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Mental health

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Original poster

I didn't take the psychiatrists advice and just stopped my medication

20 replies

blushingm · 07/02/2011 20:30

i suggested coming off medication to see what would happen - ie if i could cope without anything. The psychiatrist told me to wean myself slowly off the tablets but i just stopped - now i feel like i am going to crash I feel so low - i haven't slept for more than a couple of hours since i stopped and i am exhausted

is this what withdrawal is meant to be like - what can i do to feel 'normal' and be medication fee?

OP posts:

PonceyMcPonce · 07/02/2011 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

belgo · 07/02/2011 20:33

I don't know anything much about the medication but you really need to talk to a doctor - phone the out of hours GP or your psychiatrist for advice.

All the best.

autodidact · 07/02/2011 20:35

What medication were you on and at what dose?

thisisyesterday · 07/02/2011 20:37

to feel normal and med free then do as your psych suggested
and cut down gradually

do you have any left? if so i suggest you take some now and then gradually reduce the amount

Original poster

blushingm · 07/02/2011 20:40

thanks for your replies - all of you

i didn't want to call the psychiatrist - i don't think he likes me much, i was quite rude to him (told him he'd done years of studying so knows more than me so he could make the decision re medication, he wanted to add some more anti depressants but i suggested coming off eveything)and i obviously haven't followed his advice about cutting down and tapering the doses etc

I was on 60mg of fluoxetine and 350mg of quetiapine

OP posts:

PonceyMcPonce · 07/02/2011 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

autodidact · 07/02/2011 21:03

Fluoxetine is supposed to be easier to come off than some ADs as it stays in your system longer. But 60mg is a highish dose so it would make sense to go more gradually. Quetiapine is best reduced gradually too. The fact that you were on a high dose of fluoxetine with quetiapine too implies that you have been pretty ill, so it would make sense to go carefully. Good luck.

Original poster

blushingm · 07/02/2011 21:20

i really can't see myself as 'ill' though - it feels like a huge mistake - that's why i stopped the medication, i didn't think it was doing anything

i have supplies of both - i just can't stand the sight of them

OP posts:

autodidact · 07/02/2011 21:35

Well, it's your choice. There's no triumph or tragedy in being on medication. Or off it. It's just a question of whether it's helping or not. How long were you on it for?

Original poster

blushingm · 07/02/2011 21:40

i've been on one medication or another for almosy 5 years - it feel like an advert or a badge that i can't cope with normal life..............being on medication feels like i'm being a failure and weak

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 07/02/2011 21:40

it doesn't matter whether or not you are "ill" or whether or not you "need" them does it?

the fact is, your body is used to getting a certain dose of certain medications, and to come off them successfully without feeling like utter shite you need to do it gradually....

but like autodidact says, it's your choice really

Original poster

blushingm · 07/02/2011 21:45

so how can i sort this out? Please dont think i dont appreciate your advice - i really do.

Do i go back to the doses i was on or do i talk half or something.................

OP posts:

YankNCock · 07/02/2011 21:49

It is not an advert or a badge unless you are waving it under people's noses on a daily basis or walking around with the packet pinned to your jacket.

I have recurrent major depression, and I don't think of myself as 'ill'. I am also not 'weak' in the same way that diabetics who take insulin are not 'weak'. Sometimes you cannot just will yourself better, and it takes a strong person to accept the things they cannot change about themselves.

My 'normal' self is me on antidepressants. Me off antidepressants is a paranoid, weepy, sniveling wreck, and I'm much better off without her!

Even if you decide in the end you don't want to take ADs, you should never stop cold turkey like that. I've done that a few times and it is miserable. Always do a slow taper and prepare for withdrawal symptoms. With venlafaxine the withdrawal went on for a few weeks, I'm not sure about the ones you are on but know venlafaxine is one of the worst.

YankNCock · 07/02/2011 21:51

sorry, xposted with you.

I'd suggest going back to the doses you were on for the time being, and talk to the psychiatrist or look up some information about tapering off. I found some help in forums from people who'd done the tapering, and reading their experiences really helped me prepare.

thisisyesterday · 07/02/2011 22:12

yes, do what yankncock suggests... go back onto your original dose and then speak to the psychiatrist about how to gradually withdraw

It's fine to want to try and do without them, but you do need to bear in mind that now may not be the right time for you, and that isn't becaus you are "weak"
this is an illness, like any other...

kizzie · 08/02/2011 11:17

Even if you are going to be ok off ad's - coming off them like this is very unlikely to work because you have pushed yourself into withdrawal.

Nothing to punish yourself for though - loads of people 'try it' - and also drs are not very well educated on withdrawal anyway.

You probably do need to go back on and talk to your dr. Then if you still feel like you would like to try without the medication once you have stabilised - do it gradually to give yourself a better chance.

Good luck x

Original poster

blushingm · 09/02/2011 20:33

thanks - i called my consultant today and turned into a right blubbering fool to his secretary

i will start back on the dose i was on for the next week and then reduce over the next 3 weeks

him and his secretary probably think i am a complete loon - he was on his way to a clinic 20 miles away and she rang me back 3 times i am sooooo embarrassed causing such a fuss

thank you all for your advice xxx

OP posts:

strawberry17 · 10/02/2011 19:39

Hi blushingm I have lots of experience with fluoxetine (prozac) and weaning off, you really need to start taking your original dose and stabilize yourself for a few months. There is an excellent book called "Coming off Antidepressants" by Joseph Glenmullen which explains how you need to ween off very slowly. I switched to liquid prozac and it's taken me about three years to withdraw from 5mls liquid down to my current 1.90ml, yes it's been very slow. Anyway I have a blog of my progress with some information you might find helpful
prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/

lilyliz · 10/02/2011 21:46

blushingm your consultant will be used with folk stopping their meds and wont judge you,my mum used to do this regularily,took the tablets,felt better so stopped them,not realising she felt better because of the tablets.Its a common thing so don't be too hard on yourself,good luck with it.

strawberry17 · 11/02/2011 07:43

Yes the tablets do make you feel better, but stopping them cold turkey will make you feel shite. I did this loads of times and it took me years to learn that I needed to wean off not do the cold turkey thing.

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