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Member
Member Since Jan 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 208
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#1
I have been taking this medications for 10 years. When can I quit safely?
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MuseumGhost, Travelinglady
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stahrgeyzer
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Member
Member Since Sep 2019
Location: Z
Posts: 110
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#2
I have. Speak to your doctor. After long term use you will need to go down a little at a time and it may take months. Do not quit cold turkey or without your doctor's instructions. Withdrawal from psych meds can be horrendous if not done properly. Good luck.
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bpcyclist
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MuseumGhost, stahrgeyzer
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Moderator
Community Support Team Member Since Mar 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 11,268
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#3
I have. I came off Celexa after being on it 12 years. Definitely talk with your Dr., and work out a slow taper schedule. I had some side effects coming off, but nothing too unmanageable.
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bpcyclist
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MuseumGhost, stahrgeyzer
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Member
Member Since Dec 2015
Location: Washington
Posts: 156
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#4
whatever the plan state your intent to your firstly provider. i'd say get a scale and slowly reduce the dose if that's what you want to do. i'd also recommend waiting until it's completely out of your system before starting a new one if things change and depression gets unmanageable again to reduce risk of drug interactions. the main withdraw is mood alteration. dizziness and other things if you decrease too fast. honestly it might just be time to give yourself a trial period without the antidepressant for a few months. see if things are manageable. i'm assuming your in a good place in your life and are making this decision because with awareness of your condition. good luck
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bpcyclist
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stahrgeyzer
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Moderator
Community Support Team Member Since Mar 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 11,268
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#5
I should have added that I am currently tapering off clonazepam, which is a benzodiazapene. They are notoriously difficult to come off of. I've been on it for 20 years at a relatively high dose.
My psychiatrist agreed to follow my taper schedule, which is the Ashton protocol, and at the start we agreed it would take at a minimum 6-8 months. It's taking more like a year. But I'm not having many withdrawal symptoms - day 5 at each lowered dose, is a little rough, but I can get through it. My point is, go as slow as you can, and don't be afraid to stop the taper schedule for a while, if side effects are bad. splitimage |
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bpcyclist, MuseumGhost
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WastingAsparagus
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Grand Magnate
Member Since Apr 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,257
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#6
Especially because you have been on it so long, I would urge you to discuss a weaning-off schedule with your doctor, and research thoroughly as to what you could expect.
I'm almost at the end of weaning off of Effexor after 12 years, and it's going well (SO much better than I expected, after all the horror stories I had heard/ read.). But I was prepared, and also have the ready assistance of my med pros who said to call if anything out of the ordinary happens. It's definitely worth taking the time do do it this way. I undertook my schedule with a lot of confidence. Keep in mind, too (anyone reading this): Some meds cannot be reduced simply by halving or quartering them---if they are contained within extended release capsules, this means that once the capsule is broken open, the medication will take a different path through your system. I know from speaking with another friend through her changeover that this was a huge mistake for her to do! She suffered unnecessarily for a few weeks before going about it the recommended way. (((Huggs!!))) I wish you success with your change. Sending best wishes! |
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bpcyclist
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Grand Magnate
Member Since Apr 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,257
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#7
I'm afraid I spoke too soon. I'm having a time of it, these last 2 days. Immodium and Tylenol are now my best friends. This is the hardest part of all of it, so far.
That's one reason why it's so important to be prepared for what you might encounter. Hoping you will go about it armed and with lots of help... |
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Elder
Member Since Mar 2017
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,057
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#8
I had a heck of a hard time coming off of Cymbalta. I had to break the capsules open and count the beads. The worst symptom were the brain zaps. Good luck on your taper
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Jan 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,853
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#9
I was on Paxil for twenty years, took me close to a year to come off of it.
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Threadtastic Postaholic
Member Since Dec 2018
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 6,006
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#10
What is the reason for you wanting to quit taking your medicine?
__________________ "I carried a watermelon?" President of the no F's given society. |
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