Scared to get off meds...

LuckyStar · 06-02-2008, 04:26 PM

The title pretty much says it all.
I'm currently on cipralex, been taking it for about 7 months...Was supposed to stop taking it on January but couldn't coz I'm scared what i'm gonna be like without the meds. I've come such a long way, I don't wanna go back to the way I was before...

Anyone has any experiences/advice?

<3, Laura

sopranonut · 06-02-2008, 09:31 PM

7 months isn't really that long. Were you told by doctor to come off it? Why do you need to stop taking it?
Usually they say you can come off it whn you've been feeling better from between six months to a year so i would stay on it if i were you, unless there's a reason you need to stop taking it.

LuckyStar · 07-02-2008, 06:04 AM

My doc actually did cut my dose a bit and said it would be good for me to consider getting off meds after january but it's been a while since the last time I saw him coz I've moved into another town and haven't yet managed to find a new therapist nor doctor who could help me here...That's really fustrating!!

Anyways, thanks for ur replies:)

<3, Laura

HideousKinky · 07-02-2008, 06:25 PM

I'm in a similar situation at the moment, I saw a different doc to my normal one and she mentioned if im still doing well in a couple of months they might think about reducing the dose but im scared cause I feel better than I have in years and I have no idea if I will still feel okay once I come off the medication. I want to be fine without it but I don't know if thats going to happen and I can't go through it all again, it will just be too hard!!! Go and find a new doc and see what they say about it all.

Dommie.x

Zephyr · 07-02-2008, 06:56 PM

I would say follow your doctor's instructions, but you definitely want to be monitored by a therapist/doctor have someone you can see just in case you start feeling off without the meds.

Steel Maiden · 07-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Have you considered tapering off the dose very, very slowly, with your doctor monitoring you?

You must be careful. In my case, schizophrenia and going off meds do not go well. I have ended up in A&E and subsequently being restrained by security as a result of going off meds. So you must be careful.
Cipralex is for depression am I correct?
Talk to your doctor about your concerns, and consider tapering off slowly.
Good luck,
SM

LuckyStar · 08-02-2008, 05:57 PM

Yes, Cipralex is for depression.

Dommie, I feel exactly like that! If I went back to being as depressed as I was before, I don't think I could get through it this time. Even reducing the dose is very scary...

But I'm definitely going to make an appointment with a doc coz i don't really have a choice...

<3, Laura

Steel Maiden · 08-02-2008, 09:16 PM

Long-term usage of meds can be detrimental, yes. Your dr should be there to help you ideally, so talk to him about it. Perhaps you could get more intensive therapy while you are lowering the dose.
Good luck,
SM

Yttrium · 08-02-2008, 11:48 PM

the last time my doctor started to reduce my meds I ended up in A&E within 2 weeks having been perfectly fine before that.

I think the long term effect of meds are a better gamble for me right now than coming off.

It's a very difficult decision and all I would say is you don't need to be in a rush and if you need to be really carefully monitored if you do decide to try it.

Lots of luck and best wishes

xx

Steel Maiden · 16-02-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yttrium

the last time my doctor started to reduce my meds I ended up in A&E within 2 weeks having been perfectly fine before that.

I think the long term effect of meds are a better gamble for me right now than coming off.

It's a very difficult decision and all I would say is you don't need to be in a rush and if you need to be really carefully monitored if you do decide to try it.

Lots of luck and best wishes

xx

I have had the same experience as you.