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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to admit defeat?

27 replies

FreudianSlippery · 12/02/2011 09:28

I'd been on antidepressants for about six months. At Xmas I ran out and noticed that I was suddenly I felt much more with it. Rather than sitting staring into space all day I was getting stuff done, housework etc.

6 weeks later and I'm still mostly better at getting things done but my mood is seriously slipping. Most of the time I'm fine but I keep crying over stupid things.

It could be hormones (AF was late due to illness so that may have messed me up) and have also cut down on BFing. But I didn't want to risk getting any worse. So this morning I started taking the ADs again (only back to original dose, not double as I was on)

AIBU? Should I stick it out or what? Feel like I've failed again TBH.

OP posts:
neepsntatties · 12/02/2011 09:45

I think you should see your GP asap. It's not good to suddenly come off meds like that, I did it once and had horrible side effects. I don't think there is any failure in going back on anti depressants if you need to. Taking the medication you need to stay well is good self care which I think is a sign of success.

woollyideas · 12/02/2011 09:57

YANBU.
Have you gone back to your GP? Perhaps there is a different type of AD he could put you on - something that doesn't leave you staring into space all day and will get you through the time between now and complete recovery.

Alternatively, have you tried St John's Wort? I found it very helpful when I was coming off ADs. Some days I'd feel great and other days I'd get up and feel awful and on those days St John's Wort really helped to lift my mood enough to get me properly functioning. There's an interesting article in 'Medical News Today' www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174928.php

I'm not a supporter of 'alternative therapies' (dangling crystals over myself etc.), but do think herbal medicines are different and have a well-documented history of being used in conventional medicines.

All I can say is St John's Wort was fantastic for that in-between, almost-better stage, doesn't cost a huge amount and even if it doesn't work for you it won't have done you any harm. I have a couple of mates who swear by it, too. I still use it occasionally if I start to feel myself on the slippery slope...

Obviously, if you think you might be properly getting the dog again you'd be better off going back to your GP.

Whatever you decide to do, I really hope you feel better soon and that you have some support from friends and family x

woollyideas · 12/02/2011 10:00

Sorry, I should add... if you go down the St John's Wort route, you should NOT take them alongside conventional ADs. x

squeakytoy · 12/02/2011 10:03

AD's take a few weeks to work, so in theory may also take a few weeks to wear off..

You should never really go cold turkey without your docs advice.

Go back to your GP as stopping and starting the tablets isnt a good thing to do.

You certainly havent "failed" at all. Depression is an illness just like any other even if it isnt visible, and the AD's address the chemical imbalance which causes it.

I would be wary of St Johns wort as it works for some people and not for others. I know someone who had horrific side effects from it.

FabbyChic · 12/02/2011 10:04

It is not hormones, you should never just stop taking anti depressants, you have to be weaned off them gradually.

Your depression is coming back and will be worse than before.

I speak from experience, please get yourself to the doctor, tell them that the previous ones you had made you feel lethargic etc., and try different ones.

Mine are great and just cure the mood they in fact saved my life.

Dont leave it too long.

I'd rather take the pills than feel like shit day after day.

MrsNoggin · 12/02/2011 10:11

Shouldn't take st. Johns wort when BFing either... Unfortunately. Or so I was told by GP. They kept trying to throw antidepressants at me when I found out I was pg, but wouldn't let me keep on with my herbals. But I would most definitely recommend st. Johns! Have kept me off ADs since teenage.

And there is nothing wrong with heading back onto meds, just make sure they are giving you stuff that improves your life!

Good luck.

KnittedBreast · 12/02/2011 10:16

can anyone tell me why you should not take st warts alongside another anti depressent please?

FabbyChic · 12/02/2011 10:17

Knitted breast because you should not mix things, it could be dangerous to mix st johns wort with an anti-depressant specially as they more or less do the same thing.

