Anxiety Disorder/depression

It sounds very much like you need to be on anti-depressants. As hard as it may be at times, you have to keep trying different ones until you find one that works for you, and you have to give each of them some time and gradual increases in doses. I used to feel like you even when everything was great in my life. I was on the 5th different kind of medication when I finally found something that worked for me (Celexa). I have been on them for years now. On occassion something happens like I go on vaction for a week and forget to take them for a week or two and boy do I really notice and so does everybody around me! Hang in there you will find one that will work for you.

Hi C.,

Prozac, and any anti-depressant drug, take time to establish a balance in your body. You may remember when you first started that it probably took about 2 weeks to reach the full effect. Because your body then adjusts it's hormone levels in response to the drug being a constant in your system, if you stopped cold turkey that throws everything off for awhile. In fact, your doctor wanted you to drop off gradually because the "rebound effect" of suddenly having nothing can lead to even greater depression, anxiety, and other mood problems than you may have had in the first place.

Since you did stop cold turkey, please know that what you are feeling is really normal--it's literally withdrawal related--and it will stabilize. On the other hand, you still have the underlying depression/anxiety to deal with--and you will want to really support yourself well to help.

I don't know if you were seeing a psychiatrist for these meds, or if you got them from your general doctor...either way, I would strongly suggest working with a psychiatrist (medical) or a counselor (non-medical) for help with the adjustment period, the emotions, and looking at other options.

Also get with a nutritionist or naturopath, to help you optimize your nutritional support--this makes a BIG difference in how you feel. I would also suggest acupuncture, which can work very directly with the systemic response to hormonal output and keep your energy up while balancing your hormones.

Finally, as someone else suggested, there are herbs that can be used to help...one that is very helpful for postpartum depression (and even one year later, that could be what this is) is Motherwort. Kava kava can be used periodically (not every day for months, but for a couple of weeks at a time) for soothing. St. John's wort has been shown to be very effective for depression, but takes awhile to build up in the body and work, so you would want to do that regularly for several months. As the other person suggested, it's best to work with someone who knows herbs and can get to know you, to find the best combination--don't just start taking herbs. They can be powerful and helpful, but you have to use them correctly.

I also agree that physical exercise can be wonderful for this--but at the same time, know it can be difficult to make yourself do it if you are depressed. But even a walk with the kids can help you feel better.

Finally, keep the local parenting crisis hotline number handy--just to get you through those "moments" when nothing seems to work.

I am a perinatal counselor, and if you want to be in contact with me privately, please just send me a message through Mamasource.

Please Please Please find a doctor who uses amino acids to balance neurotransmitters!! It is very difficult for patients to get off SSRI's because the longer you are on them the more depleted your body becomes in serotonin. Unfortunately the drug companies did not take this issue into consideration when designing these drugs. This means that you will need serious serotonin support in order to not feel worse then when you started the drug. I'm currently a resident physician in an office that does a good deal of amino acid therapy. you can e-mail me at ____@____.com if you have further questions.

Hello ~

Depression is a difficult disease. Please do not stop taking the medication without a doctor's support. People coming off of antidepressants can get suicidal very quickly.

Please, conisder using medication that is right for you. If you had diabetes, you would take insulin. If you had strep you would take antibiotics. Depression is a disease and should be medicated if needed. Your children deserve a happy, healthy, energized mom and you deserve to have joy in your life. I'll be thinking of you!

It is not a good idea to go cold turkey. Your body has to re-adjust and not doing that can make you crazy. I used to have terrible PMS and didn't realize that is why I was yelling at the kids so much. I would stop and say, why did I do that? My Dr. put me on a vitamin mix of B's and magnesium. It helped a lot for that. Ask your local homepathic. I have also been on Prozac for quite awhile. I went off for about 3 years and it came back. I am much happier on it. They say if you have been depressed since childhood, it can take a long time to retrain the brain out of it. My sister is more of a naturopath than I and she tried me on other things that never did work. I have changed now to Cymbalta and like it real well. Actually, I have felt the best since my hysterectomy, so don't rule out balancing your hormones.

