[Mouse_]

I want to quit taking my Remeron...I dont want to taper or seek medical help I just want to quit....has anyone done this?....I think way to much power is given to antidepression meds?....I think maybe if you think you can then you can?....

Just quitting is usually not the preferred way of doing things. Stopping a med like Remeron cold turkey can cause various unpleasant symptoms and potentially worsen whatever condition you are taking it for.

Perhaps think about why you want to stop the medication? cost? side effects? Discuss your feelings with your doctor and he/she can help you decide what is the best way to proceed.

Just my thoughts..

[Perna]

Why would you not want to taper or get help from medical personnel? That's not a good judgment decision. That just sounds like deliberately asking for more side effects/trouble than you need. Sounds like a precipitous decision not in keeping with the seriousness of the issue. Also sounds like SI.

"By stopping cold turkey, serotonergic activity will drop drastically. Hence withdrawal side-effects may appear such as electrical surges/shocks in the head (brain shivers) and/or body, pins and needles on the skin, feelings as being on the verge of losing consciousness, blackouts, short term memory problems, etc.. Above mentioned side effects refer to epileptiform activity, or electrical discharges, in the brain. When dosages are cut back, (withdrawal) side-effects are at least minimized. No one should stop taking their medication cold turkey, but anti-depressant use should be tapered off very, very slowly."

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/taper.htm

[ECHOES]

Mouse, I quit SSRI's cold turkey after over 10 years. I would never recommend someone quitting abruptly. The withdrawal is really unpleasant and tapering can prevent it. Tapering can be done over several weeks, although some take it much slower.

I don't know about Remeron, but with some drugs there is an increased chance of seizure when stopping suddenly; these drugs have been at work in the brain so the withdrawal of the drug affects the brain. (That's why some have brain zaps.)

I think it's great to want to see what it's like without a med. I hope you'll tell your doctor you're going to quit and have him/her tell you how to taper off so you'll feel well while doing it.
.

[altonwoodsdrphil]

mouse, this does'nt seem like a very good idea to me, I'd be one of the first people to encourage you to try to "think your way out " of your condition but don't you "think" that it would be best to start out making better choices now? please consider this very carefuly...

I thought that about Paxil one time..

I "said" this withdrawal.. stuff.. just giving too much power to the whole process..

so... I proceeded to go to Las Vegas.. a planned looked forward trip... and didn't take any Paxil with me.. thought.. hmmm.. I'll be busy.. there won't be a problem.. won't be tempted to fall back and take it.. cause I don't have it with me..

Well..... that is the single biggest mistake.. I think I have ever made..

And.. it was terrible.. awlful..

And.. when I got back.. I was a mess... from the w/d... and went back on it right away... and I will never try.. "cold turkey" again...

[Mouse_]

ok tried it....wasn't a good idea...now back on them.

[Perna]

In the US some of us phrase that as, "Been there, got the teeshirt".