Have any of you been through the weaning off process of an antidepressant? I have been quite unbearable the last couple weeks while I've been weaning off. And my stomach has been feeling more queezy than normal (one of the "anxiety" symptoms I was having when I went on the stuff). I think the stomach is related to the recently renewed effort to be gf (last known ingestion was last Wednesday) and the heat....possibly over sugared too as I love popsicles when its hot out.
But what I'm really wondering is how long does the dip in mood last before I go back to a normal me? I'm not crying or anything, just getting angry very easily. Its not helping that Geoff went to 4 10-hour days last week and was tired and cranky himself, so we are both being ultra sensitive and snapping at eachother like crazy. And for stupid things! Yesterday I got mad because i couldn't find a clerk at WalMart to cut some fabric for me, and vented to him, and he got all mad that I was "yelling" at him. It wasn't directed at him, he just had to listen to me vent. But having him tell me to stop yelling at him when I'm not yelling at him just gives me a reason to yell at him! Its a vicious cycle.
I hope it is one that goes away soon.
Katy
weaning off antidepressant
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kate_ce1995
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barbaranoela
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Katy------god how I understand where U R coming from!!!!!
First I will say----this awful heat plays tricks with peoples TEMPERS
I can attest to that---cus Lou and I do that vicious cycle thing too!!! hmmm and the heat isnt the culprit-- hahahah
For us---I believe its all this upcoming eye stuff---and once again NO gym and all the other DO-NOTS!!! and then what *can-I-do* !!!
I have to
cus we just got home from the mall---and I didnt have any receipts--He saying to me *U have them* and I saying *NO--U took them all* and see/saw---
Lo and behold HE had them all!!!! Was I nice about it??? NO---I said *SEE-I TOLD U SO* adding more fuel to the fire!!!!
So this too always passes--it happens to all of us---I would imagine!!
Anti-depressants---well I did it myself---from 20 mgs.(which was getting me more hyper) I started to break it to 15 for about a month then down to 10 --month--and am now down to 5--
I told my doc. and she was *so-so* with what I did---but,it was my *feeling* and after a BIG discussion she sorta-kinda said *ok*
Keep a
--things get better---
luve--
Barbara
First I will say----this awful heat plays tricks with peoples TEMPERS
I can attest to that---cus Lou and I do that vicious cycle thing too!!! hmmm and the heat isnt the culprit-- hahahah
For us---I believe its all this upcoming eye stuff---and once again NO gym and all the other DO-NOTS!!! and then what *can-I-do* !!!
I have to
cus we just got home from the mall---and I didnt have any receipts--He saying to me *U have them* and I saying *NO--U took them all* and see/saw---Lo and behold HE had them all!!!! Was I nice about it??? NO---I said *SEE-I TOLD U SO* adding more fuel to the fire!!!!
So this too always passes--it happens to all of us---I would imagine!!
Anti-depressants---well I did it myself---from 20 mgs.(which was getting me more hyper) I started to break it to 15 for about a month then down to 10 --month--and am now down to 5--
I told my doc. and she was *so-so* with what I did---but,it was my *feeling* and after a BIG discussion she sorta-kinda said *ok*
Keep a
--things get better---luve--
Barbara
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
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artteacher
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Hi Katy,
I had to laugh at your post.
I've tried numerous times to eliminate and cut back on anti-D's. I take small amounts of Zoloft and Wellbutrin, and notice it after 3 days of not taking them. Crankiness ensues, body aches (especially my feet, wrists and hands), and I begin hating my husband. His looks, his stupid smile, everything. It's better just to take the drugs. I have been able to cut back, but not beyond a 1/4 dosage without symptoms.
My poor husband. He is a really nice person. Annoying, but really, not that bad.
Love, Marsha
I had to laugh at your post.
I've tried numerous times to eliminate and cut back on anti-D's. I take small amounts of Zoloft and Wellbutrin, and notice it after 3 days of not taking them. Crankiness ensues, body aches (especially my feet, wrists and hands), and I begin hating my husband. His looks, his stupid smile, everything. It's better just to take the drugs. I have been able to cut back, but not beyond a 1/4 dosage without symptoms.
My poor husband. He is a really nice person. Annoying, but really, not that bad.
Love, Marsha
Dear Katy,
Maybe I missed something, but why are you weaning yourself off the anti-depressant? I have been taking Celexa for four years. A very small amount (10 mgs I think) and it keeps me "normal." Whatever that is. I have suffered from depression and anxiety all my life and this is the first time when I feel able to cope without getting crabby and irritable or very sad. It is one time when I thank God for modern pharmaceuticals.
I have run out a couple of times and I went right back to that place where I was before I started taking it. And queasy stomach, too. I know that I am addicted by now and I don't care. I think of it like being addicted to insulin.
This may not apply to you at all and, if so, ignore it. I don't know how long it will take you to complete withdrawal. And Miss BN is right, THE HEAT DOESN"T HELP!!!!
Hang in there, my dear,
Lots of love,
Sally
Maybe I missed something, but why are you weaning yourself off the anti-depressant? I have been taking Celexa for four years. A very small amount (10 mgs I think) and it keeps me "normal." Whatever that is. I have suffered from depression and anxiety all my life and this is the first time when I feel able to cope without getting crabby and irritable or very sad. It is one time when I thank God for modern pharmaceuticals.
