I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

[ttdriver]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

GREAT!! 2 days!! WOOHOO!!

YES YES YES, the irritability will pass .. I about bit my husband's head off over STUPID IDIOTIC THINGS for a few days .. He's very patient (God love him!) ..

Hang in there, sweetie .. EVERY HOUR IS A VICTORY!



Betty

[mrspher]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

Doesn't it feel great to be "drug free"?

BTW- I have a picture just like yours... I love the character breakfasts at disney!

[norweaver]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

Why does everyone here feel that antidepressants, when you need them, are poison? I wasn't able to function, control my sugar or follow plan at all. I cried all the time. I was hateful to people at work. It was like a miracle when I began Effexor, I got my life back! I can exercise, my sugar is under control and I am stronger and stronger every day!

[Piasabird]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

Why does everyone here feel that antidepressants, when you need them, are poison? I wasn't able to function, control my sugar or follow plan at all. I cried all the time. I was hateful to people at work. It was like a miracle when I began Effexor, I got my life back! I can exercise, my sugar is under control and I am stronger and stronger every day!

Not everyone here feels that way. I guess we're just not as vocal about it. I've been on antidepressants a few times over the years. I'm not currently taking anything, but I would if I felt I needed them again. When I took Zoloft it was like I had been looking through a dirty window and then it was clear again. I was able to function better and think more clearly. I didn't sleep all day and I could feel like leaving the house. I didn't hate everyone and want to rip somebody's head off. My mother takes Zoloft and without it she cries all the time for no reason.

I don't necessarily think that people are saying they're against people who take medications. I think they're showing support and celebrating with someone who wanted to be off of their antidepressants. Betty felt like she didn't need them anymore. One big drawback is that they do have sexual side effects. And some people develop a drug induced apathy, like I did with Paxil. I gained a lot of weight and didn't care about anything. Nothing at all.

I think they're good for when you truly need them. But I also think they're overprescribed. And I think it's a good idea to combine drug therapy with counseling.

But, you do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Nobody, but you, can walk a day in your shoes. Best wishes.

[Jasmain]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

I agree with the birdie. I take Celexa, and I have for about 15 years now, off and on. I've stopped taking them before, and unfortunately, I've always ended up back on them. I also agree with her that counseling would go a long way towards helping me to not need them so much, but insurance being what it is, I do what I can afford. I highly doubt, for me at least, that I will ever be off them completely as long as I work and live where I do. It's strange, they actually think my brain just doesn't make the chemicals that it should, since my getting back on them is usually within the same amount of time every time, and is never because of something that has happened to set off the depression. Things can be fine, and I just start going downhill. Never get off those things without the help of your doctor, for sure. Everyone is different, and birdie was right, it was more a celebration because of getting off them because it was time, and she was in a place in her life where she didn't need to rely on them anymore. It was encouraging those who may have been afraid to try to get off them to at least try if they felt it was time too. A lot of people just don't get off them because their doctor never thinks to discuss the option with them once the crisis has passed.

[Ms Blue]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

You go girl, with your bad self! You are amazing!

[norweaver]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

I guess since I'm new here, I was feeling a little funny about everyone expressing that antidepressants were like poison. To me, if it is a chemical imbalance, going on and off meds really will only do you a disservice, unless you DO have side effects.

They work for me, and I am finding no side effects right now. Counseling has not worked for me in the past, and I really don't believe in it anyway. I have found it simply allows me to wallow in my problems instead of moving on with my life, when I have tried it. Instead, my faith and religious self-help seems to work for me, getting outside my problems and try to help others.

To each his own, and I wish everyone well with whatever works for you.

[ttdriver]

Re: I Am Free! Totally Detoxed!!!

I agree; whatever works for ya!!

I did fine on the anti-depressants while I took them, but getting off them was another animal all-together.

I can surely see why people are reluctant to go through the withdrawal process. It is, however, VERY MUCH WORTHWHILE when you make it!

Betty