14 day washout period starts today

[steve2470]

Last edited Fri Jan 19, 2018, 10:08 PM - Edit history (3)

This is the Mental Health Support Group. Unkind and abrasive comments are not welcome here.

14 days without ANY anti-depressants. Holy moley, that partial sentence fills me with a bit of dread. Feeling more raw and more emotional than usual.

Thank god I have a wonderful therapist and a wonderful psychiatrist (two different people). I feel badly for those who are not so fortunate

I'll try not to get too far off the beam in here, but wanted to give others a heads up that, um, I won't be in my usual place.

ETA: Before this whole giant debate of medication versus no medication gets fired up in here, I am going on another medication, Selegiline. I've talked about it before in here. I am NOT just washing out to be medication-free. Far from it.

You're welcome to take the entire debate of medication versus no medication to General Discussion, but I will NOT discuss it here. Thank you.

[In_The_Wind]

1. We will love you anyway.

[steve2470]

6. very kind of you :) nt

[WhiteTara]

2. Be gentle with yourself.

You are going to feel things you haven't felt in a long time.

[steve2470]

5. good advice, thank you :) nt

[irisblue]

3. Talk with us, often.

[steve2470]

4. thank you, I always feel a tinge of guilt when I do, but I'll try to nt

[irisblue]

7. darlin one...anytime.

[FirstLight]

8. may I ask which meds?

I have been taking Cymbalta for a LONG time and want to get off them this year.
They were originally given to me as I recovered from an abusive marriage and found out I had a autoimmune disease. They are supposed to help with the chronic pain as well as depression. I recently turned myself around and quit drinking and smoking cigs, that was a lot easier than I thought it would be! (still want my cannabis,but have been holding off on that till I feel I have a hold on really being sober)

Anyway, just curious how they helped you wean off and what the physical symptoms were, if any?

[steve2470]

10. Venlafaxine and Bupropion

The doc did a schedule for me over roughly 21 days, stepping down the dosage in increments. You can't just cold turkey off them without some pretty serious negative effects. Physical symptoms, nothing much really. Emotional is more the kicker.

I'm not doing this to be medication-free. No way. I NEED the meds. I don't want to get into the whole discussion/debate of meds, but for me, I NEED them. Best wishes.

[JayhawkSD]

9. Big step forward.

May not feel like it at times, but it will be. Congrats.

[steve2470]

11. In 14 days I go on another med

If we are on that same page, then I agree.

[nadine_mn]

12. I was on Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Lexapro for a few yrs. Bupropion has wicked withdrawal

I had been gradually weaning myself off and as of December and most of January I have been medication free.

My reasoning has been I have been on some type of antidepressant for 17 yrs and no longer know if what I am taking is just to deal with side effects vs my actual mental illness symptoms. I wanted a clean slate of what is really me.

The Bupropion has withdrawals of irritability that last for weeks.

I know I need some medication, I just want to make sure I am able to identify what is going. I started having some awful panic attacks (not sure if its related) these last few weeks and I might go back on them.

I need to see a doctor but my insurance won't pay for mental health visits. I really hate that.

I hope you get through the med free time ok - it can be really tough.

[steve2470]

13. please don't judge me....

but jesus petes, I need a few drinks of Asti Spumante to tide me over. Responsibly of course and yes yes yes, I am not an alcoholic nor anywhere near that.

This washout period...SUCKS. Totally. Can't wait for February 3rd.

[mopinko]

14. good luck honey.

we are here for you.