I am on all of the following for treatment of depression:
Lexapro
Risperdal (0.5 mg) - I'm taking this because it is supposed to augment the anti-depressant.
Provigil (200 mg) - Again, this is supposed to augment the anti-depressant. It gives me energy and keeps me from sleeping all day. It is actually an anti-narcoleptic.
I have become almost convinced that my depression is actually partially CAUSED by all this medication.
I've been on anti-depressants for YEARS (since I was about 16 or 17 - I'm now 32). I've been on almost every type you can think of.
I want off of this stuff!
How do you safely stop?
2007-06-18 19:09:59 · 16 answers · asked by Heron By The Sea 7 in Health ➔ Mental Health
In consultation with the doctor that prescribed them if you can trust him or her. In consultation with some other doctor if you cannot trust that one anymore. My own doctor is a DO (osteopath), and that is ideal in my view, as she has the right to prescribe drugs, but that's not her emphasis. She's much more holistic than the usual MD.
There are so many chemical interactions in the human body and especially the human brain that you don't want to do this on your own, lest you fall back into the valley of despond. This is especially true when you are taking several interacting drugs.
But I am glad you want to get off the drugs. It shows that you want to take command of your own life, and that is good. Just do it with the smarts I know you have, and don't cause yourself more trouble.
Whatever doctor you go to for this, be sure to discuss what herbal or non-prescription drugs you might keep handy in case you need them. I take St. John's Wort myself. It is said that it only treats minor depression, but my feeling is that it keeps minor depression from becoming major.
2007-06-19 01:18:00 · answer #1 · answered by auntb93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your doctor. If you don't get straight answers, then seek a second opinion.
But...please don't be upset by this...sometimes it's really hard to see what's going on when you're dealing with depression or other issues. My best friend's daughter is bipolar, and she keeps going off and on her medication, because every time she feels "better" she thinks she doesn't need it any more.
That's a long time to be on stuff...it would definitely warrant a check to see if you can be weaned off some of it safely.
Some people struggle with depression their entire lives. Do you have access to a support group or counseling? It might be good to hear if other people are having the same feelings you do about the meds, what their side-effects are like, and what they've found is working and not working...
2007-06-18 19:24:33 · answer #2 · answered by arjee63 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You need to ask you Dr. but if you start just slowly taking your self off the medication. Instead of taking say 4 pills a day move to 3 pills. Do this for a week and then take one away. and do this until you are no longer taking the meds. If you do it this way your body will start to adjust to the less medication. It might not take a month it could take a little longer but it should be the safest way.
2007-06-18 19:16:05 · answer #3 · answered by maverick29 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You have to withdraw very slowly, and you need the supervision of a doctor. Once off, you could try Saint John's Wort or try seeing a certified Homeopathic doctor. Also, daily exercise outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine helps trememdously!
2007-06-19 03:07:51 · answer #4 · answered by Brigid O' Somebody 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i was on quite a cocktail since i was 18 now i am 30. i quit them all a year ago. i was being trested for ocd. now i am back on one antidepressant. no more ocd. i also agree too many meds can be bad for your mental health as well. talk to your doc about reducing the amount of meds and only continue the absolute necessary. always go through a doc. if your doc doesnt want to help, then find a new one. some think as many meds as possible is good, others feel less is more. find the right doc and youll be fine.
2007-06-18 19:19:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
You have to phase the medication out. If you stop taking it cold-turkey style, your body will go into withdrawal and you could experience some deadly side effects. Cut the dose into 1/2 of normal for awhile, then 1/4, 1/8, etc. until you can go off the drug.
2007-06-18 19:29:14 · answer #6 · answered by m3brad2002 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
See http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 2: depression treatments, and get medical advice as to how many weeks, MINIMUM, to take for each.
2007-06-19 01:04:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot and do not need to stop taking this yourself. You need to go to a Dr. and get proper instructions on how to taper off of the medications. You can have severe, even life threatening withdrawal symptoms if you just stop taking them on your own. Please seek the advice of a Physician.
2007-06-18 19:15:26 · answer #8 · answered by Hopeful 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The only way is Practicing Deep MEDITATION along with YOGA. This only will give you relief and you can slowly come out the clutches of ani-depressant medications. You will hae difficulty in the begining but you can overcome and solve our problem. Please try. Best of luck..
2007-06-19 05:42:02 · answer #9 · answered by Jayaraman 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have always just stopped using them myself after my body built up a resistence or I got sick of not feeling like myself or just the side effects or just that they weren't doing what I felt they were suppost to. I know that is not what a doctor would say to let them know and then maybe they will slowly decrease your dose if they even let you stop in the first place. You have to be careful because your stopping the drugs can bring with drawel and mood changes. Don't worry be strong and remember who you used to be and that you can have real feelings back again.
2007-06-18 19:20:46 · answer #10 · answered by Pen 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