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How do you know if you are experiencing withdrawal effects or a reccurance of depression/anxiety?

1 reply

Makinganewthinghappen · 17/11/2019 09:52

I stopped talking fluoxitene around 6/7 weeks ago.
I have been taking it for 3.5 years and before that I was taking citalopram for 2 years.

My doctor said I was already on the lowest dose (20mg) so just stop taking it. I was keen to stop taking it - I was me who suggested it.

Anyway at first I was fine, but around 2-3 weeks ago I started to feel much more irritable and anxious , and now I am very very anxious - having full blown panic attacks and actually feeling on the verge of a panic attack all the time over the last few days. I feel weak, shaky,sick.
I also feel very depressed and don’t want to do anything. It’s actually fairly bad although I’m not good at putting these things into words .

We are having a relatively stressful time at the moment , I would expect some anxiety but this is starting to be debilitating.

How do I know if this is something that will pass (is withdrawl symptoms which I have read are common).

Or if I am struggling with anxiety/ depression again? And need to go back on medication.
As I said it was my choice to come off so I am not hugely keen to go back to gp and ask to go back on (if he even would
Agree to that!)

OP posts:
AuntyElle · 17/11/2019 12:30

The author in this book describes how you can tell the difference, based on timing and exact symptoms. If I can find my copy I’ll screenshot those pages for you.
www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-off-Antidepressants-Successful-Withdrawal/dp/1845292561?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Tapering is generally recommended, even if you have to cut up pills or use the oral solution to get lower doses.
The NHS website has better basic guidance than that given by your GP: www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/how-should-antidepressants-be-discontinued/

This article sounds a bit worrying at first, but from about half way through has suggestions on how to manage withdrawal:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/apr/22/antidepressants-is-there-a-better-way-to-quit-them

Flowers
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