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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joanne on July 22, 1999, at 21:21:57
Greetings!
It feels good to say that right now. I have been on Zoloft for about 3 months and it has truly changed
my life. Well, the combination of that and Wellbutrin anyway...My problem? I only have 4 more months that my insurance company will pay for my medication. I'm
already scared... The thought of going back to the life I had before medication scares the hell out
of me...
When I first started treatment for depression, about 7 months ago, my counselor told me that after taking
the medication for 6-9 months, I could stop taking them and never have a problem with depression again.
I don't believe her. I am so scared... I like feeling 'normal'. I like going through a whole day without
crying. I don't want to go through that hell again.
Has anyone successfully gotten off medication? And if so, for how long? Is there really a possibility that
I will be ok after I stop taking the drugs?As always, thanks for all your input.
Joanne
Posted by Steve on July 22, 1999, at 22:26:10
In reply to Scared already..., posted by Joanne on July 22, 1999, at 21:21:57
When I was on Prozac I didn't have ant insurance. Eli Lilly provided me with free medication for 4 years (and at 80 mgs a day!). Most drug companies offer free medication to those who cannot afford it. Go to www.nami.org, they have the contact information for the drug companies.
> Greetings!
>
> It feels good to say that right now. I have been on Zoloft for about 3 months and it has truly changed
> my life. Well, the combination of that and Wellbutrin anyway...
>
> My problem? I only have 4 more months that my insurance company will pay for my medication. I'm
> already scared... The thought of going back to the life I had before medication scares the hell out
> of me...
> When I first started treatment for depression, about 7 months ago, my counselor told me that after taking
> the medication for 6-9 months, I could stop taking them and never have a problem with depression again.
> I don't believe her. I am so scared... I like feeling 'normal'. I like going through a whole day without
> crying. I don't want to go through that hell again.
> Has anyone successfully gotten off medication? And if so, for how long? Is there really a possibility that
> I will be ok after I stop taking the drugs?
>
> As always, thanks for all your input.
>
> Joanne
Posted by cw on July 22, 1999, at 22:49:52
In reply to Re: Scared already..., posted by Steve on July 22, 1999, at 22:26:10
Joanne
I'm sure many, probably most, people eventually get off anti-depressants and feel fine. Most of the people on this board are here because they are having problems finding the right combination of medications that work for them. You are so lucky you have found medications that work, and your attitude is great (It drives me a bit wacky the way so many people hate taking pills for mental illnesses - like somehow having a mental illness and then having to take pills for it reflects on their character). I hope you can get them for free through the method Steve suggested. Be Assertive! cw
Posted by Racer on July 22, 1999, at 23:20:51
In reply to Scared already..., posted by Joanne on July 22, 1999, at 21:21:57
I've gotten off anti-depressants, for years at a time, with no bad effects - except that eventually the depression comes back.
On the other hand, for years at a time, I haven't needed the drugs. Don't be too scared, because you can make the problem you fear come to be. The drug companies do have compassionate programs, so you should be able to get the drugs, and if you don't, you may find that you're fine without them.
As I understand it, the drugs correct the chemical imbalance, and once it's truly stable, you won't need the drugs anymore until/unless the balance is thrown off again down the line. I've read that 2 years is the minimum to be on the drugs at an effective dose before you can get off, and that stopping within that time can make you more prone to relapse, though. Maybe someone else here has read the same information and can throw some more light on it for you.
Good luck, though, and drat those lousy insurance companies, anyway. It can't be therapeutic to scare the daylights out of you this way, after all!
Posted by JohnL on July 23, 1999, at 18:17:05
In reply to Scared already..., posted by Joanne on July 22, 1999, at 21:21:57
Hi Joanne. People do successfully get off ADs. But a majority relapse. I was fine on Paxil for a year, was given the OK to wean off, and within 6 months I was in bad shape again. The Paxil didn't work the second time around. Getting off it in the first place for me was a bad mistake.
I've heard of so many similar stories, it's scary. There's a 50/50 chance you'll have depression again. If you've already had it twice or more, then your chances are 90%-100% you'll have it again. It snuck up on me like a snake in the grass, subtle and slow, and I didn't notice untill I was too far gone. It's really sneaky. And you may find that what used to work doesn't work any more. Staying on a med that has been working is very wise in my book. I love the previous suggestions of receiving help from the drug companies. STAY well. JohnL.
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