Still not sold on that idea

By TerraIncognita · Jun 4, 2010 · 488 · 4
  1. I still believe that my severe writer's block isn't purely circumstantial. I'm trying to get off an antidepressant and it's been a nightmare to get off of. The point is I think it could be at least partially physiological. I have difficulty concentrating, often repeat myself up to three times, have to ask people to repeat things to me multiple times, and forget all sorts of things unless I write it down.

    Plus the fact that I was much more productive with my writing before I got on an antidepressant. Another reason I doubt it's because of stress is because I am generally most active in writing when stressed. (in the past before the anti depressant)

    I've had difficulty finding out if others have experienced similar issues. I do know though that the withdrawal is NOT normal. That I was getting off of it the wrong way.

    Art and writing are very integral to my being. It's incredibly frustrating to always have thoughts and ideas just out of reach or lost in the fog. I don't feel like myself lately.

    I can't wait to get out of the fog and back to my creative self. I know I'll get there eventually but it feels like forever. I'm ready to totally put this behind me.

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  1. Forkfoot
    Are you gradually cutting back your dosage under the supervision of a doctor? I remember one time after I stopped my antidepressants cold-turkey I kept feeling a powerful urge to crawl around on all fours and scream like a woman.

    When I cut back gradually under the supervision of my psychiatrist, I had no problems whatsoever with the Prozac. When I had to quit the Welbutrin, though, it was more gruelling. I had to go through about three weeks of nasty depression every time I cut back, then I'd be fine until the next cut-down, and I had to do that six times spread out over a period of like six or eight months or something.

    Have you stopped your antidepressants before? The first time I did I needed to get back on them because I didn't have anything else in my life to stave off the darkness. That time I quit was kind of on impulse and not very well thought-out at all. The second time, I knew I could do it, and I was okay after the weaning process was finally over and done with. The darkness still comes around a bit here and there, but we're cool now.
    Forkfoot, Jun 4, 2010
  2. TerraIncognita
    I was on it for anxiety and pain. Massive benign spinal cord tumor. Cymbalta helps with nerve pain. Yes I talked with my doctor about all this months ago. It's taken this long to find the right strategy. It took meeting another woman that had also gotten off antidepressants and her telling me about a book a psychiatrist had written who had dealt extensively with this.

    I hear you on withdrawal. It's been a nightmare. I finally found the correct way to to do it. Unfortunately because withdrawal is accumulative I still have issues going on even though I haven't changed the dosage.

    The withdrawal issues I'm having are things like, cognitive abilities affected, fatigue, insomnia, overly vivid nightmares, mood swings, irritability, and bad bloating. I don't have deep depressions. I do get very sad sometimes but it's nothing so severe that it's dangerous. And if I am feeling especially upset I always tell someone and talk to someone. I've dealt with suicidal feelings in the past. There were some really bad circumstances surrounding that though. I know when to worry because I've experienced those feelings many years ago. Amazingly and blessedly, I have the clarity of mind to tell when something is being caused by withdrawal.
    TerraIncognita, Jun 6, 2010
  3. TerraIncognita
    I was on it for anxiety and pain. Massive benign spinal cord tumor. Cymbalta helps with nerve pain. Yes I talked with my doctor about all this months ago. It's taken this long to find the right strategy. It took meeting another woman that had also gotten off antidepressants and her telling me about a book a psychiatrist had written who had dealt extensively with this.

    I hear you on withdrawal. It's been a nightmare. I finally found the correct way to to do it. Unfortunately because withdrawal is accumulative I still have issues going on even though I haven't changed the dosage.

    The withdrawal issues I'm having are things like, cognitive abilities affected, fatigue, insomnia, overly vivid nightmares, mood swings, irritability, and bad bloating. I don't have deep depressions. I do get very sad sometimes but it's nothing so severe that it's dangerous. And if I am feeling especially upset I always tell someone and talk to someone. I've dealt with suicidal feelings in the past. There were some really bad circumstances surrounding that though. I know when to worry because I've experienced those feelings many years ago. Amazingly and blessedly, I have the clarity of mind to tell when something is being caused by withdrawal.

    I'm really glad to hear you were able to get off of them and are doing well. :)
    TerraIncognita, Jun 6, 2010
  4. jazzabel
    I just read your blog post, I'm so sorry you are struggling with antidepressants. The one you are taking is broader spectrum then some others which might explain the side-effects and difficult withdrawal.
    From my experience, reducing the dose by miniscule amounts every 2-3 days (but sometimes even every 1-2weeks) makes it bearable. But maybe some of it is the symptoms coming back, signalling it's not time to stop medication yet? In any case, perhaps trying a different antidepressant might help. It's difficult with treating mood symptoms as well as chronic pain. One of the most challenging areas of medicine. I hope it gets better soon though :friend:
    jazzabel, Apr 20, 2013
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