Going off meds and other fun things

[I am Providence]

I don't think I'm alone in being tired with this medication business. I've been on something (and almost everything) since I was fourteen. Now I've tried to wash my hands of the whole hot mess more than once, but everything I either became very physically ill with withdrawal or experienced a return of old symptoms

Now I wish to do it again, for good this time. Within the past couple months or so, I have felt as if I was clouded or on an emotional plateau that I can't get off. I don’t like this and I believe this may be due to taking Lexapro when I no longer need it. Since I was put on it some years ago, a lot has changed in my life for the better and I have grown physically as well, so perhaps I’ve some leveling out of some of my brain chemicals and whatnot.

So what I want to ask of the people here who may have rid themselves of meds is:

What compelled you to quit your meds?
And
When you went off, did you do anything to aid the transition, such as a change of diet, exercise etc.?

Thank you in advance.

[whatever187]

hey ive never taken lexapro, but i have been on meds that had not so plesent side affects. I looked up lexapro on google and found a website that deals with the side affects and withdrawal, thought you might find it usefull... http://www.join-the-fun.com/lexapro-withdrawal.html hope everything works out.

[balletomane]

I'm in the middle of a med withdrawal now. I don't know if I am going to be off them for long. I am not taking them right now because I ODed a bit and haven't had a chance to see the psychiatrist since then.

At any rate, I can definitely relate to your frustration. Have you talked to your pdoc about tapering off?

I've been trying to sleep a lot and hide from humanity.

So yeah, not very helpful, but I can relate.

[Tamrick]

I tried a med withdrawal last year December and it was a disaster. I've been meaning to try again for months now, but am much too scared so I keep procrastinating.

I want to quit meds for a number of reasons:
I hate remembering tablets.
I want to get pregnant one day and they aren't safe apparently
I want to see if my body can cope now that things are going better
My medical aid would be pleased
I want to feel in control of my own emotions - sometimes I feel a little
numbed emotionally by the meds

When I do stop my meds I want to just carry on with life exactly how I am now. I will naturally have to stop them very slowly. Maybe I will make sure I can relax a little more than usual before going off them just in case I feel more down.

[heartonmysleave]

I quit meds because they made my depression worse and made me self injure ALLOT more. since I went off them a couple of months ago, I've only SI'd twice, whereas when I was on them it was every week almost.

I've started swimming as a way to get back into physical excercise. and it seems to help a bit.

[Naomi_Om]

just a note:

there's lot of info, by doctors and pdocs themselves, on WHY and HOW to get off these drugs

off the top of my head:

Peter R. Breggin and David Cohen.: Your Drug May Be Your Problem: How and Why to Stop Taking Psychiatric Medications.

Joseph Glenmullen: The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence and "Addiction."

Peter R. Breggin: Toxic Psychiatry: Why Therapy, Empathy, and Love Must Replace Drugs, Electroshock and Biochemical Theories of "New Psychiatry"

I think it may be appropriate here to share my blog....it's called recovering from psychiatry and other stories...it documents my going off meds, how i did it and what helped me, how i empowered myself, my thoughts, my research etc..lots of links, and books...

http://spaces.msn.com/members/valspsyke

take care, and best of luck,
pm me if you like

Naomi