Success Stories? Tapering off Antidepressants . . .

I was on antidepressants for several years. Started at lower dosages and increased when things were not improving. I was on them for probably 5 years when I spoke with my doc about coming off and she was in agreement. Per her direction, I simply stopped taking them once the bottle ran out and that was that. No side effects, no suicidal/fear thoughts or anything. Please note, I continued seeing my psychologist for several years after that. So coupling the psychiatric and psychological treatments worked well. I am a firm believer in talk therapy, the medicine only came into play when I couldn't seem to get a hold of the depression and that was the next logical step. So while I stepped down from meds, I still had the therapeutic support and the open door to go back to meds if I felt it was best. Good luck A.!!!

You're telling my story. I had the same concerns as you - no huge "downs" but no real positive emotions either. I just felt flat - no real elation over anything, even wonderful things. It just felt unnatural. I was on Citalopram for years and years, after being on Paxil (doctor switched me off due to sedating effects of Paxil). I went off Citalopram about 3 years ago cold turkey, and it was a mistake. After about 2 months, I was crying constantly at the smallest things. So I went back on and stayed there for about a year, then did a taper-off program with my doctor. She cut the dose in half for about 3-4 months, then we went to 2 days on, 1 day off, then 1 on/1 off, etc. I've done well by not rushing things. I'm off completely now. What I've done, thanks to my training and some great support from a wonderful network of women doing the same thing) is supplement with a comprehensive overall supplement (absolutely NOT with an individual ingredient - there IS no magic potion or magic pill!). It boosts my immune system, works at the cellular level to improve cell health, and allows me to have enough healthy energy to work out more and just get out more. All those things help offset the lethargy that contributes to (or is the result of) depression. My doctor endorsed this and has seen amazing results on my objective testing (blood work, hormonal issues, etc.). So that's a huge part of it. I've also connected with this great network of people who've suffered from depression - it's amazing how people give of themselves and share the hope of recovery. So hang in there and PM me if you want additional support! You CAN do this - just don't rush it.

Depression isn't just a chemical imbalance. These imbalance are created as a result of our thoughts/beliefs and the emotions that follow. As we change our thoughts/beliefs and feel our feelings, our brain chemistry changes.

I suffered from severe depression for most of my life. I was never able to find an antidepressant that actually worked for me so I was forced to find alternative methods to heal my depression. I did a lot of therapy, group work, reading, and taking classes and workshops in subjects from psychology to energy work.

The thing that shifted my depression the most was the anger and boundaries work that I did. I discovered that depression is anger turned inward and that most of our anger that we are stuffing is related to our lack of boundaries and/or our boundaries being constantly invaded. Like every good little girl I learned to stuff my feelings, especially anger, and to pretend life was fine. I also learned that these behaviours are what change our brain chemistry and therefore as we change the behaviours by changing the thought patterns behind the behaviours then we change the chemistry.

I used anger journaling to start to express all my unexpressed, deep, hidden anger appropriately. I got 9x12 sketchbooks and poured all my anger and deep sorrow on paper. I call it "puking on paper." I also would sit and tear to bits old phone books and at times scream in the car. I also learned to have all of my emotions. To give them the space and time to pass through me and to no longer stuff them.

Of course, the most vital thing I did was learn what boundaries were, why they are important, and how to have them. I also gained permission for self-care. (A great book is The Art of Extreme Self-Care by Cheryl Richardson) I now understand that giving ourselves away, not saying no when we need to, and never creating time for ourselves is also a great contributor to anger and depression.

I no longer suffer from depression. I now seek help when I am overwhelmed by life, put myself first on the list, continue to gather information about healing, and most of all resource myself to support myself in actually feeling all of my feelings. I also work deeply to question my core belief systems and to become aware of the vicious thoughts that can run through my head. I have learned to be kind to myself and to question that voice in my head rather than buy in to all the "I'm not good enoughs."

The medication helps with the physical things associated with depression. You still need to deal with the thought patterns that continue to keep you in a depressed state of mind. Seeing the glass half full verses half empty. It isn't a denial about the facts just a reframing how you interpret those facts. We all speak to ourselves. Speak to yourself with love and respect, not hatred or condemning or talking down to or about yourself or the circumstances of your life.

UPDATED
Also having different and new ways of handling stressful situations and maintaining healthy brain chemistry is very essential. Having a regular exercise routine will truly help with that. As little as 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening will make a big difference.
We each are only one decision away from changing our future. I hope this helps.

