Tapering off anti-depressants

Hey @Allira ,

Thanks for posting!

After reading your posts, I was wondering whether the medication tapering was done in accordance to advice from a doctor?

If you have been taking these meds for 3 years, it may take longer than a few days to taper down. It is good to speak to your prescribing doctor so as not to 'undo' the work of the medication over the last three years.

From my experience, I've stretched out tapering over a number of years. I reduced VERY VERY slowly so that it wouldn't upset the balance in my body. Also, I only tapered very little at a time. Each time I taper, I wait a few years before the next taper.

Now I'm not saying you are the same, but tapering from meds definitely needs to be handled carefully or you may find yourself worse than what it was before.

All the best with it!

Hi @tyme

Yes I saw my GP before I begun doing this and she recommended the way in which to taper, going down a dose waiting a week or two and then maybe going down more. She said once I was off it completely it would be out of my system in 2-4 days. She also said to just listen to my body and if I need to stay longer before going down again to do that.

I spent about 3 weeks on the 10mg and felt evened out before going down to the 5mg.

Thankyou for sharing your experience. I think I should give myself more time before going down a dose again.

Hi Allira

I am new here and this is only my second visit.

I was on antidepressants for nearly a decade. they were dealing with a reaction and not really the cause and i should have stopped with them long before, but it was just easier.

I personally hated the feeling when i forgot to take my tablets and how my head would 'ring', going away after about 45 of taking dose.

I was on 150mg (2 tablets). I went doewn by 1/2 a tablet at a time and waited a month at least between changes. It was all managable with little effect till near the end.

I was down to one tablet, taking it only every second day... and it just seemed right to just stop.

It made me feel a bit weird for a 2 or 3 day period but that completely subsided by day 5 or 6.

I did have a frightening experience on about day 3 or 4 that i will share with you.

I live in rural area and railway crossings are flashing lights but no boom gates of the sort. Driving acrossthe tracks in the local town i look to see a train within about 20 metres and i was driving across the tracks. I was fine and train laid on the horn and i crossed without incident, but to this day, i could not tell you if those lights were flashing or not.

I do not know if it was a failure of the crossing or if the 'fog of war' that comes with the inital stage of being competely off depr=essants was to blame. Closest i have ever been to death and i mention it so that you take the period of time when you are first without it seriously. I personally would not drive much, put yourself in stessful situations and even avoid crowded places like supermarkets etc... i am alone so i say this as someone without support, but with help from others these things may not be as big a deal.

I strongly believe that anxiety and depression is a normal reaction of a healthy mind to this modern world. Add in things like my aspergers and anxiety and depression are natural bedfellows.

I hope this helps a bit and if possible talk with a gp about any sensations that are causing you alarm.

Remember that, just like quitting smoking, there is no shame in not being successful the first time. If first you dont succeed try and try again

All the best :0)