I have run out a couple of times and I went right back to that place where I was before I started taking it. And queasy stomach, too. I know that I am addicted by now and I don't care. I think of it like being addicted to insulin.
This may not apply to you at all and, if so, ignore it. I don't know how long it will take you to complete withdrawal. And Miss BN is right, THE HEAT DOESN"T HELP!!!!
Hang in there, my dear,
Lots of love,
Sally
Mitakuye oyasin
(Lakota for "We are all related")
(Lakota for "We are all related")
Katy,
I weaned off Effexor very slowly and didn't notice any side effects.
By very slowly, I mean over a period of 6 weeks. And I was on a very low dosage to begin with. This may have been a factor. But, I think the key is doing it very slowly, according to your doctor's instructions.
Good luck!
Alice
I weaned off Effexor very slowly and didn't notice any side effects.
By very slowly, I mean over a period of 6 weeks. And I was on a very low dosage to begin with. This may have been a factor. But, I think the key is doing it very slowly, according to your doctor's instructions.
Good luck!
Alice
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barbaranoela
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TendrTummy
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Katy,
I must be the queen of anti-depressants.
I've been on and off of all different ones, and multiple at the same time, since I was 15. Zoloft, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor and Lexapro are all the ones I've been on, and weaned off, at one point or another.
Most recently I was on both Effexor and Lexapro. I was on a low dose of each but combined they were a pretty ramped up antidepressant. If I missed a dose I'd start to feel the effects within the same day. I'd get a strange piercing feeling in my head - I'd just be minding my business when suddenly my mind would go blank and I'd compare it to a reboot LOL.
Anyway, I find it's definitely beneficial to wean SLOWLY. Would be best over a 6 week period as mentioned above, no matter what your dose. It's not that you're addicted to it, it's that you're missing certain chemicals in your brain, such as seratonin. The drugs replace that missing chemical, which keeps you more in a heightened state of euphoria (or for some of us, just barely able to tolerate life..). If you stop taking it immediately, your brain is bluntly deprived of that, and you will experience headaches, shakiness, nausea, ear/sinus issues, dizziness, vertigo, all sorts of neuro symptoms, and anxiety is definitely one of those, which can bring a shaky or painful stomach.
If you wean slowly, you give your brain the opportunity to learn to create its own seratonin, and you won't need the antidepressant any longer.
Today, I'm not on any antidepressants and I'm approaching my issues from a different perspective. I haven't gone so long without thinking of offing myself since I was 12.
Christine
I must be the queen of anti-depressants.
I've been on and off of all different ones, and multiple at the same time, since I was 15. Zoloft, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor and Lexapro are all the ones I've been on, and weaned off, at one point or another.
Most recently I was on both Effexor and Lexapro. I was on a low dose of each but combined they were a pretty ramped up antidepressant. If I missed a dose I'd start to feel the effects within the same day. I'd get a strange piercing feeling in my head - I'd just be minding my business when suddenly my mind would go blank and I'd compare it to a reboot LOL.
Anyway, I find it's definitely beneficial to wean SLOWLY. Would be best over a 6 week period as mentioned above, no matter what your dose. It's not that you're addicted to it, it's that you're missing certain chemicals in your brain, such as seratonin. The drugs replace that missing chemical, which keeps you more in a heightened state of euphoria (or for some of us, just barely able to tolerate life..). If you stop taking it immediately, your brain is bluntly deprived of that, and you will experience headaches, shakiness, nausea, ear/sinus issues, dizziness, vertigo, all sorts of neuro symptoms, and anxiety is definitely one of those, which can bring a shaky or painful stomach.
If you wean slowly, you give your brain the opportunity to learn to create its own seratonin, and you won't need the antidepressant any longer.
Today, I'm not on any antidepressants and I'm approaching my issues from a different perspective. I haven't gone so long without thinking of offing myself since I was 12.
Christine
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kate_ce1995
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Thanks for the support ladies. Sally, to answer your question, I had to go on it for what I suspected at the time was hormone related problems due to all my messed up ovaries and such. And Christine, in the past, I too got the headache/not feeling right if I accidentally missed a dose. But I also would rather not be dependant on having to take something every day. My doc instructed me to take half the dose for a week and then every other day for a week. I did that and I've now been 3 days drug free. Other than the crabbiness, I've had almost no side effects from it. No headaches, no brain zaps. I've been having an ear problem since May anyway,although that isn't too troubling except when first lying down at night. I'm taking Claritin to keep that in check and its working pretty well. Although I'm getting ready to call my doc about it again because its just plain annoying. But, I really don't think that is related. Years ago I had a similar problem off and on in my left ear that finally went away. I suspect this will too in time.
The effexor was helping with the hot flashes though and I'm getting those again, although not as intense as the first few months post hyst. So I'm hoping those will fade reasonably quickly too.
Well, I'm dripping just sitting here (from the heat and humidity...Its 8pm and still 80 degrees out...this is NOT nice New England weather) so I will close to go soak in a cold hot tub!
Katy
The effexor was helping with the hot flashes though and I'm getting those again, although not as intense as the first few months post hyst. So I'm hoping those will fade reasonably quickly too.
Well, I'm dripping just sitting here (from the heat and humidity...Its 8pm and still 80 degrees out...this is NOT nice New England weather) so I will close to go soak in a cold hot tub!
Katy