[golf898]

Today is day 11 of being off Cymbalta. To be honest; it was really tough to take the plunge to try this. I have been taking some sort of antidepressant/ADD Medication for the past 13 years. After 152 Neurofeedback Secessions, I decided it was time for me to try and see what life would be like without medication. I cry a lot and have a wider range of emotions & I am starting to feel passionate about my life and things that I do now. How nice it is to be able to feel again. I am very fearful about becoming depressed again. I really wish & want to be able to be and feel normal again. I dislike having a 'damaged' existence. Has anyone in the group been successful with being able to not take antidepressant medication? Can you share your story with me? Successful or not?

[Kate9843123]

hey,
I don't have a story for you but I wanted to tell you congrats. But also, dont be so terrified of becoming depressed again. Your doctor would not have advised coming off if he didnt think you were ready right now. You will never be able to tell what the future holds, but you have skills now that can help you quiet the feelings right away...before they get out of control, which is something you didnt have the first time battling depression. Some people do cycle between on and off meds....but you are off right now and feeling good, so just enjoy that....we can't worry about the future because worrying about today doesnt change what tomorrow holds. also, your existence is not damaged...everything happens for a reason. what we go through changes us, and i believe to better prepare us for what is to come or to get us to understand something. Best of luck! Enjoy your life =)

[LucyG]

Glad to hear you got off Cymbalta.

I was on meds for BP2 for over 13 years until some nasty side-effects forced me off them. I was also fired by my Pdoc, and the only other Pdoc that was taking patients within the area I wanted to commute to was such a control freak, after the initial consultation, I called and told them I just needed meds, wasn't on probation or parole and felt her obsession to run my life was more than I was willing to submit to.

Shortly thereafter I learned about how amino acids are used by the body to produce the same neurotransmitters in the brain that ADs, and other pysch meds work on. I bought some books on the subject, read up on it and ordered some amino acids. I was truly amazed at how much better I felt!! And if my mood shifted [being that I have BP2], I just took whatever was needed to bring it back under control, and it was usually fine within 18 hours, unlike the 6 days it would take on meds as I waited on my Pdoc to call with any changes in meds, etc., etc. That was over 5 years ago, and the only other change has been adding natural lithium orotate for the hypomania. I'm ten times more stable than I ever was on meds.

Here are some links to books that you might find helpful:

This is a book on treating depression naturally using vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Doct...r+*+depression

This is a book on healing with amino acids:

http://www.painstresscenter.com/Heal...oductinfo/AA4/

This is a link to an orothomolecular medicine site. Orothomolecular medicine simply means giving the body the nutrients it needs to function. There is an article on orothomolecular pyschiatry that is worth checking out:

http://www.orthomed.org/

If you decide to try supplements, and are looking for reasonably priced ones, check out Vitacost.com. They sell most major brands at a decent discount. Their housebrand seems very good--I use it for most things. If you buy more than $50, the shipping is free. Otherwise it's something like $5, no matter how much you buy. They also sell organic foods, natural beauty products, and a host of other stuff at very reasonable rates.

great news.

[Leed]

Did you do this with your doctors knowledge? I certainly hope so. Make sure you are monitored occasionally by your doctor.

Yes, I did get off of antidepressants, and it wasn't pretty. It wasn't too long before I sank into the pits of despair. I tried and tried to "get out" of that 'pit' but there was no way I could by myself. That was before I knew I was clinically depressed. So I went back on the A/D's and have been on the ever since -- and will be on them til I die, unfortunately.

Hopefully you'll have a better experience with being off them. I sure hope so. Best of luck and keep us posted about how you do, okay? I'd like to know! Hugs, Lee

[golf898]

Thanks for everyone's support as I go through this very difficult journey. No one can really understand the pain that is severe depression. I am very lucky that I have some amazing doctors to help me through this process. The support of the group is also very important for me; as I am able to connect with others going through this very painful life experience. I cannot stand all of the people that try to label others with depression. They seem to believe that it is somehow the persons fault. There is a tremendous amount of ignorance out in the world.

[golf898]

Hi Kate,

Thanks for the support. My doctors have been very supportive of me coming off of medication. Yes, I totally agree that I have the tools necessary to cope with anything that happens regarding my depression. I guess that the future can be exciting because I have no idea what might be waiting for me on the other side.

Originally Posted by Kate9843123

hey,
I don't have a story for you but I wanted to tell you congrats. But also, dont be so terrified of becoming depressed again. Your doctor would not have advised coming off if he didnt think you were ready right now. You will never be able to tell what the future holds, but you have skills now that can help you quiet the feelings right away...before they get out of control, which is something you didnt have the first time battling depression. Some people do cycle between on and off meds....but you are off right now and feeling good, so just enjoy that....we can't worry about the future because worrying about today doesnt change what tomorrow holds. also, your existence is not damaged...everything happens for a reason. what we go through changes us, and i believe to better prepare us for what is to come or to get us to understand something. Best of luck! Enjoy your life =)

[onionknight]

Originally Posted by golf898

I cry a lot and have a wider range of emotions & I am starting to feel passionate about my life and things that I do now. How nice it is to be able to feel again. I am very fearful about becoming depressed again. I really wish & want to be able to be and feel normal again.

I feel ya, my friend. I long to both experience passion and enjoy life again.

Best of luck

[Kate9843123]

Originally Posted by golf898

Hi Kate,

Thanks for the support. My doctors have been very supportive of me coming off of medication. Yes, I totally agree that I have the tools necessary to cope with anything that happens regarding my depression. I guess that the future can be exciting because I have no idea what might be waiting for me on the other side.

There ya go! take joy in what you have accomplished and let the future bring what it holds in its own time....you can't change it and you are a different person now so you can see it better! Be excited, and live your life to the fullest!
good luck!