so there's that

[jennyluann]

I stopped taking zoloft. You know the commercial with the little blob who tries to scoot away from the rain cloud but the cloud always catches up? Well, I'm the blob. I've been a blob on zoloft for 7 years now. But I don't want zoloft anymore because I'm trying to simplify, you know... it's sort of like wanting to eat only organic food, except way

Comments

[c_hartley]

I want off the meds too, but I don't know how to tell when I'm ready.

Withdrawal from antidepressants is, without exaggeration, the sickest I have ever been. I'd hate to go through it just to crash and wind up needing the drugs again.

I just hate being addicted.

Let me know how it goes. Give me tips.

-C

[franklin_arthur]

I hate to ask since you just went on a diatribe about how useless your docs are, but are you doing this under the supervision of...well...anybody with half a brain? Not saying you don't have the ability to self-monitor but it is difficult what with lack of objectivity and all.

Also, what's the other drug you're on? Or was that unnamed for a reason? Sorry to pry.

Hey, I love you and I miss you!

[jennyluann]

Guess it depends on how you define supervision. I told my doctor when I saw him about a month ago that this was my plan. But we didn't go into specifics and it's not like he checks in with me everyday or once a week or anything like that. Even if he was checking in, as long as I'm not suicidal and I'm functioning in a relatively normal way, there's nothing he could do but say, "well, you could try another drug..."

The other drug is wellbutrin. I upped it about a month ago in the hope that a higher dose of this drug (which tends to be helpful for sluggish people like me) would allow me to eventually get off the other two. Taking only one drug rather than three would make me feel much better about life. It's also much more financially feasible, given that I take 3 allergy medicines.

No worries about prying. I love and miss you too Frankie-poo. Did Lydia tell you we ran into each other at Whole Foods? Good times.

[franklin_arthur]

She did, she did indeed.

Emily Rhodes said she had really good luck with Wellbutrin but had to stop taking it when she got preggers.

I agree that one should take as few pharmaceuticals as humanly possible, and I applaud your efforts (and Caitlin's) to pare down. But darn it, sometimes pharms are just necessary and useful. You're both wise women, and I trust your ability to tell the difference. I just like my friends to be healthy and happy.

[krekelburger]

I tend to agree with Franklin. If you think that it's unnecessary and irresponsible that you've been prescribed these drugs, then by all means stop taking them. It's probably better in the long run anyway. But, sometimes drugs are a good thing.

[_ean_]

i was on adderall for a long time, and had to stop taking it because of interference with my migraine meds. unfortunately, my doctor said i had to choose what i wanted to treat: ADD or migraines. so, adderall was out the door. i can tell a great difference still from not being on the meds. i was much more articulate and adept with schoolwork. now, i feel like a bumbling idiot sometimes.

but when i first went on adderall, i had the same deal going with sketchy docs. it always bothered me because they didn't really know any of my history. now, i'd never be able to get away with it because of my neurologists.

[jennyluann]

Adderall is sometimes deliberately prescribed as a last resort treatment for depression. It is also mistakenly prescribed for people who aren't necessarily ADD, but who are unmotivated or have an inability to focus as a result of depression (those are two of the DSM's primary symptoms of depression). I think this is a huge issue, along with the fact that any old primary doctor can prescribe it. It's pretty telling that my primary doctor started me on two antidepressants and adderall, all at the same time. I mean, seriously??? I was in 10th grade... the broader implications were beyond me. Besides, it didn't occur to me to worry because adderall turned me into a hyper-focused student. Staying awake in algebra was suddenly very easy.

[_ean_]

i had no idea that it was also prescribed for depression, and didn't realize that ADD could be a result of depression! and i STRONGLY agree that it is given to people who aren't ADD.

adderall did the same thing to me. it made me incredibly focused.

but, kudos for getting them narrowed down. i've been doing the same thing with my migraine disorder meds. i had so many, and i'm trying to find ONE med that will take the brunt of assistance instead of many. i wish i didn't have to take anything (big pill anxiety here). one of mine is propranolol, which is prescribed for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and i have difficulty understanding how the medicine works toward both migraine prevention and blocking stressful thoughts to decrease anxiety. i guess it's the same with adderall and tons of other meds out there. am i the only one who doesn't understand the duality (or more) of meds? i'd love an explanation one day. :)

[nikkicole007]

Loving you and your thoughts! Don't have any insight, thought I bet I could read up on it and be at least as helpful as the docs. Anyways...if it gives you something else to think about...we have an LC cat at the house right now (aka Lumpy Cat)...remember her??? Good times in suite 2F!!

[allisonsligh]

What's your mailing address these days?