Im using two different anti depressants. 10 mg of citalopram, and 2.5 mg of zyprexa. When i eventually decide to stop taking the medications, will it be easy too stop, or if its hard, how hard?
2007-03-11 13:00:08 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Don't worry; you can stop, but do not do so suddenly. Your doctor will tell you how to "step off" each medication by degree over several weeks.It will be very easy that way; I doubt you will experience any adverse side effects at all, but choosing to stop suddenly is very risky and unpleasant. Best wishes. May I suggest you see a doctor of east/west medicine who can give you good herbal therapies or even accupuncture to relieve depression. and don't forget proper rest, good diet, and light exercise. I know I sound like your mother, but they are really important. Get a little sunshine and fresh air every day. As someone who struggled with depression throughout even my young childhood, I am happy to tell you that I am drug free[after trying a list of pharmaceuticals as long as my arm] and feeling fine, better than fine, peaceful, happy, and so alive, I sizzle!!! Thanks be to God. Sincere best wishes.
2007-03-11 13:15:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your doctor. You might need your dose increased or Wellbutrin might not be the med for you. If it's only been a month, now is about the time that you should see the full benefit of the med. It may actually be increasing your anxiety instead of improving your depression. That happens sometimes with Wellbutrin. Reasons why aren't clear. Some starting need to find the right dose and/or the right med. Some seem to build up a tolerance of some sort to a particular med and need to switch. Ppl on the bipolar spectrum often do not receive a benefit from antidepressants or they (all) stop working if they don't make the person agitated or manic. There could be lots of reasons, but since it sounds like you just started, it's probably dosage or the particular antidepressant not being the right one for you.
2016-03-29 00:41:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I'm sorry that you're feeling so sad about your life that you found it necessary to turn to anti-depressants. However, be that as it may, let me get back to your question. Getting off anti-depressants is a very gradual process - it takes weeks or sometimes months. I speak from personal experience.After my husband died, I was, most unexpectedly, an emotional mess. My doctor prescribed Paxil for me for the purpose of relaxing me until my sleep patterns and eating habits returned to normal. I really detest taking any medicines and so,after 4 months on Paxil, I decided on my own to stop taking the stuff, cold turkey. HUGE mistake! I became so sick that I honestly wondered if I was going to die. However, after 3 days of bedrest and lots of vegetable & fruit juices I felt very much improved. Please, don't do what I did. Discuss your use and wishes to discontinue anti-depressants with your doctor. Best wishes to you !
2007-03-11 13:24:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To suddenly stop taking an antidepressant medication could cause serious side effects. So getting off the medication should be done gradually under a doctor's help. You and your doctor should continue to monitor your depression afterwords to make sure it does not return. Some people, like myself, may need to stay on antidepressants the rest of their life.
2007-03-11 14:51:10 · answer #4 · answered by Twizard113 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about that now. Worry about letting them take effect and help you. The doctor didn't give you candy to make you feel better; he gave you meds that he evidently thought were necessary. You won't go off cold-turkey at any rate. Concentrate on getting rid of the depression. Good luck.
2007-03-11 13:08:20 · answer #5 · answered by Teacher 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are not addictive. Some of them do have withdrawl effects though as your body develops a dependance on them. The longest a withdrawl will last shouldn't be anymore than about a week. I don't know citalopram, but I know zyprexa didn't have any withdrawl effects on me at all.
2007-03-11 13:03:54 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. J 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes it may be difficult to stop the antidepressant as you must come down off them at a slow steady rate over time as your body had built up the serum blood level at a slow steady rate over time and this way you will haave NO of very little withdrawl side effect.
2007-03-11 15:23:30 · answer #7 · answered by NURSE BETTY 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if think that it is wise if you did not quit them on your own. you need to go to the doctor and have them wean you off of those. i am on 10 mg of lexapro and my doctor told me that if i just quit taking those that i would be really miserable. if stopping the dosage on your own is going to hurt you, your doctor should have told you. however, i would set up an appointment just to be on the safe side. hope this helps. good luck.
2007-03-11 13:24:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The longer you take them, the harder it is to quit. Your body can actually go through withdrawl if you've been on them for a while. That's why it is imperitive that you gradually decrease your meds when quitting them. Typically, though, doctors prefer to increase meds and leave you on them, and mostly discourage weaning you from them. It's all about money. I personally don't like these meds, and prefer to find alternative ways to cure depression--exercise, social interaction/therapy, eating healthy, spirituality, ect.
2007-03-11 13:05:31 · answer #9 · answered by Lisa 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Under your doctor's care is the ONLY way to get off of any medication. You will be just fine - with your doctor's help.
2007-03-11 13:02:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