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Original poster

I am hoping to start coming off my AD's in 2 weeks. Can anyone give me any advice please?

67 replies

TheOriginalFAB · 09/12/2011 19:42

I have been on AD's this time for 5 1/2 years. I hadn't registered that it had been that long as I have been on 2 types during that time.

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Clarajinglebumps · 10/12/2011 19:23

It does- I'm now wracked with guilt and adding to my already shit mood. I told them the last time I wasn't going to cone off them unless I had some cbt or therapy but they poo pooed it as they said the waiting list was too long. Need to stand up to my doc but I just feel like such a sap when I get in the chair. So tired! Thanks for the support had a wee look about and I think I'll have to reduce totally before starting another. Very un-mn hugs!

strawberry17 · 10/12/2011 19:55

Clarajinglebumps how awful that your doctor just made you stop 10mgs, no wonder you feel so dreadful. I think you may be able to just switch from one SSRI to another, can you ask to switch to a different SSRI but at the equivalent dose to your old Citalorpram dose? Could you also take someone to the doctors with you to help you fight your corner? for moral support? or maybe see another doctor in the practise and explain what's happened? I had a quick internet search and it seems the max dose of Citalopram has been reduced to 40mg due to increased risk of heart problems at higher dosages.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 10/12/2011 20:22

iirc when I went from C to D I just did it.

Part of the chance was partly because the D tablets were meant to be better for FM.

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Clarajinglebumps · 10/12/2011 22:37

Thanks folks- going to just go in and do what you said and not leave till it's sorted. Feel better now the kids are in bed. Was trying to work out what my options would be by looking on the Internet but ended up baffled Confused
Thanks again- it's been a hard few weeks and thought i was over the hump but I've just taken a massive dip. I've been trying to battle on but why should I suffer this If there's a way to fix it.

flymttm · 10/12/2011 23:29

Hello random and fab can I join you. I have been on pills for 20! Years zoplicone. I have to take 7 mug to get to sleep and another 7 in the night. Its a long story but I am also on anti d, fluoxetine which I believe is Prozac and because of various gene operations which left me with neuropathic pain I have been taking lyrica a form of gabapentin and a low dose of amytryptyline . This is all with consent of pain clinic. Thus week I have stopped lyrica. ( hurrah). And I have managed two days without amytryptyline. I hope I am not boring you but my aim is to come off everything in the course of 2012. I have decided to stay on the fluke tine while I try and gradually reduce first the amytryptyline I am only on 10 mgs now. Then I am going to cut down on the zoplicone. Would you mind if I join your thread tonged sine support while I am doing this. I know I will have good days and bad days but I really really want to be pill free. My pain has virtually gone. I have managed pain free sex three times ( yippee) but all these bloody pills mean I reallynlack libido and any sexual feeling and I feel like a freak. I feel great at the moment.
I hope you get on ok at doctors on Monday Clara .

strawberry17 · 11/12/2011 08:56

Flmttm AD's have an awful effect on the libido. Bearing in mind you are on a lot of different medications and have been on them an awful long time, I think you maybe thinking about doing this way too fast. With the Prozac/fluoxetine you are lucky you can get this in liquid and taper off it SLOWLY that way!

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 09:35

I am stressed this morning already as dc1 and 2 have been arguing with each other and rude to me. Period due on Wed so maybe that [hopefully].

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AChristmouseTail · 11/12/2011 11:33

FAB - how are YOU measuring your feelings and moods, has anyone commented on you yet?

PMT/S has a lot to do with moods and emotions but they could also be masking any underlying feelings of distress, fear, etc.......

Can you ask anyone close if they've noticed any changed in you? Someone who knows you? Sorry you feel stressed today x

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 11:47

What do you mean?

I lost it big down and went next door and cried in my neighbour's kitchen.

I don't know what to do and how to cope when the kids are being normal kids (as I don't know it is normal) and when they are being really rude/naughty/etc. No tablet in the world is going to help me with that so why take something that isn't helping the real issue and is causing me to be unhealthily overweight?

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Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 12:13

I am wondering what to do if the doctor won't let me come off them.

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Upwardandonward · 11/12/2011 12:24

What are your options if they say they'd prefer you to continue them for xx months? How would you feel if they suggested taking something different?

