Time to come off the meds?

[StevenG]

Hi my name is Steve and I have been taking Cipralex (Escitralopram) since late last year (Oct). At the moment I am feeling like the cons outweigh the pros and contemplating coming off the meds.

The meds are making me feel slightly less anxious but nothing major.

in the last couple of months my weight has rocketed despite working out hard at the gym 3-4 times a week, which in turn is making my anxiety and self image worse. I lost a hell of a lot of weight a few years back and the thought of getting back to that size again is terrifying me!

also, the sex department is pretty much a none starter and also getting me down.

I can only really see me getting worse if I continue on the meds.

I feel that the self help and CBT online with a couple of therapy sessions have helped me more than the medication. I feel like I can handle the situations that made me anxious using the techniques I have learned without taking the meds.

can anyone offer any help/advice or been through something similar?

[BobbyDog]

I am not in that position yet, but it sounds as though you have answered your own question and really feel like giving it a go.

Only you can decide whether it is the right time to stop taking your medication, but run your thoughts and feelings past your doctor before you make a final decision, he/she will also be able to give you tapering off advice.

I wish you well.x

[Ingenious]

If it gets to the point where you feel medication isn't working out then yes, definitely speak to your GP and look at alternatives. The right medication or treatment, should on balance, make you feel better and make the side effects worth suffering. In your case it sounds like this is not the case, and it is not uncommon for medication to simply not work out for an individual. It may be that you are better with the alternative treatments you're doing, or it may be that a different medication would be worth a try - your GP will discuss this with you. And good luck