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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emily on March 20, 2000, at 8:27:43
I have had mild depression for years. Had a major episode a year and a half ago and went for help. Have been on Celexa 20mg since. Now i'm wondering if it is time to go off. I feel better than I've felt in years and want to stay this way but don't know if it means staying on the celexa or trying my own wings out? Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by Carolyn on March 20, 2000, at 9:53:20
In reply to Dysthymia- Meds forever??????, posted by Emily on March 20, 2000, at 8:27:43
> I have had mild depression for years. Had a major episode a year and a half ago and went for help. Have been on Celexa 20mg since. Now i'm wondering if it is time to go off. I feel better than I've felt in years and want to stay this way but don't know if it means staying on the celexa or trying my own wings out? Any help would be appreciated.
Emily...Is the celexia causing any uncomfortable side effects for you? And what does the doctor say? These are important things to consider.
Posted by MA on March 20, 2000, at 10:13:12
In reply to Dysthymia- Meds forever??????, posted by Emily on March 20, 2000, at 8:27:43
Each time you have a major depressive episode, the liklihood of having another one increases. If this was your first bout with major depression, then you really don't have a history of how severe your depression is or can be.
I too have dysthymia and have had it for over 25 years...I'm 43. With my first depressive episode, the thinking then was perhaps stay on an AD for a year. Originally...I had a doctor who took me off of Nardil and I kept telling her I felt like the depression was coming back...she basically ignored me. Each time I came off meds, I relapsed within 6 months. In the beginning I thought coming off meds meant I was "cured". After several relapses, I now know that my type of depression cannot be cured, only controlled with medication(s). I have to take something, even if it is a very, very small amount.
I'm TOO afraid of entering that black hole ever again. My goal now is to find a medication that works for as long a period as possible since I know I have to be on medication forever.
First of all, you should NEVER make the decision to stop any medication without the supervision of your doctor. You may feel great now, but you will not know how you feel until you stop. Even when you stop a med, you may feel great as I did. But the way my depression returns is with a feeling of mood elevation to the point of being overly confident. That is right before I crash and burn. Talk about not seeing it coming.
So, from your questions, I can offer the advice of
talking it over with your doctor and I bet the next step would be reducing your dose to 10 mg. Depending on how severe your depression was, your doctor may or may not agree with discontinuing meds altogether. My doctor let me go off them, but over time I understand that my depression is caused by some real chemical abnormalities and requires medical stablization.Your situation could be completely different.
Good luck with these decisions. I hope you are lucky enough to not need meds for life.
MA
Posted by AndrewB on March 20, 2000, at 10:52:50
In reply to Dysthymia- Meds forever??????, posted by Emily on March 20, 2000, at 8:27:43
Emily,
The greater proportion of dysthymics need ADs to keep their symptoms from returning. In one study 89% of the dysthymics experienced relapse when they discontinued their medication.
Please remember that it is up to you to feel positive about yourself, even if you have a 'disability' that requires medication.
Posted by Barbara Roberts on March 20, 2000, at 14:13:05
In reply to Re: Dysthymia- Meds forever??????, posted by AndrewB on March 20, 2000, at 10:52:50
> Please remember that it is up to you to feel positive about yourself, even if you have a 'disability' that requires medication.
Andrew:
Once again you hit the nail right on the head! Thank you.
B.
Posted by saint james on March 20, 2000, at 16:54:59
In reply to Dysthymia- Meds forever??????, posted by Emily on March 20, 2000, at 8:27:43
> I have had mild depression for years. Had a major episode a year and a half ago and went for help. Have been on Celexa 20mg since. Now i'm wondering if it is time to go off. I feel better than I've felt in years and want to stay this way but don't know if it means staying on the celexa or trying my own wings out? Any help would be appreciated.
James here....Since you have had depression for years this sugests you need to stay on meds. Depression is a progressive thing so the longer you go w/o treatment while depressed the more likely your depressions will get worse and more often, without treatment.
Did you have any depressions while on Celexa ?
If you really been well for the last year then
you could try going off it to see, provided your doc says OK. Just be very observant for returning depression. If it does not come back, great ! No more doc or pills to pay for.james
Posted by Emily on March 20, 2000, at 18:19:21
In reply to Re: Dysthymia- Meds forever??????, posted by saint james on March 20, 2000, at 16:54:59
> > I have had mild depression for years. Had a major episode a year and a half ago and went for help. Have been on Celexa 20mg since. Now i'm wondering if it is time to go off. I feel better than I've felt in years and want to stay this way but don't know if it means staying on the celexa or trying my own wings out? Any help would be appreciated.
>
>
> James here....
>
> Since you have had depression for years this sugests you need to stay on meds. Depression is a progressive thing so the longer you go w/o treatment while depressed the more likely your depressions will get worse and more often, without treatment.
>
> Did you have any depressions while on Celexa ?
> If you really been well for the last year then
> you could try going off it to see, provided your doc says OK. Just be very observant for returning depression. If it does not come back, great ! No more doc or pills to pay for.
>
> jamesThank you all so much for the great responses. It so confusing because honestly I like the feeling of feeling good. I haven't felt this good consistantly for so many years I can't tell you. Don't get me wrong I have children and a career but had the dark moods at the same time. My father who was manic commited suicide a year and a half ago I was so depressed that I didn't want to get out of bed. Was not suicidal but just had no self worth and didn't care. The celexa has been a god send. Hated the side effects but all have gone away but the delayed orgasm but my husband seems to enjoy the challenge. doesn't work all the time but......
I guess my belief that normal is not medication is ignorant. It is scarry to think of feeling like that again. Even how I felt 10 years ago. Happy now and want to stay that way.
This is the end of the thread.
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