Anyone have experience quitting antidepressants? Tired of taking this shit. It doesn't help my anxiety and it's made me a detached robot. I'm currently on day 4 after quitting a 60mg daily dose of Paxil cold turkey (yeah I know I'm dumb). I've heard horror stories of AD withdraw but it hasn't been too bad so far. Symptoms have ranged from mild to intense, but still manageable.
When can I expect the worst to hit? How long can I expect symptoms to last? Also general anxiety/depression thread.
Cannabis Is a natural antidepressants if you haven't tried it do so. It helps me with depression and socail anxiety
Believe me man, would if I could. I work a government job though so am subject to random drug tests. Have to stay clean :/
5htp supplements will essentially work like nicotine patches for your WD until you're back to normal.
bump
Thanks bro. I'll look into this. Any recommendations for general anxiety management once the WD is gone? I take Omega 3 fish oil for the EPA, but idk if it actually does anything or not. Never taken it without also being on the Paxil.
Be very careful. I know that antidepressants like Effexor have nasty nasty withdrawls, with shit like 'brain zaps'. Yeah.
Yeah I've read about the brain zaps. Haven't experienced anything too severe yet. Anxiety has gone up (duh), I'm shaky, and I'm pretty nauseated, but that's been about it. I've read the worst of it occurs at around day 5 or 6 before symptoms start to decrease in severity. I've got nowhere to be for the next four days, so I've tried to plan this accordingly.
Ween off plz. I quit cold turkey after 2 mos and it made me vomit for 3 days off and on.
Stay away from any of those brainfuck pills. You can have a really rotten experience quitting cold turkey.
Sorry to hear that. I know this shit can get nasty. Haven't actually vomited, came close once or twice, but the nausea's actually gone down some over the last 24 hours. If symptoms get too bad, I'll get back on and try weening off. In the past, I've managed to ween off down to about 20mg without problem, but was scared to continue because I had a lot of stuff going in life at the time and didn't need anxiety on top of it.
Amen brother. Been on this shit a long time, but I'm not happy with my quality of life as of late and I blame a lot of it on the side effects of the meds. Never would have started taking them in the first place if I'd have known. Anxiety's never gotten quite as bad as before the meds, but lately it's been close, and depression's gone through the roof. Think the meds are crapping out, but I'm honestly not convinced they ever really helped that much at all. Not doing me any good now, that's why I want off.
5HTP does actually helps with anxiety, but supplementing neurotransmitters like that isn't the best best solution imo. If I were you I'd look into microdosing lsd.
Had brain zaps from a nasty MDA comedown. Was triggered by smoking weed. That was how I descovered what brain zaps were, and I can tell you they are not fucking nice. Imagine a sharp dysphoric needle jabbing at your brain repeatedly.
I'd try this, but my only hesitation is that I am subject to random drug tests at my job. Don't know much about testing, but I assume any sort of psychadelic will show up. Or does microdosing keep it at low enough levels to not raise any red flags?
I’ve took every tablet amost known for anti depressants !!
I smoke few jays a day !!
Trust me on this it’s the exercise lads thst works . I just got up one night so fucked off eith masturbsting and feeling like shit , stuck on my trainers and went in anger for like 3 miles . I sweated so much my clothes were drenched ..
got home took a shower and starting arm curls .. then u just don’t look back
Yeah, doesn't fun. Having experienced any yet, but then again I've read that those tend to show up in the later stages of withdraw.
Most drug tests don't test for lsd, only the most common chemicals like thc.
Been exercising, eating better, trying to get sunlight. Managed to lose a shit ton of weight over the last year. Haven't jacked off in weeks. All the shit you're supposed to do. Life's gotten better, but the biggest hurdle is still social anxiety/depression. I don't believe the meds have ever really helped me, so I'm trying to get off and deal with it in other ways.
Good to know. I'll look into this. I've heard positive things from people who have tried microdosing, and I know a reliable source who could get me lsd. Thanks!
I was on Effexor and then switched to Zoloft about three years ago. I was on them for about 7 months collectively and then quit overnight. Personally, I never experienced any symptoms quitting those two specifically. I recently started Pristiq after switching from Welbutrin, and I definitely had to ween myself off Welburtin to switch. My teeth ached, had horrible headaches, I was dizzy and nauseous for about two weeks. If you're giving them up altogether, stay hydrated, mentally occupied, and exercise if and when you can. Or go for walks/runs. Helps to keep you mind off stuff.
On Wellbutrin. It's working alright. I feel fine, not robotic at all.
FYI porn is bad, but abstinence is worse. After about 7 days your T will spike and then drop to minimal levels until you get a nut.
Yeah, I know YMMV when it comes to AD withdraw. I'm definitely feeling it, but so far symptoms have been manageable, not as bad as some of the shit I've read. Doing my best to keep occupied. So far, I've been able to sleep through a lot of it.
when i gave up antidepressants cold-turkey i felt nauseous and dizzy for about a week. it took about two months before i could feel anything emotionally, and several years before i could get an erection again.
