1. < Depression & Anxiety

Losing hope

Posted by barnowl53 @barnowl53, Sep 5, 2018

I've been depressed since my 20s (am in my mid-60s now). A year ago I took a nosedive and became anxious as well as much more deeply depressed. Everything scares me - even something as mundane as taking my car through the car wash. I used to read and listen to music all the time. Now I haven't read or listened to anything in a year. I've been in outpatient groups and on a number of medicines - the latest group is buspar, anafranil, Seroquel, klonopin, lamictal and Viibryd (I'm weaning off that). Every once in a while - say, once a week - I feel OK, the way I used to when I was moderately depressed. The rest of the time is just unbearable. What's next? Transcranial magnetic stimulation? ECT? Thank you for listening.

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Sep 11, 2018
In reply to @farabella "I have to say that I am going soon to go from 5 mg of Lexipro..." + (show)
@farabella

I have to say that I am going soon to go from 5 mg of Lexipro to one every other day and I am so scared I’m shaking and crying. I’ve never been this scared before because of everything I’ve read that people go through. Wondering what it will be like and if I will be able to take care of my special needs son when I go thru this, how long it will last and my mind goes on and on.

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Hi, @farabella - I'm sorry you are feeling so scared about tapering down your Lexapro.

Hoping members like @youngsally @kdo0827 @guener @gailb may have some words of wisdom for you as you go through this process.

@farabella - wondering what your doctor may have said about your fears about weaning off this medication and what support they can provide you during the taper?

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farabella | @farabella | Sep 11, 2018

My doctor said cut the 20 mg in half for a week and then stop. He said he never had anyone have any trouble stopping Lexipro.

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3 replies
farabella | @farabella | Sep 11, 2018
In reply to @farabella "My doctor said cut the 20 mg in half for a week and then stop. He..." + (show)
@farabella

My doctor said cut the 20 mg in half for a week and then stop. He said he never had anyone have any trouble stopping Lexipro.

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Should I believe him?

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kdo0827 | @kdo0827 | Sep 11, 2018

I can only speak for myself but anytime you wean off a medication you’re likely to have some side effects. If you’re not comfortable stopping after cutting them in half for a week maybe your dr can call in a prescription for a lower dose.

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farabella | @farabella | Sep 11, 2018

Thanks. I don’t think there is a lower dose than 2.5. Maybe I just should get it over with.

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Parus | @parus | Sep 12, 2018

I no longer take antidepressants because of the awful/fearful things they did to me. I have heard of those that are helped. For now the thought of any of these types of medications makes me shudder. Can understand about losing hope. Sad to see how so many are struggling and to also see how insensitive some doctors are when a patient struggles with tapering and withdrawal. So many do NOT "get it" and see the one struggling as weak-why I went cold turkey because no one would listen-I don't recommend others do this...

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 12, 2018
In reply to @farabella "Thanks. I found a center right near me and am calling tomorrow to see if they..." + (show)
@farabella

Thanks. I found a center right near me and am calling tomorrow to see if they would take my insurance. It seems a little scary, though. Did you ever wean from an antidepressant? How did you make out with that? Thanks for telling me about this. I will check it out tomorrow.

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@farabella I took myself off anti-depressants a few years ago. It was a long slow process, and took me the better part of 6 weeks to do it. I wanted a slow reduction to minimize side effects. Having a calendar and writing down the schedule to do was very helpful. My Dr was a bit concerned, but knew that I know my system better than anyone else. Good luck, and remember we are here for you,
Ginger

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121314 | @121314 | Sep 15, 2018
In reply to @farabella "My doctor said cut the 20 mg in half for a week and then stop. He..." + (show)
@farabella

My doctor said cut the 20 mg in half for a week and then stop. He said he never had anyone have any trouble stopping Lexipro.

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Your doctor is naive

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bipolar4ever | @bipolar4ever | Sep 16, 2018
In reply to @farabella "My doctor said cut the 20 mg in half for a week and then stop. He..." + (show)
@farabella

My doctor said cut the 20 mg in half for a week and then stop. He said he never had anyone have any trouble stopping Lexipro.

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As far as I am concerned, a doctor who makes an absolute statement like that is simply giving away that he or she does not have enough specific experience to help someone who is at risk of debilitating side effects, withdrawal or otherwise. If you are seeing a general practitioner, take your illness to a qualified, experienced psychiatrist. It may or may not give you faster results, but at least you will be able to trust and lean into the advice that you are given.

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