Good morning, It’s really warm here at 7 a.m. Lovely and I get to swim today too!
A recent negative, accusatory post from a very intelligent woman (which even received a polite reprimand from VN) got me thinking about when I first began my journey with anti-depressants a couple of years ago.
I have at last found the one for me, but on the way, my g.p. prescribed one that had me agitated, anxious, and grumpy. I requested a change & his idea was to increase that one. Trust him as I do (he is usually right on), I agreed, but went back 2 weeks later to request a completely different type.
Example: I usually swim for an hour a day at our local lovely Y. And most of the time I swim 30 lengths plus a few stretches and other targetting strokes for my 60+ bod. Well, with the increase, I was swimming 50+ lengths and still going. Now, for a fitness approach, that may sound great, but I also found that I was disagreeable and not a happy swimmer. I was snapping at my loved ones and raging at strangers. Clearly, I needed the opposite type if I wanted to feel well.
I insisted and the g.p. was apologetic and quickly changed the anti-depressant to the kind that relaxes a bit, rather than increases the energy. I am a naturally laid-back, happy person. Yes, I wish I didn’t need a little help to be myself, but I accept that it is good for me.
Once in awhile, I meet someone who reminds me of my journey and I try to find a way to suggest that they change to the relaxing one! Of course, this is a challenge due to the rage tendency, but I still try. Crusader that I am.
So if yours isn’t working for you. Try another one.
Raw coconut oil. I use it for everything--cleansing, to add to my Renovage for a night cream, moisturizing, soothing. Just everything. And my Burt's Bee's lip balm. But, coconut oil is the main reason I'm hooked on RMSBeauty makeup.
Perhaps you are thinking about a generation or ago. You would be retiring and "winding" down at 59, but times are different. You are probably much more "with it" than in those days, your health is better but due to economics going to work longe
Evie and Doris, I'm so with you on this. My dad used to say, "Family is everything," but when he died, so did the family. Or, to apply the loveliness of the Holmes poetry, after horrendous abuse, I just drifted away. Family is an accident of birth. L
Hi Doris,
I am a lot older than you and can only tell you my feelings, around family, as I've aged.
My childhood was rough and my parents made so many mistakes, alcoholism, neglect, etc. For many years I resented them for giving me such a poor 
Could you put names to the anti-depressants ?? I take Lexapro and I have no energy. Should I change ?? My ANP suggested Effelor—may give it a try.
Effexor worked for me after many other trial and errors. It’s a powerful drug used for med resistant folks. I’m now doing adjunct meds also. See other post. Lexapro my sister uses and works for her. My doc said it doesn’t work on both seratonin and the other, which name escapes me….the two chemicals in the brain. Effexor does. The bad thing about Effexor so I’ve read is withdrawl is not good. Must go off very slowly. When I was feeling good that didn’t bother me because I’d say I was going to be on it forever and that’s fine by me.
Depression is hideous. I’d rather have one day of sanity than live 30 more years with depression.
Is Effexor a generic name? I take Citalopram and have very low energy level.
I also take citalopranm. I never felt better. I also take vitamin B complex, which helps with my energy level. I take them after I eat breakfast, I don’t know if that helps, but that what my doc. told me I should do.
Effexor is a brand name anti-depressant and as such is very expensive, with a high co-pay. Like $100 month on my medicare supploement. It worked well, had to take a higher dosage than I liked but it did work. Then came the problem with the co-pay and really had to switch to something else. There is Effexxor and Effexxor XR, extended release.
The generic form of Effexor is venlafaxine. Unfortunately for me, the one on my insurance drug formulary for the generic is not extended release, but twice a day dosing (AM and PM). Still beats the high co-pay.
Did your sister gain weight from Lexapro? I heard there is weight gain. Let me know. thanks
Mine is Celexia ( a generic of that) but I don’t remember the name of the other one. I think it was a generic Canadian version of Prozac.
It was Effexor. And the one that helps me be calmer is Celexia.