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 12:39

I would cry. And feel fed up and unlistened too.

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strawberry17 · 11/12/2011 13:49

www.citawithdrawal.org.uk/

Council for Information on Tranquilisers, antidepressants and painkillers maybe worth a look?

RandomMess · 11/12/2011 14:58

Aw FAB that sounds like an awful morning.

Well I'm on day 5 of being drug free.

I have turned into a screaming harridan.

Feel like I can't win. I hate how a feel on the anti-depressants and I hate how I behave when I'm off them (noticed the same thing when I was them for the week between changing types). Also now I'm off them it is just absolutey wonderful to be able to orgasm again Blush, I hate not enjoying sex like I do when I'm off them - it makes me feel more isolated and puts even more of a downer on our troubled relationship.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 15:13

No sex here as dh can't Sad.

Just feel so disappointed that I am not the mother I thought I would be and not enjoying the children. I am so knackered and have given too much to my children it is no wonder they are spoilt ungrateful kids.

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AChristmouseTail · 11/12/2011 17:25

FAB - I mean is it just you who has noticed you are so fed up or could you ask a close friend etc if they feel the same? When you say you're fed up, is that compared to yesterday or last week?

Are you comparing yourself day by day or weekly?

A good cry will do you the world of good for now, but what about later and tomorrow? I think you need to get an emergency appt ot your GPs first thing in the morning. x

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 17:30

TBH I would be fine if it wasn't for the kids being such hard work Sad.

I have had a lot going on as usual and it all just gets on top of me some times.

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AChristmouseTail · 11/12/2011 18:10

Do you have any support FAB? As in someone to take the children off your hands for a few hours? Are they of school age or do you have them at hime all day with you?

It sounds as though the best thing you can do for now is talk to your GP, see what they say about coming off the ADs and take it from there. They may well wean you off one lot to change for another. I've done that.

Or they may recommend something entirely different to help with the bouts of depression you are having. This has been going on a while, so maybe it's time to go and speak to someone about it all, get it all out. Write it down if you have to, all of your thoughts and feelings......

You do need to seek some support though. And soon. It's not nice to feel the way you do.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 18:18

They are at school all day and the arguing starts within minutes of picking them up.

I don't want to be on any AD's, not change as the last 2 have caused weight gain.

I hadn't realised how long I had been on them as I changed a year ago.

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orangeflutie · 11/12/2011 20:37

Hey I really understand how the DC can get to you. I have three too and they seem to argue a lot lately. It's hard work and it sounds like you have very little support. The thing is if you're planning to come off the ADs, you need to have people around you to help, otherwise you may well find things too much to cope with.

Can you set aside some time each day to do something just for you to help your mood? Things are then less likely to get on top of you.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 11/12/2011 21:20

I know all the things I have done wrong. I Just don't know how to get some confidence in my parenting.

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AChristmouseTail · 12/12/2011 11:03

FAB - You sound as if you are really beating yourself up here. Why not write a list of all the things that make you sad, or a list of things that you want to change.

Do it over a number of days, sit and be really honest with yourself. Even if it makes you cringe to read, unravel the real you. Let it all out and put it down.

The only way that you are ever going to get to where you want to be is by starting all over again and really looking at what's wrong.

Have you made an appt for the docs yet? I think you need to go and discuss the ADs if nothing else. You can't do this on your own FAB, whatever this is, needs to be controlled and monitored if you're thinking of coming off the ADs.

I know that you are finding it incredibly hard when the DCs come home from school. What can you do to change that? To stop the anxiety that comes with them coming home?

Make an appt.

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 12/12/2011 11:20

I am a writer on the quiet and love lists so that appeals to me very much and I will start doing it this afternoon.

I have an appointment with the doctor for next week. I am hoping my MIL will have the kids while I go as they will have broken up from school.

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AChristmouseTail · 12/12/2011 12:02

Sounds like a plan FAB - and yes to MIL having the DC. You need to focus on YOU and you can't do that with them in tow. xx

Original poster
TheOriginalFAB · 12/12/2011 12:50

I would have to leave them in the waiting room and that would be stressful as I wouldn't be confident they wouldn't behave.

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