If so how long have you been taking them. I have been taking Zoloft for almost a year. I have stopped my treatment almost a month ago and my panic attacks have returned so I guess I had to start taking them again. How long have you taken them for before you stopped your treatment?
2006-09-07 00:37:03 · 18 answers · asked by Queen of Kings 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Samantha, that's a crap answer. If you had an anxiety disorder you wouldn't say that. You must be best friends with Tom Cruise.
Anyway, I've been on antidepressents since I was fifteen. When Lexapro came out, it was like a miracle. No more side effects, and it's extremely effective for my depression. I've tried going off meds a few times under doctor's supervision, and each time I returned to my original symptoms. I have depression and an anxiety disorder so I also take xanax. I wish that worked better. I use a lot of essential oils, mainly lavender and peppermint from Young Living that help a lot in conjunction with my meds.
Don't feel bad that you need medication. Think of it as a brain vitamin. It's an illness of the body, the same as a heart condition or diabetes. Just because it effects the brain doesn't make you crazy or a bad person. Resume your meds, and if the one you were taking wasn't a perfect fit, then try another until you find what works for you. This disease is treatable and managable.
Get well soon!
P.S.
What the other's are saying about discontinuation effects (withdrawal) are very real and should be monitered by your doctor so you come off slowly. The counseling is also important to maintaining your well being as any drug will not "fix" you, only allow you to cope with your life better. I don't believe the lady who said you need to feel to heal. If you've ever experienced depression you would know that you don't feel anything. It's all gray. Forever and ever. So my point is, drugs help, therapy helps, if you want to try stopping meds, then do so under doctor's direction.
2006-09-07 00:40:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First of all, check out Yahoo Groups for a support group for depression or even your specific med (Zoloft). Talking to other people who have gone through the same thing is helpful.
There are some good answers here, but every single person is different. Some people do have an organic mental illness that can only be treated with meds. Others benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. Most people, however, get the best results from a combination of the two.
Having said that, I was on Paxil for five years, and every time I tried to quit, panics and depression/anxiety returned. I went on Cymbalta two months ago (only because the long-term use of Paxil was causing joint pain) and I feel like a "normal" person for the first time in a long time. Prozac/Paxil/Zoloft seem to have a "sedating" effect for a lot of people, and for me, I didn't even know it until I was off.
LSS, there are a lot of new drugs out there that are doing wonders for people that are not in the Prozac family. Talk to your Dr.
2006-09-07 00:51:36 · answer #2 · answered by cindarcolvey 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was taking Alprax 0.5mg, Inderal40, Pactine, Serlift50, Syspride,
as per dosage prescribed by my neuro surgeon, for panic attacks, depression, anxiety, which came after severe bouts of jaundice.
The dose was tapered gradually, and now the prescription, after 5 long years, is just one tablet of Alprax 1mg daily.
Medication such as these have to be taken only under medical advice. These mind benders cause more havoc if taken across the counter. Please remember this. The doctor knows the best. Seeing the improvement, he will suggest what to take.
Abrupt stoppage will not have side effects for sometime, as the medecine already in the system will work.But once the medecine is exhausted from the system, the chances are you'll be worse than day one of the suffering.
2006-09-07 00:44:53 · answer #3 · answered by stoneman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I use SAM-e, a natural antidepressant, it really helps me so much, and has changed my life forever. I used to take Zoloft, but I felt more depressed sometimes, like I was forced to be happy, but now on SAM-e, I don't feel that way anymore. And this isn't a herm, or a hormone, it's just a molecule that all living cells produce, and it enhances the impact of mood-boosting messengers like serotonin and dopamine. It's all natural, clearly less toxic than prescription, and really has made me a different person in a completely positive way. I highly recommend it.
2016-03-27 01:19:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take anti-depressants. I have been on Zoloft for 8 years and Effexor XR for 2 years. My dosage is 150mg once a day with the Zoloft and 75mg of Effexor once a day, both taken at night.
I tried getting off my meds several times over the years and I have come to the realization that I suffer from a chemical imbalance in my brain that makes it impossible to get off the meds. Bummer yes, being able to function without the panic attacks, major obessive compulsiveness and whatnot, is what makes me to take them. I work in the healthcare profession as a nurse and I have watched people struggle with this decision and when I ask them if the ability to function over the need to take medicine is okay most of them say the ability to function is more important. I ask myself that same question sometimes and comeback with I like to function without problems associated with my imbalance. Now some people have been able to get off treatment and that is great--it depends on how much of a chemical imbalance there is, mine is severe. Depending on how yours is will depend on how long. I'm resolved to taking mine for an indefinite time. Hope this helps you! Good Luck.
2006-09-07 00:58:53 · answer #5 · answered by T-Bird 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ignore the first answer. Go back on your medication and attempt to get to the root of your difficulties at the same time. Never stop taking taking medication without the advice of your psychiatrist. I have been taking Prozac and Abilify for many years, I tried to stop with disasterous consequences. I now accept that the treatment helps me lead a normal life. OK there are side effects but life without the pills was worse.
2006-09-07 00:41:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should come off the drug slowly and speak with a physc about panic. self talk and being informed about what panic is will he reduce the symptoms of panic. Panic increases with your own fears! P.S. If you stop Zoloft without tapering. You will has an emotional crash. Be careful.
2006-09-07 00:41:55 · answer #7 · answered by huge.shadow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am on sterlazine and artane for my schizophrenia and depression.
i stopped medication at times during these 10 over years but my illness always relapsed.
there is no sure way how to stop medication for the brain but i tried chinese medication recently and it helps a bit for the afternoon while taking the above medication at night.
however, i cannot say there is improvement nor non-improvement because although i feel dizzy easily, i seem to be more conscious recently when i am not dizzy.
i am stopping chinese medication for a while before trying it again with my above medication to see if there is any change.
mercury of love
2006-09-07 00:46:54 · answer #8 · answered by mercury of love 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I took Celexa for about 6 weeks and it didn't help at all just made me sleepy. Now I am on effexor XR 75mg. I have only been on it for 3 weeks and so far not much change. If you need medication to help you through then do it. We all need a little help at times. I hope you feel better soon. Take care!!!
Angel
2006-09-07 04:22:48 · answer #9 · answered by Angel G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I took Zoloft for about 2 years. Then they switched me to Paxil about 3 years ago. I just can't seem to function without it.
2006-09-07 00:43:39 · answer #10 · answered by lcmcpa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