[reesecups]

I go to an Integrative MD, and I know she believes the same as I do about ADs and some other psych drugs. So when she found out I was titrating off the Celexa, she had absolutely no problem with it. But what surprised me is that she said there were safe supplements to take that didn't have as many side-effects that she would want me to take when I'm off of it. I take Deplin, which she was happy about. I guess I was just a little surprised that she still felt like I needed support, just not the psych meds. Interesting.

I knew I still needed therapy but I guess surprised that she didn't think exactly like me? LOL!

[redbandit]

Is Celexa hard to get off of? I take it and want to get off as it doesn't help

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by redbandit

Is Celexa hard to get off of? I take it and want to get off as it doesn't help

It depends. Whatever you do,don't stop it suddenly. I think a lot of people recommend 10% decrease every 1-2weeks. I went from 40mg to 20mg a couple of weeks ago and ended up,hypomanic. Then rapid cycled all weekend, which was not pleasant. I'm still titrating off, but will do it a little slower than I originally planned.

Good luck!

[splitimage]

I haven't come off it completely, but I had no problem going down from 60 to 40 mg. I had a slight headache and a bit of nausea for about 3 days but that was it.

splitimage

[onionknight]

There are supplements that people take and swear by, either in combination with or as opposed to medications. What did she suggest, out of curiousity?

I told a gp once about how I wanted off the ad I was taking at that time, and she said knowing my family history, I probably need it. Lawlz. Glad your doc was supportive!

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by splitimage

I haven't come off it completely, but I had no problem going down from 60 to 40 mg. I had a slight headache and a bit of nausea for about 3 days but that was it.

splitimage

Actually I only had the physical symptoms for one day...headache, dizziness, and nausea. Someone on-line said to try Dramamine, especially if you also had brain zaps. It helped me and I only had to take it one day. I think the hypo I experience was actually a bit unusual from titrating down.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by onionknight

There are supplements that people take and swear by, either in combination with or as opposed to medications. What did she suggest, out of curiousity?

I told a gp once about how I wanted off the ad I was taking at that time, and she said knowing my family history, I probably need it. Lawlz. Glad your doc was supportive!

She was not really revealing much because I'm still titrating from the Celexa. She did a test quite a long time ago that show a genetic defect from both my parents that they believe predisposes myself and all my sisters to depression. And apparently that is what gone Deplin is supposed to help. As for anything else, I honestly couldn't tell you at this point. Most regular MD's will tell you the testing and Deplin are BS. And I've heard that pdocs, in their typical fashion will prescribe Deplin, but do no research as to whether it will be effective. It costs a lot if money and frankly I would confirm it was necessary before getting it. Good luck.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by onionknight

There are supplements that people take and swear by, either in combination with or as opposed to medications. What did she suggest, out of curiousity?

I told a gp once about how I wanted off the ad I was taking at that time, and she said knowing my family history, I probably need it. Lawlz. Glad your doc was supportive!

Have you ever read the long-term effects of psych meds? It is very scary. Even though I take Xanax on occasion, I'm trying to learn other coping skills for severe anxiety. For so many years I was prescribed so many meds for physical as well as mental problems, that I was a total mess. I will never go back to that again and have spent a lot of time trying to educate myself on the one's I do take.

[onionknight]

I've read about long term effects, sure. A doctor can say what they have, and I don't have to listen.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by onionknight

I've read about long term effects, sure. A doctor can say what they have, and I don't have to listen.

I agree. But I know at one point I was way too low functioning and had to trust that they knew what they were doing. When I started getting better, no thanks to the meds, I became more proactive. I research the meds myself before I use any med for physical or medical conditions. It is my choice now.

[onionknight]

Originally Posted by reesecups

I agree. But I know at one point I was way too low functioning and had to trust that they knew what they were doing. When I started getting better, no thanks to the meds, I became more proactive. I research the meds myself before I use any med for physical or medical conditions. It is my choice now.

Basically same thing

[RamblinClementine]

Wait, what are psych med's long-term affects? I take 40mg of celexa and am scared to stop it bc I've been severely depressed most of my life.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by RamblinClementine

Wait, what are psych med's long-term affects? I take 40mg of celexa and am scared to stop it bc I've been severely depressed most of my life.

Frankly, I think you need to research it. Google is your friend. And I just believe psych drugs do not help me and long term use for nearly any of them is scary. I've read of a few long-term effects, but the main one my MD brought up was severe osteoporosis. I have it, but frankly, in the past, I've taken others that research showed caused the same thing. (Even some PPI's for stomach acid). So I can't blame just one thing on that specifically. You also have to compare benefits to side-effects risk. I mean, if you're so severely depressed without it, osteoporosis is better than suicide.

I never take a med without doing research now. So much risk for long-term use of newer meds are not known. And quite often, the lack of information given by healthcare professionals of long-term issues from taking them are not told or said in such a way to pacify so you'll be compliant. JMHO!

[AncientMelody]

To the original poster:
that's awesome that you see an integrative physician. I'm fascinated by integrative medicine! Next year I hope to attend the "Integrative Medicine For Mental Health" conference

Originally Posted by RamblinClementine

Wait, what are psych med's long-term affects? I take 40mg of celexa and am scared to stop it bc I've been severely depressed most of my life.

SSRIs are generally safer long term than many of the other psych meds. Sometimes after very-long term use tardive dyskinesia and other movement disorders can develop. Those types of symptoms are more frequent with early antipsychotics. Atypical antipsychotics tend to cause a lot of metabolic effects with time, weight gain, high blood sugars and cholesterols.

Obviously as with any medical treatment it's a big balance of risks and benefits. Talking to a pharmacist as well as your doctor's not a bad bet. The fact that you're only on one psych med is in your favor.

[geis]

Originally Posted by reesecups

She was not really revealing much because I'm still titrating from the Celexa. She did a test quite a long time ago that show a genetic defect from both my parents that they believe predisposes myself and all my sisters to depression. And apparently that is what gone Deplin is supposed to help. As for anything else, I honestly couldn't tell you at this point. Most regular MD's will tell you the testing and Deplin are BS. And I've heard that pdocs, in their typical fashion will prescribe Deplin, but do no research as to whether it will be effective. It costs a lot if money and frankly I would confirm it was necessary before getting it. Good luck.

My regular doctors just haven't been familiar with MTHFR polymorphism or Deplin, but no one has told me it's BS. I mean, you can prove a genetic defect exists with labs, and mainstream medicine has linked it to a number of problems--neural tube defects, colon cancer, certain types of heart disease.

I know it's anecdotal, but Deplin is literally the only medication that has ever helped my depression. Unfortunately, since insurance won't cover it, I can no longer afford the only thing that's ever helped me.