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14 years on tablets

Posted , 5 users are following.

Mobyd
Mobyd

Hi  I've been on anti depressants for 14 years. Mainly fir anxiety. In 2000 I began to feel dizzy, became irritable and suffered a panic attack. I went to the doctors and despite my reluctance to take the tablets the symptoms were controlled. I have been on tablets since and tried many times to come off them.

the side affects over the years have been variable. Tiredness, lack of motivation, weight gain. I tried various tablets but in terms of side affects I

found citolopram to be the best at 20mg around 8 years ago. I have varied the dosage myself down to 5mg for a period , but in the main it has been 10 or 20mg.  I have even tried to come off them so many times but suffered a brain buzz and became so irritable that I decided each time go back on them .

i gave had all the counselling cbt via nhs and private Human a Givens, but did not feel any great benefit. I have read many self help books and use affirmations.

I would say that the biggest cause of my condition is work related- paranoia, trying to bad perfect, worrying what people think, thinking I wouldn't be able to cope, lack of confidence. when I have been really bad with work I have been prescribed diazepam which helped me to think straight again.

However, two weeks ago I decided to try and stop again without  weening myself off. up to now I feel great- higher confidence, looking forward to challenges, not caring what people think, more alert and confident, all the things I thought I could only do with tablets. I am also thinking of exercising.

i feel great like I can do anything but it am concerned that I have a bit of mania. But if I I stay this way,it would be great.

has anyone suffered mania like conditions after coming off the tablets for any period?

thanks fir reading

 

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • julia154
    julia154 Mobyd

    Posted

    I have mania episodes while im taking them , ahhaha mobyd.. lol and i love that feeling like who cares what ppl think.of me. then i have times like you i feel i just want to shut the world out.  i dont want to even try to come off them   .but good luck with this.  .
  • SilverEagle
    SilverEagle Mobyd

    Posted

    Mania is a symptom of bipolar, isn't it?
    • julia154
      julia154 SilverEagle

      Posted

      Yes thats right silver .  but you dont have to bipolar to get high. mood changes effects us all .id rather say it;s like feeling excited and having lot's of energy.. maybe i am bipolar.?  eekkkkkkkkkk 
  • Mobyd
    Mobyd

    Posted

    Yes, this manic feeling is great- I could take on anything right now. I can't stop telling jokes, being funny. On the other side, I wonder whether I will come back down and feel I need to return to taking tablets.

    i actually feel like how I remember being as a person in the mid 90s. 

  • helen95781
    helen95781 Mobyd

    Posted

    Hi.

    I too like you have been on antidepressants for about 15 years. They keep me ticking along. I have tried to come off them 3 times and each time I feel great to start with but approximately 3 months later I completely break down. My head goes funny, I get panicky, anxious, and like you say irritable and also that feeling you are going mad. I then had to begin the tablets again.

    Reasons for wanting to come off them were mainly weight gain and dependency. However I HAVE become dependant on them. It will take along time to wean off them. So I feel as if I'm going round in circles!

    I am thinking of chatting with the doctor about trying again but it fills me with dread at the thoughts of withdrawal symptoms again!

    I really understand what you are saying and am hoping that things get better for you too.

    Helen.

    • julia154
      julia154 helen95781

      Posted

      ive been on every pill going i think since i was 16. im 59 now, so guess its im on them for life i would say .. 
  • Mobyd
    Mobyd

    Posted

    Hi

    i will not be surprised if in less than 3 months I am back taking 20mg. But hey ho I've got to try and see if I actually continue to feel like myself without the tablets. 

  • Mobyd
    Mobyd

    Posted

    Hi helen

    yes, the tablets do seem to reduce motivation and enthusiasm which together with other factors result in weight gain.

    i have probably put in about 5 stone and could do with taking at least 3 of these back off.

    although I am not experiencing cold turkey feelings now, I have done previously and the only solution has been to go back on the tablets which in itself can be self deflating.

     

  • melanie00616
    melanie00616 Mobyd

    Posted

    Hi there,

    This is just a thought.  What happened around 14 years ago.  Implant for contraceptives?  Around 35ish or more??  Onset of periods???These symptoms don't just arrive.  Plus bipolar is to do with your hormones - know lots of people with contraceptive implants or hormone imbalances which the symptoms you describe.

    Mel Xx

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