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Kicking the Antidepressants
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By *arcosa OP Man
over a year ago
London |
I've been taking antidepressants for many years now. I've come to a point now where I feel I can do without them. So, as of yesterday, and with the advice of my GP, I'm slowly weaning myself off of them. Has anyone else gone through this process? What should I expect? My doctor gave me an idea but I think you would need to experience it first hand to really know. |
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When I came off them, I reduced the dose much slower than recommended at the end - I was taking half a tablet a day for ages.
Take your time, don’t be spooked if it feels a bit bumpy, judge progress over a week rather than a day and good luck with it  |
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By *ean counterMan
over a year ago
Market Harborough/ Kettering |
Don't do what I did and try and stop them dead ! My head was throbbing with ringing in my ears. Was the wierdest experience ever! Had to start taking them again and then slowly reduce the dose over a couple of weeks. That was back in January and not had any since so all good now  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My doctor told me to come off sertraline cold turkey. Worst month ever!
I felt incredibly spacey and had constant zaps in my head that felt like I was being electrocuted. |
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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago
South Wales |
I came off Citalopram cold turkey, unintentionally, because I ran out whilst on holiday and just never bothered going back to my then Dr’s for more.
I would not recommend that, I became shaky, distracted and jittery and it was awful.
Wean yourself off slowly, as per your Dr’s advice. |
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I have no personal experience of withdrawing from anti-depressants, but I have with my son who is on Cytalopram.
He (unbeknown to me) decided to stop taking his medication, because he felt he didn’t need them anymore - and just stopped ! NOT something you should do - he crashed very quickly!!
He is now ‘back on’ them and stable, thankfully.
My recommendation is withdraw …. If this is agreed with your GP, but do so very very gradually - there is no rush here.
R xx |
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By *TK421-Man
over a year ago
Cheltenham |
I came off sertraline during the first lockdown. There will never be an ideal time to come off.
Just listen to your body, yourself and those around you.
Take it easy. This will pass.
All the best |
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By *eaSlutsCouple
over a year ago
Glasgow |
It's brilliant to hear you feel you will be able to come off your antidepressants. It's not always the easiest decision to make so good on you.
For what things to expect, it really depends on what medication you were taking.
There are some pretty general withdrawal effects from all antidepressants but some are much, much harder to come off of than others. One called Venlafaxine is particularly challenging to stop as it needs to be done very slowly to avoid some rather severe withdrawal effects. If your practice has a pharmacist in there, they are a good person to chat to if possible as they will know what reduction plans are best for each medication.
At the end of the day though, the key is to take it at your own pace and don't feel pressured to reduce if you don't feel like it. You are the person who knows your mental health the best Regularly updating your GP on how your getting on after any reduction is a very good idea too as this isn't always done. It'll allow the GP to tailor your reductions at a rate which will help you in the best way possible.
Good luck with what's to come mate!
C x  |
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Think about getting some blood tests to check your vitamin levels, folate, B12, D.
Taking supplements can really help your mental and physical health.
I was misdiagnosed for years, took antidepressants that never really helped. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Came of stets last 2 weeks, cause I was on holiday n couldn't be arsed with docs notes n taken them through customs, its not so nice if it wasn't for fact I'm away and distracted would have been worse, but have found bad sickness sweats no sleep restless bad crazy ass dreams and a few times thought about hitting the drink hard just out of numbing it all. From previous experience follow docs advice and keep them updated. I took fluxotine a few years back n came of them cold and had a full breakdown. My strets are for PTSD and anxiety now so think that's why cold on thems been okay this time.. |
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By *arcosa OP Man
over a year ago
London |
I'd like to thank you all for the advice. The kind words and wishes are very welcome. I really do appreciate them. It's Venlafaxine I'm actually coming off of and yes, I've heard it can be heavy going, but I'm determined to see it through.
The reason I'm kicking them came down to some simple questions. How much of what makes me the person I currently am comes from tablets? What's still there underneath the chemicals? Will I be a better person without them?
What is most positive here is that even the people who quit them cold turkey came out the other side unscathed. I take strength from that
Thanks again everyone. Stay fabulous. |
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"Think about getting some blood tests to check your vitamin levels, folate, B12, D.
Taking supplements can really help your mental and physical health.
I was misdiagnosed for years, took antidepressants that never really helped."
Snap, my vit d levels had tanked and so had my foliate, a high dose course of them later and I felt a million times better
Tg x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I would recommend taking drs advice. As I was on highest dosage when I was on them. I was on them for years as well.
I would advise doing it carefully as possible. You may have strong emotions when coming off them. I was extremely suicidal coming off fully. Had to dispose of the excess so I didn't do anything drastic.
Later I've found out my mental health issues are more caused by my parathyroid. Wish I'd known sooner.
If you want to message me about coming off meds or any mental health stuff dude you've got an ear here. Great that your at point to come off them. |
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"I'd like to thank you all for the advice. The kind words and wishes are very welcome. I really do appreciate them. It's Venlafaxine I'm actually coming off of and yes, I've heard it can be heavy going, but I'm determined to see it through.
The reason I'm kicking them came down to some simple questions. How much of what makes me the person I currently am comes from tablets? What's still there underneath the chemicals? Will I be a better person without them?
What is most positive here is that even the people who quit them cold turkey came out the other side unscathed. I take strength from that
Thanks again everyone. Stay fabulous."
All the best to you with it.
You're probably aware that the withdrawal from venlafaxine is gnarly. Be very careful with it |
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By *yron69Man
over a year ago
Fareham |
I did this 20 years back. Maybe 30? My mind is scrambled.
You well need another crutch. A believe. An approach. It won't be the same but that's not necessarily a bad thing. An innocence lost. Experience gained.. |
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