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Worst comedown of my life...
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
... and it was a prescribed medication.
First, Hi all... I'm a shitty member of the site who used to be a regular and then turned up less and less frequently, but this was the only place I ever used to get decent advise during some tough years of my life, so I wondered if it may still be up to scratch nowadays.
I recently decided to stop taking the antidepressants I was prescribed for anxiety/stress. Like any new father will tell you, the first 6 months of being a dad are tough on your partner, tough on your relationship and ultimately tough on you. It's hard to see the woman you love go through so much in such a short space of time, and little things start to annoy you. Then even smaller thing, and before you know it the slightest thing and you're feeling livid. I decided I needed help and went to my local NHS equivalent health clinic (I live abroad) to see what the quack said, and assumed I would be given a referal to some councellor or the likes. WRONG! I was prescribed 20mg of Paroxetine, better known as Seroxat or Paxil (the branded versions.)
After my month's prescription had run out, I tried desperately to get back to see the same doctor, but he was ill one week, then had to catch up on a number of patients and I was told it would be in my best interests to see a different Dr. (Some continuity of service/treatment, ayy!?) This new doctor was unable to find any notes for my initial consultation, and after 5 minutes listening to my entire story all over again, decided that my dose was to be upped to 30mg a day.
By this point I was over/used to the majority of side effects, which include shakes/tremors, inability to orgasm (just what a depressed or anxious person needs,) agressive tendencies (again, just how is this stuff meant to help you) and my all time favourite, what I refer to as "the numbness." The feeling of absolutely no emotions at all. Of all of these I was warned that the tablets could be addictive, and that some men find acheiving orgasm difficult at times. Difficult? Nigh on fucking impossible!
A business trip to the UK with lots to do, and a lot of other things on my mind (leaving my little girl for a week) led to me forgetting to take my pill one day, with surprisingly little side effects/withdrawl symptoms. I made a decision, which seemed wise at the time, not to take them any more. I never really wanted to start medicating anyways, I just wanted to speak to someone and get some of the crap off my chest.
Today is day five, although it feels like 500, and I feel like death warmed up. I am panicky and have the shakes, I have a severely upset stomach, my emotions are all over the place, one minute I'm fine and the next I'm a teary wreck that doesn't know whether he is coming or going. I feel dizzy, nauseous and have a real bad headache, and occasionally I get very blurry vision. Needless to say, I'm not happy.
I've got an appointment at a private health clinic today, to get a third and hopefully final opinion, but I wanted to see if anyone else can offer any advice on similar experiences, how long it takes to get over the withdrawl etc.
Look forward to hearing from you soon, and hi to all the former/current regulars I know/knew from way back then.
E.G.
First, Hi all... I'm a shitty member of the site who used to be a regular and then turned up less and less frequently, but this was the only place I ever used to get decent advise during some tough years of my life, so I wondered if it may still be up to scratch nowadays.
I recently decided to stop taking the antidepressants I was prescribed for anxiety/stress. Like any new father will tell you, the first 6 months of being a dad are tough on your partner, tough on your relationship and ultimately tough on you. It's hard to see the woman you love go through so much in such a short space of time, and little things start to annoy you. Then even smaller thing, and before you know it the slightest thing and you're feeling livid. I decided I needed help and went to my local NHS equivalent health clinic (I live abroad) to see what the quack said, and assumed I would be given a referal to some councellor or the likes. WRONG! I was prescribed 20mg of Paroxetine, better known as Seroxat or Paxil (the branded versions.)
After my month's prescription had run out, I tried desperately to get back to see the same doctor, but he was ill one week, then had to catch up on a number of patients and I was told it would be in my best interests to see a different Dr. (Some continuity of service/treatment, ayy!?) This new doctor was unable to find any notes for my initial consultation, and after 5 minutes listening to my entire story all over again, decided that my dose was to be upped to 30mg a day.
By this point I was over/used to the majority of side effects, which include shakes/tremors, inability to orgasm (just what a depressed or anxious person needs,) agressive tendencies (again, just how is this stuff meant to help you) and my all time favourite, what I refer to as "the numbness." The feeling of absolutely no emotions at all. Of all of these I was warned that the tablets could be addictive, and that some men find acheiving orgasm difficult at times. Difficult? Nigh on fucking impossible!
A business trip to the UK with lots to do, and a lot of other things on my mind (leaving my little girl for a week) led to me forgetting to take my pill one day, with surprisingly little side effects/withdrawl symptoms. I made a decision, which seemed wise at the time, not to take them any more. I never really wanted to start medicating anyways, I just wanted to speak to someone and get some of the crap off my chest.
Today is day five, although it feels like 500, and I feel like death warmed up. I am panicky and have the shakes, I have a severely upset stomach, my emotions are all over the place, one minute I'm fine and the next I'm a teary wreck that doesn't know whether he is coming or going. I feel dizzy, nauseous and have a real bad headache, and occasionally I get very blurry vision. Needless to say, I'm not happy.
I've got an appointment at a private health clinic today, to get a third and hopefully final opinion, but I wanted to see if anyone else can offer any advice on similar experiences, how long it takes to get over the withdrawl etc.
Look forward to hearing from you soon, and hi to all the former/current regulars I know/knew from way back then.
E.G.
0
Comments
As for seroxat withdrawal, ive known several people whove been on it, and found the withdrawal symptoms trying to get off it can be pretty nasty.
I hope you manage it.
I know this isnt advice and probably not even worth writing, but didnt want to read and run.
But, given your experience I can certainly see the desire to just leave it behind. Just remember that it will continue to get better, and hold on to the things which give you pleasure, you've got a little kid, and presumably a mrs who cares for you a whole lot, that and a steady job - you cant really argue that things are pretty good for you.
Mum and Emily are doing really well, and I know she really does support me, although we have been arguing recently, normally about silly, inconsequencial rubbish.
There are a few other issues, like we had to move house just before Emily was born as our landlord was a c*nt. We've been holed up in a little one bed place until the Mrs was back at work and we could afford to move again. We were planning to be gone before Christmas, but I was also made redundant. We're finally getting things back on track and have put a deposit down on a really nice place, and will be moving in on the first of March.
I know a lot of people recommend going down gradually, but to be honest, I think I would like to see how far I can go cold turkey.... it's what I did to every other drug (legal or not) when I decided I had had enough, especially seeing what this drug does to you. I have never felt like I was addicted to anything, bar maybe alcohol, but I can only imagine this is what proper withdrawl feels like...
Keep your concentration on that, and of course your duty to your kid. Good luck with it.
Glad to hear mum and baby are ok though, and I think it sounds like maybe cold turkey might work for you, if youre prepared for it not being easy.
Good luck
You had a stressful time and a lot to adjust to, so if a doc thought anti-depressents were necessary then something more tolerable with less side effects would have been a better choice, such as citalopram or fluoxetine.
From what you said it seems like you perhaps may have only needed them short term so why the hell did he give you one of the two drugs that are very commonly HELL to get off. And for some other prat to up it to 30mg after a month!!! Shit a brick!
Taper off them slowly,over a few weeks cut your dosage down.