Hey, I’m getting sick of taking medication; what to do?
Posted by greenFlag
hrcdrc inquired:
I’ve been on Effexor for anxiety/depression for 4 years and want to stop taking it and yes, I heard all the horror stories of withdrawal of coming off antidepressants, so I was wondering if there was a way to get around that. There are pending lawsuits over Effexor right now. I’m so p*ssed off for being stuck on this med cause it’s polluting my body and I’m so afraid that overtime this toxic antidepressant will damage my health. I started at 150mg in 2004; my dosage was raised to 225mg in 2006 cause of some mental breakdown I had and other stressful sh*t going on in college which I rather not go into detail about; then about a month after graduating college which was June 2008, I stepped back down to 150mg mainly for money reasons and started taking fish oil suppliments. I’ve been very fortunate not to have serious withdrawal while stepping down last month, however, I have been feeling more overwhelmed than usual with finding my first full time job (my current job isn’t permanent) and other crazy stuff happening right now; and also I’m more easily bothered by things that I normally just ignore, and coincidentally, these feelings have been going on since I stepped back down to the 150mg. Last month, I call my doc to get her input on this; she says it can be a slight relapse from decreasing the dose and flat out insists that I go back on 225mg and I thought that was really rude opinion; absolute bullcrap. I tell her no cause I’m trying to save money and hang up the phone. I’m still on 150mg today and my heightened anxiety/depression doesn’t interfere with my job, but my personal life with family and friends might be a different story. The relationship with my doctor that prescribes the Effexor hasn’t been good and she doesn’t want to wean me off the drug at this time. I’m switching doctors soon. When I was scheduled to see her last week, someone at work asked me to cover their shift on that day; and I said yes. So I then canceled my doctor’s appointment and tried to rescheduled. In a polite way I told my doctor, “Screw this, work is more important than you right now.” I feel like I’m a weak person for having to take it. I am very tempted to try to taper off Effexor on my own, but I’m so scared of getting sick and withdrawal. I was wondering if anyone on antidepressants has had much luck coming off of them and how they dealt with it. Thanks.
I’ve been on Effexor for anxiety/depression for 4 years and want to stop taking it and yes, I heard all the horror stories of withdrawal of coming off antidepressants, so I was wondering if there was a way to get around that. There are pending lawsuits over Effexor right now. I’m so p*ssed off for being stuck on this med cause it’s polluting my body and I’m so afraid that overtime this toxic antidepressant will damage my health. I started at 150mg in 2004; my dosage was raised to 225mg in 2006 cause of some mental breakdown I had and other stressful sh*t going on in college which I rather not go into detail about; then about a month after graduating college which was June 2008, I stepped back down to 150mg mainly for money reasons and started taking fish oil suppliments. I’ve been very fortunate not to have serious withdrawal while stepping down last month, however, I have been feeling more overwhelmed than usual with finding my first full time job (my current job isn’t permanent) and other crazy stuff happening right now; and also I’m more easily bothered by things that I normally just ignore, and coincidentally, these feelings have been going on since I stepped back down to the 150mg. Last month, I call my doc to get her input on this; she says it can be a slight relapse from decreasing the dose and flat out insists that I go back on 225mg and I thought that was really rude opinion; absolute bullcrap. I tell her no cause I’m trying to save money and hang up the phone. I’m still on 150mg today and my heightened anxiety/depression doesn’t interfere with my job, but my personal life with family and friends might be a different story. The relationship with my doctor that prescribes the Effexor hasn’t been good and she doesn’t want to wean me off the drug at this time. I’m switching doctors soon. When I was scheduled to see her last week, someone at work asked me to cover their shift on that day; and I said yes. So I then canceled my doctor’s appointment and tried to rescheduled. In a polite way I told my doctor, “Screw this, work is more important than you right now.” I feel like I’m a weak person for having to take it. I am very tempted to try to taper off Effexor on my own, but I’m so scared of getting sick and withdrawal. I was wondering if anyone on antidepressants has had much luck coming off of them and how they dealt with it. Thanks.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
whoaaaa! thast a lot of medicaations it will give you so much dizziness in urself oh yeah y dont u go to another doctor get second opinion on whats going on with you okay…those medications makes you more crazy i tell yeah…so move on and consult anothe rphysicians okay
April 13th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Try with omeopathy
April 14th, 2008 at 4:20 am
1st thing you stay with the psyc. to ween off plus go to family Dr to help with decisions.Dont do this alone.Take the time to come off it right then decided what .
April 14th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
My meds 30 mg celexa and unfortunately reverted to relapse do you seriously and unfortunately reverted to help you find another avenue of treatment.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:48 am
For you feel so realxing that you wake up you feel so much better for you just go to sleep and fight anxiety some herbs can drink to get that nap on hectic.
My feet usually fall asleep and counter the toxins out of your system and fight anxiety.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
For more then years dont want to help me and try seeing psychologist it helps with me and depression for.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Okay this isn’t professional advice, but I’ve been there so I hope it helps.
First – you really need to have a doctor you can trust. It’s natural to get angry with your psychiatrist because it’s their job to mess around with the most personal, and emotionally difficult part of your life. But – it sounds like you really don’t like yours very much. Take it slow, talk to her first and try telling her why she makes you uncomfortable. You can’t get along with everyone though, so it’s okay to say you’d like to find a different doctor. She might even be able to help you find someone more your type. (They’re trained to deal with people who don’t like them, remember, and they’re supposed to be able to deal with it pretty well.)
Do you want to be completely off medicines? Or mainly off effexor? Either’s okay, but it’d really help to have someone on your side who knows what to recommend.
Getting off medicines completely is a really huge undertaking, so having your doctor on your side is essential I think. I’d say let your family and close friends (whoever you usually turn to when you’re in trouble) know so they can keep an eye on you. Be ready to tolerate everyone overreacting to the slightest mood change, try and remember they’re just worried about you and they don’t mean to be a pain in the whatchamacallit.
Try and make your life as stress-free as possible while you’re taking off the medicines…. for example don’t try it while you’re changing jobs or when someone’s ill and you have to be their support at the same time.
Add on other things that help you manage the anxiety / depression – counselling, yoga, spa sessions
– whatever works for you.
All the best
Don’t worry if it’s difficult and you have to take a few steps backwards once in a while. And really really don’t be too upset if you find it’s too difficult to be off meds completely… it’s okay to try again in a year (even though that sounds like forever) or whenever you’re ready. Many many people live happy lives because of their meds – not in spite of them.