Stopping SSRI's

[Melb1972]

I first had symptoms of depression in my late teens, with it peaking in my late twenties, fifteen years later I decided to do something when my son asked me why 'does mum make you so sad?'. Went to my GP and was prescribed meds which I proceeded to take for the next 4 years. It was messy to start but after that it seemed to lift my base level so didn't feel so low, immediately noticed some side effects, such as foginess but happy to concede that for the upside.

I noticed throughout my life I have worked hard (knowingly and unknowingly) against my depression, I exercise regularly, take beneficial supplements, eat well, get lots of rest and avoid alcohol and 'bad' situations when I am on the skids.

Only a few people know about my depression, my wife, my doctor and a friend of mine who suffers from mental health issues as well. I tend not to tell my wife too much, for all her good qualities she tends to use it against me and is not really understanding of it.

About 9 weeks ago I hit a bad patch, I was having headaches (strange pressure in my head) and a lot of aching in my joints (common), it was the longest sustained bought of depression I have had. I went to the Doctor he decided to change my medication, I started taking it and it sent me to an even darker place, after 2 weeks I'd had enough, I was so spent, so self loathing, ready to end it. I decided, against my Dr's wishes, to stop cold turkey as I felt I had nothing to lose. I tried to discuss the inflammation which I felt could be related, it seemed to go hand in hand with the depression, he was uninterested, felt it was a symptom of the depression.

That was nearly 2 weeks ago, since then to say I have bounced back is an understatement. The headaches left almost within 3-4 days, my achy 47 yr old body that I have had 95% of the time over the last 4 years has disappeared (I used to get so angry, I'm not that old, I shouldn't feel this bad), I would hobble down the stairs in the morning now I bound. My thoughts and memory are so clear. I'm not the self hating zombie shuffling about using every bit of energy to get through till bedtime.

I believe it is not Psychological but I have a chemical imbalance in my body, inflammation being the first symptom followed by the depression/headaches.

I am glad to be off SSRIs and I am praying this is not going to be a short term thing.

Are their others who have had similar experiences? Am I just in a honeymoon period?

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

Obviously we are limited to what advice we can give when qualified professionals have your case in hand.

What I can say is that I did go through a period around 2012, 18 months after my bipolar diagnosis, following an argument with my then gf that I reduced my meds without approval. Only then did I realise I needed to take them lifelong as depression hit hard. So a few weeks later recommenced them to reach a reduced level with my Dr's supervision. Since then I haven't changed dosage at all. Cold turkey is really bad with medication for MI.

So my thoughts are, that there is the benefit meds give you, traded off, often by a tranquilizer effect. I'd suggest returning to your medical professional in view of returning to them perhaps on a reduced dosage or a different med. I'm afraid you'll suffer consequences for zero meds. Seeking a balance is preferable dont you think?

Even saying this is pushing boundaries as per our charter so we really need to treat medication delicately. Always consult your GP.

google

Beyondblue topic medication is a whirlpool

Beyondblue topic depression, a ship on the high seas

TonyWK

[Melb1972]

Thanks for the reply WK, I did get my GP to write a script so I could resume my meds if required but I am feeling so much better than I have for a long time I just can't put myself back on them unless I find it absolutely necessary. We did try higher dosages but it just made me a zombie, not a state I enjoy, rather feel something than nothing. To be honest my lows of the last few months was while I was on medication, and they were as bad or worse than anything I remember without medication. It may also be a coincidence that I improved vastly as soon as I stopped but I am struggling to believe there is no correlation.

I guess I have to remain objective and monitor myself as I progress over the next few weeks.

I guess everyone who suffers from Depression just want it to stop, I assume we all have unique situations that require a tailored solution. I'm happy to experiment to find mine, I just wish there was a way to classify symptoms, responses to treatments, etc... to help narrow down the vast possibilities there are.

[LD34]

I can relate in some way. I have been on medication for 6 years and I have been having a hard time to get off it, I went back to a higher dose everyday coz I fell into depression.
I saw a Phychiatrist few days ago and she suggested to switch meds , I felt like she just suggested that just to try and believes it will work better because my parents and sister are on it.

She wants me to come back in 2 weeks to see how I am going with the new med and if it doesnt work, we can try something else. I am not sure what to do, part of me wants to stay on the medication and go full dosage even though it opens up my appetite by a lot rather than go to a new medication, try something that might not work for me and then I have to suffer from withdrawl symptoms.