[Closed] Anti depressants

I can't say for those, but take it easy, don't just stop, half the dose over a few weeks, gradually ween your body off.

If in doubt talk to your GP.

I have finally come to the acceptance that I will be taking anti-dpressants for the rest of my life. I have tried to stop and gone through terrible withdrawl symptoms to find that I really couldn't cope without. I take citalopram which while hardly making me full of beans at least keep me on a fairly even keel. It had some bad press recently but seems to work in an acceptable manor for me.

If you are coming off have you reduced your doseage or just stopped? Just stopping is a real no-no. Ask for a lower dose (if you're not on it already). If you're on lowest dose then go to one evry other day for 2-3 weeks, then one every tird day for same period. Hopefully then you can see what it's like with none.

Have you spoke to Dr? If you want an alternative, ask and explain that your current ones make you too tired. Hopefully an alternative could work. For example Prosac made me happy (a bit too happy actually) but were far too sedative for me which made getting to work difficult.

Best of luck, chuck!

The anti-depressants don't remove the cause of your depression,speak to your GP about safe withdrawal,and some other method of dealing with your depression.
Ian

Thanks for words of encouragement!
I guess it got to the point where the Dosulepin wasnt covering the anxiety attacks. I was still feeling like I might suddenly throw up in public or I was so worried I wont be able to care for my son when he is older. Drugs do help to cover you so that you can get on with the every day stuff and I know that I may have to try an alternative, citalopram has been suggested.
I think its time to find out how to deal with what Joels autism is throwing at me, but the drugs do work. Anyone on here dealing with depression and all its lovely relations, I take my hat off to you, its a tough lot and often enough hard for others to understand. It just important to know when to tell someone how your feeling, I have lost a few friends to the battle and that really sucks.
Lou x

Eh WTFU?

LB I think you really need to speaking with your GP about either trying a different medication or how best to taper off the Dosulepin. There is some very good advice above (bar one)

It looks as if you have not been on ADs for very long only 8 months - so you may need to simply face up too the fact that it may be that it is just too early to come off them especially if the underlying issues giving rise to the depression/anxiety has not resolved itself. This is not to say you will need to be on them for the rest of your life.

I am no expert but if the underlying problem is dealing with your austic son then that may respond well to CBT or other psychological interventions. It would certainly provide a therapist a clear handle from which to work with you. May be worth raising this with your GP.

There are many other types of anti-depressent drugs and the more modern SSRIs(Citalopram etc)and SNRIs (Venlafaxine) are marketed heavily for the treatment of anxiety. In theory they have fewer side effects or at least are portrayed to be better tolerated than the older try-cyclics (like Dosulepin). They are not necessarily any more effective - but are much safer in overdose.

Good luck
Gary

I spoke with my doctor a few weeks ago about coming off my Citalopram. He said whatever you do don't come off them in one go, half the dosage first (1 tablet every 2 days for two weeks, then one every three days for two weeks then stop taking them)

you need to ween yourself off them, they are a drug after all and you can go into withdrawal quite easily