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Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Mental health

Has anyone stopped taking anti-depressants?

17 replies

SPARKLER1 · 21/12/2005 14:00

I have been off my anti-depressants now for almost a week and I am feeling really down again. I came off them gradually as recommended by my GP. Reduced the doseage gradually, going down to one every other day. I didn't find this a problem at all. About 3/4 days after no tablets I am almost feeling like I was before I started taking them - although I feel slightly more in control and determined that I don't want to let things get the better of me.

I have been really snappy with dds (their first day off school for the xmas hols), loads of stuff in the house to be done but I just don't have the energy to do any of it. I feel tired (no idea why as I sleep through the night and I haven't done anything today), even have the feeling of "cotton wool" in my head again.

I guess I was expecting an immediate, miraculous stop to it all and that I would be 100%. unfortunately it hasn't happened.

Do I persevere and hope that my body will adjust to being off the tablets or should I go back to my GP?

OP posts:

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Rudolphthebluenosedteddy · 21/12/2005 14:02

Do you feel you were 100% ready to come off them, SPARKLER?

merrymarchhare · 21/12/2005 14:05

Yes I have, but I did OK so cant really be of much use there, but, do you think it could be all the extra hassle of christmas and so on?

Tbh, I am always for that feeling to sneak back, although I do feel I can cope with the crap days (just like everyone else has normally iyswim) better than I used to.

Go back after Christmas if you still feel the same. How long were you taking them for?

WigWamBam · 21/12/2005 14:11

When I came off my ads, I was tired, irritable and snappy with everyone for weeks - apparently it's one of the side-effects of coming off them. It lasted about six weeks or so for me, and speaking to other MNers it seems that it's quite common.

If you're at all concerned, go back and have a word with the GP - even if it's just to put your mind at rest that this will pass and you will feel better in a couple of weeks.

SPARKLER1 · 21/12/2005 14:13

Well I thought I was ready. Was feeling pretty good and positive about things even when I was taking them every other day.
I know it's a stressful time with xmas and everything but I know it's a different feeling. My body feels like a lead weight, I feel constantly tired, tearful and like I said I am being very snappy. Like I said before, I am definitely more in control this time - I feel like I have fight in me - before I just wanted to give up with everything.
I think I had been taking them for about 10 months.

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Kaysleighbells · 21/12/2005 14:26

I am planning on coming off my ADs soon. I am doing every other day now and have been for about 4 or 5 weeks. But I don't think I would have tried to come off completely at such a stressful time - Xmas and kids on school holidays.
Also winter has always been a depression trigger for me - so I am waiting till end feb before I stop properly. I also plan on doing a month of every third day before stopping.

How long did you do the every other day thing for ?

Bugsy2 · 21/12/2005 14:47

I have been off mine since January. Came off them incredibly slowly, even slower than you, taking half a tablet a day and then half a tablet every second day etc etc & I still felt extremely irritable for a good six weeks after stopping them. I was impatient, anxious & short tempered but I didn't sink back into depression.
The only thing I can think is to eat lots of starchy foods: potatoes, bread, pasta as the carbs boosts seratonin levels.
It does take time for the body to adjust.

merrymarchhare · 21/12/2005 15:00

If you know its a different feeling then go back to GP, as WWB says, even if its just for reassurance.

SPARKLER1 · 21/12/2005 15:16

Thanks everyone. I think I did the every couple of days thing for about a month or two.
It was a bit of bad timing wasn't it? I just wanted to get myself back to "normal" and was so excited at the thought of it that I never even thought when it would be.
I'm feeling a bit better than this morning, it keeps coming in waves. So it's not all bad eh?
Thanks for your advice everyone. It makes me feel better knowing I'm not "odd". x

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SPARKLER1 · 24/12/2005 19:45

Looks like I am getting another side effect now. Has been going on for a few days now but I put it down to tiredness and all the rushing around I've been doing for xmas.
It has been quite a nice, calm day today and we have been extremely organised for once.
I have been getting serious giddy spells. Does anyone know if this is linked to coming off Sertraline.
TIA

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festiveface · 24/12/2005 21:05

I felt rubbish for a couple of weeks when i stopped mine but was told i was suffering withdrawal and it would pass. It did. I would give it some time and see how you feel .

SPARKLER1 · 24/12/2005 21:07

Thanks festive - did your symptoms include feeling lightheaded? It is worrying me. I even considered calling NHS direct. Didn't like to considering it is xmas eve.

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festiveface · 24/12/2005 21:23

I don't remember being lightheaded coming off them but definately when i first started taking them. I would think it is a symptom of you stopping them, although i'm no doctor. Are you suffering anxiety or panicky feelings?
I find that i feel light headed when i'm anxious and the more i focus on it and think about the worse it gets.
I felt more anxious than ever when i stopped the a.d's and nearly started them again but it wore off. Although i have spells of it now but don't want to go back on them.
If it's really worrying you then i'd ring nhs direct. At least then they might ave put your mind at rest.

SPARKLER1 · 24/12/2005 21:25

No I'm not anxious at all - well no more than the average person is at this time of the year. LOL

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festiveface · 24/12/2005 21:30

Well, thats good

I still reckon it could easily be the a.ds. I have heard of people having pains in their heads, feeling sick and alsorts.

Then again theres alot of germs flying around at the mo.

Hope your soon feeling o.k

SPARKLER1 · 24/12/2005 21:31

Thanks. Seeing the funny side of it - at least I can use it as a good excuse of getting out of the washing up tomorrow. We have 9 people for dinner tomorrow.

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badperson · 03/01/2006 11:49

hi Sparkler
icame of mine when we moved house in july, i had been 'forgetting' to take them regular unbeknown to my gp as i wanted to come off tabs.

everything was fine for about two months when my first problem arose, dp tells me we cant actually afford to live here and we'll have to move again, to a worse area, messing about dd's schools/nursery and basically my head!
all gone wrong again, so my doc prescribed some new tabs and booked me in for CBT counselling.
didnt get prescripttion as thought i knew better..now after a tense and painful christmas i am back on way to chemist..so dissapointed that my own head, my own body cant do what its meant to and get on with it
i you still feel 'cotton wooly' then try a milder tab or even get someone to talk to through your doc..it may help..i hope it does

bigfatmother · 03/01/2006 20:47

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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