Do you stop your meds to see if you need them ?

Question

I have in the past stop taking my Xanax and prozac to see if I still need them. I notice things fall apart and attacks come more offten. Do you ever stop your meds to see what if? I have had depression and anxiety since 25 and im now 38.I dont mind taking my meds Because I know thay work and help me. And yoga and wheatgrass does not cut it for me. but sometimes I think im over it or heald. Do you or your family or freinds notice somthing differnt about you when you have stopped your meds. So you start up again?

Answer 1

I'm on similar meds and others. I go off them occasionally, both for the reason you mention and because I suspect it can help delay the loss of efficacy for the dose I'm on.
Sometimes I have problems like you do. There have been times that I've made a deal with my wife: If she decides I have to go back on the meds, I do so.
In short, I think occasional vacations from the drugs can be a good thing, but individuals vary so much that you have to judge for yourself, hopefully with someone wise helping.
Good luck.

Answer 2

Dear Michael. The decision to take or not meds is yours. Meds improve the quality of life, they do not cure 100% the illness. Depression and anxiety are caused by an imbalance in brain neurotrasmiters. It takes time for the meds to diminish the symptoms, this is why you should not cut them abruptly. If you do, of course you are going to get your symptoms back. However if you wait till is the right time, the symptoms are going to be very little. It is important to complement medicines with other activities: yoga (as you mentioned) and acupuncture.
I tell you this because I also suffered from depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and also took Prozac. [e-mail]

Answer 3

Let's see... you were put on them for depression and anxiety at 25 and you are now 38. At some point here I would have too assume that they have been and, still are helping you, or frankly you would'nt be on them this long . Everything your stating that happens when you stop COLD TURKEY should be happening!!! These are not drugs to play around with! They can cause more damage too your health just from your start/stop method . If you want to try too get off them completely your doctor will wean you off gradually. That is the best approach!

Answer 4

NEVER stop taking your meds even if its Xanax. In situations like diseases or viruses people who say"Oh I feel better I dont need my meds anymore" are wrong and in doing so give the virus or whatever an immunity and once it rears its ugly head again you get a mutated form that is immune to the medication and can be passed on. This has some relavence to Xanax in just because you think you're doesnt mean you really are, there could be some kind of underlying condition youre not aware of.(the virus thing didnt have much relvence but its kind of a future referance kind of thing)

Answer 5

You should never stop taking Prozac or any other antidepressant cold turkey; it can cause serious side effects. If you didn't need them, the doctor wouldn't prescribe them. Depression and anxiety are often cause by an imbalance in your body, and that is not going to just go away. Would you stop taking blood pressure medicine just to see if you would have a stroke, or stop taking insulin to see if you got over your diabetes? Depression is an illness like any other that is treatable, and playing with your medication is not advisable.

Answer 6

Never stop any of these medication abruptly that can make the attacks much worse all medications for anxiety or depression should be weaned and if you feel you can stop the medication talk to your dr. they will do it with you slowly and carefully and you can work together to monitor your changes, that's the safest way to get off the medication and if your not ready yet, well then you will know but you'll be doing it the right way. With help. Good health and luck to you.

Answer 7

Hi - please consider this. Most people with your problems spend years trying to find a doseage that works for them. Don't temp fate and consider yourself lucky that something works for you. Prozac is old school - and now in generic availability - much cheaper than the newer ones - do you know how fortunate you are that your doctor still gives it to you rather than attempting to have you try one of the newer ones? Prozac also requires a "blood level" to be most effective. Stopping/restarting can leave you suseptable to your anxiety until your body has enough on board.

Good luck!

Answer 8

If you want to stop your meds, you need something to fall back on. That's why professionals often call medication a moderating approach and cognitive/behavioural therapy a remedial approach. Pills are ok for a short-time, but if you don't want to rely on them forever, you'll need a cognitive/behavioural means to teach coping and allow you to function well long-term.

Answer 9

yes, quitting antidepressant within about 2or 3 weeks and I will not be handling things as well, also noticed several arguments at work which is totally out of character for me on the meds.

Answer 10

I"m no doctor but I have first hand knowledge of these kinds of medication and you should NOT stop taking them without first consulting your doctor.