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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 PuraVida on September 10, 2002, at 19:57:04
This is a follow up to a previous thread that I thought was interesting. I'm trying to taper off meds, and I know from previous experience that most likely 1) my "I can handle it" attitude is probably a sign of cognitive fog, and 2) I'll be right back on meds after either a lengthy low period or a steep plunge.
Currently I've stopped Prozac after tapering every other day or so for a month (even 10 mgs was influencing orgasm) and cut my Serzone from 400 to 200. I started this a few weeks ago when I had a stomach flu and could not hold anything down - so no meds. And I felt great - clean and even. I decided to try to start using supplements and exercise to counter the taper, but haven't done it.
Now I'm binging on fast food, feel generally like I want to crawl out of my skin at times, and sex drive is non-existent.
I've been on meds for almost 7 years, and I suppose I feel like its been too long. I'm in an excellent relationship, and somehow feel like I want to prove to myself that I can be "normal" - med-free. The other reason I want to stop is that I tend to forget my meds at least once a week, or take them at different times of the day, etc. I usually feel great the day after I skip - but the next day I get all jittery. I don't like thinking that they make such an immediate difference -
Any comments appreciated -
> Watcha Beardy,
> [love the name b.t.w.] my opinion is that the reason lots of people, including myself in the past, put themselves down over taking ADs is because putting yourself down IS a cognitive symptom of depression, simple as that.
>
> I regularly put myself down for:
> not getting enough sleep, not being able to solve problems quickly, not being able to drink, feeling shit, other people's mistakes, the pollution caused by cars [even though I don't own one], the plight of the third world, other people's unpleasant acts/habits/traits... the list is endless.
>
> So, my view is that when someone who's depressed puts themselves down for taking meds, it is just a concrete instantiation of a classic symptom of depression.
>
> <Phew>, blurb over!
> Cheers,
> pete.
Posted by madison88 on September 10, 2002, at 22:22:13
In reply to Guilt about taking meds/Going off, posted by PuraVida on September 10, 2002, at 19:57:04
i know how you feel. i feel great the day right after I skip meds, and then all hell breaks loose. after you have been on meds for so long, it is hard to remember what is was like before them, why you ever went on drugs to begin with. withdrawal from them doesn't give you much of a clue as to how life is without them either. i know this is illogical, but sometimes i think that perhaps if i stopped taking them i would discover a fully functional me without all the side effects and crap. i also have a tendency to mess up a good thing, whether it be a relationship or school or whatever. i just have to sit back and try to enjoy what i have got and stop craving what i haven't. yeah. it's hard!
Posted by shar on September 11, 2002, at 1:11:40
In reply to Guilt about taking meds/Going off, posted by PuraVida on September 10, 2002, at 19:57:04
Your comment about skipping a day and feeling good, or when you had stomach flu and couldn't keep meds down and you felt good.....you know, some people talk about med "vacations" -- regular ones, where they might go a weekend or a day or however long works without any meds, and then get back on. The plan is not to get off to stay, but just to vacate the meds for a short while.
For some reason this always made intuitive sense to me. I have no idea why. But, I'm wondering if it might work for you.
And, it sounds like if you have an excellent relationship, the meds haven't been all bad for the past few years. In my biased view, meds appear to make you capable of having a real life, with some good stuff in it. And, if it's been working, well, I'm old and of the old school....why fix it?
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Shar
Posted by Squiggles on September 12, 2002, at 11:50:55
In reply to Guilt about taking meds/Going off, posted by PuraVida on September 10, 2002, at 19:57:04
PuraVida,
Sometimes non-compliance is a good thing;
especially if you get some green light
from you dr.; but more often than not it
causes more problems in the end, if you do
it without assistance and without knowledge
of what the outcome will be.This is my opinion - be very careful getting
off drugs - especially the SSRIs - they are
notorious for w/d syndrome and worse protracted
w/d syndrome, which you cannot correct - only
time and still have the depression that you took
them for in the first place.Please, consult and agree with your dr. about
the possible consequences - that way both of
you will be prepared.If forgetting drugs is a problem ( i know it is
with me and the carrying the baby bottle around )
have tried those little pill containers from
the pharmacy where each day contains that number
of drugs - and every Sunday or so you can fill
up the exact number for the week.Good luck to you and i hope you fare well
with the w/d;Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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