depression

[pippins1]

I've been on antidepressants on and off for around 8 years. I really should see my doctor as I want to come off them, but worried I'm going to feel low again! Does anyone know of any non medicinal ways to give me a bit of a boost and make me feel good again?

[beso]

Regular exercise. It releases natures own antidepressant, endorphin.

[vodkancoke]

As beso said, exercise helped me wean myself off them.

[UMRK]

It's essential to discuss it with your Doctor as some anti-depressents have unpleasent withdrawal affects.. Which one are you currently taking?

[boxtops]

pippins, I sympathise - many years ago I was in a similar situation. It's great that you want to come off them, but it has to be slow - coming off too quickly could put you back in a difficult position.

I worked with my GP and we reduced the dosage very slowly - half a tablet reduction each month, to see how I coped) - if I was OK, we took it down to one tablet less a day. I must admit that having the prop of the tablet removed made me feel very wobbly but by the end of that month, I was ready to go to the next one - and so on. It did take several months to be free of the little perishers, but it worked, I've not had another antidepressant for over 20 years now.

You have to want to do it - good, stage 1 passed - and have confidence that if you do have a wobble or a dip as you reduce your intake, IT WILL PASS - just work through it. Think of how good it will be at the end, not to rely on that packet of pills. It sounds as if you are ready to go for it - good for you! - and tell us how you get on. We're here if you need us.

[pippins1]

I'm taking 20mg Citalopram, have come off them before, through docs advice, and weaned off them gradually. But after being off them for 3 months, I took an overdose of a mixture of pills and went back on them. I just wanna be totally unreliant of taking pills daily. I've heard st Johns wort, is a good alternative? Any thoughts please? Many thanks :)

[percypineapple]

I can say the St johns wort does work, I knew someone that took it and they were very contented and relaxed, and stopped taking it when their life turned around, (they forgot to buy some more and just carried on without realising).but, its not tested medically and could be regarded as a quack remedy, and it may be addictive, and read the info with it, you must not take it at the same time as some other medically prescribed drugs.

[Eve]

Citalopram does have issues in coming off it, do it very slowly as the side effects can be freaky, electrics shock like feelings in your head and such. 20mg is not a very high dose but high enough to need to be careful and best to do with your GP so they know your plans and can support you, maybe make sure you have a supply in hand of some in case they are needed. I did it cold turkey once from a high dose and really wouldn't recommend it.

I have been on and off a few times, had some nasty ones in the past, Seroxat and Amitriptilyne. Fluoxetine made me feel sick and Citalopram is the only one which has really worked for me. I've been on and off, same thing in wanting to be off the pills and wanting to feel more again etc... but always end up back on and now taking them also to help with chronic pain and to get better sleep.

I think some of us just need them more than we realise to keep a balance. One thing someone said to me once really helped, that it was a chemical imbalance in the brain and if you had other chemical imbalances then you wouldn't have any problems taking your medicine then, like insulin for diabetes etc...

It's nice to feel and be pill free but there is a lot to be said on being kept on a safer even keel.

Why not try just cutting down for now? Maybe with some talking therapy as to getting coping strategies in place?

I wish you well whatever you decide. Kalms tablets are good and nice to have the feeling of them being in your bag if you need them. Little tip though, keep a tissue or something in the bottle as they rattle more as the supply goes down and you end up walking along clinking haha :)

[boxtops]

Percy is right - do this under medical supervision. Don't just go for a herbal alternative, the effects (and any side effects) may be different, and will interact if you take them together.

First off, slowly withdraw from the drug - then if you need support WHEN you are clear of medication, then look for alternatives. You've done it before (well done) and you can do it again.

[Eve]

I think St John's Wort can affect some contraceptive pills so worth looking into that if it applies.

[Anngel123]

You might find a daylight lamp helps as well. Personally, I found it really hard to motivate myself to do exercise when I was depressed. Just try walking briskly to start with. It is surprising how you can make your heart beat faster just by walking. I hope you feel better soon pippins xx

[pippins1]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I've just started a new full time job after working part time for the past 10 yrs. Really enjoying the job. X

[pizza]

St Johns Wort is really good boost, I took them when I was feeling a bit unsettled in my old job and was looking to move on and had very mixed feelings e.t.c and they really helped me.
You can't take them alongside antidepressants as they increase the strength of your prescribed medication.
Def see you G.P and he will probably suggest you reduce your dose before completely coming off what you are taking.
I was also going through the change not really moody just a bit down and slight hot flushes and slight mood changes and I took Dong Quai which along the St Johns I felt like a new woman.
Good luck with your G.P visit and all the best in your full time emolyment x

[angel777]

Acupuncture - works for me