adice wiith comming off antideppressants

Stacy d · Post by **Stacy d** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:21 am

im just looking for some of your experiences with comming off meds. i tried myself teppering off over a months time and failed misserably. I got past the withdrawal part that I can handle its the anxiety and panic attacks that followed and the horrible depression. has nay had a smooth transition or is it basically impossible? and does anyone know of the easiest one to come off of? i heard effexor xr is the hardest and thats what im on. should i switch to something else first? i plan to ask my doc but sometimes they dont know anything i trust people who have been through it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:50 am

Stacy, I am right now getting of a benzodiazepine. The one I have been taking is klonopin. If you are on a benzodiazepine, a good sight is benzo.org.uk It is all about how to get off slowly with out too much discomfort. It aint easy but I think it will be worth it. Dave L.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:50 am

I weaned off of Celexa in November. I had been on it for about a year, anti-anxiety medication for seven years. The withdrawal lasted about two weeks but it was really bad for only about a week. I've only had one or two pretty bad panic attacks since I've been off of meds. I still have mild anxiety and depressive feelings sometimes, which I am still getting used to handling without medication. I have also heard that effexor is hard to wean off of. I would ask your doctor's opinion about switching meds- it might help, but then again I think you're going to have withdrawal symptoms and a transition period afterward with any medication.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:02 am

Hi Stacy, I am not familiar with effexor. I was on Zanaz for a few years. I do know that if the effexor has any type of benzo may want to see a doctor first before quitting. I am not sure of the full name but I know the benzo is very addictive. I do not want to scare but I had to take some time off of work. I was under a doctors supervision. If you find out if the effexor has any addictive agents feel free to email me and I can talk to more about it. Good luck Howard. I was just reading daves comment and he is absolutly correct. I was drinking alcohol and zanaz at the same time maybe this had an effect of me coming off the zanax

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:16 am

Howard, I have been on Benzo,Klonopin, for about two years.I now know this was a mistake.Benzo's are one of the hardest drugs to get off.The with-draw'al symptoms are exactly like anxiety,so you wonder what's what. The klonopin was beginning to affect my short term memory and balance and other physical and mental stuff. My first three days were ok ,but the fourth day was like hell. Now it's off and on. I have cut the dosage in half and will stay on that for a good period of time before cutting it in half again. Some day I will be free with Gods help. Yea I used to mix alcohol with everything. Gave it up 19 weeks ago. The sight www benzo.org.uk is a great read on getting off the stuff. Dave L.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:13 am

Also , don't get off it with out help from a mentor, or Dr. Dave L.

epa · Post by **epa** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:33 am

I think you wrote a post a little while ago about coming off Effexor didnt you? Anywayss it caught my attention because at that time I was also coming off Effexor. Congrats for making it past the withdrawal symptoms:)I had a hard time with them, not to mention I had already caught a bad cough and cold and was dealing with that as well. But we did it!

As for the anxiety and panic, do you know what your triggers are? If you can figure out what makes you anxious you have a better chance of stopping panic in its tracks. I have had a few pretty intense panic attacks, so I know how hard they are to deal with. I have been off my meds for like a month? maybe a bit less and I havent had any panic attacks, but I have noticed I am more anxious, especially in social situations. What I do to prevent my anxiety from turning into panic is just remind myself its just anxiety, its nothing I cant handle, I am in control of my body and mind.

Anywayss I have heard a lot of people talk trash about Effexor XR, but honestly, if I decided not to take meds, I would still probably be agoraphobic and super depressed. It helped me crawl out of my shell again to do the things necessary to recover. I can now do everything I used to be able to and more

Meds help, but theres a lot of (worthwhile) self work one needs to do to get better. Dont get discouraged, it does get better, I am probably the closest person you will find whose had a smooth transition. If you have any questionss or just want a friend to talk to you can message me anytime

takee care and good luck!
jadee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:45 am

stacy d...I got off of effexor last spring. It was the hardest thing I ever had to face. Even tapering under Dr supervision (and I mean a SLOW SLOW taper) I was extremely sick and on the floor. Don't know what street drugs are like, but have heard that my withdrawal was in the category of coming off of a hard drug. Listen to your doctor, call them every step of the way. I will be praying for you and a quick recovery....Erin

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:37 am

Hello everyone, I am new to this and this is my first time writing in. I have been reading alot of your advice on getting off my meds, I have been thinking alot about it lately,trying to get off meds,but I am not sure it is time. I also am terrified to go through the process. I do know one thing, I am so thankful we live in a time that meds are available. I dont think I could have gone through all the things in my life that have happened lately with out it.( 4 deaths )God is so good!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:46 pm

stacy d,

You can get a pill cutter from your pharmacist and taper very, very slowly. However, it might be a good idea to master the skills in this program before you do.

Medications, although they can be helpful for a time, can complicate recovery if the skills have not been mastered and have become part of your everyday life.

My advice to you would be to work the StressCenter.com program as much as you can - Once the skills become part of your life, you will find it easier to cope and find balance when you come off of medication.

Hang in there! Take it day by day. Sometimes the slower the better!!!