Do I need to go to the doctor to come off/reduce my ADs?

[morleylass]

i think I know the answer to this really but just wanted to see what everyone else does. Currently on 30mg mirtazapine which has been great other than a little weight gain plus a couple of either side effects which I can live with in the short term.
Dr said at last appointment that if all is going ok I should go back in September to discuss coming off them...if I feel ready.

Last time I was on ADs years ago I just weaned myself off them and that was that, but This time I feel the doctor was a lot more supportive. I am only reluctant to go because I have had several other unrelated health issues recently so feel that I am living at the doctors so don't want to be going if I don't need to.

So what do you all do?
MLx

I would go just so you can have the correct support and how to tailor the dose to wean off. Your dr will probably want to see you after a while to see how you are going & if you are stable. Probably a good idea as well if you are having other health issues.

Thanks Julia

When I tried to do it myself I ended up in A&E with a dangerously low heartbeat.

Definitely take medical advice.

Yes, go to the GP. If you get it wrong doing it yourself you'll be at the surgery anyway but feeling a lot worse. It's not your fault that you've had other health issues recently and I'm sure the GP would rather you reduced the ADs with their advice than without.

I disagree with the above. Providing you do it slowly, i.e. drop one daily dose every couple of weeks or so you will be fine.

I would advise you to see your GP and discuss things. The fact that you have been having other health issue's recently may mean that this might not be the best time to interfere with the AD's and maybe the GP will want you to wait for a while longer before making any changes.

The fact that you are feeling 'well' within your MH means the med's are doing exactly what they are meant to be and it's all working for you....this may not be the time to be changing this balance when you have other things going on too. iyswim

There is lots of helpful advice about coming off MH drugs on the Mind website
Mind

I've been off my ADs now for nearly two months. I came off slowly and didn't see my doctor this time. I'm feeling fine at the moment. However she said previously that she was happy for me to reduce my dose during the summer months.

I'm aware that being AD free may be temporary though and I may need to go back on them over the winter.

If you're unsure how best to come off it's wise to have a chat with your doctor.