Advice for supporting myself when coming off meds?

[Sphinx]

Hey everyone,

I've had long term depression (with very mild anxiety) for about 14 years now. I only started medication about 2 years ago, during my third pregnancy (it was one of those situations where it was better to be on it than off it). I also started therapy with a psychologist around the same time, however found it completely pointless because all she was interested in doing was hearing about my current issues and giving me household tricks on making things easier (not such a bad thing but we never got to the root of my issues and I never learnt any coping strategies). So right now I'm currently on medication and not seeing anyone, but have just started an online CBT course.

I desperately want to come off medication because it's recently dawned on me that the way I feel every day (lethargic, can't concentrate, 30kg weight gain in two years, dizziness, headaches etc) is likely due to the medication because it's the one variable that has not changed in two years. My GP is happy for me to reduce the dosage and see how I feel but last time I tried, I became very despondent and depressed, unable to find motivation to do anything.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on how I can help reduce the withdrawal side effects and help support myself mentally as I come off my medication? Obviously I'd love to be off medication completely but I am aware I may not be ready for that yet and will need to try a different one. But in the mean time, any tips or advice is welcome!

Thanks (and apologies if this was posted in the wrong place!)

[White_Rose]

Dear Sphinx

Welcome to the forum and thanks for talking about medication. Your post is fine in this section.

I have taken AD for many years on and off. Some simply did not work for me, the minority, and some had quite bad side effects, majority. One of my work colleagues was taking the same AD as me but with no problem while I though I was going nuts. So no one pill fits all. Did you ask your GP if the effects you were experiencing were listed as possible side effects?

In the end I went off AD vowing I would never take another. I have a rather nice GP who asked me to try another AD. She started me on a very low dose because of my history and gradually increased it. It worked and had no side effects except one very minor effect. Up until then I had been prescribed SSRI meds, but my current AD comes from the original group of AD called Tricyclic AD. I think they, the group, got a bit of bad press and seem to have fallen out of favour. Cannot really say much as I am not a doctor. They are great for me and help me to keep my life in balance.

I wanted to tell you that because what you take is important. While the AD in general do the same job there is a difference between each one. Often it is a matter of trial to find which one best suits you.

I found when I stopped taking my previous AD I felt OK for a while. None of the symptoms that indicated I needed meds and I though I was home and hosed. It did take several months for the old stuff to come back and for the side effects to disappear. I know the drug is supposed to leave the body within a couple of days, and probably does. I think the brain has become used to whatever AD you have been using and continues to operate on automatic pilot. At any rate it became obvious things were not going right and I started my current medication.

I have dumped a whole pile of information on you and I hope it makes sense to you and you feel it is relevant. Go ahead with weaning off the AD in the way your GP advises and I suggest you make notes on the difference. Probably not much to start with but as you progress you will find a difference in the way your body manages.

If you believe the AD affects you while you are taking it and you also get withdrawal effects, please take care of yourself. lethargic, can't concentrate, 30kg weight gain in two years, dizziness, headaches etc. can be difficult especially when you are caring for small children. Keep your GP informed of your progress.

You asked for tips, no space left.

Mary

[geoff]

hello Sphinx, this is a question that keeps on arising, and that's good when you think about it because it needs to be spoken about all the time.
I take a SSRI and a Tricyclic AD and fall into the group where I have to take them, but I understand how you feel and what join in what Mary has said.
Once you start easing off them your doctor could prescribe something to help you with any withdrawals, but it would only be for a short time.
I think what you have to realise is to keep talking to yourself that you need to come off them and any thoughts that may swing into the direction of being negative are only temporary, you have to wait until they are totally out of your system before a decision can be made on what you are going to do.
Just realise and accept that it's not going to be easy one way or the other, but get yourself into a routine and do enjoyable things, but don't force yourself. Geoff.