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  • TDS Moderators: AlphaMethylPhenyl | paranoid android

Getting off SSRI's - What's everyones experience?

Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky

Frumious Bandersnatch
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Nov 3, 1999
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Hi all,

have just gotten off the Lexapro this week which I was using for depression. I had been taking this medication since about november - december. Any how it's gotten to a stage where yeah the medication was making me mellow but it was blocking my thoughts when doing reading / writing. Would often be in front of the pc re-reading the same lines for a while, this was always come and go but as of Sunday / Monday I gave up the meds and saw my reading / writing improve 10 fold. The problem whch I face now is some of the depression is coming back but i'm doing my utmost best to block it. More or less as a long time depression sufferer I feel as I know now enough to ot require the meds but rather to control it myself.

What's everyone's thoughts on getting off SSRI's, is it an easy process or?
 
Not anxiety but just not feeling like my old self. When drinking you will feel different as well. I will give you a thumbs up though before things get complicated, everyone reacts definitely towards meds. So it's best to not rely on what someone elses experience was. I think at times I felt I should be feeling a certain way etc....It's hard to avoid the thought but do your best to avoid it at all costs.
 
Noonoo, did you taper off? Stopping suddenly can cause nasty WD symptoms.

Beagleboy, some people get side effects like that when first starting the meds, they usually go away though and you should start getting the anti-depressant effects in a few weeks. If the side effects are really bothering you though, make sure you let your doctor know. Sometimes you have to try a few different meds before you find the right one. :)
 
Don't reckon it should be too bad .

I had Citroplex or something - Promised to feel like shit for 6 weeks then it would work.

It did not !

Put them in the bin - have to admit I used Diazepan .



Luck - I think they do block ya thoughts :|
 
I can't say that I do feel w/d yet some how from reading all these posts I am assuming I should. I am thinking the reason why I may not be w/d is because I was only on 5mg, my Dr even recommended when I was taking 10mg that if I want to get off go down to 5mg and then quit afterwards, the thing is I stayed on 5mg for a good few months and yeah for the little effect that I get out of it it's just not worth staying on as it blocks a lot of my thoughts when writing for uni.

I can say though I definitely feel different getting off it, not like a new person but there abouts. I think the only downside to getting off them has been feeling a bit weak.
 
noonoo said:
Hi all,

have just gotten off the Lexapro this week which I was using for depression. I had been taking this medication since about november - december. Any how it's gotten to a stage where yeah the medication was making me mellow but it was blocking my thoughts when doing reading / writing. Would often be in front of the pc re-reading the same lines for a while, this was always come and go but as of Sunday / Monday I gave up the meds and saw my reading / writing improve 10 fold. The problem whch I face now is some of the depression is coming back but i'm doing my utmost best to block it. More or less as a long time depression sufferer I feel as I know now enough to ot require the meds but rather to control it myself.

What's everyone's thoughts on getting off SSRI's, is it an easy process or?
Click to expand...

1. You shouldn't just "stop" taking your medication. If you want to get off of your medication you should tell your prescribing doctor and have him/her taper you off if the side effects are too much for you to deal with.

2. Ideally, you should bring your concerns about the side effects to your prescribing doctor. Your doctor may be able to taper you off safely and then try you on another medication that may work better for you in the long run and have less side effects.

3. Keep in mind that you are dealing with, I assume, unipolar/major depression which is something that only really seems to benefit from the right medications. Also consider that symptoms of depression are now coming back and that depression can be fatal (suicide).

4. If the medications you were on were working for you it is possible that you could have your doctor tweak the dose in an attempt to lessen the side effects.
 
Noonoo, OK that makes sense then that you were on a very low dose and able to quit cold turkey with minimal side effects. At a larger dose though, the WD symptoms can be very... unpleasant to say the least.
 
Not everyone gets them then I guess, but better safe then sorry. Some TDS regulars probably have or know some horror stories about getting off SSRIs. Argh, just writing about it now makes me remember the brain zaps. :\
 
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