I'm free..........for now.

ThomJ · 11-18-2009, 10:05 AM

It's now two months since I stopped/withdrew from Paxil and Ritalin. Since I was on a very low dose of Paxil (10mg) the tapering was short with the only annoying side effect being "brain zaps". My physical body is feeling better. The bloating and weight gain is going down and my strength feels more like it did before I started all the meds about three years ago. The depression, Dysthemia, is still present. Support groups are just "so-so" and my Dr wants to try another med; I really don't want to do that and have expressed this to the Dr. So I'm off the meds, feeling mentally lousy again, and am coping with osteo arthritis. Oh the fun of getting older. I'm happiest when I'm riding one of my bikes; I'm not Lance Armstrong but I do enjoy going for a long ride and viewing the countryside close to where I live. Thx for letting me vent. Thom.

scotty · 11-18-2009, 10:26 AM

Thom, at one month off Paxil don't judge your current state of mind as what it will always be. Even with the lower dose, recovery takes time. Jumping back on another drug is now what you want to do. You've been on pretty much everyone out there....time to do something different, and allowing time to pass is the different you need to embrace.

anjopom · 11-18-2009, 11:45 AM

Congrats Tom, now stay away from meds, especially now you know how they work, yes its going to take some time for you to get back to "normal" but hey you mind and body is capable of that, without meds.

Good luck buddy and post back and let us all know how your doing, you will be fine, ( LC another one to add to my list of survivors mmmm)

scotty · 11-18-2009, 12:21 PM

Thom, was is the longest time period you have been off meds?

ThomJ · 11-18-2009, 12:44 PM

scotty · 11-18-2009, 04:00 PM

So three months off? Thom..you are absolutely not seeing the "real" you. You are still in withdrawal and have been creating havoc with starting new drugs when the withdrawal hits.

Time, my friend. You will be surprised and how good you actually are. 3 months off Ryan was a train wreck...today, he's great.

Songbird · 11-18-2009, 09:55 PM

Congrats on getting off the meds!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomJ

I'm happiest when I'm riding one of my bikes

Exercise has been scientifically proven to be more effective for depression than anti-depressant medication.

ThomJ · 11-19-2009, 09:18 AM

Thx for all the positive words and feedback. I'm disappointed and disillusioned with the mental health care system, Kaiser Permanente in particular since that is my care provider. Have no idea what "normal" is, and I don't think I've ever experienced normalicy (sp?). Hope time will tell as Scotty mentioned.

11-18-2009, 10:05 AM	#1
ThomJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 8	I'm free..........for now. It's now two months since I stopped/withdrew from Paxil and Ritalin. Since I was on a very low dose of Paxil (10mg) the tapering was short with the only annoying side effect being "brain zaps". My physical body is feeling better. The bloating and weight gain is going down and my strength feels more like it did before I started all the meds about three years ago. The depression, Dysthemia, is still present. Support groups are just "so-so" and my Dr wants to try another med; I really don't want to do that and have expressed this to the Dr. So I'm off the meds, feeling mentally lousy again, and am coping with osteo arthritis. Oh the fun of getting older. I'm happiest when I'm riding one of my bikes; I'm not Lance Armstrong but I do enjoy going for a long ride and viewing the countryside close to where I live. Thx for letting me vent. Thom. __________________ Thom J. Here's my med history for those who want to know. I don't remember the exact dose unless noted below. Prozac-20mgs; Buspar; Zoloft; Celexa; Lexapro; Welbutrin 20mgs; Welbutrin SR 20mgs; Remeron; Paxil 10mgs; Ritalin 10mgs. Paxil- 8/15/09 started tapering off with 7.5mg to 5.0mgs to 2.5mgs. Finally off of Paxil 10/15/09!!! Ritalin- Quit this cold turkey 8/15/09 with no problems. I don't think the Riatlin did anything for me. I'm free......for now.

11-18-2009, 10:26 AM	#2
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 39,329	Re: I'k free..........for now. Thom, at one month off Paxil don't judge your current state of mind as what it will always be. Even with the lower dose, recovery takes time. Jumping back on another drug is now what you want to do. You've been on pretty much everyone out there....time to do something different, and allowing time to pass is the different you need to embrace. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

11-18-2009, 11:45 AM	#3
anjopom Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,670	Re: I'k free..........for now. Congrats Tom, now stay away from meds, especially now you know how they work, yes its going to take some time for you to get back to "normal" but hey you mind and body is capable of that, without meds. Good luck buddy and post back and let us all know how your doing, you will be fine, ( LC another one to add to my list of survivors mmmm) __________________ medicated by doctor for grief. 15th Jan 1997 -Nov 2005 30mg paxil, c/t off by doctor. Dec 05, prozac 20mg, propranelol and 10mg Diazepam. March o6 c/t - doctor. April 06 -Nov 07 20mg paxil, Nov 07 - 18mg, dec 07 -16mg, jan 08 - 14mg, feb -12mg, mar -10mg,jul -9mg,aug -8.5mg,oct -8mg,nov -7.5mg,dec 08-7mg, jan09-6.5mg,feb-6mg, 1st mar-5.5mg,end mar -5mg,apr-4.2mg,CRASHED, may-5mg, aug-4.5mg,sept3.8mg, oct-3.2mg, oct - 2.8mg, nov, 2.2mg.dec.1.8,dec1.5jAN 1,2MG taking 100mg magnesium!!!!!

11-18-2009, 12:21 PM	#4
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 39,329	Re: I'k free..........for now. Thom, was is the longest time period you have been off meds? __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

11-18-2009, 12:44 PM	#5
ThomJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 8	Re: I'm free..........for now. Now. __________________ Thom J. Here's my med history for those who want to know. I don't remember the exact dose unless noted below. Prozac-20mgs; Buspar; Zoloft; Celexa; Lexapro; Welbutrin 20mgs; Welbutrin SR 20mgs; Remeron; Paxil 10mgs; Ritalin 10mgs. Paxil- 8/15/09 started tapering off with 7.5mg to 5.0mgs to 2.5mgs. Finally off of Paxil 10/15/09!!! Ritalin- Quit this cold turkey 8/15/09 with no problems. I don't think the Riatlin did anything for me. I'm free......for now.

11-18-2009, 04:00 PM	#6
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 39,329	Re: I'm free..........for now. So three months off? Thom..you are absolutely not seeing the "real" you. You are still in withdrawal and have been creating havoc with starting new drugs when the withdrawal hits. Time, my friend. You will be surprised and how good you actually are. 3 months off Ryan was a train wreck...today, he's great. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

11-19-2009, 09:18 AM	#8
ThomJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 8	Re: I'm free..........for now. Thx for all the positive words and feedback. I'm disappointed and disillusioned with the mental health care system, Kaiser Permanente in particular since that is my care provider. Have no idea what "normal" is, and I don't think I've ever experienced normalicy (sp?). Hope time will tell as Scotty mentioned. __________________ Thom J. Here's my med history for those who want to know. I don't remember the exact dose unless noted below. Prozac-20mgs; Buspar; Zoloft; Celexa; Lexapro; Welbutrin 20mgs; Welbutrin SR 20mgs; Remeron; Paxil 10mgs; Ritalin 10mgs. Paxil- 8/15/09 started tapering off with 7.5mg to 5.0mgs to 2.5mgs. Finally off of Paxil 10/15/09!!! Ritalin- Quit this cold turkey 8/15/09 with no problems. I don't think the Riatlin did anything for me. I'm free......for now.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)