[dreamrunner]

Hi all
I was wondering if anyone has ever went totally off antidepressants suddenly and what were the effects.
I recently had some bad side effects from Trazadone causing hypertension.Initally the thought was that lithium was the culprit but it wasnt.I was immediatlly taken off,nothing in its place.
After taking a number of various antidepressants over the year such as amitriptiline and celexa.....Im worried I might fall into another bad bout of depression...I am currently waiting for session with psychiatrist ( 5 weeks now and no phone call or letter) to get a proper diagnosis.I am also continuing with the lithium.
Im already experiencing quite a bit of anxiety and more emotional over the last couple days.....I usually get like this before a "fall"....I hope its just a coincidence.
Im hanging in there just really need your feedback.
Thanks everyone for lending an ear.

Yes. I was on various AD's for about 10 years until a year ago last September.

I quit for 2 reasons.

One, because I felt emotionally numb on them. Couldn't cry at all. That isn't real to me.

Two, I was taking Prozac (the latest of many, including Trazodone, Lithium, Paxil, Serzone, Effexor, Lexapro ...) and even taking and following up with the psychiatrist and having dosages adjusted, I was still having too many days in "the pits" and not wanting to get out of bed, etc.

So I thought, hmmm I am taking a pill for depression and still feeling depressed so why not stop taking the pill? What would happen? What would that be like? How would I feel? It had been so many years since I was med-free; I wanted to try it.

I am now in good anaytic therapy and on no AD. I like that.

I hope you have a therapist to help you with the underlying issues contributing to your depression and anxiety.

How are you feeling today?

[Wants2Fly]

I think it is better to have a program of reduced consumption, rather than going cold turkey. Good luck with this.

[jefftele]

meds can take a while to get used so likewise they can take a while to not get used to ,that's my experience ,do it with care for yourself

[dreamrunner]

Thanks for your replies....it was comforting to know I can do this....not being on AD is what I want.
ECHOES
I've been seeing a psychologist for about 14 mo now.The problem is mine however that it hasnt helped as much as therapy shoud have.I always have a list of things to tell T, however I just freeze during session and clam up.
Im doing fine today,better than I thought I would be.
Not looking forward to therapy on fri.I think this will be my last session.....
Thanks again for the support.

[Hopefull]

I am scared of that part too. I hope to quit AD in six months or so if I am doing okey that is. I am nervous about possibililty of crying my head off because I cried when my psychiatrist was out sick and was off AD for two days. I was also very dizzy.
I would reccommend a gradual reduction in the medication. You might also use time with T as a way to help you to manage as you work on reducing your dosage. I would reccommend that you do this with the aid of your doctor. Also if it is too much of a drop in dosage, you can go back up to that level and then drop it in a smaller reduction. Then continue to drop the dosage. One person I know has cut hers in half and says that she can feel a difference. Good luck.