Don't stop cold turkey! It's very hard on your nervous system. The symptoms you are experiencing may be due to stopping too suddenly. I know how you feel about not wanting to take drugs for the rest of your life but if you need it you need it. You're no good to your family if you're depressed and anxious. Maybe a different drug would be better for you. I have family members who suffer from anxiety and Lexapro really helps them. You should discuss it with your doctor. It seems like you really need to keep medication for now. Maybe in the future you can try to taper off and see how it goes.

Cold turkey is not the way to go with anti-depressants! Even when weaning off slowly you can experience some pretty weird emotions and feelings! Just know what you are feeling is drug withdrawal and it will pass. Some have what they call brain shivers and feelings like you can't walk and are having a stroke! Anti-depressants are strong medications that in my opinion are given out to easily without information of what it's like to get off them and the side effects. You are on the road now but know there is still some of the road ahead. It can take 3 weeks or more to get off them. Eat healthy, take your vitamins including a good B complex and pray your way through it. You will get there! Ask your doctor and pharmasist if there is anything you can do to make it easier on you!! There are some natural things you can take like amino acids and B complex that can help with your depression. I honestly think a lot of depression is chemical imbalance that once you get your body working better it gets better too.

I'm sorry that you are having this experience. I too suffer from bipolar/anxiety/ptsd and it is no picnic. I have struggled a lot over the years but the worst has been the past couple of years after having my daughter.
I would HIGHLY recommend that you follow the advice of your physician. Going cold turkey is NOT the way to go and could have concequences beyond what you are describing. If you are not comfortable with your doc, find one that you are comfortable with. Also, it may be helpful to get an evaluation from a psychiatrist. Even if you don't want to go with psychiatric treatment, it would be helpful to have the diagnosis to pass on to the physician of your choice.
I have been dealing with a naturopathic physician for the last several months and I am feeling so much better. I am taking several different prescribed herbs and supplements and have found them to be quite helpful. I also started seeing a therapist and taking one night a week "off".
Please know that you're not alone and please seek the appropriate help, it is out there. Feel free to email me if you have any further questions. I would be happy to pass along any contact information for my providers.

C., it is very normal to be having the feelings that you're having. One of the effects of depression/anxiety is difficulty in making helpful decisions. Quitting cold turkey does cause a rebound affect. You are now worse off than you were on the Prozac. I suggest you immediately get back in touch with your doctor to find out what you can do at this point.

I'm 65 and been dealing with depression my whole life. I was depressed as a kid when it wasn't known that kids could be depressed. My mother was depressed her whole life. She was even hospitalized for depression after one of my brothers was born. There were no helpful medications at that time. Many years later she tried a couple of different anti-depressants but didn't want to be taking a pill. She felt that she should be able to do it on her own. She couldn't and it has negatively affected all of her children.

I have found that I don't always have to be taking medication and have learned when to go back to the dr to get started again before my depression gets too serious.

I have also found that some of the pills help and some don't. Prozac didn't work for me. Were you under medical supervision while taking the Prozac. If so, I wonder why they didn't switch you to a different med to see if it would work better. One has to take the same medication and try out different doses for a period of time before trying a different one. This last time I started taking one I tried 3 before I found one that worked. One of those had worked for me a few years ago but no longer helped. I'm now taking a combination of Wellbutrin and Celexa. Neither one is as effective alone as they are together. Last summer the therapist added Elavil, an anti-anxiety medication to be taken as needed.

It does take time and trials to find an effective treatment. This usually requires working with a mental health professional who is trained in the use of medications. Sometimes a gp or gyn can do this but not usually when the symptoms seem as serious as yours do. Talking with a counselor can be as effective as medication once you get the depression under control which meant for me that I went for long periods of time off medication but continued with bi-monthly appointments with a therapist.

