Any advice pls?? I came off meds cold turkey

Liriel · 02-01-2012, 05:20 AM

And now I'm all over the place.

Of course I am, what a stupid thing to do really. I've been assuring my nearest and dearest that I'm fine, all is fine, in fact I'm feeling great! But things are starting to turn .. strange.

What I guess I'm writing for is to ask if anyone else has come off meds cold-turkey and if they have any advice? I'm freaking out a bit but trying to stay calm.

I had a really bad cold not long after I came off them (I stopped taking two different sets of meds quite close together ... how stupid) but I just thought it was the time of year, I suppose it might have been but I've also read that people suffer with colds when coming off meds suddenly. I've had this cold for 9 days now but it's getting better, the problem now is palpitations and dizziness, and strange feelings when I move my head, like it's a second slower or something ... that doesn't make sense but I can't explain it. Plus I'm crying at everything I see! Like two years' worth of tears are all coming out at once.

I'd really appreciate any advice you guys have, and I thank you for being here for me. It's hard to find people to talk to, who know what I'm on about ... I hope.

Much love x

Sooty · 02-01-2012, 11:43 AM

Hi there

I've only ever come of meds cold turkey when they were hindering me more than helping me so I don't know what the adverse effects feel like stopping a medication that has worked. I'd suggest that you go to see your GP/psychiatrist asap and they'll know what would be best to calm the effects of your lack of meds. Perhaps you'll be advised to start taking your meds again so that you can come off them more gradually and controlled. It's important to be monitored by your doctor etc when coming off meds. Good luck and take care.

Sophie.x

startingagain · 02-01-2012, 11:59 AM

I've done it before and had to go back on a lowered dose that was gradually reduced. I'd ring nhs direct or the out of hours doctor as different medications can need different solutions. Hope you feel better soon.

Liriel · 02-01-2012, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the reply Sophie - I guess I should've spoken to someone about coming off my meds but it just felt like the right time. I was taking quetiapine but I was fed up of walking around in a fog. Then seeing as though I was feeling ok after coming off it I decided to stop my anti-depressant too. I wanted so desperately to be off meds all together, I'd had enough, perhaps it was too much at once.

Liriel · 02-01-2012, 12:17 PM

Thank you starting again, I hope I feel better soon too heh - Part of me thinks if I've got this far I mayaswell carry on ... who knows eh, Just see how I get on ..

happiness...its all a lie · 07-01-2012, 10:05 PM

I went cold turkey for 2 months once and ended up worse than ever so i went back on the pills and then I came off prozac gradually advised by my GP and it was strange i felt odd at first a bit numb if that makes sense but now i feel like i can have real feelings again as i know whats sad, happy, funny etc. I have moments now where i think i should go back on them but it just takes time getting used to them. I wouldnt worry too much about the crying i do too and i sometimes feel normal again when i cry. Hope everything works out for you xx

staceyrawrcakes · 08-01-2012, 01:56 AM

I went off mine cold turkey and was really depressed and suicidal for a couple of weeks. I'm the same now though as I was when I was on them but that's because they ended up not doing anything for me and that's why I came off them.
I wouldn't recommend coming off them cold turkey though because it does make you feel a lot worse than how you did when you started.

melissafaith · 15-01-2012, 04:01 AM

I went off paxil cold turkey when I was in high school. It made me ill while I was on it. I really should have talked to my doctor about it though because I became even more depressed coming off it. If it has not been too long since you stopped taking your meds you might be able to start them up again on your own, but if it's been any significant period of time I would talk to your doctor to see what they recommend. I hope things get worked out soon so that you feel better!

Liriel · 19-01-2012, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. It's been quite a while now and not gone back on anything. Still having some ropey days and some side-effects but nothing earth-shattering.

Let's hope it stays this way.

Big loves to you all and hope 2012 is going ok so far x