Going of my tablets!

[Kixxi]

Since my tablets were not working any more and I have been trying to conquer my agoraphobia and go out no matter how scared I get, the doctor decided to take me of Sertraline (Zoloft - 100 mg). I have been on it for nearly seven years and now I am kicking it lol! Terrible heart palpitations and dizziness, but building down gradually should work. Unfortunately the doc did not want me off tablets all together, so I am starting Citalopram (10 mg) in a week. Anyone else been on Citalopram? And were you able to get of them at all later on?

Thanks in advance :)
Your nervous friend Sandra :):D

[Im-Suffering]

Since my tablets were not working any more and I have been trying to conquer my agoraphobia and go out no matter how scared I get, the doctor decided to take me of Sertraline (Zoloft - 100 mg). I have been on it for nearly seven years and now I am kicking it lol! Terrible heart palpitations and dizziness, but building down gradually should work. Unfortunately the doc did not want me off tablets all together, so I am starting Citalopram (10 mg) in a week. Anyone else been on Citalopram? And were you able to get of them at all later on?

Thanks in advance :)
Your nervous friend Sandra :):D

Good to see you again Sandra.

[Kixxi]

Good to see you again Sandra.

Heya :) Nice to see you again as well. I hope you are well :) It is good to be back. Finally settled with my new job, so I have some extra time again to come on the forum regularly. How have you been?

[superchick22684]

Since my tablets were not working any more and I have been trying to conquer my agoraphobia and go out no matter how scared I get, the doctor decided to take me of Sertraline (Zoloft - 100 mg). I have been on it for nearly seven years and now I am kicking it lol! Terrible heart palpitations and dizziness, but building down gradually should work. Unfortunately the doc did not want me off tablets all together, so I am starting Citalopram (10 mg) in a week. Anyone else been on Citalopram? And were you able to get of them at all later on?

Thanks in advance :)
Your nervous friend Sandra :):D

Welcome back! I was wondering where you went. Glad to hear you have settled into your new job :) I've been on several antidepressants but no experience with Citalopram. Has your doctor ever prescribed Buspirone to you for the agoraphobia? My doc added Buspirone to my meds about a month ago and I've seen a significant difference in my anxiety.

[Kixxi]

Welcome back! I was wondering where you went. Glad to hear you have settled into your new job :) I've been on several antidepressants but no experience with Citalopram. Has your doctor ever prescribed Buspirone to you for the agoraphobia? My doc added Buspirone to my meds about a month ago and I've seen a significant difference in my anxiety.

I been on two meds over the past seven years, Sertraline and Alprazolam. I went to the doctors to get off my tablets completely, but he did not want to completely get me off tablets since there are still times I cannot deal with my agoraphobia. Since my major relapse, I am going out no matter what, no matter how scared I get. I think it is the only way to recover eventually. Unfortunately I have to go on Citalopram now... I have not been on Buspirone yet, I will ask my doctor about it next time. What difference in anxiety did you experience?

[superchick22684]

Not to copy off of a website but the first one that popped up in my research says that Buspar is effective on "symptoms of anxiety, such as fear, tension, irritability and dizziness." Another thing about Buspar is that it isn't a benzo so there is little risk of dependency. From what I've heard its usually used for gad and phobias.
My doctor put me on Buspar because even though I had been on an ad for several months I was still experiencing anxiety. I was getting to the point where I was starting to avoid going certain places because of the discomfort I would feel (mainly crowded environments and it was worse if I was going to be surrounded by lots of people I didn't know). I also have a lot of phobias (yes, agoraphobia is one of them). I also have depression in addition to the anxiety and while the ad was effective on my anxiety it wasn't helping my depression enough.
I have to say that I didn't notice a change overnight it took about three to four weeks to get the full effect. On the anxiety side of things I haven't had a panic attack in several weeks. During the day I feel calmer and more at ease whereas before I would wake up in the morning and be anxious immediately and go to work in feel overwhelmed and panicky all day long. Because I feel calmer I'm also more productive during work hours, I'm able to concentrate and my memory is better because I'm not worrying all the time.
The reduction in anxiety has helped my appetite as well. Prior to starting Buspar I wasn't eating properly because I was anxious to the point where I felt ill and it caused me to lose several pounds that I didn't really need to lose. The reduction I've seen in my anxiety has helped me start to eat a little better which probably has helped my body process the meds better.
In terms of going to places and feeling uncomfortable (agoraphobic) I do feel better going out in public. Instead of feeling like I'm going to have a panic attack I just feel a bit overwhelmed now. I've just kind of tried to monitor how much time I spent in crowded places.
To wrap it up (since this is getting long) my depression has improved a lot as well. I went from being very apathetic (pre-Buspar) to now I actually feel like I have feelings. When I have bad days and I feel like my mood is dropping I can feel the med kicking in to prevent a depressive episode.