CapsizeQueen · 12/02/2011 10:37

Maybe you just need a lower dose of ADs than you were on? Just enough to keep the low mood at bay, but not so much as to incapacitate you?
I used to find that how much I needed varied with the seasons to a certain extent, and found that too high a dose did stop me from getting things done - but then so did too low a dose. It's a bit of a balance.

KnittedBreast · 12/02/2011 10:38

so if you took them both you would feel even better? i cant see a negative in that really!

KnittedBreast · 12/02/2011 10:38

what anti ds were you on OP?

purplepidjin · 12/02/2011 10:45

Knittedbreast they interact with each other causing unknown side effects. IIRC, you also shouldn't take SJW with the pill?

OP, AD's take blur the edges of extremes of mood. So, they make the lows less low - but the also make the highs less high iyswim. They are there to provide stability (personally, I live with this effect because I'd be a blubbering wreck with no job!)

There are lots of diffent ad's so go back to the doc until you get one that suits you at a dosage that's right. hth

CapsizeQueen · 12/02/2011 10:46

The problem with mixing is that herbal remedies don't just contain the active ingredient but lots of other chemicals - as the plant does. It would be impossible to predict how those chemicals would interact with the ADs.
Taking 2 things might cause really undesirable side effects, or cause them to act too well causing an overdose or serotonin poisening.
Really not a good idea I'm afraid.

CapsizeQueen · 12/02/2011 10:47

x-post with purplepidjin!

KnittedBreast · 12/02/2011 10:50

whats seratonin poisening?

is st johns wort the herbal remedy that recreates the effects citalapram?

BoffinMum · 12/02/2011 10:50

I think it's as simple as getting your meds reviewed. Make a point of seeing your GP on Monday.

CapsizeQueen · 12/02/2011 10:55

Caused by interactions between ADs and can be fatal. See here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome

KnittedBreast · 12/02/2011 11:01

that seems to be a very vague syndrome and set of symtoms to me. Most anti ds and many other drugs produce those effects as standard. also if you in a heightened state anyway you are more likely to feel temp changes and heightened arousal anyway.

I know a fair few people who use st johns wort the day after taking recreational drugs

squeakytoy · 12/02/2011 12:20

I know a fair few people who use st johns wort the day after taking recreational drugs

their stupidity in taking recreational drugs doesnt really give that statement any weight ...

and as for

so if you took them both you would feel even better? i cant see a negative in that really!

that is so utterly ridiculous a comment..

CapsizeQueen · 12/02/2011 12:23

Quite. Glad someone else answered that as I was just flabbergasted at the sheer reckless stupidity...

BecauseImWorthIt · 12/02/2011 12:31

knittedbreast - are you a new poster or a namechanger?

Original poster
FreudianSlippery · 12/02/2011 15:06

Thanks for all the replies. Well except the one about recreational drugs! Biscuit

It was sertraline, I was doing quite well mood wise and doubled the dose in the depths of winter. They did really detach me so hopefully having the original dose will be the good balance.

I know it was bad to come off them like that, I feel really stupid.

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 12/02/2011 17:09

Doubled the dose because you thought you'd feel doubly better or doubled on doc's advice? Anti-d's are a long term thing, so unless your doc doubled the dose for a reason Hmm that would probably explain why you were so detached. I've never taken sertraline, but I do know that like anything that affects mood/behaviour, you have to start low and increase gradually until you get to the right level or have given it enough to time to know it's time to try something else...

kittybuttoon · 12/02/2011 17:25

The doctor won't be surprised or cross that you stopped the AD's for a while, I'm sure.

I find it's part of the illness to feel a weed about taking them, or to be guilty about juggling with the dose. In no way is any of this your own fault.

The doc will understand why you did it, and help you back on track again.

Original poster
FreudianSlippery · 12/02/2011 18:22

Doubling it wasn't something I did on my own, the doctor agreed it as I felt the 50mg wasn't as effective anymore (like I'd built up immunity to it)

OP posts: