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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 Joslynn on January 13, 2005, at 12:58:03
I was diagnosed with recurrent depression. The first episode, mid 20s, eventually lifted without meds, but it was a bad, severe episode, involving suicidal thoughts, not eating etc. The second episode was when I was in my early-30s, also very severe. That time I tried meds& they were successful.
On meds, I had some little dips, and one episode that I would describe as moderate to severe, in August, but short lasting. I would say it was situationally based.
I've tried to do a lot of work figuring out the situational things and triggers in therapy and had a spiritual reawakening. My question is, how do I know if/when I am ready to taper off meds? It was never my intention to take them forever.
I tried to taper off one time and felt a bit off, got scared, and went back on them after only a few weeks. My pdoc says now is not the time to taper them again. But when IS the time? How will I ever know if I don't need them if I never try to go off them?
How else do you know? When do you know? I'll stay on them for now, but I want to have some kind of goal of when to go off them. (I am on 10 mg Lex.)
The Lex is ok, but I feel kind of neutered, not as sensual, more neutral sexually. Somewhat like a plant. And I seem to be a bit hungrier. Also, what if I have kids one day? What if this has side effects I don't know about?
How does one decide when the time has come to try it on your own, without meds? If I were bipolar or schizophrenic, I would definitely stay on meds, but do I need to stay on meds forever because I have had three episodes of depression over the course of 35 years?
How do you know if/when it's time to try it on your own? Has anyone else wondered this???
I hope this doesn't sound ungrateful. I know there are people out there really hurting, who can't get relief from meds, and here I am wanting to go off them. But it feels odd to feel so asexual and I worry about long-term effects. And I think it's just my nature not to take something if I don't need it.
How do I know whether or not I really need it? Is there a certain number of episodes that puts you in the "definitely need them forever" category? Thoughts, feedback? Thank you.
Posted by tensor on January 13, 2005, at 14:38:38
In reply to how do you know if/when you can taper off meds?, posted by Joslynn on January 13, 2005, at 12:58:03
Hi Joslynn,
it's a good question, i've thought about it but no longer, i know i will need meds for the rest of my life. And it's okay i guess, i really don't have an option. So you've had three episodes, a rule of thumb is to keep taking meds six months after recovery from severe depression. If symptoms appears after stopping meds, start taking them again and when symptoms disappears keep taking the med(s) for twelve months. I suppose you could go on like this, doubling the time after each relapse, but at some point i think one realize that this is gonna last for the rest of the life.
I really hope you don't get there. A big concern is sexual side effects, but there are ways around this. Some meds won't give you sexual s/e, if you like lexapro you can always try adding wellbutrin or a med with 5HT2a blockade, like remeron.Just some ideas..
/Mattias
Posted by Joslynn on January 13, 2005, at 15:03:21
In reply to Re: how do you know if/when you can taper off meds » Joslynn, posted by tensor on January 13, 2005, at 14:38:38
Thanks for the guidelines.
I am not even sexually active at this time, but I am thinking about these issues because I am starting to date someone and I think it may lead to something serious. And I was reflecting about antideps and realizing that since being on Celexa then Lex, I just don't feel the same sense of my sexual self.
I was on Celexa and Remeron for a while, gained weight and stopped the Remeron. Remeron worked well but now I can't remember, did I have this neutered plant-like state? Looking back, I was totally single, running AWAY from relationships and not really keeping track of my desire and those kinds of feelings. I'll have to look back in my journal if there are any clues.
Now that I am back in the dating world, I kind of want my sense of sensuality back. Or am I just dating the wrong people and the chemistry is off? It's a puzzle.
Well, thanks again for the info, I will jot down those guidelines and think about this more. I do thank God that the meds were there when I needed them and won't go off them without more time and a lot of thought/research.
This is the end of the thread.
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