Just wondering why you didn't taper off of it like you're supposed to?
>Effexor
that's the shit i was on. it made sure i couldn't get it up. on my wedding night.
that marriage didn't last long.
several years? damn bro
I'll keep it mind, definitely need to cut back on the porn though, I was addicted. Withdraw has killed absolutely killed libido for the time being.
effexor is brutal for limp dick. I cycled off and it wasn't too bad. just had ringing in my ears for a few days and felt really hazy. All those drugs are shit. see a therapist and deal with your problems and then move on. anti dep. drugs just delay and prevent you from dealing and then fixing your problems.
I was on 100mg of Zoloft after running the gamut of Paxil, Celexa, Fluoxetine (prozac) for about ten years. I was tired of taking them too because they don't fucking work. Unless your goal is to gain 50 pounds and sleep 11 hours per day I would stay the fuck away from this shit. Your withdrawal will range from where you are now to horrible episodes where everything will look different. I bet you consume a lot of caffeine - You will need about half of what you normally consume.
As this is sill a general anxiety and depression thread, I'll just go ahead and ask this: how does it feel to be actually depressed or have true anxiety? I've been through both yeah but notihing actually relevant, I wouldn't even call it depression you know.
Also good luck op
I'm dumb I guess, lol. I've successfully weened down to about 20mg in the past before experiencing any symptoms, but as soon as I'd start to feel it, it always scared me in to getting back on. Cold turkey has been about the only thing that's worked for other shit I've taken, but granted, nothing else as I've taken has the same withdraw effects. I've got a good chunk of time off coming up, and I thought I'd just try to use it to sleep through the worst of the sudden withdraw effects. I can deal with mild, longer-lasting symptoms during everyday life, I just want the worst of it over with.
To be honest i've been avoiding my theraspist cause all that she does is tell me "book an appointment with psychiatrist to see if he can give you something" i went through about a month of lexapro which was absolute cancer, the side effects were only making me feel worse and i was extremely scared of gaining weight, flushed it all down the toilet, never taking that shit again
Believe it or not, I hardly drink any caffeine. And yeah, the weight gain and heavy sleep from these things are the biggest reason I want off.
Lexapro gave me permanent anorgasmia.
I haven't had an orgasm in 7 years. I stopped taking Lexapro 6 years ago.
most neckbeards here have no idea what severe depression is. they are entitled spoiled shits that have no social lives because they sit here and jerk it all day. True depression is a mind set you would literally rather be dead then continue the mental anguish but really most don't know that pain. You really have no fear of death because its better than where you are. If death makes you squirm or feel fear, you aren't suicidal. You are just a loser looking for attention and feeling sorry for yourself.
I need Xanax xr to function.
i went to a cognitive behavior therapist and it changed my life. taught me a different way to think. I got off the crap drugs that just mask everything and actually dealt with my problems. Lost a bunch of weight, got active, got friends, and got married. Drugs will not get you there. you have to do the work
I did it by not refilling my prescription and taking the rest of them every other day. It still sucked when it ran out. I had about three days of feeling really weird. I woke up in sheets wet from sweat and I would have to re-make my bed in the middle of the night for a couple of nights. You should do it though because ssris are shit and they do nothing.
Thanks for the motivation my dude, i really don't want to believe that those shitpills are the only solution
Well, I do agree that there's a lot of people out there that think they are in the worst situation they could be and they actually don't know shit about life. But imo there's nothing wrong with calling for attention or feel sorry for yourself. Not because someone has a bigger problem than yours your problem is gonna be solved, neither will it become insignificant.
YMMV I suppose, but anxiety is exhausting. Imagine something that makes you nervous (giving a speech, performing, etc.). You know how you feel right before? Increased heart rate, sweatiness, shaky palms, upset stomach? Anxiety is the same, less severe, but nearly constant. After a while, that shit takes its toll. You're fatigued, perpetually nauseated, and just feel blah in general. It's hard to interact with others, focus, or enjoy anything while you feel like this.
Depression is a different animal, but has the same general result. Anxiety is worse physically, but depression is mentally exhausting. You question you're self-worth, over-analyze everything, and amplify any negative perceptions of yourself and others you may have. You lose interest in things you used to enjoy and lose all motivation. Mood swings are a bitch, and range from being teary-eyed to feeling physically suffocated by your emotions. Literally, I've been so upset I've had trouble breathing.
Dealt with it for years. I've had good periods and bad, but it's never flat out gone away. Consider yourself lucky if you've never had to deal with it.
Lucky for you, you found a good therapist. I've seen several over the years, and behavioral therapy has just never worked. The hardest thing is not being taught a new way to think, it's unlearning the old way.
once you have dealt with depression and learn how to see it coming and learn how to keep it in check its manageable. agree though, it never really goes away, hence the term " my dark passenger"
you shouldn't quit abruptly. slowly decrease your does over several weeks. Maybe go every other day to a low does first. That will make it much less difficult.