Oh my….you’re singing my song. I’ve been of Effexor for about 13 years and was working well for me. I still had my bad days, moods, etc., but I could deal with them. Last fall I began slipping and didn’t realize how bad until a friend pointed it out. So I’m back trying to adjust meds. Doc prescribed (oh I can’t think of the name) but it’s a mood stabilizer usually for bi-polar. I’m unipolar. Effexor worked for me after 2 years of trial and error meds. Everyone in my family of origin has depressive issues. Oh, the new med I’m taking with Effexor has to be taken at a low dosage and increased weekly until I get to 100 mg then go back to see him. I just went to 75 mg yesterday. So far I’m not noticing anything.
I feel badly for you owith those problems,. I had no problem adjusting to the Effexor and it worked very well. Then had to switch because of the cost.
Please insist that your doc do a complete blood panel, focusing on the endocrine system – thyroid and cortisol levels.
I so agree with Italiana. In my experience as a therapist, I see many patients whose good-meaning doctors have put them on an anti-depressant without ever checking their adrenals, thyroid and sex-hormones. Often, all they need is Progesterone, very safe and with no side-effects IF IT IS NOT IN SYTHETIC FORM OR AS A BIRTH CONTROL PILL. As a Bio-Identical, Progesterone can alleviate depression, bitchiness, night sweats and even headaches. Please get your panels done. If your doctor doesn’t know what you mean, switch doctors fast!
CDPshine: I am a therapist who left the profession partly due to grave concerns about the cavalier attitudes toward antidepressants.
You actually make me happy to hear this! I rarely, if ever, refer my therapy clients for meds. There are always going to be people needing the containment for short periods of time, but the use of these “holding” drugs, I believe, is far overdone. Women get addicted and then have a difficult time getting off! There are other answers!
Good for you. Do you accept insurance payments at all? When I practiced, I found it impossible to comply with insurance requirements w/out sending patients for a med eval, especially if they only had 5-8 sessions. I couldn’t sustain revenue. And V-code diagnoses were out of the question.
it’s not true that bio-identical never has side-effects. Hormones and the endocrine system are very intricate and complicated and messing with them is an art form at the very least…
for my sensitive body supporting these systems so that they might do there best with food and diet and lifestyle is much safer and reasonable than adding hormones…
alternative medicine can be too agressive too and adding hormones when we can’t truly begin to understand the complexity of the endocrine system can be serious overkill not unlike taking psych meds…
it can take time, effort and discipline to learn how to deal with these systems…patience is key as its best to start with the most benign remedies and work ones was through options.
unfortunately all to often alternative medicine is practiced with the limited mindset of conventional medicine…
ok
Hi Giannak,
Thank you for your response.
It is never my intention to push an alternative idea without considerable research to back what I am saying. My understanding at this point is that bio-identicals are generally safe if they are not synthetic. I understand that progesterone is depleted in most women (of course, I haven’t seen tests on most women, so that is a generality). I also understand that natural progesterone is best when pre and post tests are done (something most doctors do not order), and when balanced with estrogen.
I know working with hormones is a very tricky proposition. It’s why I’ve only read for 15 years without doing anything. I’ve come to believe that women need their cortisol levels checked first, and their thyroid glands need to be balance and they need to do at least 6-month checks to make certain they are not reaching toxic range. There is a lot to consider.
Diet is essential. Eliminating sugars and undo fats, bringing the weight within “normal” range, exercising and having a strong spiritual life play into all aspects of one’s health. We are responsible for taking care of our whole person, not just for popping pills to make the problems go away. It’s a life-long endeavor.
So if I sounded cavalier, forgive me. It was not my intention. I give my opinions with extreme caution. One product, one way, is never right for everyone. That I know for sure, and that may be all I know for sure.
I work for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I am a research study coordinator in the psychiarty department and I can tell you, until recently, prescribing antidepressants is like rolling dice. However, the study which I’m involved in uses genetic testing to help determine which antidepressants can work better. It looks at the cytochrome P450 enzymes. These are a grop of proteins responsibel for metabolizing certian mediations Thea cytochrome P450 2C19 )CYP2C19) enzymes re responsible for metablizing approximately 1 -2 percent of medicatons. Some peple have abnormal fuctioning of These enzymes and therefore have either no response or have huge side affects because they either metabolize too slowly or too fast. The antidepressant medications metabolized by CYP2C19 are amitriptyline (Elivl or Enovil) citalopram (Celexa), Clomipramine (Afnafranil) escitalopram (Lexapro) imipramine (Tofranil) as well as other medications such as diazepam (Valium, Diastat) prgesterone (Prometrium, Crinone, Prochieve) I could go on and on but ask your doctor about a Cytachrome 450 genomic test. If you can get into a study that might be conducted in your area, the testing could be done for free. We use Gensite RX as our genetic testing company and they are providing the testing for this study. There was a recent article in Time (?) magazine a few weeks ago that will explain it better than I can. There are four genes we are looking at that really affect the way people respond to antidepressant medications. Here at Mayo, about 1/2 of the patients in psychiarty dpartment get this test, especially those who have a history of adverse side affects or no response to medications.
