Have you ever quit anti-depressants cold turkey?

Question

I mean have you quit without a decrease in Mg of your meds - without your doctor's guidance? I did and over a year later I'm still alive, but thoughts of suicide are prevalent. My doctor didn't even know when I went back to see her. She thought the treatment was a success. If you've been through something like this or know anyone who has, I'd like to chat with you.

Apperntly, the one I was on (Effexor) is the most addictive. Check out this link:

http://www.crazymeds.org/antidepressants.html

Answer 1

Yes, I have, and it was not a pretty sight. Needless to say (why do we say that when we say the thought anyway?!?), I am back on another type of medication since the other one wasn't doing anything for me really. I am committed this time to stay on it a year to a year and a half, I have promised myself. Good luck to you, I hope you find what works best for you!

Answer 2

I was taking quite a few antidepressants all max doses for several years. They seemed to be causing more side effects than helping, the cure was worse than the disease. I was really committed to get off them. I started by researching withdrawal symptoms, reading as much as I could to understand what process I was going to go through. I decreased my meds, but did not stop cold turkey. There were some withdrawal, but I was able to recognize it and work through the process, stabilize and decrease another dose. It was faster than my doctor would have done, but it was not cold turkey. I did have nausea medications to help with the physical side effects and although they did not know it, I had set up ways to communicate with friends for support. I don't use drugs but I also decided not to drink alcohol either. During this time there were some major stress situations. I used the internet for advice on handling situations and I kept seeing my doctor and there were safety nets too. Eventually I was able to stop taking the medications although I still see my doctor on a regular basis. For people who think cold turkey is an option, you better have a damn good survival plan, because if you don't then cold turkey is really just your suicide plan.

Answer 3

I also quit lexapro cold turkey, but mine was unintentional. Didn't refill my prescription in time and it ran out right before a long weekend. I did have side effects, like a terrible headache and general lethargy. I was also really moody. After being off of it for a few days the withdrawl headache went away but my mood was still unstable so I am now back on it, but on a lower dose than before. Hopefully I will be able to wean myself off of the anti-depressants entirely in the next few years. I hope to be completely medication-free before I plan to have any children.

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Answer 4

I quit Effexor cold turkey without guidance from a doctor. I stayed off antidepressants for a year. I am back in the psychiatrist's office now though very very depressed.

Answer 5

Yea, thats not good. It's hard for people to be treated, especially when they can't afford it. Medicine is soo expensive. When you quit them cold turkey it can cause you to get even more depressed and anxiety ridden. You could even go into a manic mode and cause more problems. I honestly think most Dr's don't care, and just prescribe anything to get you out of their office and on to the next patient.

Answer 6

Gypsy girls right ,you took an awful big risk,what you need to get past those feelings is a group like A/A N/A.I did meth for 20 years and like you before I went to a treatment facility i did 30 days on my own with so called friends throwing the drugs of my choice in my face at every step.I'm not advocating the A/A but you do need to be around people whom understand you and what you feel..even now.Its great that you had the strenghth to leave the anti-depressants behind but you need and education as to why your body amd mind still tease you about things.Thats what I got out of treatment,I knew I could walk away by myself but I needed the reinforcement to stay away and deal with the real issues..........Good Luck and my computers always open if you need it..and p.s. let go of what your doctor thinks,you dont need to prove anything,except to yourself

Answer 7

Yes, I have..about 3 months ago..I just decided that I didn't want to base my life off of drugs. I didn't want to take medicine in order for me to be happy. I'm forcing myself to be a normal human being, without anti-depressants. Because I don't want my happiness to be artificial, if that makes any sense at all.

I was taking Citalaprome, otherwise known as Celexa.

I, too, didn't tell my doctor..and she had no idea until I told her at my last appointment.

I don't advice you to stay off of the medication. Especially if you're having suicidal thoughts. I'm going to go back on it for a couple more weeks, because lately things have been really bad for me.

I hope you get better.
Best wishes.

Answer 8

Overcome your Depression Without Medication

Answer 9

Please don't quit cold turkey! I did and and it was a horrible experience. All my symptoms came back and they came back 100 times worse! I even ended up in a hospital and it was terrible for someone with panic disorder to be in lock-down! I think it hurt me more than helped. My doctor was upset with me when I stopped taking them and at first I said to myself that it was my body and my decision, but I was wrong. I know it's hard and very expensive to take pills, but it is also costing you more than you know. It's costing you your life. It's depleting your well being and we all deserve to feel somewhat at peace with our lives. Remember that it's not your fault that you have to take meds. It's just like breaking your arm or something. It can be fixed. Just stay on them and try to enjoy life. I try hard everyday eventhough most days are blah, but it is much much better with the right medication.

Answer 10

I quit Lexapro just like that, without consulting my doctor. My bf talked me into it; he thought I was acting too weird. He might have been right - I didn't notice a difference on or off the drug. Which makes me think it might not have done anything for me to begin with. But I do feel better than I did when I started.