![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ruth on April 14, 1999, at 8:37:46
Hi,
I have what I'd call mild chronic depression. Nothing
major, I can function, I can often be (without ad's)
just generally
miserable and have a hard time fighting the demons in
my head that constantly say "you suck". I found meds
helped alot with that voice, it had so much less power
than before. (I'm not talking about hearing voices,
mind you, just those sort of inner demons, fears, etc)
I've taken prozac for 3 years and have been taking
Celexa now for a couple of months. For the past
10 months I've undergone individual therapy, and group therapy
for the first time in my life. I didn't have much
faith in therapy, but it's actually helped me to gain
some really important insights. In the past, trying
to go off meds has been unsuccessful, the depression
always came back--I usually went back on meds within
a month or so. Still, the side effects of meds really
bother me alot--sexual side effects, less with
Celexa but still there.. (a very important
part of my life), sleep problems, memory problems,
sweating problems..I know everything has a cost, but
it just GETS to me. And part of me is once again
wondering whether to try and go med free again.
I guess it's a question I'll always struggle with.
There are some differences now that weren't true before
Like I hadn't been in therapy before--perhaps I've
reached some insights that will help me be better
equipped to handle my depression cognitively than
before. Also reading these forums has helped too-b/c
I think also some of what I may have been experiencing
as depression returning may have actually been
withdrawal--the
crying and mood dips. I didn't realize at the time
that going off meds can cause a withdrawal reaction.
And although I've read that prozac withdrawal is
minimal, I sure felt it. ugh. This is getting long
and I'm not sure what I'm getting at. Maybe this will
simplify it:Trying to go off drugs in the past:
Me Then: no therapy, no knowledge of withdrawal, in a
really bad relationshipMe Now: therapy, group therapy, knowledge of withdrawal
have formed supportive group of positive friends and
relationships...Keep in mind my depression is mild. If I do decide
to go off, I plan on trying st. johns wort.Thanks for listening to my long winded rambling--I'd
like to hear people's thoughts--on either end of the
spectrum.I guess the bottom line is, if I try alternative
methods, and they don't work, I can always go back to
taking Celexa or prozac...
Posted by pej on April 14, 1999, at 10:15:17
In reply to To Medicate or Not Medicate--?, posted by ruth on April 14, 1999, at 8:37:46
> Hi,
>
> I have what I'd call mild chronic depression. Nothing
> major, I can function, I can often be (without ad's)
> mind you, just those sort of inner demons, fears, etc)
> > > and I'm not sure what I'm getting at. > spectrum.
>
> I guess the bottom line is, if I try alternative
> methods, and they don't work, I can always go back to
> taking Celexa or prozac...>>Hey Ruth,
I've gone w/o AD's for periods of time during really intense therapy and a lot of meetings for adult children of alcoholics and al-anon. Had a lot of good support and made many new friends.
I remember not going to meetings sometimes because my stomach would growl and make so much noise it would be ridiculous(LOL). Even though I made a lot of progress in many areas of human relations, I kinda knew that the sadness that I've carried was still pretty evident. Sad, intrusive codependent like thoughts have always just kicked my butt.
I made it w/o meds but I think the whole experience would have been better with at least some sort of maintenance dose on board.
There are several studies in the works comparing SJW W/ Prozac and placebo BTW.
To me, it sounds like you may do okay w/o meds but if you are getting them from a shrink(hopefully), I would still keep occasional appts to monitor. Depression is sneaky and a pro observer of the medical persuasion should be a not forgotten ally.
The taper and switch s/b w/ DR. guidance.
Just an opinion.~Phil
Posted by Torrey on April 15, 1999, at 3:51:52
In reply to To Medicate or Not Medicate--?, posted by ruth on April 14, 1999, at 8:37:46
Sorry for the blank response - I'm still figuring out this new Web browser from Microsoft! Anyways, Ruth, I can really relate to your situation. I know I do better on the meds, but its only *somewhat* better, and the side-effects really do disturb me. I've tried all the SSRI's now, and yes, Celexa has a bit less side-effects, but its still more than I'm comfortable living with. And I agree, its enlightening to realize that much of what I go through when I stop the meds is WITHDRAWAL, and that it can be pretty long-term in itself. These drugs create a need for themselves - I think they call it "addiction." I'm not one of those people on a moral high-horse about addiction, of any type, but let's see it for what it is - a chemical dependency. If we REALLY need that to have a decent quality of life, its a worthwhile trade-off, but this is not like taking an aspirin for a headache. Its a way of life. And I'm rather attached to having a life that includes good sex and a clear mind, which the meds consistently seem to interfere with.
So, I'm venturing off the meds again myself. Pretty sure the Celexa is out of my system by now, and going to start the St John's Wort tomorrow. With meds or without, we're all struggling here with similar issues, and its good to have this forum to communicate in. Good luck!
Torrey
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.