sorry about the typos…I was responding to his quickly on my break! P450 includes four other genes, not just the CYP2C19.
I am very interested in this study. How can I find out if there’s one being conducted in my area?
As a study coordinator, I can’t “recruit” from this website. I’d look into the comapny that is working with us to find out. go to Assurerx.com and see if you can find a study in your area. I know you need to be followed by a doctor working with this study.
thank you.
Its heartening to read that there is research being done to try to match appropriate anti depressants to depression sufferers. My Uncle eventually committed suicide because they were never able to find one to help his condition. It was just heart breaking watching that scenario.
Thankyou for this update MNMom. this is indeed heartening information and gives hope that one day the most effective anti depressant for any one person, will be instantly available. Depression is so debilitating on all family members
I have had chronic depression. My Doctor has tried me on every anti-depressant & even with boosters to help them work better. Then I had seizures as a side effect of the anti-depressants so now he’s very hesitant to try me on anything except anti-convulsants which apparently do work for some people with depression. Does anyone have any suggestions?
1 am extremely depressed at times. I have been through the volitale mix of anti depressants and my body hates them. After the fifth one I realized I cannot take them. I also had an anxiety med and went on line to read about withdrawal and what it does to my body in the meantime. I have spent a little over a month withdrawing from this–on my own, not by any doctors order. I am in control of MY body. I feel 100% better and realize that some of my “spacey” feelings were because I was so dependant on the meds. Now I have started my own program of going on SamE. Does it work? Is it in my head? What difference does it make? The studies on anti depressants vs. placebo came out even, or the placebo a little better. It is what your mind wants to believe. I also take some B-12 drops and a bunch of vitamins. Will I ever be the happy carefree person I was in my 20′s. No, I am 68 and have no illusions about Joy anymore, but at least I can function.
Find another doctor. Get a full panel of blood work. Start learning about mindfulness practice.
Tierra….I have tried Wellbutrin, Lexapro, over 15 yrs. off and on and stopped. They all seem to help at first, then I see no real difference, so for me….I read and learn what else might be causing these depressed feelings. Not wanting to get up…life is too sad….there are no solutions….poverty and disease are raging…..and they are….but I also am learning to focus on the positives…make lists of what I am grateful for…smell the roses, sit by the river and watch the sunrise….nature is so healing…sunlight on the face 20 mins a day is my favorite mood booster…eating lots of fruit and veggies, lots of walking outside, turn off the tv news, be around kiddos and laughter, watch the ocean, read in the sun, and a coworker told me that artificial sweetners cause her depression, so I ended those, and am amazed at how much cheerier I am now !! For me, it is a combination of choices that make my world brighter…..I used to wake up wanting to cry. I’m 60, getting fit, got some lbs to lose, no romance right now, but learning to love me and put in the effort to get emotionally and spiritually fit. It is these little things that add up to one great big thanks for another day to enjoy. Gratitude erases the ‘poor me’s’ and light erases darkness….there is much that is free to enjoy and take in and embrace, and I try to focus on those now instead of what I do not have.
Good suggestions! I already have been doing the walks & some of the nature stuff but I’ll expand it. I guess I believe in the meds cuz 20 yrs ago, I fought acute depression for over a year & finally found a fantastic doctor who admitted me & 3 wks later I felt like a new person! I went on to have a very successful career but 10 yrs ago it hit again & this time my former dr. is retired & I can no longer work. It gets REALLY frustrating feeling this way, making your family life dysfunctional, when you really don’t want to.
