a cut down on the tablets. One of the reasons I wanted to come off was I thought perhaps I don't need them now. That wasn't true as I crashed quite hard off them.

I wanted to try atleast as I was feeling generally better. I also wanted to start a family so thought might be best to come off now than later.

[Tetelatia]

I take 20mg of lexapro and 1mg of clonazepam every day. I tried coming off twice but needed to go back on. If the medicine helps, go back on.

[ArtyF in reply to Tetelatia]

Thanks tetelatia. I have been given the tablets but I'm stalling at the moment. Maybe I've convinced myself that I don't need/want them and have been feeling better.

How long have you been on the pills? What made you go back on them? I read somewhere (curse of overreading symptoms on the Web) that sometimes reinstating the ADs can make you feel worse. Did you feel better when you went back on?

[Tetelatia]

Feeling like I believe you feeling is what convinced me to go back on them. It bothers me sometimes that I'm on them but I'm at a point in my life that if the meds.help me, I'm going to take them. They actually just help, because I still have some gloomy days.

[Agora1]

You know ArtyF, we aren't in a position to advise what you need to do

regarding medications. I can tell you that after being on benzos (Xanax)

for 30 years, it no longer worked for me. I was switched to other benzos

that did absolutely nothing. My thinking was, why take it if they no longer

work. With the help of my psychiatrist who specializes in benzo weaning and

withdrawal, I successfully got off my long time medication.

But....it took me 2 years to slowly wean off them as well as another year to

completely heal. I went through all kinds of side effects that got weaker

as each day went by. With that said, I am completely benzo free now for

over 7 years. I am on Lexapro (SSRI) which is doing a good job.

My belief is that if the medication is working don't rock the boat. It's not

an easy feat. Listen to your doctor's suggestion as in how to handle your

symptoms from here on. Good Luck Arty xx

[ArtyF in reply to Agora1]

Thanks, I have been put back on citalopram 10mg (celexa) and now riding it out. It does feel like I'm living half a life now, the whole withdrawal period, now coming up to 10 weeks knocked me for 6, I had not anticipated this at all so it really got in the way and disrupted my life. Will try to do a much longer wean off next time when that comes. I appreciate your support.

[NeuronerdDoaty]

Ask your doctor but it sounds like you tried to fix what wasn’t broken by coming off.

What people don’t realize about antidepressants is (SSRI and SNRI) is that they only inhibit or excite chemicals you’re already making. You’re either over or under producing chemicals that you need in your brain. That’s about all we understand. If you did better on them then obviously they were helping your brain normalize.

Talk to a pharmacist. They’re biochemists. They can explain as well.

Other levels of antidepressants add or subtract by hitting certain receptors based on symptoms.

Seems like you’re suffering from the symptoms of needing medication.

Please call your doctor before it goes on any longer. Stay healthy.

Doaty

[ArtyF in reply to NeuronerdDoaty]

Thanks Doaty, I agree. A counsellor that I was seeing on and off over the years made out to me that I had been on ADs way too long. I agree, but like you said, if there is an inbalance then perhaps I need to taper much much slower.

The catch 22 is, the doctor will ask "are you feeling depressed or better?", if the pills are working then naturally you will say yes I'm feeling better, followed by the Dr saying "then you should probably come off them". And then the circle begins. Acute withdrawal.