Posted by tensor on January 13, 2005, at 14:38:38
In reply to how do you know if/when you can taper off meds?, posted by Joslynn on January 13, 2005, at 12:58:03
Hi Joslynn,
it's a good question, i've thought about it but no longer, i know i will need meds for the rest of my life. And it's okay i guess, i really don't have an option. So you've had three episodes, a rule of thumb is to keep taking meds six months after recovery from severe depression. If symptoms appears after stopping meds, start taking them again and when symptoms disappears keep taking the med(s) for twelve months. I suppose you could go on like this, doubling the time after each relapse, but at some point i think one realize that this is gonna last for the rest of the life.
I really hope you don't get there. A big concern is sexual side effects, but there are ways around this. Some meds won't give you sexual s/e, if you like lexapro you can always try adding wellbutrin or a med with 5HT2a blockade, like remeron.Just some ideas..
/Mattias
poster:tensor
thread:441642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050113/msgs/441680.html