[Ambition]

I think that meds on their own only mask the problem. CBT and exposure therapy are far more effective at making permanent positive change to anxiety and agoraphobia.
Meds like SSRI and SRI are both physically and psychologically addictive.

It's like having a prolapsed disc causing severe back pain. Powerful painkillers will reduce or even eliminate pain but the only way to get rid of the problem is with surgery.

CBT is the equivalent to surgery it adjusts your thinking and rationale. Yes use Meds if you wish but they should be used as part of a constructive programme involving CBT.

[Ponder]

I think Ambition makes a lot of sense there. Swapping out one med with another may be the lessor of two evils, however the reliance tends to nearly always end up a ball and chain. Like an attachment that keeps one bound to their labels. I hope in time, your will be able to be medication free; that is if you want to be. I find it hard when the doctor gets brought in as the decision maker ... whether coming off or going on meds the decision should always be the one taking of giving up.

If it's simply a case of the doctor deciding, then swapping over meds is usually the result and the reliance continues. On the note with other users, recommendations being passed from one to the other kind of reminds me a AA meetings (Alcohol Anonymous) Many who reach sobriety don't last long because someone else in the meeting will come up and drag the other down. Hence - making decisions to come of meds after long term use, requite a decision set in stone ... otherwise making new friends with other medications is just much of an easy trap to fall into.

Reliance on Medications is as much a major issues as drugs and crime - so too -> the philosophy very similar to those caught up on the mix. It can take years before rock bottom is reached with many people adopting new labels and serious complications later on in life.

Of course there are those that swear by them - and for some "extreme cases" the lessor of two evils for long term treatment seems to be the way to go ... however ... In general society cops out most of the time with these drugs as if they were at a lolly store. It's quite sad really and something that's costing more in the long run, although very profitable up front. Quick returns for a quick fix.
__________________________________________

Congrats to anyone that is able to break the cycle of relying on medications to battle their anxiety. Speaking out about it is as a courageous feat as coming off; in the face of an otherwise pop culture and stigma by those who profit, sell and rely on said drugs.

There are other ways - No drug for anxiety is meant to be long term ... although others do find comfort in the pacification of labeled individuals.

[Kixxi]

The Buspar may be a solution for me, since you don't rely on it physically as other medications. I am still in the process of quitting my previous medication at the moment and god do I feel terrible. The anxiety is not that bad, but I do feel incredibly irritable and have trouble eating (that last one I don't mind that much lol). @Ponder, you are right to say that I am switching my dependency from one drug to another, but I do understand the doc's reasoning for it. I am quite happy that I will be on a considerable lower dosage though.

[superchick22684]

The Buspar may be a solution for me, since you don't rely on it physically as other medications. I am still in the process of quitting my previous medication at the moment and god do I feel terrible. The anxiety is not that bad, but I do feel incredibly irritable and have trouble eating (that last one I don't mind that much lol). @Ponder, you are right to say that I am switching my dependency from one drug to another, but I do understand the doc's reasoning for it. I am quite happy that I will be on a considerable lower dosage though.

I remember what it was like trying to wean off Cymbalta the first time I was on it so believe me I know what you're going through. I'm kind of surprised that they didn't have you cross-taper so that you could avoid the withdrawal symptoms but different doctors have different methods. I hope that your withdrawal symptoms start to lessen soon. Good luck with the new meds :)

[Kixxi]

I remember what it was like trying to wean off Cymbalta the first time I was on it so believe me I know what you're going through. I'm kind of surprised that they didn't have you cross-taper so that you could avoid the withdrawal symptoms but different doctors have different methods. I hope that your withdrawal symptoms start to lessen soon. Good luck with the new meds :)

I must admit that there are some positives with it to. When I am on my medication I always feel like I am in such a haze. Without them I can actually enjoy some stuff again. Hopefully I won't get hazy again on the new medication. :D