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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by newo38 on January 8, 2012, at 20:21:45
When I said I had sexual side-affects, someone asked why I don't just come off meds. Amazing that I hadn't thought of that.I have been on them for 12 years, and I think all they've done is helped me to not grow and adapt. I know that is the case when I used to take klonopin. Why whould we take ads for decades? It can;t be healthy.
Posted by SLS on January 8, 2012, at 22:02:47
In reply to Might come off meds, posted by newo38 on January 8, 2012, at 20:21:45
> When I said I had sexual side-affects, someone asked why I don't just come off meds. Amazing that I hadn't thought of that.I have been on them for 12 years, and I think all they've done is helped me to not grow and adapt. I know that is the case when I used to take klonopin. Why whould we take ads for decades? It can;t be healthy.
Being vegetatively depressed for decades is not healthy. It is actually intolerably painful.
Hopefully, you don't need medication to function and feel human. Perhaps you never did.
For those of us who require medical treatment for a medical condition, these drugs can be true miracles.
Good luck in coming off meds. Maybe this is the best thing you could do at this point in time. You might as well come off of them gradually, if for no other reason as it is less uncomfortable. There is some debate over whether or not abrupt discontinuation is more likely to cause a relapse than a gradual taper. I would err on the side of a gradual taper and try to protect a 12 year investment.
- Scott
Posted by willyee2332 on January 9, 2012, at 0:46:11
In reply to Might come off meds, posted by newo38 on January 8, 2012, at 20:21:45
I beat my bed ridden depression.I promised if i did id spend a few hours a day helping others.
But the sad postion im in is this,and this is just my opinion,its hard for me to help when for me the only medication i can honestly recomend is my med parnate it leaves me in a tough spot.
Aside from parnete,i think if i were a doc my protocol would be the standard ssri or ssnri,prefably cymbalta,BUT ID always add a small dose of eithe adderall or vaynese.
These stimulants at low doses raise mood energy and sex drive.
Hmm if i were a doc,aside from parnate my recomdations would be a ssnri....a small dose of a pysho stimulant....a moderate dose of klonopin with gabpentin for anxiety.
Posted by 49er on January 15, 2012, at 4:41:15
In reply to Might come off meds, posted by newo38 on January 8, 2012, at 20:21:45
> When I said I had sexual side-affects, someone asked why I don't just come off meds. Amazing that I hadn't thought of that.I have been on them for 12 years, and I think all they've done is helped me to not grow and adapt. I know that is the case when I used to take klonopin. Why whould we take ads for decades? It can;t be healthy.
As one who successfully discontinued a 4 med cocktail after 15 years of total use (including tapering time), I strongly urge you to take your time and taper very slowly. This site is a great source of support:
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/index
It depends on donations and is not linked to any group as an FYI.
Feel free to babble me if you have any questions.
49er
Posted by phidippus on January 15, 2012, at 17:53:13
In reply to Might come off meds, posted by newo38 on January 8, 2012, at 20:21:45
We take our meds for long periods of time as preventative measure against relapse. More brain damage is done by the illnesses of depression, anxiety, etc, than by the medications used to treat them. In fact many drugs are neuroprotective, ie Lithium.
Eric
Posted by papillon on January 18, 2012, at 22:27:20
In reply to Re: Might come off meds » newo38, posted by phidippus on January 15, 2012, at 17:53:13
If you can come off meds that's fantastic! I wish I could. No side effects and more money, LOL. Though I do urge you to get medical advice from your doctor about how to come off them safely. Your doctor should give you a schedule with decreasing strengths over time. Don't be too inpatient to slow down the process if you need to.
If you quit cold turkey or too quickly you will increase your chances of relapsing and will more likely than not suffer horrible physical side effects. So take it slow. It's not a competition. ;-)
If you get sick again and need to restart taking an anti-depressant, ask your doctor about medication that is less likely to have sexual side effects. They do exist.
I don't agree that medication stunts personal growth, BTW. You can have both. Both myself and other people I know have had much personal growth combining medication with therapy. Hell, some of us can't even do therapy without medication - we'd be too sick! I think everyone can beneft from CBT and DBT in particular, mental illness or not.
Let us know how you go with things!
This is the end of the thread.
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