Coming off ADs - what if depression returns?

[fiddlydee]

Hi everyone,

I am starting to try weaning myself off Effexor. I understand that it is one of the worst ADs to try to come off of because of the terrible withdrawal effects. These don't worry me too much. I can cope with physical issues. What really worries me is the depression coming back. I have read loads about withdrawal effects of coming off ADs but no-one ever talks about whether they got over this and then discovered that they could manage without the ADs.

I am trying chinese medicine. It is costing a fortune but lots of people have said very good things about it. I am very sceptical but I can see the logic that chinese medicine aims to redress the imbalance that is causing the depression, rather than just masking the symptoms. I am just worried that the herbs and acupuncture will not be nearly enough to make up for what the ADs were doing.

In myself I feel great, and have done most of the time since being on the ADs. I am fed up of the side effects though and want a long-term solution. I am slowly reducing my dose of Effexor but wonder how long my family can put up with me being depressed again if the chinese medicine takes too long to work or doesn't work at all. How long do I give it before I decide to go back on the ADs?

Does anyone have any experiences or thoughts?

Thanks

Hi - I came off Effexor 2yrs ago (and had to go back onto it, initally for a serotonin reaction!)... hope your withdrawal goes smoothly. If depressive symptoms return could you:

• put in place the coping mechanisms you have learnt (like exercise, self soothing techniques, supportive people to listen to you etc, make sure eating and drinking enough, sleeping ....)
• ensure you are reducing things or elimiating things that may be detrimental to you
• be aware that everyone has bad days, low moods etc and not assume it is depression
• book a Gp appointment if you are struggling and follow their advice.

Hopefully you will not need that. Accupuncture is great! Could you ask for cbt type counselling, if you not had it before, rather than go straight back to AD's so you can look at how you cope with the here and now?

Also efexor is not usually given as a first response to depression (it is a 2nd line AD), and the SSRI's if you need them are much easier to come off.

I found how I withdrew effexor (done it again since!) was the key - what worked for me, as was on capsules, was taking them apart and removing the little bobbly things on an exponential curve!! My poor dh did the maths - after just reducing by a set number didn't work, nor the initial method I was suggested. It is all in an excel spreadsheet - the previous psychiatrist thought it was great - but it is time consuming, but I couldn't cope with 5 months of seretonin type side effects like before!

Can you withdraw from Effexor onto another AD which you can then come off later?

If you find you get depressed again then I see no reason to wait for further AD treatment if you need it. Be kind to yourself - there are no prizes for delaying your recovery!