[Oliveaux]

Hi everyone,

Lately i've been thinking about stopping my medication. I'm taking 20mg of escitalopram daily. I don't think it's helping a great deal but since i'm not actively suicidal, my general doctor doesn't want to change it (i don't have access to a psychiatrist). I've been reading a lot about the evidence behind anti-Ds and the theory behind them, and i feel like I'm taking pills without knowing how or even if they work rather than addressing what's really going on. I'm 24 and i've been on and off psych meds since i was 13 mostly for depression and anxiety. Both run in my family and i've had a lot of trauma as well.
I'm currently weaning myself off pain meds which I started taking for a back injury but have started over-using. I've had the injury for seven years and I'm hoping i can control the pain with exercise rather than meds since that did work about 4 years ago. I'm not going to stop taking my anti Ds until i've totally stopped my pain meds though.

Has anyone else done this and if so, what was your experience?
Thanks in advance

[bluekoi]

Olive, I'm on an anti-depressant that also helps with my chronic pain. I've tried three different times to not take anti-depressants and each time the depression returns no matter how my life is going. This leads me to believe that a chemical that my body needs is not present in my brain chemistry.

Here are a couple of links from PC that my interest you.

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...hpc6u9K1QGSvbA

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://...G7GJOybIgGRkUw

[geis]

I've successfully taken myself off antidepressants (and other psych meds) more than once. This most recent time, it was with the help of my psychiatrist, who's really not that into psych meds, but it's also possible for most people to do it on their own. You're only on one psych med, so that'll probably make it easier.

The Icarus Project has a good Harm-Reduction Guide to Coming off Psych Meds that may be of use to you if you can't get your doctor to help you.

I'd recommend waiting until you've been off the pain meds for a few months before you start tapering off your AD, though. Coming off pain meds can be really rough, and it can cause depression even in people who weren't previously depressed. You may need some time to stabilize and get used to a new normal without pain meds before you go off the AD, too.

[AncientMelody]

I haven't gone off meds yet though I certainly plan to. On two occasions I've experienced almost full relief of symptoms: In July for a month and now x 2 weeks. I didn't tolerate side effects of prozac 40 and 20 wasn't enough, so I'm on Cymbalta now. I'd like to take it for the recommended 9-12 months post remission, then I plan to taper off (well, maybe 15-16 months as I don't want to stop during the winter)

It sounds like you have been through a lot of life trauma. If you're not already in counseling I would strongly suggest you consider it, both to work through those experiences, and to develop coping mechanisms if you do have depressive symptoms crop up.

With regards to the pain: there are several techniques to try. I'm a big proponent of massage therapy, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Regular, gentle exercise. Topical pain relievers such as IcyHot. TENs units can be helpful, they give nerve stimulation that temporarily "override" your pain impulses. Cherries are natural antiinflammatories also, and there are cherry supplements in capsule or gel form you can try.

Best of luck to you and keep us updated!