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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by djmmm on May 20, 2003, at 8:37:56
I am interested In hearing from anyone who has reached a point (in medication therapy) where they have considered stopping meds.
(My question is for those who have found success, and have discontinued meds.)I am, for the first time in years (been taking various meds for about 10) in the process of discontinuing Parnate, not because of efficacy problems, or side-effects, but because I am no longer depressed, nor do I suffer from social anxiety.
When I say I'm no longer depressed, I am refeering to major depression, and I still get anxious, but I feel that my social anxiety is within an appropriate and "normal" range. I still get sad sometimes, but not hoplessly and debilitatingly depressed. I think my moods and emotions are within a natural and reasonable "human" range.
I say "I think" only because over the past years of my life, begining meds at 15/16 yrs old, I have struggled with what exactly feeling "normal" is, since I really have no concept, or memory of ever feeling "normal"
I really don't like promoting medications, but I think if i had never tried a MAOI, I wouldn't be where I am today.
I guess my point is also directed to those who are thinking about taking medication, but are afraid of side-effects, weight gain, or having to give up food they like, etc At my most depressed and lowest, I never thought about stopping a medication that was working, or not trying a medication that could save my life because I didn't want to give up eating cheese, or have to worry about gaining weight. At my lowest I would have given my left arm for just one day happiness.
I guess this is just food for thought, for those who will never find success, because they aren't willing put everything on the line to get their life back.
Posted by KellyD on May 20, 2003, at 17:34:21
In reply to When to quit, posted by djmmm on May 20, 2003, at 8:37:56
You have brought up an interesting point I have certainly struggled with. I don't have a long history of using psychpharm meds, but I do have the history of using a benzo steady for about a year. I weaned off and used it as needed. When I was on it routinely - I wanted off of it. When I don't take it for a few days, I'll get a "symptom" and think I should be on it as I was scheduled before. (Maybe so?)
I think my perspective has been changed by using it. I chalk everything up to "it's anxiety" and fear the return of the old monster. Sometimes, it's just life that I have to cope with and I do a pretty good job of it most of the time. My benzo use saved me but, I never felt good about it and I did (and do) have some downsides to it's use - sl. depression, lack of drive, etc - which seemed to improve as I weaned down. I feel it may be a "damned if you do, damned if you don't". Tough call to make and real scary.
Posted by MelD on May 20, 2003, at 18:06:25
In reply to When to quit, posted by djmmm on May 20, 2003, at 8:37:56
I know this will sound naive, but how can you know that you dont need meds anymore to control your depression ? I have been on many meds over the last 20 years and when one poops out on me i go straight back into deep depression and here we go again. I could not give up a med while i was feeling well, because i would attribute feeling well to the med.
Posted by maryhelen on May 21, 2003, at 2:46:40
In reply to When to quit, posted by djmmm on May 20, 2003, at 8:37:56
djmmm:
I know you wanted answers from those who have successfully given up meds and what their experience has been, but I hope your don't mind me commenting.
I have been trying different meds and combinations, along with 2 rounds of ECT 5 years apart, for so long now I can't imagine what it has done to my brain chemistry. I have been on Parnate for over a year now. It did work well at the beginning but lost it's effect after about 6 months. My pdoc augmented it with Lithium but I could not take the side effect. So, again another change from Lithium to Lamitcal which I have now been taking for 2 weeks. I am so sick and tired of it all. It has been so long, 16 years without medication, recently I have been thinking, if they are not really helping why not try and see what it would be like med free. What scares me about that is I know 2 people specifically who had a great response to their med and in that state of feeling 'normal' thought that they had finally beaten the depression and came off their meds. Both of them crashed so badly, one attempted suicide, that I cannot take the chance of finding out for myself right now. They both slowly recuperated but are still on meds today. I have just been able to return to work after a 2 year sick leave and I am afraid to take the chance.
I guess what I am trying to say is to be careful. How sure are you that it is not the Parnate that has helped you to feel so much better, yet it now feels like a 'normal' state to you? I do not have an answer but I certainly have been giving it a lot of thought lately.
Good luck in your decision and I would sure like to know how things turn out for you.maryhelen
Posted by waterlily on May 23, 2003, at 15:26:30
In reply to Re: When to quit, posted by maryhelen on May 21, 2003, at 2:46:40
I hate to be a spoil sport too, but I had a similar experience with going off medication. Twice after being depression free for a year or so, I tried going off the antidepressant I was on. I tapered very slowly but the depression returned both times once I got to a dose below therapeutic levels. I had been very optimistic that I would be able to get off the antidepressants successfully both times, but it was not to be. It took a good six weeks to return to normal after both of those times. I'm not even entertaining the notion of going drug-free anymore.
This is the end of the thread.
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