I currently go to a psychiatric nurse practioner. He can prescribe. I've gone to a counselor who worked with a psychiatrist who did the prescribing even tho I only saw the therapist. I also worked with a psychiatrist during my first bout with a serious depression in my thirties. So, not only do you have to try out different meds it will also help to try a different therapist if the one you have now isn't helping.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS TO FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S ORDERS. Medication is very scientifically complicated and can have disastrous results if misused. Sometimes it's very difficult to follow orders or advice when we're depressed. That means finding a therapist that you can trust so that you will do what he says.

Why don't you want to go back on anti-depressants? You said that you thought things were much better until you quit Prozac cold turkey. Many people think that taking medication is a sign of weakness. I've known people who wouldn't even take aspirin for a headache.

Medication is there to help us. Depression and anxiety are caused by a number of factors over which we have no control. In many cases, including mine, our brain chemistry was altered most likely before birth because our mothers were severely depressed which altered their chemistry which they passed on to us. Others are depressed because of their current situation and a short time, perhaps even a year, will help them be better able to deal with their situation and then they can quit the meds. For me my depression is caused by altered brain chemistry that is worsened by situations.

Tired can be a part of depression but I think that you are probably most tired because you have young children who require more time and energy than you have available. You can help increase your available energy by changing your living habits such as getting regular exercise not related to being a homemaker and mother, improving your diet, taking nutritional supplements and one that is often overlooked, making time for yourself to recharge your batteries. Taking control of your life to make these changes is difficult for most people. It's impossible for someone who is feeling hopeless.

It is essential that you find a way to get to feeling healthy as quickly as you can. Right now you and your whole family, especially your children, are suffering. You may feel that you have no control in your life. Your children do not have any control. They depend on you and their father for support and stability. The quickest way to get started is to find a professional who can help you right now; someone that you can trust that can evaluate your situation and help you to make decisions that will help you as quickly as possible. This may be a naturopath who is trained and experienced in mental health issues. It may be a medical doctor, a psyciatric nurse practioner, even a responsible trained counselor who has a system for providing prescriptions if they are needed.

Often distrust goes along with depression and/or anxiety. This means that it would be most helpful for you to accept that you are not able to trust and to discuss this with the person you choose for professional care. And to be aware that you most likely aren't able to make decisions without some outside help. Do you have a trusted friend who understands what you're going thru? It might help to take that person with you to an appointment so that she also hears what the therapist said and can talk it over with you as well as reinforce for you such issues as not quitting cold turkey.

It sounds like you don't have an adequate support system. Joining a group might be able to help you there. Do you go to church or belong to any clubs? Force yourself to go and to share with one or two people how you are feeling. A minister is often trained in helping with mental health issues.

Try out a mothers' group. Find one person who will look for support groups for you. Even tho you are not an alcoholic several professional people have suggested that attending weekly meetings of AA or Alanon does provide support and helps with depression. There are support groups for depression, usually run by a hospital or professional organization. A support group for mothers can be quite helpful because you'll find that other mothers are having similar difficulties as you are. They also provide a way to broaden your horizon and to give to yourself.

My recommendation is that you decide to take one step, no matter how small, towards getting help during the next 2 weeks. You could start with keeping a journal writing down your feelings without trying to analyze them. You could start by asking your husband to give you time away from the kids for an hour or so this week. Then go to a comedy movie, walk around the neighborhood, look for and buy one inexpensive thing that you'd like just for yourself.

And please call your doctor and ask how you can deal with the effects of stopping cold turkey.

I would add the helpful note that if you haven't gone "crazy" by this point it is much less likely that you will go "crazy" now. Going crazy was one of my fears when I first saw a psychiatrist. He said that people who are depressed can go "crazy" if they use that as a way out of getting help for depression. The decision to go "crazy" is not a conscious one. The decision to not go "crazy" is conscious. Make a conscious decision to get professional help, follow their advice, and you won't go "crazy."

