Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi Everyone...
Due to some stressful events over the summer and some health issues I tried 3 antidepressants with disastrous results. Every one made me worse and now I am so imbalanced coming off of them that I am in the midst of a full on nervous breakdown. I can't read or watch tv or distract myself in any way. I cannot handle starting yet another antidepressant. My body can't handle it and I worry constantly about what it is doing to my brain. I WILL NOT take another one. I am seeing a nutritionist and addressing dietary concerns, Lyme disease, and mold toxicity. But I can't help wondering if the only way out is to get my thought patterns straight. I was wondering if anyone out there has gone through a complete breakdown to the point where they were not functional and come back without medication. I would love some tips or success stories! It feels like it will never end. Please no negativity or horror stories! <3
5 likes, 21 replies
amanda35274 sunshine1234987
Posted
Hi sunshine i read ur post and while a 3rd anti depressant is showing some positive signs for me ( not fully ) ... i have been going thru the same as you. I have heard and researched people becoming well without meds and i hope the best for you. Get some very good vitamin supplements incuding omega3 , vit d, & maybe have ur iron level & thyroid checked. Although not the cause of yr breakdown all can worsen depression so for you it may be of use as anti depressants have not helped. Good luck and keep fighting. X
sunshine1234987 amanda35274
Posted
Thank you amanda! I have had thyroid checked and am on omega 3 and some supplements. I think I'm having protracted withdrawal from mirtazapine on top of I'm just having a really bad time and hope I see some light soon. Thanks for your concern.
sunshine1234987 amanda35274
Posted
amanda35274 sunshine1234987
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Dr.D sunshine1234987
Posted
hello sunshine,
it is terrible what is happening to you and i wish that it was different as i know how much suffering it may cause you.
before i can give you tips i have to ask some questions:
- have you had a full physical exam in order to rule out physical causes (thyroid under/overfunction, hormone imbalances, diabetes, etc.)
- what "health issues" are you talking about?
- you mentioned lyme disease and mold toxicity. how did you get these diagnoses?
- who prescribed the antidepressants and for what reason?
- how long have you taken these antidepressants, which were they exactly and what dose did you take?
- have you had similar feelings in the past (years ago)?
- why were the events in the summer stressful to you? was it a big work load or what did stress you?
- what coping strategies do you have? are you exercising?
- what dietary concerns are you trying to address and why?
- did you receive any other medication for your issues to help ease the symptoms such as tranquilisers?
- what symptoms are you experiencing? racing thoughts? anxiety? sleep disturbances? ...
- how did the antidepressants make you worse? what did they make worse? your mood? ...
i know these are a lot of questions yet i'm trying to understand why you're in that situation in order to be able to make helpful suggestions.
if you don't feel comfortable writing all the answers in the discussion you could message me privately. i would be glad if i could be of any help to you.
regards,
d
sunshine1234987 Dr.D
Posted
I'll PM you. Thanks for responding!
greentea30029 sunshine1234987
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sunshine1234987 greentea30029
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The same thing happened to me! I tried the AD I was on 20 years ago and it sent my anxiety through the roof. That was nefazodone. Then I tried mirtazapine and that made me horribly depressed and sedated. Even self destructive and I have NEVER been like that. It was not me. It's scary how powerful these things are. I never want to take another one, it does not feel right.
amanda35274 sunshine1234987
Posted
Wow... i had mirtazipine for only a few weeks in july & it turned me really really angry. So irritable. Thumbs down for that x
sunshine1234987 amanda35274
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amanda35274 sunshine1234987
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sunshine1234987 amanda35274
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Oh yeah? I'm wondering if the withdrawal after a traumatic time period is my whole problem. It's been just about 5 wks and I seem to be very very slowly balancing out. Today I went to the store. Baby steps! And I actually just laughed at a part in a movie. It comes in waves. I think mirtazapine screwed me up big time because after I quit lexapro I was back to myself after a week. And this was just a few months ago. How long did it take you to balance out?
amanda35274 sunshine1234987
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sunshine1234987 amanda35274
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You know, that's actually good to hear. I thought I was losing my mind and that this was just the normal me resurfacing. But it makes sense that if I was on one antidepressant for a month, went immediately to mirt for 3 weeks that I would still be withdrawing. I mean if it took you that long and you were only on it a few weeks as well. Maybe my "breakdown" will miraculously disappear in a few weeks. God I hope so! I basically cold turkeyed..i still don't feel clean from it and I know my body. Nobody believes me when I say I'm still withdrawing.
amanda35274 sunshine1234987
Posted
I wasn't believed either regarding my side effects whilst taking the drug at 1st & it was so frustrating. So i get how u feel.. ppl always have an opinion but you know ur body and yr mind. As long as your at least open to advice if ur not improving then u are doing whats right for u just now. Yes took me ages i think it does when your in the midst of a breakdown as u gotta cope with the symptoms that the illness brings as well as withdrawal. I couldnt see hope even 1mth ago. Now im starting to have windows of good times. X
sunshine1234987 amanda35274
Posted
I'm so glad to hear you're getting windows! Happy for you and it gives me hope. I'm talking to naturopathic doctors who are giving me advice on getting my whole body functioning properly. I just feel off and it mostly feels chemically induced. So going to try the natural route. I know that I was having adrenal problems and stress to begin with but maybe fixing my health will balance me out. Thanks for responding to me!
amanda35274 sunshine1234987
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sunshine1234987 amanda35274
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Just curious...were you dismally depressed after the mirt and then it started to lighten up? At 5 wks off i can't see any light and i can't tell if it's the mirt or not. Did you feel slightly better psychologically after 8 wks off?
amanda35274 sunshine1234987
Posted
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