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Mental health

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Original poster

cold turkey from anti-ds, hand holding please

44 replies

TeacupsandFigs · 30/03/2016 17:05

I'm on day 5 of stopping anti-depressants, going down the cold turkey route. So far so good but I'm on holiday from work at the moment (that's why I am doing it now). I want to get back down a dress size as they make me so hungry and I've gained a stone, I can't diet when I'm on them as I just want to eat anything in sight.
I'm starting to doubt whether I can really cope without them and am tempted to give in tonight and take one. I could do with some encouragement to be strong and not give in and take one, I guess I am worrying that I'm setting myself up for a psychological crash as I've been on them for two years.

OP posts:

PinotEgregio · 31/03/2016 09:57

Medical advice is definitely not to cold-turkey. This is because - as you're finding out - it will make you feel pretty awful. The combination of a history of depression and feeling especially awful is not a good one. Do you have people around you who know to look out for you at this time?

That said, I cold-turkeyed off 20mg citalopram. The first time I tried I couldn't do it, wasn't ready. Tried again a few months later and it was much easier in the summer. Lots of exercise and a set routine really helped.

Whatever you do, good luck. Please note that taking / not taking medication is NOT a pass/fail exercise.

MummySparkle · 31/03/2016 10:08

I went cold turkey with my meds. I was in hospital less than two weeks later because I crashed very quickly.

Please go back and talk to your GP about reducing slowly. My DP is on mirtazipine and has ballooned on it and it makes him very sleepy. When he stops he will reduce very very slowly as he doesn't want to relapse

Mishaps · 31/03/2016 10:14

I really think it is most unwise to stop anti-depressants suddenly and with no medical oversight. It goes against all the medical advice - why would you want to do that?

I was on a very minute dose of an ant-d for many years to try and stop my IBS and migraines. I was not suffering from depression. I then went in hospital for some surgery and stopped this very suddenly - for no really good reason, simply that my routine was all haywire. After about 3 or 4 weeks I suffered a sudden devastating suicidal depression - it is by far and away the most frightening thing that has ever happened to me. I did not expect to survive. 18 months later I am still taking an anti-d at a larger dose than before, and I am just skating on the edge of being well.

Do NOT stop them without medical advice. I did not even have depression before I stopped them - I was taking them for entirely different reasons - but stopping them precipitated a devastating onslaught that I never ever want to go through again. My brain had obviously adapted to the anti-ds in some way (even though it was such a tiny dose) and could not cope with the sudden withdrawal.

Please talk to your doctor. Do not do this yourself. Discuss the weight issues - I know about the feeling hungry all the time. You need a planned withdrawal with proper medical oversight.

You will feel fine off them for a few days - just as it takes time for many anti-ds to be effective at the start, it takes time for the lack of them to kick in.

Most true depression (as opposed to sadness) is caused by a chemical imbalance. If you were diabetic, would you suddenly decide to stop your insulin? - I do not think so! Would you see it as "giving in" to be taking insulin?

Please discuss this with your doctor.

lottielou7 · 31/03/2016 10:52

Is it not possible for you to try a different AD rather than just going cold turkey? If you do that you may feel really awful - it could be quite dangerous.

HyacinthBouquetNo1 · 31/03/2016 11:25

There is an article today in the news about Beverly Callard who has had "an episode" as she stopped her meds cold turkey, she says that the drug has been withdrawn by the manufacturer for financial reasons. Something clearly does not add up with the story as even if this were the case, it is dangerous to cold turkey and surely there would be some stockpiles to do a gradual taper? Anyone know which drug this is? (hopes it is not Mirtazapine!)

Anyway for whatever reason, she has quit and had a relapse by the looks it it. I am also on Mirtazapine and have been for years, I have tried to get off them but even with tapering, I have terrible withdrawal effects so I am resigned to staying on it. In my experience, the withdrawal effects are delayed and you feel great for about a week or so and then it all hits, the headache, nausea, dizziness, brain fog, it is the worst thing that I have ever experienced.

