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Yearning to be addiction-free ASAP but asking for helpful ideas
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Apr 7, 2023 | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
Thank you! Yes, my goal is not to get off anti-depressants,and I never said anti-depressants are addictive, just a major horrible hassle to get off, but given the Eli Lilly lawsuit on alleged hiding/minimizing of withdrawal symptoms of Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride), I'm desirous of changing medications. I shall speak to my new Psychiatrist next month (her first opening) about changing to perhaps Lexapro or whatever she suggests.
With the clonazepam, yes, anti-anxiety meds may be needed, but after many years on this big pharma benzo clonazepam, I seek to get off the very habituating and addictive (yes!) benzodiazepam klonopin/clonazepam and I'm using the NIH tapering schedule over 5 months for getting off this vicious! (lol) (really!) benzo.(clonazepam / klonopin). I wouldn't wish a benzo (clonazepam, Xanax, valium), personally speaking, on my worst enemy! Plus, I'm not certain that it's best to cover up with a pill, signals of anxiety your body is trying to send you. There are natural alternatives - journaling, therapy, meditation, natural supplements, exercise, taking action to solve the problems, etc. or, meds that are not habituating and easy to get off, if appropriate (4 mg clonazepam now does nothing to relax me because I'm habituated and addicted!). (Thanks doc who prescribed that nasty stuff!)
Replies to "Thank you! Yes, my goal is not to get off anti-depressants,and I never said anti-depressants are..."
@jimhd This is such a great post that we need to put it on "auto re-post" about every two weeks. I don't know when the public will ever catch up to what we already know about mental health, but I will discuss it anytime and anywhere I have the opportunity. My Major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder are not different than my diabetes in terms of requiring medicinal treatment. Side effects, interactions, long term safety issues be damned if I need the medication to attempt to have a quality of life worth living. If they keep me from living as long, why would I want to live longer if I am suffering. Thank you Jim for your wisdom and words!
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@stressedmesseddepressed
Are you still at 4mg of Clonazepam? I know from experience that it's a really tough one to taper off. I wanted to get rid of some of the meds I was taking, and I did stop a few, but it was clear that my body needs it, so I quit tapering. I only take 1mg, which I guess is pretty low. My prescription is for two a day if needed, but I've only taken the second one a few times in 12 years.
My wife takes a medication for blood pressure, and it has kept her blood pressure where it needs to be. She knows that she'll likely be taking it the rest of her life. Taking a medication for a physical condition like blood pressure is the same as taking one for major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. It's a challenge to understand that, because we're living in a culture of self reliance, so we tend to believe that we just have to be strong, have more faith or have more determination. But that can make us feel guilty that we don't have enough faith or determination or whatever, and we can buy into the false narrative that we don't need the help of doctors or medications or therapy.
I've had to come to terms with knowing that I need those things to keep going. Sometimes I feel like I should be better and able to move forward without seeing a therapist every week. I feel like I might be addicted to therapy. It's not much different from feeling addicted to a drug or alcohol. But I know that it's not an addiction. It's a genuine need.
I think it was Lisa who said that it's not uncommon for a person to start feeling better and decide that they don't need to continue taking a medication. I know that doctors always stress the importance of taking the whole course of antibiotics for infection. The same can be true for all kinds of meds. It's not an addiction. It's a treatment resource.
Life is full of ups and downs, isn't it.
Your new psychiatrist will help you through this.
Jim