If its really not working.
it was really hard for me and i worked on it like a motherfucker. Not sure its the therapist or the work you put in or both. Don't give up. Behavior therapy is the way out, you need to connect with the therapist and make it a lifestyle. its hard but worth it. many would rather just pop pills and live in a haze of nothingness. I was there.
OP here. Agreed. My depression is generally easier to manage than the anxiety. My current therapist diagnosed me with Avoidant Personality Disorder, which is not good for keeping depression at bay. Best treatment for depression is a social support network, but if you're a lonely hermit like I am, you have to try to keep it in check on your own.
Just got switched from Zoloft to Trintellix. Zoloft worked fine for me but made it hard as fuck to cum. Getting my dick up wasn't a problem, but actually accomplishing anything with it was. My dick works better on Trintellix but haven't been on it long enough to decide if it's better for OCD/anxiety. Happy so far though. There's no generic form of it so I was lucky to get my insurance to cover it. Fuckin shit is like $400 a month otherwise.
I'm cold turkey-ing efexor at the moment. The brain zaps are annoying (feels like a sleep twitch but you are awake) but other then that it's not bad at all. I'm going cold turkey so the process is faster. I don't want to go to the psychiatrist just to let her extend the prescription at a lower dose so I decided to bite the bullet. I was suicidal last year so that is how I got on the anti depressant train. It helped at the time but I'm done with it.
Don't go cold turkey because it will completely fuck you up and cause you to possibly act erratically.
I was on Seroquel and Cymbalta for a year and decided to quit bc I had gained weight and my dick just wasn't working anymore.
The first week was awful and the following two weren't much better (sudden aggression, brain zaps, etc.).
Wean yourself, don't just stop taking them.
My biggest problem is my lifestyle. I grew up in a psychologically toxic household. Parents were hoarders who never went out and kept to themselves, and I picked up a lot of bad habits. Never had friends over, never went to social events, never dated. My current therapist diagnosed me with Avoidant Personality Disorder (no surprise), and I've been working hard to overcome it. I'm trying to be more social and making an effort to connect with others, but it's hard when you're used to living like a hermit and don't really have any friends to rely on.
i will avoid people if possible as well. I got better and ironically my wife is very social. drives my crazy most times but she knows my issues and forces me out. the truth is when i am out i actually enjoy myself but i really need her to give me that push all the time. Make as many personal connections as you can. you'll hate it but force yourself out. it makes things better
physical activity is key too. both socially and the workout makes my depression a lot better. try boxing, i love it and there's a lot of socially odd people that do it. lol
I kinda do, yeah. But I figured I should know a thing about them anyway, both for helping others if I can and if I need it if the time comes.
Also, do you think a person who's kind of an outsider to all of this can help if only a little to people with these type of problems?
Good for you, man. Glad there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Ironically, I'm able to fake being social pretty well. Told what few friends I did have back in high school about my anxiety and they were shocked. Guess I'll just have to fake it til I make it.
Absolutely. I generally keep my bullshit to myself and don't tell others what I'm going through, but if you know something struggling with anxiety or depression, just offer to listen. Support helps a ton. Reach out, because if they're like me, they won't come to you.
I've been on and off anti depressants for about 11-12 years. Best advice I can give. Tell your therapist/perscriber that they aren't working anymore. Take their advice which will probably be to come off them slowly, not to just stop, that can be really dangerous. Sometimes you build up a tolerance to them, I'd assume. Not a professional so take this with a grain of salt. So you may just need an increase in dosage or a new type of antidepressant. Don't just stop taking them is the most important thing though. Hope you get it figured out, user!
I've been exercising regularly. Lost 50 pounds over the last year. Still haven't worked up the courage to join a public gym yet, but that's my next goal.
Yeah I quit mine years ago. I am normal. I always have been. Stop taking them.
Just offering to listen is enough? Is trying to help them too much? Well if we were talking about people who's not close I would just listen to them that's obvious, you get it. And how do you reach out to a person like this?
FYI it's not that I've not talked with a depressed person in all my life but this is a way to learn too
Oh by all means offer to help if they're willing to accept it. Reaching out is hard, because unless they hint at it to you or are just bad at masking their depression/anxiety, you probably won't even realize they're struggling. If you know someone dealing with it, offer to hang out or go do something with them. You'll have to take the lead in any sort of social activity. Don't let them just ball up and be along for the ride. Be assertive and try to push them out of their comfort zone, but obviously don't force them to do anything they are not comfortable with. If you can get them to have fun with you once, they'll be more receptive to doing it again with others.
OP here. I'm going offline and going to try to get some sleep. Had a bout of tremors and a hot flash a little while ago, but feeling pretty good atm. Anxiety and nausea have both gone down. On the whole, I feel better than yesterday and the day before.
Thanks for all the advice and support in this thread. Tried to reply to as many of you as I could. Good luck to everyone else out there going through it!
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OK man, thanks a lot for the advice! Good luck with all the things you gotta deal with :)
Good luck bro