ceej: in pre-tapering phase

[ceej]

Hi Everyone,

 

I have been doing so much reading lately about antidepressants from books such as The Emperor's New Drugs and Crazy Like Us. I'd heard about this topic before and I've never been comfortable with taking the meds. After reading so much lately I've decided it'd be best to taper off. I'm in a much better place than I was when I started the meds 12 years ago. I've been in psychotherapy for 4 years and doing very well. I'm nervous about talking to my psych (who's not my therapist) about this because I'm afraid the least bit of discouragement will make me doubt this decision, and therefore increase my anxiety and/or weaken my resolve. That's why I've sought out sites like this one where I can hopefully get some support.

 

Not only do I want to get off the meds (40 mg Celexa, 100 mg Lamictal, 100 mg Trazodone )but I also want to create a new narrative about myself that redefines "my depression". I can't help but wonder if different reactions to my emotional difficulties as a teenager would have shaped the experiences in a less chronic direction. So now at nearly 50 years old, I get to do that for myself.

 

Thanks,

[Sparrow]

Welcome, Ceej. You've landed in the right place for support in getting off multiple meds. It's great that you are starting out from a position of being stable and feeling good.

 

Sparrow

[Altostrata]

Welcome, ceej.

 

We've lots of information here that will empower you to talk with your psychiatrist about your very reasonable decision to go drug-free after so long.

 

No doubt you are a different person now, and you can choose to unpatient yourself.

 

See Taking multiple psych drugs? Taper the antidepressant first!

 

Why are you taking Lamictal and trazodone? Are you having adverse effects from any of the medications?

 

Also see Tips for tapering off trazodone (Desyrel)

[ceej]

Altostrata, thanks for the information.

 

I was put on Trazodone to help me sleep. I've come down from a high dosage of 300 mg over the years and have just recently lowered it to 100 mg from 125.

Three years ago I was pretty depressed and my psychiatrist was struggling to find the right combination for me. That's why she added Lamictal.

 

I have an appointment with my psychiatrist scheduled for Oct. 4, but I'm eager to start tapering before then. I've done it before when I switched from Effexor to Cymbalta and then to Celexa, and I don't recall any problems. I think this time since the plan is to eventually end all use, it's making me a bit more nervous.

 

I'm also undecided about which drug to taper first. I noted your link to "taper the antidepressant first" so I guess Celexa is the best place to start. My thought is that if the withdrawal from Celexa interferes with my sleep, then Trazodone will help me through it. Not being able to sleep worries me the most.

 

Thanks again for your support and Sparrow's. I'll definitely read the links you posted.

[Altostrata]

It's possible the Celexa was interfering with your sleep. It's also possible it's interacting with the trazodone.

 

So, yes, Celexa might be the place to start. It comes in a liquid, this makes tapering a lot easier. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2023-tips-for-tapering-off-celexa-citalopram/