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appmed2011

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I was diagnosed with depression as a teenager and I have been taking an SSRI (Lexapro) for several years now. This surprises many people, because I am a very positive person. In fact, many people consider me to be one of the happiest people they know. Due to my "remission" of depression symptoms, I felt like it was time for me to get off the antidepressant. About a month ago, I began taking half of my original dosage (I went from 10 mg to 5 mg/day). I had some normal withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia and irritability. However, over the next few weeks, my symptoms did not improve. In fact, in the last week especially, I had absolutely no energy. I lost all interest in my studies and I just wanted to sleep. I attributed this depression to burnout and the fact that I am taking a relatively heavy course load while studying for the MCAT, doing research, and volunteering. I am very close to my parents, and although they have been supportive of my endeavor to wean myself off of my antidepressant, last night they told me they have noticed that I have not been myself and they believe it is not due to environmental factors. This morning, I took my normal dose of Lexapro. I am back to my normal self. I have been cheerful, enthusiastic, and extroverted. This is not the placebo effect; several friends and family members have noticed the difference. I think I finally need to accept that I may need to be on this medication indefinitely. Has anyone else out there gone through this cycle of feeling guilty for taking the medicine and quitting it and then realizing you need it and getting back on?
 
appmed2011 said:
I was diagnosed with depression as a teenager and I have been taking an SSRI (Lexapro) for several years now. This surprises many people, because I am a very positive person. In fact, many people consider me to be one of the happiest people they know. Due to my "remission" of depression symptoms, I felt like it was time for me to get off the antidepressant. About a month ago, I began taking half of my original dosage (I went from 10 mg to 5 mg/day). I had some normal withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia and irritability. However, over the next few weeks, my symptoms did not improve. In fact, in the last week especially, I had absolutely no energy. I lost all interest in my studies and I just wanted to sleep. I attributed this depression to burnout and the fact that I am taking a relatively heavy course load while studying for the MCAT, doing research, and volunteering. I am very close to my parents, and although they have been supportive of my endeavor to wean myself off of my antidepressant, last night they told me they have noticed that I have not been myself and they believe it is not due to environmental factors. This morning, I took my normal dose of Lexapro. I am back to my normal self. I have been cheerful, enthusiastic, and extroverted. This is not the placebo effect; several friends and family members have noticed the difference. I think I finally need to accept that I may need to be on this medication indefinitely. Has anyone else out there gone through this cycle of feeling guilty for taking the medicine and quitting it and then realizing you need it and getting back on?
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I say go back to taking full dosage.
 
you should talk to your doc before you start going off your meds. Depression manifests in a lot of different ways. Depending what your particular situation is like you might be able to do therapy in combination with reducing your meds or something else. But you shouldn't go about messing with your dose without checking things out with your doc first.
 
I did talk to my doctor. He is the one who prescribed the 5 mg pills.
 
For some people, depression is situational (ie: lost a job, broke up with bf/gf). But for others, there are factors that come into play that are outside of your control like genetics/physiology. Many people are on antidepressants for life, and there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about or to feel guilty about. Do what you have to do to stay healthy, functional, and positive. If there are no other issues that make you need to stop taking the drug, like side effects, then by all means keep taking the Lexapro. Although I do have to point out that if you automatically felt better by taking a 10mg dose this morning (versus your 5mg dose), then it's likely a placebo effect. SSRIs don't work that quickly.
 
I think that if your feeling better when taking the pill then keep taking it! However also be sure to talk to a good psychiatrist. He will be able to clearly tell you how to deal with this all and you can go from there.
I personally i cant tell you anything on this topic because... I think that its a really crappy crappy crappy topic. I find the drug induced remission to be dangerous, but at the sametime taking a pill helps you out.
In my position i'd say take the pill and be careful around the remission period.
 
red10 said:
you should talk to your doc before you start going off your meds. Depression manifests in a lot of different ways. Depending what your particular situation is like you might be able to do therapy in combination with reducing your meds or something else. But you shouldn't go about messing with your dose without checking things out with your doc first.
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I agree therapy + meds is a good combo and it does help sometimes.
 
Okay sorry for not making this clear in my original post. I consult with my doctor about everything. If I have a specific complaint, I speak to the doctor who is the most competent in that area. The doctor who prescribed my 5 mg Lexapro is a psychiatrist and is aware that I was trying to get off the medication. As far as the permanent changes in the brain, I do agree with you to a certain extent. However, I don't think the way I was feeling recently was too much different than the way I felt before I began taking the medication.
 
appmed2011 said:
Okay sorry for not making this clear in my original post. I consult with my doctor about everything. If I have a specific complaint, I speak to the doctor who is the most competent in that area. The doctor who prescribed my 5 mg Lexapro is a psychiatrist and is aware that I was trying to get off the medication. As far as the permanent changes in the brain, I do agree with you to a certain extent. However, I don't think the way I was feeling recently was too much different than the way I felt before I began taking the medication.
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I would say that pre-psych is good at this stuff...
Honestly i dont personally think that there is a right way of doing this all. I think that you have a dopamine problem. I would say.. continue the prescription.. and attempt to supplement it with a diet which is good at stimulating or regulating the dopamine transmitters.
The diet and a good exercise could be very helpful. I would say that these 3 things would completely help you out tremendously.
Psychologists prove, that a good diet and good exercise does alleviate neuro-physiological problems/abnormalities.
 
I have to say that talking to a psychologist is also a pretty good thing in this situation. Psychiatrists are too hell bent on drugs to talk about diet or non-drug based things. Where as clinical psychologists could provide a good supplement to the drug.

God my psychology major helps me do stuff!!!!!😀
 
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