![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ruth on April 23, 1999, at 8:38:56
Hi,
I've posted earlier about struggling with the question
of whether to continue to take meds, or to go off
meds and see if I can manage my depression on my own.
I have mild depression and
been on meds pretty consistently for four years,
and initially saw it as a temporary thing to help me
out of my rut and regain some balance. Here's what
confuses me though: how can I tell the difference
between what seem like withdrawal symptoms (weepiness,
irritability, anger, fatique, unable to concentrate)
from the symptoms of depression, which are also similar?
If it is indeed withdrawal, how long should I wait to
see if the symptoms fade? I don't want to wait too
long, in case it's really that I'm sinking deeper into
depression, but I also don't want to be impatient if
maybe it's just a withdrawal period that I need to
wait out, and get through. Can anyone share their
symptoms of withdrawal from meds (ssri's) with me, and
tell me what it was like for them? Or any experience
that resonates with mine? I'm really confused--I want
to give going off meds a fair chance, but I also don't
want to be dumb about it.
Posted by saintjames on April 23, 1999, at 12:24:51
In reply to withdrawal symtoms vs. depression symptoms, posted by ruth on April 23, 1999, at 8:38:56
> Hi,
>
> I've posted earlier about struggling with the question
> of whether to continue to take meds, or to go off
> meds and see if I can manage my depression on my own.
> I have mild depression and
> been on meds pretty consistently for four years,
> and initially saw it as a temporary thing to help me
> out of my rut and regain some balance. Here's what
> confuses me though: how can I tell the difference
> between what seem like withdrawal symptoms (weepiness,
> irritability, anger, fatique, unable to concentrate)
> from the symptoms of depression, which are also similar?
> If it is indeed withdrawal, how long should I wait to
> see if the symptoms fade? I don't want to wait too
> long, in case it's really that I'm sinking deeper into
> depression, but I also don't want to be impatient if
> maybe it's just a withdrawal period that I need to
> wait out, and get through. Can anyone share their
> symptoms of withdrawal from meds (ssri's) with me, and
> tell me what it was like for them? Or any experience
> that resonates with mine? I'm really confused--I want
> to give going off meds a fair chance, but I also don't
> want to be dumb about it.
James here...If you taper the dose slowly enough you will not have "withdrawal" (this is not really withdrawal abd AD's are not addictive, but I can see how this name fits as well as any) Most SSRI are very long lived so you come off the med slowly.
Anything that happens mood wise 1-2 months after stoping the med has nothing to do with the med.
I hope you are making this decision in concert with your doc.
james
Posted by ruth on April 26, 1999, at 8:18:03
In reply to Re: withdrawal symtoms vs. depression symptoms, posted by saintjames on April 23, 1999, at 12:24:51
James,
I really think it varies from person to person.
That's why hearing about individual experiences
has helped more than anything. I don't really think
there's been enough research on what to expect
physically and mentally when going off meds...to
me it seems like if you take meds for years at a
time, your body chemistry adjusts to that, and
even if you taper off, it's still a major
transition for the body to adjust. I did taper,
by the way...I wasn't really taking very much to
begin with...10 mg's of celexa--did it with dr's
supervision.I did find the 1 to 2 month timeline helpful--
most posts I've gotten seem to concur with this
time frame.Some folks also described feeling very spacey and
unreal for a few weeks. I experienced this too.
It seems to be lessening after 10 days or so.
Posted by Elizabeth on April 27, 1999, at 1:33:23
In reply to Re: withdrawal symtoms--James, posted by ruth on April 26, 1999, at 8:18:03
Ruth,
Maybe I missed this, but which SSRI? It makes a difference. Paxil seems to be the worst in this regard.
Stopping any drug abruptly after taking it for a long time can cause withdrawal, rebound, whatever you want to call it. This happens not just with psychoactive drugs but with things like corticosteroids and antihypertensives. It doesn't mean they're "addictive."
Anyway, taper off slowly and you should be okay. If you still have symptoms a month after taking your last pill, it's probably your depression returning, not just rebound.
If you do decide to do this, you should really be under a doctor's supervision...I hope you are?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.