Tierra…..I believe we all have times in life when things change and do not work the same. There is very little sunshine where I live (Maine) for much of the year, so I invested in the seasonal affective disorder lamp http://www.sunbox.com and if I use it 20 mins a day, or get real sunshine in my face and eyes 20 mins a day I do see improvement in my mood. I seek out answers to my sadness and discovered that asking God to show me really works….he reveals things I just did not see before. Chemicals in our bodies change over the years and you may be lacking something that can be solved easily with a few tests and treatment.
Weezy, I love what you’ve shared here. I’ve been a lifer, and at times meds have worked miracles. I am almost 56, and they just don’t seem to pack the same wallop any more. And then there are the side effects. I have joined a gym, which helps immensely, at least in the short term. But like you, I’m trying to cultivate ways to focus on the positive, control my thought life – immensely important! and do things that truly feed my soul. Like you, I choose to turn off the news. It’s so utterly depressing and only detracts from my quality of life, since I know that poverty, war, injustice rages. It is the human condition, but not something I need to be reminded of. I’m a PA that works with chronically ill and dying pts. I don’t need any more “reality” in my life. I need and try to focus on what is good and redemptive in life. Sometimes it’s such a challenge, but you’ve reinspired me.
A couple of suggested resources for people struggling with depression/anxiety:
1. Jon Kabbat-Zinn has a book on the mindfulness way through depression
2. There is a book calling Feeling Good by David Burns that contains some very helpful perspectives and tools.
3. There’s an organization called Recovery International for people struggling with depression and/or anxiety that holds weekly support group meetings that advocate principles developed by the late Dr. Abraham Lowe who was ahead of his time in the whole cognitive behavioral approach. Lots of great tools, and a very positively focused support group.
It’s a day-at-a-time approach for me that takes constant vigilance over my mind and actions. I wish I didn’t have to struggle with this, but I realize everyone has their demons and their crosses to bear in life. This just seems like one that permeates everything in my life, but it helps to hear from others who struggle with the same.
Thank you for the info you posted. I wrote them down and going to check them out.
Get a new doctor. Learn about mindfulness/meditation.
Did he give you a hormone panel to determine if your progesterone and/or testosterone are low? You may need bio-identicals!
Have your doctor give you a hormone panel to test for deficiences. If she/he balks, go to another. If deficient in Progesterone, you may have depression, mood swings, irritability, etc… Then go on bio-identicals. See dr. Dan Purser in Utah and read his books — his product is pure. Helped me see again!
I keep thinking this is part of my problem. I have to remember this….HORMONE PANEL TESTING!!!
I have been on & off anti-depressants for many years. Chronic anxiety & depression. You name the anti-depressant, I have at one time, often a very short time, tried it. I usually know within 5 days if I can tolerate the med. Now I am on a ‘cocktail’….of Pristiq, Lamotrigine & Lyrica. I know…that probably overwhelms you. I have a Psychiatrist who has trained all over the world. He has been involved on many drug trials. It has taken years to find meds that will help with my depression, anxiety & fibromyalgia. At times we change the doses. Just depends on how I am coping.
I sleep well, anxiety usually under control, only struggle with depression if there is a situation in my life that is causing me some distress. Otherwise I live a ‘normal’ life….but do suffer from brain fog & hot flashes. I am in menopause & finding that just a picnic….NO !
I live in Canada so perhaps the names of the meds are unfamiliar, but you can find them on the Mayo Clinic site.
Thanks for the info. I’m from Canada too so I’ll ask my doctor about those meds. You reach the point where you’ll give any med a shot cuz it could be the one(s) that work.
I’m on one of those 3 now. Thanks for the info; I’ll check it out.
Hope it helps Tierra !
Good luck !
I am from Ontario, I have often wondered if there were many Canadians here. Glad to meet you !
Please be aware that there are non-drug therapies for depression, anxiety, rage. First of all, take a look at your life circumstances. In 19 years as a therapist I never met a single client whose depression/anxiety wasn’t a signal of something wrong in their lives, i.e., marital issues, job dissatisfaction, unresolved trauma. Mindfulness training and meditation has proven successful in alleviating symptoms in numerous studies. Too many people are on too many pills that numb them to their life circumstances. Antidepressants were meant to be a temporary support while people made necessary life changes.
I completely disagree with your description that anitdepressants “numb them to their life circumstances”. This may be true in some cases, with some medications, but certainly not all. For myself, I felt numb UNTIL I started on antidepressants. I was not able to utlize therapy and begin to sort out my feelings until the medication. I wish it were not the case but it this is a fact of life for me. For a time I went off the medications but the numbing feeling came back. It’s hard to describe but it is like living in the center of a tornado, and all you can do is crouch down and try to survive (or not).