I really would not quit cold turkey

Original poster

TeacupsandFigs · 01/04/2016 08:24

I saw the GP yesterday, he says that as it's been five days plus then it's OK not to take them and see how it goes. I can always start taking them again if I need to. I was on a different one and it didn't help, I had to stop that one and have a week without any tablets which was hell on earth so hopefully this time it's OK.

I'm back to work today so I'm feeling a bit apprehensive but fingers crossed that it goes OK. Best get a wriggle on!

Thanks for the advice. I went to the GP expecting to be told not to be daft but he reckons it's fine.

OP posts:

peachypips · 01/04/2016 14:48

GPs have no idea about antidepressants and tranquillisers. If you had seen a psychiatrist they would have told you the same things we have. I hope it goes well with you, but fear you'll be back on them in ten weeks.

Valeriesquiteposh · 01/04/2016 14:56

I did the same thing. Was feeling fine, missed a couple, didn't bother taking them anymore. Crashed and burned around 7 weeks later. DP had noticed something was wrong and I hadn't even told him I had come off them. That was 50mg sertraline. Had to go through all the side effects of starting again too.

HyacinthBouquetNo1 · 01/04/2016 16:24

I too think that you will end up back on them, especially if you have been on them long-term. I also remember a doctor once saying to me "just cut down for a week and then stop, you will have no problem coming off them". Ha, famous last words, in addition to the awful physical symptoms, so bad I could do nothing but lie on the sofa, I was extremely anxious, bad tempered, suicidal. I practically crawled back to the doctors, I saw a different doctor who could see how bad I was and he said straight away, we need to get you back on them at the dose that made you feel "normal" and do not worry about the weight gain, get yourself feeling better first.

Yes, the weight gain has been a problem for me but that is why I was put on this drug in the first place, as I was suffering from bad insomnia and loss of appetite, I had lost a great deal of weight due to stress, I just did not want to eat at all. In 11 years i have been on them, I have gone from BMI 18 to 26! But I have lost 6 lbs recently by strict willpower and cutting out the crap and trying to walk a bit every day.

I would rather stay on them and feel ok and manage my weight the best I can

Getyercoat · 01/04/2016 21:08

I took six full months to wean down from just 10mgs escitalopram.
After I'd got to 0 I felt fine. For three weeks.
Withdrawal kicked in then. It wasn't horrendous but it was tough enough. That was after a ridiculously slow taper.
I really really don't recommend cold turkey.
Read the leaflet with the meds. Even the manufacturers don't know how to get people off them, beyond telling you not to stop taking them cold turkey.
The reason? Drug trials did not involve stopping medication.

Original poster

TeacupsandFigs · 02/04/2016 08:39

MNers you were right. Excrement and fan met up with each other last night.

OP posts:

Bringiton2016 · 02/04/2016 09:08

Hope you're OK. Do you feel better this morning?

MummySparkle · 02/04/2016 12:42

Oh teacups. How are you feeling today? Have you started taking your meds again? You may have to go back on a lower dose to avoid the side effects. Please call your doctor on Monday morning

Original poster

TeacupsandFigs · 03/04/2016 08:56

crap. not coping.

OP posts:

HyacinthBouquetNo1 · 03/04/2016 09:29

oh no! Are you back on your usual dose? I found it took a week or two to get back into my system before I started feeling ok again.

Just be kind to yourself and take it easy for a few days

Original poster

TeacupsandFigs · 03/04/2016 09:38

yeah, back on them. serves me right though doesn't it for being such a dick.

OP posts:

slugseatlettuce · 03/04/2016 09:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

peachypips · 03/04/2016 17:45

Of course it doesn't serve you right- you have learnt something important so it's all part of the rich tapestry. I know how hard it is to balance mental wellness with the sucky side effects, especially weight gain. You did what you thought was right; onwards and upwards!

lottielou7 · 04/04/2016 07:29

I'm sorry you're having a hard time, teacups :( don't be hard on yourself - I hope you're feeling better again soon xx

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