I'm writing this thinking that you have insurance that will cover getting help. If you don't getting help will be more difficult. There are not for profit clinic as well as county clinics that will see you on a sliding fee schedule. Above all you need professional help. Do not give up!

Hello C..

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time right now. Please know that this is perfectly normal to feel. Especially if you're trying to go off of your meds "cold turkey". It is really REALLY important that you contact your doctor, and let him/her know that you have discontinued your meds. The reason Doctors gradually pull patients off of the meds is for chemical reasons that you have no control over. No one does. Again, I can NOT express enough, that you NEED to contact your doctor. At this point it wouldn't even be suggested that you, start your meds again . . all of a sudden. With the type of drastic changes that you are making with the chemicals in your body, only bad things can happen. Please call your doctor. Let them be the judge of what to do at this point. And remember . . this too shall pass. Don't be making any PERMENANT solutions to temporary problems. God Bless you. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Hi C.

Call your Dr. and talk to him. Depression, anxiety disorders etc are not a choice you make, they are a chemical imbalance. I have worked with a sector of society that struggled with medical conditions that required medication, and the sad part is, they consistently took themselves off their medication as soon as they felt better (and it was the medication that was putting things in balance) and then went crashing back to the imbalance that needed the medication. And that meant they stopped functioning. Listen to your Dr. Your family is counting on you.

Please listen to your doctors! You need weaned off this kind of stuff. If you did not like the Prozac there are lots of other types of anti depressants. I was on Zoloft and then moved to Effexor. I have been better on the Effexor and I am now working on the correct dosage for my body. There are many different kids of depression... one of them is chemical. Your body chemistry might need the help that that AD's can give you.
Please hang in there and know that lots of us experience this. It does not make us bad or weak. It just makes life a little more interesting!
MB

Dear C.,
I am so sorry that you are going through a rough time right now. I won't make this long, but I wanted to tell you that it would be a REALLY good idea if you went off of your medicine gradually. Cutting it cold turkey is brutal on your body and mind. Of course, you don't need me to tell you that, you are experiencing it first hand. I would definitely go back on it, maybe you could ask your doctor for a lower dose and gradually get off of it. I want to tell you that there is nothing wrong AT ALL with taking anti-depressants. If that's what it takes to make it through your day and to feel like yourself again, then it's worth it. Hang in there, C..
J.

Hi C.,

Not sure yet what other have responded, but I can at least tell you about my experience. I have been taking Zoloft for about a year. I tried going off of it cold turkey and it was a HUGE mistake. I was a mess. When I spoke to my doctor about it she told me that taking a lower dosage for a couple weeks, then changing to a different antidepressant for a couple weeks at a lower dose is the best way to go off them. Cold turkey makes your body chemistry go "haywire"...I would suggest going back on and meeting with your doctor to set up a plan to ease you off.

Hope this helps a bit,
S.

I was on zoloft for post pardom. My advice is to take your doctor's advice and go off slowly. Your body adjusts to what you were taking and everything I;ve read says to go off slowly. I understand not wanting to take the drugs. You don't feel like you should have to take drugs to feel normal however, that's what they are there for. I had PPD with my first so with the second after several weeks of crying and feeling worthless I started the drugs and was on the for about 11 to 12 months. When I felt like I was ready I went off of them. I went off slowly, a pill every other day, then a half a pill every other day and so on. I could tell when I was ready to get off them compleatly. Maybe you'll decide your not ready to yet if you start them again. It just takes time and wanting to curl up in your room isn't good for anyone and it's hard for your children to understand. I wish you the best but, I really suggest going off slowly.

