Posted by 49er on October 23, 2009, at 5:17:52
In reply to Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by Buckeye Fan on October 20, 2009, at 10:18:11
> Just wanting some opinions gang....after 10-15 years of using an AD and a Benzo....is there any hope I could become med free ?
>
> Would my system eventually return to it's pre-med state?
>
> BFDarn, why did I have to find this thread when I have to go to work? There is so much I want to say. But let me respond to BF's post.
For those of you not familiar with my story, I started taking psych meds in 95. In 2006, after being concerned about horrendous side effects, including a hearing loss from Remeron, I decided to taper my meds which was then a 4 med psych cocktail.
I mostly tapered at 10% of current dose every 3 to 6 weeks although a few times, I cheated. But BF, if you are going to become med free, tapering slowly is the key. I can't stress that enough.
When you felt severe depression after CTing an antidepressant, that was not proof your illness had returned. The cold turkeying caused severe withdrawal symptoms.
Anyway, I am now down to one med Doxepin at around 4.1mg. My tapering stalled in August due to suffering severe rebound insomnia. It is better but I don't feel stable enough to continue tapering.
I have been able to do this in spite of dealing with adversity such as the death of a family member and job instability. I now have a permanent job.
I also use supplements and a form of self CBT. BF, I am not sure what my pre-medicated state was but I have learned to recognize the thought patterns that got me placed on meds. I am not saying everyone can do this as an FYI.
As far a mainstream docs vs. alternative folks, I don't have use for either as none of them were helpful regarding my insomnia problems. The mainstream folks' solution is more meds while the alternative folks attitude is the same as mainstream folks which is my neurotransmitters need balancing which is bunch of BS in my opinion.
Finally, while this hasn't been easy and there will be withdrawal symptoms even when tapering slowly, I feel so much better. I don't regret my decision at all and feel it is one of the bests I have made in my life.
Gotta run. I will read posts more closely when I have time and I may post more.
49er
poster:49er
thread:921662
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091021/msgs/922084.html