Jools2816 Posted August 20, 2023 Posted August 20, 2023 Hi! I have been taking anti depressants for over 20 years. Attempts to discontinue, admittedly too fast, have been met with a a magnitude of effects that I could not have predicted and that had an evident distinct quality. Needless to say, I went back and various medical professionals interpreted these as relapse. I have been emotionally numb for years and have been experiencing debilitating fatigue that has made my life a constant battle. Executive function is very poor, and motivation close to zero. I will start tapering under medical advice and I hope to learn from lived experiences. Warmest wishes to all. 2002 started Fluoxetine 20 ; increased gradually to 40mg 2004 diagnosed with ADD; prescribed methylphenidate 2004 later in the year methylphenidate aggravated depression so discontinued 2006 tried to taper too quick from AD ( over 3 weeks!) and terrible WD; 2006 later in the year doc changed to Citalopram (dont remember doze) 2009 (circa) as Citalopram did nothing good so back to 40 mg Fluoxetine 2017 due to situational anxiety Pregablin prescribed terrible side effects 201 8 tried again to taper fluoxetine 40 mg with tough WD so back on it 2020 changed to Escitalopram 20mg as no + effect of fluoxetine May 2023 prescribed Modafinil as fatigue intolerable mid July 2023 started tapering - down to 18 mg daily so far so good
Jools2816 Posted August 22, 2023 Author Posted August 22, 2023 Hi everyone- I am truly grateful to have found this group with a wealth of info that is not compiled in such helpful and thoughtful way elsewhere… My history of AD spreads over 25 years. I have a family history of depression and some very adverse childhood experiences as well as many of live challenges , alongside an acute trigger that led me to see a psychiatrist who after listening with zero empathy, declared from his august chair , with an august tone , that he will prescribe THE drug - fluoxetine was my first Nemesis. I did not lime the guy so went for a second opinion. This one was very jovial, so much so that he shared with me chuckling that his previous patient spoke very softly and as his hearing was somehow in decline so he’s not sure he heard half of what the patient said. You can’t make it up! Needless to say I had a hoarse voice after the appointment. I did not risk another third grade encounter so I took the prescription. Fluoxetine - very fashionable so felt rather cool. No guidance ,etc…as you all know I guess. Since then I took many other types as they all stoped working. I attempted many plainly stupid withdrawals - how could ai possibly know any better? It was harrowing and very different in quality from depressive symptoms. Is all in the signature. The main incentive for me is that I am emotionally numb. Yes, I’m not acutely depressed but I am empty. Motivation for anything is zero and there is a huge dissonance between million of things I want to do cognitively and the emotional motivation. Debilitating fatigue, I am often bed bound. So no brainer for me- I need to try. I am waiting for GP app in two weeks to get the liquid form of Escitalopram and read all I could get my hands on in terms of research article. Would appreciate any thoughts from ppl who were on meds for long time, and ppl who took escitalopram as well as ppl based in UK. Warmest to all. 2002 started Fluoxetine 20 ; increased gradually to 40mg 2004 diagnosed with ADD; prescribed methylphenidate 2004 later in the year methylphenidate aggravated depression so discontinued 2006 tried to taper too quick from AD ( over 3 weeks!) and terrible WD; 2006 later in the year doc changed to Citalopram (dont remember doze) 2009 (circa) as Citalopram did nothing good so back to 40 mg Fluoxetine 2017 due to situational anxiety Pregablin prescribed terrible side effects 201 8 tried again to taper fluoxetine 40 mg with tough WD so back on it 2020 changed to Escitalopram 20mg as no + effect of fluoxetine May 2023 prescribed Modafinil as fatigue intolerable mid July 2023 started tapering - down to 18 mg daily so far so good
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 23, 2023 Administrator Posted August 23, 2023 Welcome, @Jools2816 You are fortunate to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about tapering. For your information, here are our Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro) Please let us know how you're doing. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted.
Jools2816 Posted August 23, 2023 Author Posted August 23, 2023 Thank you @Altostrata! I will let you know. I did not find a doctor, I am waiting for my GP appointment to ask for the liquid form. I hope she will - usually, she is wonderful and very person-centred. So I can only hope that she will give me this. 1 2002 started Fluoxetine 20 ; increased gradually to 40mg 2004 diagnosed with ADD; prescribed methylphenidate 2004 later in the year methylphenidate aggravated depression so discontinued 2006 tried to taper too quick from AD ( over 3 weeks!) and terrible WD; 2006 later in the year doc changed to Citalopram (dont remember doze) 2009 (circa) as Citalopram did nothing good so back to 40 mg Fluoxetine 2017 due to situational anxiety Pregablin prescribed terrible side effects 201 8 tried again to taper fluoxetine 40 mg with tough WD so back on it 2020 changed to Escitalopram 20mg as no + effect of fluoxetine May 2023 prescribed Modafinil as fatigue intolerable mid July 2023 started tapering - down to 18 mg daily so far so good
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 23, 2023 Administrator Posted August 23, 2023 Oh, I misunderstood when you said you would taper under medical advice. Yes, most of our members here have had to figure it out themselves and, if they're lucky, guide their doctors in the process. Please let us know how you're doing. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted.
Jools2816 Posted August 23, 2023 Author Posted August 23, 2023 Thank you! I will do so diligently I just sent a question on the question and answers forum as I cannot reply on posts - I can reply to this one though! For example I wanted to introduce myself and state my plans to set up a support group on UK and London group but I cannot do so technically. I also cannot access many topics from the drop off menu! 🙏 Member 3 LocationLondon UK Posted 2 minutes ago I think I am a bit confused navigating the site- getting there apologies, thick brain fog! . I cannot reply to any post and ai cannot choose certain topics despite being a member and having completed the first steps already - intro and signature. I looked in my settings and I cannot see anything untoward so not sure what to do. Many thanks. 1 2002 started Fluoxetine 20 ; increased gradually to 40mg 2004 diagnosed with ADD; prescribed methylphenidate 2004 later in the year methylphenidate aggravated depression so discontinued 2006 tried to taper too quick from AD ( over 3 weeks!) and terrible WD; 2006 later in the year doc changed to Citalopram (dont remember doze) 2009 (circa) as Citalopram did nothing good so back to 40 mg Fluoxetine 2017 due to situational anxiety Pregablin prescribed terrible side effects 201 8 tried again to taper fluoxetine 40 mg with tough WD so back on it 2020 changed to Escitalopram 20mg as no + effect of fluoxetine May 2023 prescribed Modafinil as fatigue intolerable mid July 2023 started tapering - down to 18 mg daily so far so good
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 25, 2023 Administrator Posted August 25, 2023 Not to worry, you'll figure it out. The Home link at the top shows you the forums or table of contents for the site. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted.
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