Getting off SSRI's?

[Dan1584]

I just did a search on SSRI's in this forum and have seen a multitude of negative threads about them, saying that they cause TERRIBLE withdrawl, which is understandable considering they are altering your brain's chemistry. But out of all those posts I haven't seen anything constructive on how to prevent the painful withdrawl symptoms...I don't think the FDA or doctors would OK a drug that causes such terrible negative withdrawl for people already in emotional pain. There has to be a correct way of getting off your medication with little to no problems. Tappering off of them by reducing your dosage very gradually would work, right?

I'm just looking for people out there who have something positive to say about comming off of SSRI's.

 

[AlphaOdure]

i've never heard of that nor have i had a problem in the past coming off of celexxa (maybe b/c its a shitty SSRI though). But the most logical way to combat this yes, would be to taper off use gradually. Also, i would try my hardest to not use any substances that mess with serotonin (any PEA or tryptamine psychedelic) until it stabilizes at a sufficient and managible levels in your brain.

Also, i'd stay away from any stimulants seeing as they can increase feelings of depression (decreased levels of both serotonin and dopamine wont be fun).

 

[alostlittlebird]

Tapering dose is really the only reasonable thing to do. The slower you taper, the less painful the withdrawal. You could try benzos for a few days to kill the edge and jitters or "shocks" that follow, but it wouldn't need to be done for long.

I wouldn't say ssri withdrawals are horrible - I've quit five or six of them after being on a long term dose and really the only one that gave me trouble was effexor - which I just used a taper method and dose scheduling/dividing to quit.

I guess you've got about as much power as you would withdrawing from anything.

 

[Negro-kitty]

Withdrawal varies WIDELY between the SSRIs.

Paxil and zoloft can have terrible withdrawal.

Luvox and Celexa/lexapro withdrawal is quite rare.

And I havent' heard of Prozac withdrawal, so it is even rarer.

Effexor is not an SSRI, for the record, it is an SNRI. And it has atypically bad withdrawal for an antidepressant.

To make withdrawal bearable (if you are on zoloft or paxil):

-you can taper slowly (what dose are you at right now?)
-you can switch over to prozac, and stay on that for a while then stop, or taper slowly off

 

[Alternity]

Yeah, I take a fairly high dose of Effexor (300mg/day) and if I miss a dose for 24-36 hours withdrawal begins to set it. That is, I feel very dizzy and so on. However, I love the stuff, I think it's great. I wouldn't wanna come off it, hah.

 

[burntorangeblood]

Withdrawl's definition from webster's -

Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance.
The physiological and mental readjustment that accompanies such discontinuation.

Addiction's definition from webster's -

Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance.

SSRIs are not addictive and therefor do not produce withdrawl.
See my post in OD called "Zoloft wthdrawl." Please.
People do not rob banks to get their celexa ya know. Although the
effects after discontinuing an SSRI can be very unpleasant. My previous
post explains this.

As the mod stated, Paxil and Zoloft produce the most unpleasant effects.
Luvox, Celexa, and Prozac produce the least.

TAPER the messy SSRIs like Pax and Zol under doctor supervision.

 

[twgburst]

If you want to we can argue about what addiction means also, cause the definition has changed/evolved over the years. Also, why would anyone need to rob a bank for SSRIs, they are a cheap addiction. People don't rob banks for cigarettes and they are more addictive then heroin.

 

[burntorangeblood]

plz

The rob a bank metaphor was just that, a metaphor.
Get a doctorate in psychology and then we'll discuss definitions.

 

[*=Regulator=*]

^^
The point of this thread isn't to argue over the technicalities of terminology. This isn't a psych. journal, you pedantic twit - it's a harm minimisation forum. The definition of addiction is different colloquially to the definition in a thesis.

That little allusion to your academic prowess isn't going to make anyone respect your opinion either.

 

[burntorangeblood]

Regulator -

I'm not looking for respect, thanks. I'm all stocked up.

Pedantic twit you say? I refuse to comment.

THE POINT of this thread/all threads is the search for knowledge.
I'm simply contributing and mis-use of terminology is not an expression
of knowlege nor reliable information.

I suggest you read some JAMA articles concerning definitions and
their absolute importance in statistical correlations.

 

[Negro-kitty]

There IS withdrawal with SSRIs, though it is generally termed 'discontinuation syndrome'. It's really the same thing, only difference is you don't become ADDICTED to SSRIs, you become DEPENDANT on them.

burnt, you don't need to be quite so uppity...'withdrawal' is a perfectly fine term to use in the context of this thread.

 

[*=Regulator=*]

^^
My point exactly.

Can you put up a link or ref. to these JAMA articles?

I'm not disagreeing with your facts, just your insultingly patronising tone. If you are interested in the dissemination of knowledge for the good of this community/world please do it in a less elitist manner - more people will listen.

 

[Negro-kitty]

Do a search on pubmed.com for 'withdrawal' and 'SSRIs' and a gazillion results show up...burnt is just bluffing here.

 

[ceryc]

Regulator -

I'm not looking for respect, thanks. I'm all stocked up.

Pedantic twit you say? I refuse to comment.

THE POINT of this thread/all threads is the search for knowledge.
I'm simply contributing and mis-use of terminology is not an expression
of knowlege nor reliable information.

I suggest you read some JAMA articles concerning definitions and
their absolute importance in statistical correlations.

burnt, you want to talk technical and tell people they don't know what they are talking about, pm me. i will be able to say you if don't know shit about the subject. just please quit posting moronic shite here.

and for the record, i don't remember defining medical terms with websters in uni, and i'll be dammed if we were so static in discussing terms like "addiction" and "withdrawl".

 

[Dan1584]

Ok so my next question is What is life like AFTER SSRI's? Does life go on plesantly or are you back to the same problems that got you on SSRI's in the first place?

 

[Mariposa]

There IS withdrawal with SSRIs, though it is generally termed 'discontinuation syndrome'. It's really the same thing, only difference is you don't become ADDICTED to SSRIs, you become DEPENDANT on them.

burnt, you don't need to be quite so uppity...'withdrawal' is a perfectly fine term to use in the context of this thread.

Well said (as always ) N-K. Discontinuation syndrome has its own set of issues and associated symptoms; my very basic search on it yielded this useful information. Pay special attention to the dietary changes one who is trying to get off SSRIs should make in order to safely taper off SSRIs. Diet is one of the most underestimated determinants of mood... think about that the next time you eat a high tryptophan turkey sandwich and feel tired/euphoric after.

There is much information available on SSRI discontinuation syndrome. I don't mean to be a bitch to Regulator and burntorange blood, but if you would attempt to back up your own positions with sources instead of just use borderline inflammatory terminology, your words might be taken more seriously around here.

 

[deviate]

for me, marijuana and benefdryl got me through the withdrawal wonderfly.

 

[*=Regulator=*]

I don't mean to be a bitch to Regulator and burntorange blood, but if you would attempt to back up your own positions with sources instead of just use borderline inflammatory terminology, your words might be taken more seriously around here.

So, does the same go for these two? :

burnt, you don't need to be quite so uppity
burnt is just bluffing here

i will be able to say you if don't know shit about the subject. just please quit posting moronic shite here.

 

[Negro-kitty]

I suggested a search...which I did myself before posting to confirm...I generally won't do people's research for them.

Anyway, everyone can chill now...I'd like to leave this thread open for the original poster.

 

[Dan1584]

^^ Thanx

I'll repeat my question which I posted a couple of responses up, since everyone was arguing I guess it was missed...

Ok so my next question is What is life like AFTER SSRI's? Does life go on plesantly or are you back to the same problems that got you on SSRI's in the first place?