Cold turkey with antidepressants is dangerous. Please see your doctor immediatley. I was diagnosed with post-partum after my 1st son (after a misdiagnosis that was almost costly). I was on meds for 2yrs then went off with dr's help. I was ok but not like before pregnancy. After my 2nd son I called the dr after a week because I didn't feel right. He put me on antidepressants again. After 6 months I had a follow-up with a psychologist who diagnosed me with anxiety/depression which runs in my family. I too would rather not be on meds but probably will be for the rest of my life. The way she described it to me, which makes me feel better about meds, is that depression is a disease. If you had diabetes you would take insulin. This is a disease that requires meds also. You just might need to be on a different one - I've not heard good things about prozac. Please contact me directly if you need someone to talk to.

P.

Prozac is a VERY STRONG medication. I was on it for post partum, but only for a short time. But when I was on it, my medical suddenly cut me off of my medication. I was off of it cold turkey, which did nothing for my body. I started having cold/hot chills, nausea, headaches, and the shakes. It got so bad, that I became depressed again. My father eventually took me to the emergency room because I couldn't sit still. Very dangerous to cut yourself off like that. Talk to your doctor. You could lower the dosage or try something a little less stimulating. *hug*

Hi C.,

Boy, did your post ever speak to me. First, know that you are not alone. As you can tell by the amount of responses you have gotten, there are many Moms who have battled depression/anxiety as well. Myself included. I have had a few episodes over my life of depression. And I too tried to stop my Paxil cold turkey...worst thing I could have done. And I have a medical background...so I should have known better. It absolutely has to be weaned. I don't want you to end up feeling worse. As several other Moms have pointed out, view this as temporary. There are other options, such as counseling. That really has helped me the most. Also, a good workup from your doctor is a great idea too. More than likely your thyroid panel has already been checked...but ask! Talk to your MD. It is so hard to keep positive when you feel so down...but remember that your kids need you too...so you are not only being proactive for yourself, but your entire family. I wish you all the best. Please call your doctor today...

I'm sorry I'm just getting to this now, but I wanted to let you know that I have been there and done that. If you are interested in natural alternatives I have some ideas. I was on Paxil for 5 years, and Zoloft for about 1.5 years before I found something natural that I take now, and I don't have any withdrawal symptoms if I forget it here and there. No sales pitches, just suggestions and articles. I'm a Wellness Consultant. Email me if you would like.

C.,
Are you working with your Doctor? I know how anxiety and depression can prevent me from reaching out. I want people to reach in, but they don't. PLEASE advocate for yourself. It's an imbolizing feeling and it's really hard,but you can get relief. Have you had blood work done for hormonal imbalance? Had your thyroid checked? Your children's ages indicate that you are not getting enough sleep, on top of being depressed. Do the older children go to pre-school so that you can get a break? Sleep, exercise, good eating are not to be minimized in situations like this because you get yourself into a looping pattern. I just wonder what you have tried?
I have a lot of compassion. I have twins, boys that are now 5. I had no idea how depressed I would feel. I didn't go the anti-depressent route. I utilized sleep training for my children, my husband and I still do a lot of trading off for weekends to go get exercise. During the week I use our YMCA drop off care for children to get exercise and I began to get help around eating well. Then I had my hormones checked. I already have a thyroid problem, but my levels were low, as was my iron and vit D. You might feel like you are getting more of the help you need if you seek out a women's wellness doctor.
Oh, I wish you so much luck, it doesn't have to stay this way, really. But it won't magically change.

I work part time, at an elementary school as a counselor. Have fraternal 5 yo twin boys and a great spouse.

C., unfortunately, I do not have experience with depression medication so I cannot give you a personal perspective. I can however give you some words of encouragement. Dealing with 3 children is challenging for anyone. My sister calls me regularly worried that she's not a good mom because she's often short with her kids and just wants them to go away so she can get a good nap! Family and friends are certainly good resources to lean on right now, and if things don't look up, I would suggest trying things your doctor's way. It may not be how you originally planned but it could work out for the best in the end. Good luck and hang in there!

You are never to go off Prozac cold turkey. There is a very serious "syndrome" that happens when you do. Please call your doctor and listen to his advice.

