Long term use of antidepressants

[acacia]

Hi there

I am really interested in hearing about peoples' experiences with taking antidepressants for many years.

I took various medications non-stop for 17 years. I weaned off in October/November and I have to say the experience was not pleasant!

I cannot find any research on this - can you help?

Thanks

acaica

[Chris_B]

Hi acacia,

There is a condition known as 'discontinuation syndrome' that can occur when coming off antidepressants.  The chances of this happening are minimised when you wean off over an extended period, but some medications have a stronger discontinuation effect than others, plus everyone's bodies will react differently.

Did you do your tapering off in consultation with your doctor, and how are you feeling now?

[acacia]

Hi Christopher

Thanks for replying .

I was aware of "discontinuation syndrome" and certainly experienced it!

I was taking a medication where reducing the dose was hard due to the SR nature of the medication and the warnings of cutting the tablets to taper off. I cannot tell a lie - it was not a pleasant experience. In the end I went cold turkey without support - something I would not recommend - the benefit of hindsight! 

I am interested in what happens to the mind after taking various AD for long periods - aka 17 years. I would welcome any research people could point me towards.

I have been in contact with a psychiatrist and decided to give another medication a try. Very different to the ones I have been taking.

I discovered an online service which can give access to specialists like psychiatrists very quickly. I strongly recommend it. In away it saved me, as I was experiencing suicidal ideation. I know I can not mention it here, but I am happy to have a chat with Beyond Blue staff about it.

All the best to you all!

Cheers

acacia

[geoff]

dear Acacia, the problem we have is that by taking the same medication for a long period of time is that our body becomes accustomed to the level we are taking, so in effect, for us to get the same benefit this medication may have to be increased.

But with regard to the other way around, when I had to detox from one antidepressant to start another one, it's not a pleasant experience, and this maybe after only a short time.

Even though I was given another pill to help me in coming off it, it still make no difference, as this particular medicine is one that never has any effect with me, and it's the same pill as when I was detoxing from alcohol. Geoff.

[Andrew1972]

Coming off some meds I have been on for 20 years

AD I think should have only been taken for 5 years

Tapered to 50% for two weeks then off

Brain zaps mood swings tired hot cold good bad days insomnia

But my eczema is fading away and swollen lips going down 

So I am happy

Andrew

[geoff]

dear Andrew, I am pleased that these unfortunate side-effects are easing up, but please if and when there are times when you start to feel as though you are relapsing, such as crying etc then please contact your doctor.

There are so many different types of AD's on the market now, and I'm not saying that you will feel bad again, hopefully not, but please don't wait too long to see the doc. Geoff.