Antidepressants For Life

[nailit]

Ive been on mirtazipine for 3 years. I was put on them after been sectioned in a psychiatric hospital. To say that they have made a difference to my quality of life would be an understatment. However, before xmas I decided to leave them off for a while and see how I managed. Within a few weeks I noticed that I started to experience the same symptoms that led to my been sectioned in the first place...sleepless nights, nightmares when I DID sleep, mood swings and I started to drink more. I resumed my medication. (yes, I know I should have consulted a doctor)
However I dont like the thought of been on psych meds for the rest of my life. Has anyone been on this medication and got off it?
Thanks for your thoughts.

[pixie374]

They very often are for life. Why do you want to come off it?

[pixie374]

They would need to be withdrawn very very slowly if you did, possibly over years if you have been on them for years, while you adjust- if you can.

[Islay]

I was on it for 2 years 5 months and 2 weeks before I came off of it. Best thing I ever did but I was never sectioned. Speak to your doctor and discuss your medication and safe withdrawl.

[Tilly2]

What is it? One tablet a day? If it works, one a day isn't so bad. If it makes you feel better, stick with it, Nailit.

[nailit]

Thank you pixie and islay
//They very often are for life. Why do you want to come off it?//
Because of the side effects. Weight gain, loss of libido and erection problems (sorry to be blunt) Im not in a relationship at the moment but if I was, having sex would be like playing snooker with a piece of rope...

[nailit]

sorry tills, ur answer wasnt there when I posted

[237SJ]

A friend of mine who used to be a psychiatric nurse (she used to work in the lock up units) suffered from depression a few years ago. She said "If you have a problem with your heart, you take a pill. If you have a problem with your kidneys, you take a pill. The brain is just another organ so if you have a problem with it, you take a pill" Some drugs are designed to be taken for life and if they make you feel better then why stop them?

[Sqad]

237.....you beat me to it........exactly.

[Old_Geezer]

Certain that's not your age nailit ? I may have bad news for you regarding getting older and sexual ability. That's why they market those blue diamond tablets.

[maggiebee]

I have been on a low dose of Citalopram for many years and the doctor recommends that I take them for the rest of my life. Tried stopping a few years ago but old symptoms soon returned so doc put me back on and there I have stayed.

[pixie374]

It may be that it's worth transferring to a different one, but obviously speak to your doctor. Just stopping them really won't help you x

[nailit]

// if they make you feel better then why stop them?//
Because of the side effects given above. My weight gain since been on them has put me in the catagory of obese. And its no fun been deprived of an erection every once in a while :-(
I AM a man after all...

[DTCwordfan]

that's a hard one, OG.....

nope, I agree with those advocating a slow and considered approach with your quack(s) steering this, nailit. A bipolar friend of mine has tried flying solo four times and four times she has been sectioned (out of eight times), one in France and if you think that is pretty over there, dream on.

[nailit]

Geezer, im only 49 (50 on june 20th if anyone want to do a birthday thread lol)

[Peter Pedant]

You have done the experiment
leave them off and do I get better or stay the same ? answer No

if I repeat the experiment because I dont like the result will it be the same ?
yes almost certainly

[Sqad]

Stop whinging........nobody is forcing you to take them.
You can be fat and happy or thin and depressed....your choice.
Same with erections.........there are treatments for this.

[237SJ]

Weight gain and loss of libido can be symptoms of depression. Maybe you need to go back to the GP and reassess the dosage or try a different drug.

[DTCwordfan]

so you need to address the side effects, nailit - discuss with quack and one of the topics should be a minimal carbs diet - which may have more benefits than just weight loss...

[Old_Geezer]

So was I once, but at that age I used to be stressed and apathetic. Not so different now come to think of it.

[237SJ]

DT - minimal carbs can contribute to depression. Google tryptophan and seratonin.