You may be suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Go to a good naturopath, who can have you checked to see if you need digestive enzymes, or have a vitamin deficiency or are just on toxic overload from foods in your diet. I would refer you but you live in Oregon, not Washington. See if a friend can refer you. Also, I have found when I'm depressed and am really tired, acupuncture works miracles. Look for a Chinese doctor who has OMD as well as Acupuncture license.

I do not think what you are experiencing is normal, unless there is some trauma you are not facing that is causing to feel this way. For myself, sugar, and food allergies gave me the same symptoms you are describing and my symptoms started 20 years ago when I was pregnant with my son. Have yourself checked. An MD is clueless about Chronic Fatigue which is why I'm recommending natural medicine. They kept telling me I was fine they could find NOTHING and putting me on antidepressants until I came to Washington and discovered through natural medicine what was making me sick. When I went off sugar, wheat and dairy the anxiety attacks and mood swings subsided. What a RELIEF, I'll tell you.

I couldn't tolerate anti-depressants such as Zoloft, Prozac, Wellbutrin. They all gave me migraines and disturbed my sleep. There was one medication for anxiety which helped some. However, diet is usually the best way to change fatigue and crankiness. When I eat the wrong foods, I great REALLY cranky.

Diet plays a HUGE part. Don't underestimate it.

Why do you want to stop now? It sounds like it is difficult for your family for you to be off of these. My DH takes Prozac and his dr said there are no ill effects, he can be on them forever. I think it sounds like you need these right now.

Hi, C., While I understand that you want to quit anti-d's cold turkey, your brain and body actually need time to adjust to being off of them and so, your doc is right, it is best to wean off slowly. Have you considered seeing a counselor to help with the stress you're under? It may be helpful. I wish you well, R.

I can relate only too well...I tried Wellbutrin which I took for about 1 year. It took all the anxiety away, so I could focus on the kids and getting rest which I really needed. Now when those feelings resurface, I focus on what worked before...calming down, taking a moment, napping when I can, being nicer to myself and realizing everything will be OK. Best of luck, and a hug to you.

Having just gone through quite a post partum crash, I feel compelled to answer. Your doctor is wise in advising you to go off very gradually so your body can adjust. This is my second time on anti depresents and I went off very gradually before and it was very successful. then I got pregnant and was fine until I gave birth. If you don't want to be on the medication, you might go to a natural path to see if any herbs can help. I find accupuncture and Yoga and Exercise to be very important as well. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk further. Also, website babybluesconnections is very helpful.

C.

Hi C.,

I took Prozac for almost an entire year. I didn't quit cold turkey like you but weaned over a week. I didn't have any of the after affects that you are having. I do relate however to wanting to crawl into a hole and stay there.

Do you workout? There is so much research that supports regularly excercise as a treatment option for depression. I work out almost every single day. It is the only way I can deal with my crazy teenage daughter, work, husband, etc. If I don't work out I am angry, irrational, sad, etc. And when I say workout I mean hard. you have to get your blood pumping and breathing hard. It lets your body release the feel good endorphins we get from things like chocolate and is partly what Prozac does. I know with three kids at home it seems you don't have time to workout but for me it isn't an option. Either get up and do it before your husband leaves, do it when he gets home or when your kids go to bed.

Good luck - depression and anxiety are tough to overcome!
C.

Hi C.,
I personally believe that anti-depressants is a bit like handling highly explosive materials! You must take them with extreme care and under careful supervision of a physician. If you want off, please speak with your doctor and let them know...do it gradually. I don't know that much about it other than the stories I have heard about people having serious reactions, physical illness, depression & even suicidal thoughts with abrupt changes in either a prescription change or dosage change ( ie: quitting cold turkey ). You must do it gradually to adjust. For a very short time I took welbutrin (sp) after trying another medication. The first one had the opposite effect but the wellbutrin worked great. Everybody's chemistry is a little different and you and your doctor just need to find the right combination. Just please do it under careful supervision and don't quit anything cold turkey unless your doc says it's safe to do so.
Best wishes!!