Of course therapy is useful and recommended, and or course we all have present or past life circumstances that cause or contribute to deprssion. Many of us have other chronic illnesses that contribute to depression. The important thing is for each of us to be as knowledgeable as possible about ourselves and the options available & make informed decisions. I am speaking as someone who has been a therapist also.
It’s not an either/or, EllaMae. What I am addressing here is how many people are prescribed antidepressants by their GPs, have little to no therapy, don’t make any life changes, etc. The focus becomes why a medication isn’t working rather than looking at the situation holistically. And yes, too frequently folks then become numbed to life circumstances that are exacerbating the depression/anxiety, etc.
I agree with your disagree! I never felt clear headed or peace of mind until I found a medication to work. Now that it’s not doing its job…I’m scrambling to find an adjunct. Depression runs deep in my family as does abuse and other issues. So between situational crap and defective brain chemistry, I’ll take the meds please! I’ve said I’d rather live one day with peace of mind than the next 30 years with this hideous depression. And I’ve also been in and out of therapy….for years!
I was posting and realised I already responded a few days ago….Oldtimers!
Totally understandable! Oh yeah, depression & other things, like addiction, run in my family also.
I agree with you completely, EllaMae. It wasn’t until I started taking antidpressants that I was finally able to possess the wherewithall (is that one word?) to deal with my issues. As I said previously, they just don’t work for me the way they used to as I’ve aged. Twenty years ago Prozac saved my life and made me know what “normal” felt like. Nothing seems to do the same anymore, and so I am left to work hard at trying to change the way my mind works through meditation, conscious awareness, etc. I lead a very healthy lifestyle as far as diet and exercise, but that doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve started using holosync. I’ll keep you posted on whether or not it delivers what it promises. I’m desperate to feel well again!
I believe that there are people that have chronic depression, that may need to be on anti depressants forever. I also believe that situational depression can effectively be treated with therapy & anti depressants, but for short term treatment only.
I also think that therapy isn’t a fix all for a many people, simply because the person seeking treatment has to WANT to get better, and APPLY what they learn in therapy in order for therapy to be effective. Many go to therapy simply to use the 50 minutes as a *bitch session* which we all know, ain’t gonna work in the real world.
I think that generalizing about people/anti depressants is not a wise thing to do, period. People are different, situations are different, and the reasons that someone has depression can differ from person to person…..
Well said. I too have experience with therapy. Also with self-help, co-counselling, and life issues I have worked on for years. With positive results in most areas I tackled. Yet, I do need the benefit of Celexa in my everyday life. I cope better, feel more balanced. I wish I had been able to raise my daughter with the benefit of a workable anti-depressant. She is remarkable, yet I might have been better as a mother if I hadn’t felt so low so much of the time. I’m happy for the young people of today’s world who at least have the possibility of help.
I wish I had been on antidepressants when I was raising my daughter. I didn’t even know I was depressed, because people just were not aware of it. As my daughter is now an adult and an practicing pediatrician, we have discussed how much better thing would be between us now if I hadn’t been suffering from dysthymia (low grade depression). I wasn’t diagnosed with major depression until my daughter was in high school. My daughter is a pediatrician and says she sees many moms that appear depressed and the children have a hard time forming attachments with their mothers. Don’t get me wrong, my daughter loves me, but we just don’t have the type of relationship I had with my mom or that I formed with a step-son. She remarked “You are a better mom to him than me – I guess it’s because you are being treated for depression and can have fun now. Before, you didn’t want to join in with me and dad” Needless to say, my daughter is very close to her dad; even more so since we divorced. My step son will be a senior in high school. and even though his dad and I are no longer together he keeps in contact with me more than my daughter does. I’m talking a very busy teenager here! So getting help, both talk therapy and drug therapy is so important. I want to share a website that may be helpful for those of you with depression.
http://www.dbsalliance.org
It has lots of self-help tools like journals, path to wellness, wellness tracker, etc. I also have ADHD and even though this site is for depression and bi-polar disorder (mood disorders) having the tools helps me stay on course with tracking my moods and helping me find out if sleep, certian foods, life situations, etc. affect my depression. I am learning more about myself. It’s all about mind, sprit and body connections.
http://www.dbsalliance.org
Again, it’s not either/or. Please read all my posts and replies on this subject.
