Will you ever be able to come off your ADs?

[YellowBleur]

I’ve been taking Sertraline for 4 years now. Initially it was due to the stress of my DD and problems at work. The work issues have ceased (she left..) but the DD is now an adult and I’m still struggling with that aspect. DD is ASD and ADHD and it’s hard work navigating but continue as you do.

Im wondering if I’ll ever be able to come off them? I’m on 100mg and can’t see how I’ll ever be able to manage without them. I find life hard and as soon as one thing gets sorted, another comes up. They keep me sane, keep me calm and I do smile and laugh. Can you see yourself ever coming off ADs?

I don’t know, maybe?

I always think I was many years without them so there must be that possibility in the future.

I’ve been on various ones for about fifteen years I think.

No. Been on them for nearly 20 years. Came off twice (properly, supervised by GP) and ended up in a very bad way both times.

I dont think so. I don't mind. I think something is wrong with the balance in my brain and if I have to stay on antidepressants for life then so be it.

No way. Mine will be for life. It never ends well when I take a break. I'm sure my brain doesn't process the hormones properly to let me function and that ADs just help me function normally

I hope so. Some changes going on in my life at the moment which are stressful, but am hoping they will lead to calm in the period ahead, so reduce/come off them then?

I did briefly drop the dose in the past but it never worked.

This makes sense, but I just wish I could get to the calming period.

No. Life under patriarchy doesn’t work for adult women. We need every little bit of help we can get to survive it. Don’t feel guilty.

I’d been struggling for a few years before finally taking the plunge to do something about it. Thanks for your reply.

The withdrawal symptoms often get mistaken as a relapse of the depression and the extent and severity of withdrawal symptoms is massively downplayed by GPs and psychiatrists.
I’m furious with my psychiatrist for prescribing Duloxetine without mentioning that it is one of the hardest ADs to get off. Bastard!

You’re probably right, I shouldn’t feel guilty. To get through years of how I had been feeling, I can’t wrap my head around now.

I never knew that. I’m just grateful to be able to get through each day relatively calm. Thanks for your reply.

If you want to get off them then google about AD tapering schedules rather than believing your GP if they say you can stop within a few weeks.

I'm on the same meds and dosage as you OP (and for the same reason!) I've been thinking I might come off them on the day I finally retire...

I’m never coming off mine….i know how I felt before them and I know how I’ve felt for the last 13 years on them….the two feelings don’t even compare …il never go back to that level of anxiety again x

Not sure, i think I will probably always need a low dose. I think i don't have enough serotonin. I'm on high dose at moment but have been okay on lower before.

I have a voice in my head constantly telling me to get off mine. It is very persistent and says I should be able to cope on my own without them.

I’ve been on them for about 10 years, only on 10mg per day plus HRT. I think I could come off them if I was retired and living alone. Until then, not a chance.

I have.
I was on Venlefexine for about 8 years, it helped tremendously when nothing else did.
Combined with DBT, it really turned my life around.
I came off it this fall, as I am no longer needing it.

That’s impressive as it has a short half life so is more difficult to get off than many other ADs. Did you have a tapering plan and how long did it take?

I have no plans to. It saved my life and my marriage and probably my job. Now I’m happy and healthy.

As long as it keeps working, for one small tablet a day - absolutely.

I did taper, I really took my time with it, 150 was my highest dose then 75 for about two years, then 35.5 for the last two years.
When it came time to come off, I did every other day for a week, then off completely.
There was a weird week or two at the end, when I would have the occassion racing heart or brain zaps, but within about ten days it was all good.
I am grateful I was able to use them when I needed them, and knowing if I ever end up as bad off as I was, I can take them again.

What are you on, if you don’t mind sharing?

I have been on pretty much every anti-depressant that there is, including in some weird combos, but I’ve been relatively settled on one for a while now and don’t see myself coming off it. I’m okay with that. Like others, I think there’s probably just something in my brain that doesn’t work as well as it should and the meds help that.

Well done, that’s amazing @DewDropsAndCobWebs.
I quite enjoyed the brain zaps when I came off Citalopram but the suicidal thoughts were not so great.