Definitely go to your doctor....but I woul also say this, have you thought about counseling? I am a therapist and often work with individuals about how to manage symptoms in order to come off meds or avoid them altogether....there are different options that can be helpful and no one plan works for everyone, often it is about helping to take all the information and then making a plan that supports you the best....take care.

Dear C.,
Your words described me. I sometimes still feel a little like that. I have been there. I went on meds and then off, and then back again. It is important, very important, that you feel good about yourself. I would recommend tapering off the medication. That is what I did. I tried the cold turkey method and it was harder that I thought. I currently work part time and it seems to be my anti-depressant.
The real part of the feelings are that you can not control it completely no matter what others might say. I still have a real hard times to deal with it sometimes, but I have learned to turn to a different tune.
When you start tapering off, you will realize when you are starting to feel the way you felt, and you will naturally do what needs to done to turn yourself away from those feelings. It won't happen over night! Do not get discouraged! I turn to God and say a little prayer. I move away from the room or simply get up. Now, getting up is really hard!! But once you do, it's different.
Take time with yourself. Give yourself mercy, time, and room to breathe. We all give everyone and everything else the chance and then we forget to do the same for ourselves.
Remember that if you are not happy, neither are your kids. It used to hurt so bad when I realized I was so short with my kids and then realized that after the fact. I realized I needed to take care of what was inside before I can be really good at taking care of my most precious gift. My family.
I hope by telling you how I am helped you a bit.
I truly hope that you can come out ahead of it all. I wish you the best. You can write me to shoot the breeze or just to vent.
Best of luck.

Hi there,

I have to say going cold turkey sucks........ I also have 3 children (two boys 6 and 4.5, a baby girl 23mo) I never had problems with depression untill I got preg with my baby girl and it lasted until I had her, after I had her it got worse so I was put on a depression med( I forgot what it was called) I wanted to get off of it and so I just stopped taking it. The first couple of weeks was bad. I felt sad, sick, tired, kidda like you where I just wanted to stay in bed and be left alone. I also felt sick to my stomache and didn't really eat. After the med got out of my system I was fine. If you never had depression before or anxiety, maybe you are just feeling this way because of the drug. If it gets to bad you could always just take a small dose and try it gradually, I have to say going cold turkey isn't good. there was times I was just going to say forget it and stay on the pills, but didn't Hope this helped. Good Luck.....

C.:

You are not "crazy"!
PBS had a fundraising special recently featuring Dr. Amen, who wrote Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. (I paid $365 to Channel 9 to get his "master suite" as a premium, it was so good)

In any case, this is what he said about quiting any medicine, especially anti-depressants, "cold Turkey": When a pilot is landing a plane, he comes down gradually...it's the same with drugs... YOU DON"T WANT TO CRASH....

Sounds like you need to consult your doctor. there is NO Stigma in using whatever appropriate medical help it is that you might need.

Sleep depreviation and stress makes anyone feel crazy.
Can you get a "break"? Can you structure some "me" time for yourself?

Difficult, I know!- but important.

I well remember the terrible feeling of helplessness I felt when my first child was born. She was totally wanted, but I was away from "home" and my daughter was keeping me up at night, and I wondered if I could do it!

Luckily it passed, but it was very compelling and frightening at the time.

V. Day Redmond mom of 4 (42,31,26 and 21)

Molly Padulo
Orange Dot Counseling (orangedotcounseling.com)

She is great with postpartum, transitions, mood disorders etc. and doesn't rely on drugs. Might be worth calling her. She might even be able to give you some resources even if you are not ready to see someone new. Good luck and take care of yourself.
ep

C., It is totally "normal" to feel all those things - especially with 3 young children at home - let alone the postpartum depression. I went through postpartum depression with all 3 of my kids (ages 6, 4,1). Each time it got worse. I went on anti-depressants with my 2nd but not until it got really bad when he was 8 months-old. I was able to GRADUALLY go of off them when he was about 2. With my 3rd, I got on them right away, and am still on them, but am feeling like I will go off this summer. But again, gradually. I can't emphasize that enough.