Hi Italiana,
I get and support what you’re saying. I also know depression is incredibly complex and fraught with a lot of judgments that can make these conversations touchy.
Bottom line for me is a wish for women to be empowered and knowledgeable so they can make the right selection(s) from a range of well-informed choices.
About 10 years ago I experienced serious, cumulative work stress that triggered generalized anxiety and the beginnings of an ulcer. I went to see my doctor and shared with him my circumstances, the reading/research I’d been doing on how to turn things around – including my plan for a leave of absence, dietary changes and increased exercise, and counselling.
I expected him to applaud and support my plan, BUT he just looked at me for a while and then finally said (this is a verbatim quote): “It all sounds like a lot of work when you could just take a pill.” What dreadful medical advice!
I ran from his office, followed my own plan and got better. But I often wonder about how many women comply and just take the pills their doctors can mindlessly push.
I know some people need the meds and truly benefit, but the meds are not usually thoughtfully prescribed, nor is a thorough-enough assessment done.
From GiannaK’s “Beyond Meds” Blog:
http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/
Anthropologist Helen Fisher has looked at how antidepressants effect romantic love, falling in love and most importantly ongoing attachment. The conclusion being that the love response and the human instinct for attachment does go awry.
http://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/10069/
as a social worker who worked in mental health for 15 years and as someone who has taken these drugs I concur.
I don’t have any issue with people making informed choices about these drugs but all to often the choice is not informed.
wow, I hadnt thought about the effect that these tablets can have on attitudes to love attachment etc. I have been on zoloft for many years now. I can tell when they begin to wear off. I get teary and irrational, irritable, angry and I dont want to live. When Im on them I feel normal and can do everything required of me in life. Without them I could not function. They have been my saviours. It took years to find the right one. Many made my symptoms worse, with feelings of spaciness and feeling totally out of control. Some gave me a dry mouth and some, like tofranil were just down right dangerous. They finally caused total constipation!! AND they were the variety that if you took the whole bottle you’d die!! That’s dangerous for someone feeling depressed!Without these little white happy pills Id be history.
I don’t know. I have had so many serious reactions to anti-depressants. As I posted earlier I am on 3 major medications right now. My estrogen & progesterone are extremely low. I have had a total hysterectomy including ovaries. Estrogen has always been a problem for docs to regulate & I have had many types of estrogen therapy including bio-identical. I am hypothyroid. I have worked with homeopath, naturapath & psychiatrist. I am extremely afraid of going off my meds totally. It has taken so much ‘trial & error’ to find meds that help. My doctor is working towards decreasing meds by adding another with more to offer. I am so very confused with these posts. Please understand, I am like all of those women who would rather not be on meds & these posts have been very helpful.
I do yoga, walk, eat well, etc. with these meds. But I too would just like to know what life is like without medication.
Good for you. Maggs. The first step is wondering about life without medication. It’s best to take a prudent course of action — but taking action is needed. Psychiatrists, with few exceptions, have overwhelmingly become pill-pushers, rather than looking at the big picture. The chemical imbalance theory is just that — a theory — and it has been presented as fact for the past 20 years, to the extent that any so-called “negative” feeling has become pathologized. The fact is, life is hard. Many of us go through horrible things; however, there is great joy in life as well.
If you choose to reduce the psych medications, look into mindfulness meditation to handle issues with anxiety and grief. I wholeheartedly recommend psychologist Tara Brach’s book “Radical Acceptance” as a place to start. She also has a website where her lectures (dharma talks) and guided meditations are available without charge: http://www.tarabrach.com Also, if you haven’t already, please see an endocrinologist. They specialize in hormone/thyroid/endocrine issues. If you don’t like one, see another.
Thank you Italiana. I am off to a good start.
LIfe without medication. I just spent a month and a half reducing my anxiety/panic medfication down to zero. Today, for the first time in almost two years I feel like a real person. I have found in the past the meds are the cause, not the solution. This is just me. No one has to believe this, or pay any attention. But, weaning off has made me my own person again.
yes, I feel whole again only after coming off meds too. People should know, though, that coming off psych drugs is potentially hugely problematic and at worst dangerous if not done slowly and carefully.
