Discontinuation Withdrawals - I just need to chat

[Josh112]

So since about September last year I started on antidepressant medication. Was starting to feel relatively well and the side effect of weight gain from the drug made me decide I wanted to move away from it and try to live 'sober' again. So my psychiatrist agreed and we made a plan to taper.
I believe I tapered much much too fast.
I went from feeling fine to then starting to feel anxiety creeping in again over the course of the week. Random crying spells, intrusive thoughts and general badness.
Day 7 since stopping medication. Started to feel very anxious. Appetite shot to bits.
Day 8 anxious again, little sleep. Not a lot of food.
Day 9 very anxious and a pretty average sleep again. Had to take sleeping medication to take the edge off. It worked well and I actually was able to eat dinner.
Day 10 was much the same's built up to the point where during the day I'm so sweaty, anxious and out of my mind that I avoid going out and shower a few times a day and become reduced to tears by the consistent anxiousness.
Today(Day 11)
Seemed like a relatively good start to the day, didn't cry too much or feel too out of place. Was feeling a bit numb in the head, sweaty and not great. Went to lunch, started to go downhill after that. I managed to eat some sushi and some food during the day, struggled to keep it down. Anxiety grew more intense throughout the afternoon and I took sleeping medication to see if that would help.
Not the greatest at the moment, some friends and my girlfriend are going out to dinner and I'm not in any shape to be considered good company.
Just gonna stay home and watch the footy (thank god its back on).

I am wondering if anyone has had similar experience with Antidepressant Discontinuation withdrawals. I'm at day 11 now since stopping the medication and it's absolutely hell on earth. I am determined to try and ride this out in the hopes of it becoming better soon.
Family members (Sister and Father) think I should just return to a very low dosage to help me sleep and hopefully curb some of the symptoms.

[Croix]

Dear Josh112~

you sound as if oyu are doing things sensibly and htat are undergoing the sort of hassles many -myself included -have.

Everyone is different and react to medication in different ways. On the plus side you had one that seemed to do it's job, though with an problem side effect. Also you reduced under supervision. I wonder have you gone back or rang up and said exactly how hard things are for you now. 11 days is not all that long in the scheme of things but maybe you do need the dosage rate altered. Having sleeping meds too may make the whole procedure more of an unknown quantity.

I'd stress if you become really unwell or start to have suicidal thoughts not to wait, get help immediately.

Please let us know how you are going

Croix

[geoff]

Hi Josh112, welcome to the site.

If I miss a day taking my AD's I feel the heavy weight of depression coming back, so with regard to your circumstances, I would consider the thought of whether you want to feel much better, able to sleep and the crying to stop compared to being the complete opposite.

I realise that they are making you put on weight, so is there any way you can exercise, such as go swimming, join the gym or another way.

To join your friends and be with your girlfriend is better than being alone, even to watch the footy and what will happen if your team loses how will you be?

I am not qualified to say, but from my own experience I know that I would much prefer to be feeling much better, because being off your medication doesn't mean you're going to lose weight.

Have a chat with your doctor and please get back to us.

Geoff.

[SpookyScooter]

Hey Josh,

It takes about 3 weeks to start feeling better. What you’re describing are typical discontinuation symptoms.

I’m week 4 coming off antidepressants and my anxiety is increasing. I’m using soothing strategies to redirect my focus away from how I’m feeling.

Have you got any strategies to help with how you’re feeling? Reading, bath, mindfulness, a walk etc?