[MarleyCat]

So recently my psychiatrist has suggested I take a med break for a month or so to get back to knowing what my base level is. I have been on the path of trying to find an SSRI to add to my Wellbutrin that works for me and haven't had much luck. The idea is that I would stay on the Wellbutrin but take a break from SSRI's.

Has anyone else been suggested this? My doctor feels like I need something extra but I see her much less than my psychologist. Once I taper off of Effexor she plans to switch to Lexapro.

I've been diagnosed with dysthemia, social anxiety disorder, borderline/avoidant traits and minor PTSD.

Not sure if I'm ready to take a break as I haven't even found something that works yet. I don't even remember what it's like to feel happy so how can I know when I feel better?

[Ndscisyv]

I'm sorry you're having a hard time finding the right med combo. It can be such a pain. I'm in the same boat right now too. I've considered asking my pdoc about a break from meds too, at least one at a time to see where I'm at baseline, but I don't feel stable now, so how bad would it be without meds?

I completely understand your question. If it's been so long since you've felt happy, how will you know if things are better or worse when some of the meds are gone? I guess knowing your baseline with Wellbutrin might be helpful to know so you can work from there.

[possum220]

If the purpose is to find a base line, I wonder if one month is long enough for effexor to completely leave your body. Some of the meds around have a much longer "half life" than we realize. Maybe talking to the person who fills the prescription my be a good source of information for this.

Plus other event happening in your life may also skew the results. Some medications require total stopping before we start another as the new and the old may still interact with each other. Good luck. .

My pdoc would never do a complete med break for me, but he will wean me off a med. I don't know how many meds you take and I'm definitely not medically qualified.

However, I can share my experience with Effexor and Lexapro. I fortunately didn't have problems coming off Effexor. A lot of people do, but not everyone.

Lexapro has helped my social anxiety and OCD. It started working after a week at 10 mg and I didn't get bad side effects.

Good luck!

[John Primo78]

I don't think my PDOC would do that, I did however take two months off of Cogentin and I have learned not to do that again.........at least when i am taking Haldol