There is a huge spectrum of experience in withdrawal but the potential for withdrawal syndromes exist with every psych med…
the two worst are most likely antidepressants and benzodiazepines but all of them can and often do create problems during the withdrawal…
and not everyone is struck with these issues…
these issues are often mistaken as the “disease” coming back. While some people do indeed have to deal with issues that predated drug treatment when coming off meds often it’s the withdrawal itself that creates chaos. Well intentioned docs often do not recognize this phenomena and encourage folks to stay on the meds and often to add additional meds. Sometime washout and recovery can take a couple of years and so it takes patience.
I had a rough ride having been on meds for 20 plus years, but the fact that I am in touch with my passions and see life clearly again has been well worth it.
So glad you too are free and loving it MaryLorraine.
Mags – Sounds I like could have written this. I do all those things also, yoga, exercise, trying to be grateful. Some folks have bouts of depression…a few days or weeks, maybe even months. But when you’re talking years….year after year. I never felt so clear headed and just ok as when my meds worked for me. And those of us who are fighting situational demons. especially those from childhood have a double whammy.
Yes my depression & anxiety have been chronic with the fibromyalgia added. But I do agree that I do not feel clear headed. I suffer from a brain fog I call it…I do blame all the meds on this. I feel numb. I would like some joy in my life & I believe I may be able to achieve that without the meds.
Now that is a giant leap. A goal I will work towards, my guess is that it will take a year. Exercise & yoga have been a lifesaver, but I easily fall back into depression. My anxiety is very hard to contain. I feel so overwhelmed most of the time. I have been so inspired by the post on this issue. Between my psychiatrist & myself we had already started the eliminating of meds slowly. His concern is taking my anti-anxiety med away because it will be in my entire body, likely to cause serious side effects to the chronic pain I have.
I have been thru withdrawal from meds before & survived. But the affect on my family has been difficult. I am determined to try. I do have to be honest & explain that my network of alternative caregivers are cautious about this decision. We will all have to be on the same page. We can do that !
As a Social Worker I have read all the books mentioned, completed Mindfullness Training etc. I just need to get to a place where I am looking after ME. Thank you all for your input.
Have you considered how much your profession is exacerbating your symptoms? What is the acuity of your clients? Do you have job-related trauma?
yes Italiana. Thats a great point. And slightly laterally from that, in my case, I could not hold down my job and go through withdrawal from the drug. I would have to wait until retirement to try because I cant afford not to work. How I would love to be in a financial position to take a holiday and try. I suspect that may be the case for many of us.
I’m sorry to hear that Dianna. It’s a horrid Catch 22. Godspeed.
BTW, Dianna — There are other related professions out there. No job is worth killing yourself over.
Mags…
benzos (if that is the anti-anxiety drug you’re on) can cause what appears to be fibro and CFS…I’m not saying you don’t have those things but the meds could be compounding it…
It’s can be pretty horrifying to learn that what we’re taking to help us is actually making us worse…
I’ve gone through it and it’s no fun…
I’ve compiled a list of info on benzos that speak to these issues.
Benzodiazepine Information
Most psychiatrists are not aware of these problems. I’m a social worker too…I think that finding this stuff out is even harder for those of us who have been part of the system..
was for me anyway…
Hi, thanks for the info on benzos…I am going to check your info right away. All the info I can get regarding the process will make it an educated decision. I am a retired Social Worker so I have the time I may need for this transition to a better life !
I just checked your site and really had my eyes opened. I am on (ready?) clonazepam, lamotrigine, pristiq, lyrica, immovane, estrace, eltroxin. Wow…what a cocktial. I have recently taken one less med of clonazepam, lamotringe, & immovane. So I am on my way. No wonder I am numb. I am retired & concerned what my life will be like as I go thru the process of this transition. I am determined, I may need support, but I will work towards my goal. Thank you for enlightening me !
best to you Mags…
I started out on a cocktail that had lots of similarities to yours. I’m ill as a result of the withdrawal, but I have no regrets…
I have many guides who help me through this and the other side, once no longer physically ill promises great things. I already have my passion and joie de vivre back even if I’m not always able to do what I want because of the physical disability…