re: Going off anti-depressants

Weening off of paxil gives me frequent 1-2 second dizzy spells throughout the the day. I was on it more for anxiety than depression though and only took 10mg.

Side effects may vary based on person, dosage, and how long they were taking it

Please talk to your doctor, or at least a doctor, before making this decision.

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Good luck man, you're lucky to have found a good Dr. I have not been happy with mine at all and is the main reason I'm gonna try to do it at first without her help. If it doesn't work I'll get back on the Cymbalta and find a new one.

My mental health history, or lack thereof, would indicate the "slight reboot" is what I needed as well. At least that's what I'm hoping.

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From everything I know about you from what you've posted, I think you should stay on meds and find a new doctor, plus someone you can do CBT or some form of talk therapy with on a regular basis.

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just my opinion though

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No way, that is absolute fact.

If your mechanic tells you to only use premium gas, would you just use regular?

If your accountant tells you to spend less money, would you just spend more?

If your lawyer tells you to shut the frick up, would you continue to speak?

Same goes for a doctor.

You pay these professionals so that they will give you good advice on how to not frick your shite up. To go contrary to their advice, simply because you feel like it, is lunacy.

Obviously, I'm not discounting getting a second opinion on any of these things, or that these professionals are right all the time, or that people don't make mistakes. If you don't like what one individual is telling you, seek the advice of another professions. We seek the advice these professionals because they are experts in their field.

If you really know better than they do, why pay them for their services at all?

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Mechanic

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Can't be trusted IMO



I see what you're saying though

Just tried the same thing. Couldn't do it and back on.

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I take klonopin, it works on complete different gaba receptors in the brain compared to alcohol.

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Not really. I mean, they are different but not that different. Unfortunately, people think they are.

Oh, and please don't listen to this guy.

Sounds more like generalized anxiety to be honest with you. I'm guessing you have always had some trouble with sleep and mild stress management, but you were experiencing a lot of life stressors around the time that you had that more severe episode. If you were prescribed the Cymbalta by a general practitioner, I suggest you consult with a psychiatrist before discontinuing it. A psychiatrist is generally going to be a lot better at considering your history, listening to your concerns and goals, and prescribing something that more accurately targets your symptoms.

Great description, Mr. Hangover. Those were definitely panic attacks. Although panic disorder is categorized as an anxiety disorder, it really is a whole different beast. About 50% of people with a diagnosis of panic disorder also end up with a diagnosis of agoraphobia. They begin to avoid public places for fear of having a panic attack. The more they avoid them, the more they fear them.

While benzos are good at alleviating the intense discomfort of a panic attack or acute anxiety, they are terrible for treating the disorder long term. When they wear off, they lead to a rebound of anxiety that is more intense than it was before taking the medication.

Antidepressants are effective for 70-80% of people suffering from the issues you are describing. In combination with cognitive behavioral therapy, the success rate is as good as it gets in the psychiatry world. A therapist trained in techniques for treating panic disorder can be extremely helpful.

Panic attacks are the result of being too aware of normal physiological responses to physical stress (i.e. racing heart, rapid breathing, claminess, dizziness, etc.) which leads to increased anxiety, then increase physiological responses, etc. It's a cycle. In a controlled environment, a therapist can evoke the physiological responses that trigger an attack and help you break the cycle.

The bad news is that it will only get worse without treatment. The good news is that it is very treatable now days. The key is seeking out the right professionals. In this case a psychiatrist for the meds and a clinical therapist trained in CBT, particularly in techniques specific to panic disorder, are the people that can help you.

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I don't think our bodies were meant to live off pills though.

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Of course they weren't.

But they're also not meant to filter out excess amounts of caffeine, alcohol, and Popeyes chicken skins. But they do. And my life is better because of it.

If you don't like pills, then tell that to your doctor, and sometimes there are other things you can. But if your doctor says "you need to take this pill" then damn it, take the pill. That's the magic of modern medicine.

Why go to a doctor if you aren't going to listen to what they say?

And I hear you about the rushed doctor visits. But if you really don't trust your doctor, you need to find a better doctor. Period.