Side effects from giving up tablets without proper medical supervision, please? Jokers can abstain, thank you

Question

My friend has given up his medications of his own accord; any advice?
He has a very neglectful GP, has sufferred from side-effects to the anti-depressants, feels better right now because he feels 'drug-free'...

His GP has been very UNhelpful so far, Makochan, that's why... But thank you for your contribution.

Answer 1

Some medications have very serious effects if just stopped, like convulsions: it depends to some extent on the person, and some on which medications, but it is always best to taper off slowly, over at least 2 weeks, and sometimes as long as several weeks, particularly if doing it without benefit of medical advice. To prevent depression recurring, it would be a good idea to at least take Arctic root, or St. John's Wort, or Passiflora, or Lemon Balm, from health food stores, as side effects aren't nearly as common as with antidepressants. This is assuming that he was suffering from moderate depression, with no specific physiological cause, like a thyroid disorder. He would also benefit from 30 minutes of vigorous daily exercise, preferably in sunlight, and meditation, Tai Chi, or yoga, and keeping occupied. A vitamin B complex, and 4 fish oil supplements, daily, will also help. Keep a close eye on his behaviour in the coming weeks, and urge him to adopt these solutions, or at least get a second medical opinion, as there are plenty of other antidepressants; it's just a matter of finding the right one.

Answer 2

First get a new doctor. Definitely.

It's not wise to just stop your medication without consulting a doctor first. There are ways of coming off medication properly to limit side-effects. It can be dangerous to just stop suddenly, and you can experience really bad side-effects. You should slowly come of anti-depressants, reducing the dose gradually.

Also, in the long-run he may find the original symptoms returning, but if he feels alright now, then he may not need to act straight away.

Some advice for the future for him. There are many different types of anti-depressant so if one doesn't help him, a different one could. This is something he needs to discuss with a doctor (a decent one) or a psychiatrist.

Another tip, it's very very common to suffer many side effects when first using anti-depressents. What people don't realise is that the side-effects likely won't last the whole time you are taking the drug (unless it is one that isn't right for them which is rare) and they usually decrease as the medication starts working. Most people feel that the side effects decrease around the time they start to feel better. This can take 4-6 weeks though, which is why a lot of people don't stay on anti-depressants because they expect them to work straight away.

Just some advice for your friend in future, if he still feels depressed.

Answer 3

You will nevr kill your emotions, even a chemical castration you will have the same thoughts and emotions. I can't think of any pill that will stop horemones and have no side effects, sorry. Just claim celebacy, rent some **** and join the rest of the male singles. I don't have a very active sex life, mostly masturbation, and honestly if I didn't I would go a bit crazy from the horemones. You obviously have confused love and sex here, they are not the same thing. If you cut off your sex drive you won't affect your love, they are not connected. As for 'true love' it's a myth people tell children in fairy tales. It does not exist. Love is hard work and compromise. You have to learn to accept yours and onother's flaws. You seem to be a bit hypercritical here. Saying that you are flawless and the world is flawed. Honestly you will never be happy until you learn the values of compromise. Love is when you can accept the flaws of another. It's communication and really hard work. And it will never live upto fairy tale expectations. Obviously that part of you died, as it should have. You can't set goals so iron clad, you will just fall on your face, obviously. You will love again, but not until you have accepted that people have flaws.

Answer 4

This is a dangerous question to be asking of a bunch of amateurs like us. But I've seen this situation go so wrong so many times, I feel like I've got to answer. (The massacre in Virginia may end up being a case in point.)

No one who has been on any serious medication should go off of it without a doctor's supervision. This can be especially difficult in the case of depression because the disease itself makes the patient a poor judge of his/her own condition.

My strong suggestion is that you get your friend into a doctor who will pay careful attention to his case. And if you can possibly afford it, get to a good psychiatrist instead of a GP.

Answer 5

it all depends on why he was on the drug in the first place. drugs themselves can worsen symptoms so your friend may well feel better by not taking them. its dangerous though to com off dem without your GP's advice but in this case it sounds like he has got a quack not a caring GP. Be there for him he is your friend right, so show him you care? and try to convince him the benefits of continuing the medication or at least comin off dem slowly. gud luk

Answer 6

I agree with all the responses. Your friend may feel better right now but sooner or later his condition will return. I suggest for him to change his GP and see a qualified psychiatrist who can monitor him more closely on a one on one basis.

Answer 7

biggest side effect is withdrawal symptoms.. it makes you feel like you are going through the depression over again.. so the best thing to do is to go off of it slowly. like start taking the pill every other day or go off of it through lower and lower doses.

after that, get a better GP

Answer 8

I believe that many doctors overprescribe anyway, and I know a couple of people that feel much better, after weening themselves off of a particular drug. If he feels better, and can function, then he is among many who have chose to go that way....encourage him to pray to the Good Lord, for strength, through Jesus, and if he doesn't need the pills, God Bless him

Answer 9

Well the most obvious side effect is a relapse of the condition. If he was having such severe side effects, why didn't he see his GP to get a different med?

Answer 10

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