Posted by 49er on March 28, 2009, at 12:15:04
In reply to Re: Stopping w. AD or not? I am feeling better?, posted by hansi555 on March 28, 2009, at 4:22:35
Hansi,
Due to insomnia, I didn't read your post very carefully but I think sharing my story is relevant.
I started on meds in 1995. In 2006, I made the decision to slowly taper off of a 4 med cocktail due to suffering a Remeron induced hearing loss and a worsening of learning disability issues that I feel were caused by the meds.
I am now down to 1 med and expect to be finished sometime next year.
When I am not dealing with withdrawal symptoms, which usually are 1 to 2 weeks after a med cut and I don't have insomnia, I feel very normal. And I was essentially told I would be on meds for life and so were many other people who have gotten off of the successfully.
The key if you decide to go off meds is to taper slowly at 10% of the current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. The reason alot of people aren't successful in coming off of meds is that many psychiatrists (not all) advocate a way too fast tapering schedule which is the equivalent of blunt trauma to the brain which needs time to adapt to less meds in the body.
As far as taking meds for another 6 months after you are in remission, I vehemently disagree with that as you are subjecting yourself to further unnecessary risks. And many times, those 6 months seems to extend to a lifetime as the psychiatrist (again, not all) never gets around to taking the patient off the meds.
I also think that if you taper the med very slowly and again, not at the fast rate the MD suggests, you will lessen the chance of a relapse.
While the drug companies and doctors aren't studying people who are living med free after getting off of meds, we are out there. Instead, we're referred to as crazy lunatic scientologists. Yeah, that is great way to advance debate isn't it?
Anyway, it is very possible to live a drug free life and not relapse. I have dealt with my mother's death, job instabilities, horrific insomnia, and I am still standing.
It does mean you have to seriously work on your thought pattern or see a therapist for help. I am not saying by the way that if you do this, you can live med free. But without examining your thought pattern, your chances of success will be less.
When I first started tapering off of meds, I was horrified to see how negative I was. With practice, it has gotten alot better although I am not perfect by any means.
Hope this helps and good luck with your decision
49er
PS - If you do decide to taper and want help with doing it slowly, I will be glad to help.
poster:49er
thread:887227
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090322/msgs/887387.html