pills

[sam182]

Suffering from severe depression and anxiety - After being on several antidepressants for many years and having difficulty finding one that works, someone told me i should come off them completely are they right

[dot.hawkes]

if it was your GP yes, if it was not, no.

[crete]

never come off anti depressants quickly must be done gradually you should see g p again lots of different medication available be well

[whiffey]

A complex area. If you are not on prescribed medication, have you tried St.John's Wort - it is very good for moderate conditions.

[crete]

no good whiffey he said severe depression need medical help

[tigerthecat]

My partner too has depression my experience tells me an emphatic no unless with support from the appropriate mental health professionals. If you haven't already considered other types of treatment it would be worth talking to whoever prescribes your present medication. After years of pill taking my partner was allocated a CPN a year ago he is now being recommended for CBT. Depression is awful and I am grateful that I have not suffered in this way. Ask for help, no shout for help, asking doesn't work. Good luck :-)

[crete]

excellent advice well done

[dot.hawkes]

CPN, Community Psychiatirc Nurse, i know that cos I had one when i had post natal depression after my daughter was born, now she needs one cos she is a nutter and wears red boots with orange t shirts, i ask u.

[crete]

you sure its your daughter who has the C P N

[dot.hawkes]

well i did say she needs one, but maybe at her age that is called fashion sense, who am i to judge

[tictactoe]

Hi sam,

Sorry to hear that you are poorly.

My hubby was prescribed Amytriptyline (not for depression - but to help relieve constant headaches). Initially, the dose was increased gradually, to check the mgs suitable. When he came off of them, again this had to be done gradually.
If your GP recommends that you stop the dosage, they will put you on a reducing regime, because stopping too quickly can be detrimental to you. My hubby was on 40mg and reduced by 10mg for 3 days, until down to 10mg before stopping altogether.

Take the advise of the other posters and see your doctor.

take care
n00dles

[Greedyfly]

I sympathise with you it took me about 7 years to find one that didn't have terrible side affects or that 'worked' in the end my doctor and I decided to slowly take me off pills altogether and soo far after 9 months I am ok, not 100% but well enough to be happy. I would see your doctor and chat with him/her because all drugs work different for different people and it can take a very long time to find one that suits you. It may be worth trying something like st johns wort - herbal anti depressant. Although you should always consult your docotr before stopping medication and/or trying new ones. Good luck .

[crete]

i hope you feel better soon, be well

[mazzywoo]

So sorry to hear that you are suffering from depression and anxiety. I sympathise as I have had this awful thing on and off for years. Please don't suddenly stop your medication! Have a chat with your medical advisers and see what other help you can get. I find that cognitive therapy is useful and I am very lucky as my GP will let me go for a 'top up' of it to keep me ticking over in the bad times. If your doc agrees, theres a supplement called 5HTP which is supposed to be really effective for some people. Good luck and I hope that you feel better soon xx

[angeldraws]

I agree with the above advice but also - consider whether YOU are ready to come off this medication first. It may be a good idea to get some counselling and find out why you are so depressed and anxious. I would also recommend counselling for finding ways to 'handle' your views of the world, society and all that goes with these issues....
Take care. A x

[lilacben]

hi sam182 dont just come off htem, have a chat to your docor and come off slowly over time. You will get awful problems if you just come off them. I am also suffering severe depression and anxiety and have been for about 10 years now. I take two Seroxat a day and still dont feel able to cut down. Make sure you really are ready. have a chat with your doctor tomorrow. take care thinking of you. Brenda x