Is it normal to be withdrawing from an anti-depressant for so long?

43% Normal
5 Comments

I am a 21 year old male. I have been on and off SSRI "medicine" with no positive results. The last SSRI medication I was prescribed (lexopro) really made me feel drugged. It gave me daily panic attacks and made me feel sick almost as if I was dying. I read this was normal and continued to take the meds. I was on them for about 3 months before I noticed they were making my mind more depressed than ever. I started feeling numb and more depressed than ever and was having memory and cognitive problems. Now I have been off the medicine for what I think might be a few months (I can't perceive time how I used to). There are still side effects I feel which I am hoping are not permanent. I have intense anxiety attacks, head zaps, acute depression, eye pain, blurry vision, memory loss, sexual dysfunction, back pain. I receive no pleasure from anything anymore. It's as if the SSRI has ruined my brain and bodily functions. I would like to know if anyone who has been on SSRI can tell me if this is normal. I hope I can return to my normal self in time. I cannot believe what this medicine has doneto ruin my life directly, and my family's life indirectly. It is truly depressing.

Voting Results
43% Normal
Based on 37 votes (16 yes)
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Comments ( 5 )
  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    I have been on anti depressants most of my life and they are fucked to get off. The side effects can be extreme. Talk to your doctor about it and stay in touch with a help line as they can be dangerouse to withdrawal from.

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  • Ono
    12 years ago

    Have you spoken with your doctor about all this? If you have and they haven't been helpful then seek out a second opinion.

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  • la_uva_mojada
    9 years ago

    I think the pharmaceutical industry is just plain evil and they don't have your best interest at heart! You should try (at least try) using natural, holistic remedies like herbs, crystals, etc. Who would you trust has your best interest? mother nature of the government?

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  • charli.m
    12 years ago

    Maybe you need an MAOI? I don't know much about them, I believe they're usually a last resort though.

    I took Cipramil (Citalopram 20mg) successfully for a year and a half, two years, I think...was a bitch to start with, sick as a dog...bizarrely, I went cold turkey a year ago with no side affects. I've heard from others that it's an effective one, and they've also had little to no side effects, and a DRAMATIC change in mood etc.

    See what your doctor thinks.

    Also: I've heard Aropax (Paroxetine) is very, very bad. More so for women, but also men. It works kinda as an aggressor.

    Hope you can find something that works...sounds like you're having a horrid time.

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    • Oasis808
      12 years ago

      Thanks but I plan on fighting my depression without meds from now on. I mean, so far I have always been told their would be little to no negative side effects from the medicines yet I always tend to have them. I have only experienced negatives through the use of SSRI. Perhaps they work for some, but def not for me.

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