I needed a low-level antidepressant years ago to handle some stresses in my life. I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. When I had a follow up with a Rheumatologist, he switched me from Celexa (gentle-acting) to Cymbalta, as this antidepressant had recently been approved for Fibro pain management.
I didn't notice it right away, but after 2-3 years, it just seemed like there were no ups or downs in life... I wasn't depressed, but I wasn't able to be very happy either - my emotions were just kind of flat-lining.
So I talked to my doctor & quit taking the Cymbalta. A little faster than I should have, but under her guidance.
My experience from that was about 4-6 months of emotional overload. It was great & it was difficult @ the same time. I was finally able to feel things on a real level, but that meant that I felt all things, good & bad.
I talked to my husband ahead of time, so that he knew why I might be a basket case some days... I would read a book & cry, I would watch a movie & be high on life. My relationship with my husband improved because I was able to start feeling things for him & with him.
It has been 2 years that I've been off of the antidepressant, & I'm doing fine. But (BIG but) I wasn't someone that needed to be on antidepressants to begin with... I just happened to be on them while I was coping with some excessive stresses in my life. After talking to my doctor, she agrees that if I hadn't been on the Celexa to begin with, the Cymbalta probably wouldn't have been prescribed.
So my advice to you is go ahead & try to wean off... make sure to take it slow, & to maintain awareness of the changes you will go through. It will be a few months even after you are done until you have control over what you will begin to feel.
And in the end, if you find that being off an antidepressant isn't working for you, do talk to your doctor to see if there is a different drug that can help you, but maybe doesn't have as strong of an "action". Good luck! T.

i probably shouldn't share mine, since i did it 'wrong' and you're doing it right!
i took prozac for several months, many years ago. it was such a lifesaver. it got me over a long-standing bout of fuzzy low level depression that i had lumped around with for years, not utterly miserable but certainly lacking joy.
when i felt i was ready, i just quit taking it. i was lucky that i didn't have any of the rebound withdrawal symptoms that i've heard can happen (it was a low dose) and i've never needed it again.
it sounds as if you are facing it in just the right way, and i'm confident you'll be successful.
:) khairete
S.

There are no magic bullets, everybody's reaction is different. Definitely wean, don't just stop. And I had stopped seeing a therapist but started again while weaning and shortly thereafter to help me get a better assessment on how I was doing. (Docs and psychiatrists actually suck at this, not enough time)

I've been off for a couple of years and yes it is better. Sometimes I go back to therapy for a tune up but it is better than going back on meds.

I'm glad to see that you plan on working with your doc and tapering the meds instead of just stopping them. My daughter is on antidepressants and we know that "titrating" these kind of medications is vital to avoid a bad experience.

My MIL stopped taking her antidepressants at some point and began hallucinatin and having really freaky side effects.

Also consider a maintenance low-dose for another 6-12 months so your system isn't jarred by the low level of serotonin.

Good luck mama!

Research shows that proper rest and exercise are as effective as antidepressants for most people. Since you are on such a low dosage, you most likely are one of these people.

I was put on antidepressants as a teenager. When I was about 29 I decided to get myself off of them. Since doing so, I'm actually happy!

Happiness can be a state of mind and attitude. With proper exercise and rest, and a different way to approaching things, I seriously am a million times better off. And depression runs in my family, so I don't doubt that I had serious depression.

I do not recommend anti-depressants to anyone, however. It makes you think you aren't really in control of your happiness, when in fact you are, even if it is a true chemical imbalance. You can change your brain chemistry with cognitive rational therapy, and its way more effects.

I recently went off of three types of antidepressants. I did so on my own cold turkey however of course that's not the best route to go. I did have and still occasionally a few months later have 'withdrawal' symptoms. However, I love the mental clarity as well as the literal physical clarity I have gained since going off of them all. It has been well worth it in my case. I still see my therapist monthly and do have the full support of all my doctors.

I recommend knowing yourself well so you might know or in the very least be aware of yourself and your being. Let your family know as well what you're doing, don't forget to let everyone know the possible negative issues; even if they never happen it's helpful to you and everyone around you to know the negative things that might happen so that if needed things can be helped and prevented.

Allow yourself time to adjust and time to heal. Know that nothing is permanent except death and you will get through it all eventually. Don't allow the drugs to pull you back in unless it is deemed to be the best course of action for you and your life. Just an FYI when I expressed to my doc that my meds were no longer working and I was tired of feeling blah and not being able to feel anything he recommended I up the dosage. I told him that NO that will not happen because if I already felt the way I did why would I up the amount? There's no reason to rely on medications if they are not truly needed for serious medical conditions.

Take whatever schedule they give you and then double or triple the time. Usually they try and wean you too fast. It took me close to a year to get off of Paxil. I had some horrible withdrawal symptoms (oh, excuse me...discontinuation syndrome)...I was ticked, as when they were prescribed I was assured that it was non-addictive.

You can PM me if you want...it can go smoothly or it can be long and hard.

no matter what you do go slow... as in the second to last dose will be a sliver of the pill and the last week a few grains... you do NOT want to go through sudden withdrawal. I thought I was having a heart attack when I did.

PS I LOVE WHAT TIFFANY S. WROTE!!!

I worked up to Effexor ER 300 daily. It took a month to taper off. First 225, then 150, then 75. I had no problems.

There were times my husband wanted me to go back on them, but it was because I was PISSED at his family for legitimate reasons. He was not used to me having emotions so I get what you mean. It has been years and I did not need them again because I developed strategies to take care of me including vitamins, sleeping, eating better, and seeing a doctor when other issues came up. :-) I wish you the best.