Re-starting the meds

[EMMA]

Hi,

I recently came off my meds, not had any for over 2 wks now. Came off them gradually because I had been feeling better. But wondering now whether I came off them too soon as I have had this panic and anxiety again since coming back off holiday yesterday. Does anyone know if it is ok to re-start them again? Wondered if i should take them longer till i am fully better.

Emma xx

[seh1980]

hello again Emma,

I just came off my meds about 3-4 weeks ago. I have noticed that I am a lot more panicky as well. How long were you on yours for? I was on mine for 13 months so I know that it was long enough. It could be that you are still getting used to not being on them. That's what I think is happening to me as well. I think that when we're on the meds, our brain relies on them to stop us from panicking and now that we're off them we have to learn how to deal with it ourselves. If I were you, I would wait a little while longer and then go speak to your GP if you're still not feeling better..

Sarah

[FAN]

hi did the doctor recommend you came off them or did you just decide? if its the latter then maybe you should stick with them and speak to the doc first

fan x

"dont wait for the light at the end of the tunnel..........stride down there and light the bl**dy thing yourself!

[EMMA]

I assumed that because I had felt better for a couple of months that I should come off them, but I did check with the GP first. I've had one today. But I will speak to my GP on Tuesday and see what she says. I'm just hoping that it's that stress of coming back from holiday that has made me this way. Maybe once I am back in the routine of work and stuff I will be fine again. If the doc says I should take them then I will. Would sooner be on them till I am fully better if thats the case.

I know what you mean Sarah about the brain relying on them, perhaps that's what it is. Did feel weird coming off them at first.

I'll see what happens anyway. Will hopefully be ok.

Emma xxx

[EMMA]

Oh, I have been on them since June last year by the way

[vernon]

hi emma do you mean anti depressants? becous taking a odd one will do nothing they take a while to get back into the systerm. Did u come off them realy slow some rudece very slowly over months. also maybe you should see the doc again before u take any antidepressant as maybe you will only need a much lower dose this time? t c Vernon

[EMMA]

Hi Vernon, yes the antidepressants. Thought they would still be in the system so ok to start them again. Will see GP Tuesday I think. Hopefully will be ok by then.

Came off them over a space of a month, gradually reducing to half a day then half every other day.

Maybe just side effects from coming off them like Sarah says.

Emma xx

[vernon]

that seemed pretty fast to come off to me, When i stopped meds i reduced by a quarter for a couple of months then half then 3/4s then a quarter every other day for a long time. but as u say could just be your body getting used to not having the chemicals in the blood and hopfully will go away in time without having to restart meds. good luck. vernon

[nomorepanic]

Emma

This is a personal choice of course but I would stay off them now you have stopped.

It may be best to now look at ways of coping with the panic/anxiety without the meds and just because you had the panic on holiday (will reply to that post in a minute) then it does not mean you are back at square one.

We call that a blip on here - I will look out a post on it for you.

I expect the doc will just tell you to go back on them but at the end of the day you know best. Do you feel that you are tackling the underlying issues even though you were on the meds or were you relying on them to provide a cure?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Which one were you on may I ask?

Nicola

[EMMA]

Hi Nicola,

I was on paroxetine. It was all brought on last year by stressful events. But even though I've felt better since then my nanna passed away at Xmas and college is stressing me out again this year. I have exams in June which I don't feel confident about because I've not put the effort in. Was hoping to get through it all without the meds because I felt better. And was hoping the holiday would relax me too.

Think I am just clutching at straws. I think i will probably be fine once I get back to the gym and work and everything. Strangely enough work doesn't stress me.

I've been burning my oils this afternoon and just trying to chill out. I'll see how I am in a couple of days and see my GP.

I really want to try and cope without the meds if possisble.

Emma xx