I totally understand not wanting to be on anti-depressants, there are some natural products that have similar benefits - 5HTP is one. Getting sleep is huge in helping combat the depression. Melatonin has helped me with that. Between the lack of sleep and the constant needs of 3 children, you are probably exhausted. It's ok to feel that way, and it's ok to do something about it. If you can get a sitter - even if it is just an hour a week, it would help to give you time to breathe. It's ok to take naps too - even if your kids do not. Let them watch a movie after lunch while your 1 year-old naps and take time for yourself. I know it goes against the needs that are calling at you all day, but it does make a difference.

I hesitate to give anyone advice, but I do have experience with this and have come out on the other side. There is hope!

Oh my! You didn't just quite taking it cold turkey did you? Please contact your physician to discuss this. You need come off of these types of medications gradually. Please call your doctor right away!

I had post-partum with post-stress disorder (my baby had a 45% chance to live for most of the pregnancy-not knowing if he would live or die-he's 6 and doing fine). And, growing up, I have had some anxiety.

I took Zoloft and my doctor told me it was best if I took it at night. Because some anti-depressants do make you tired as a side effect. The first week was a little rough, but the second week-it was alot better. I know you aren't taking Zoloft, but most anti-depressants work the same.

My friend's husband started taking anti-depressants and he was always tired during the day, didn't have patience, etc. I told her to have him take it at night before he went to bed, and she told me it made a world of difference in him.

With depression, all you want to do is sleep. That is one of the signs of depression. I wanted to sleep alot too, but I had to push myself for my kids. I had a kindergartener who had to get off to school, I had a baby who was on oxygen, feeding machine, and taking 3-4 different types of medications several times a day. I was also doing occupational therapy with him (as instructed by the occupational therapist), and taking him to doctors appointments that were 2 hours away once-twice a month.

The one thing that helped me, and I know this sounds silly, but when I woke up the three things I did every morning was:
1. Make my bed (so I wouldn't be tempted to crawl back into bed)
2. Take a shower (so I would "wake up" a little better).
3. Put some of my make up on (because for whatever reason, it made me feel better).

I am also someone who thrives on normalacy. It wasn't denial as much as it was a routine. I needed to do my dishes, clean my house, do the laundry, make dinner. I needed to do these things, I didn't want to let my family down, I didn't want to drag them into my depression with me. My husband also worked alot and wasn't there at home alot. He helped when he could. I really had to push myself, everyday. I'm not one of those people who are telling you to "get over it, get past it, get on with life". I was there, where you are.

The first week of taking your meds is the worst, but don't stop taking them, and it will get better. And, DON'T STOP COLD TURKEY! You have to gradually get off of any and all medications.

I've been through this as well, and believe me, you need to wean yourself off. Quitting cold turkey is very difficult. I took prozac for about 3 years because of severe PMS. I did experience post partum depression though as well, a couple of years prior to this, so I know what that feels like.
Please, give weaning off a try. Go back to taking your normal dose, then reduce it by half for about a month. Again reduce the dosage by half, and so on. I even went so far as to take one pill every other day, then every third day until I finally stopped. But it was hard! I found myself being very weepy etc.
So good luck, and be patient with yourself. Follow your doctor's advice and keep close tabs on yourself.

Hi - I know what you are going through as I have been on and off antidepressants for most of my life. I took them before and during pregnancy, and then for a little while after baby was born. You need to do what your doctor tells you about not going cold turkey off of the medicine. It very well could be that you are crashing right now. If you do not like Prozac, then ask your doctor about a different kind that might work better for you. Post partum depression can last awhile. I was on Lexapro and I liked it. It was a low dose for me. I have issues with both anxiety and depression and it really seemed (for me) to help with both. But you MUST follow what your doctors says. When I finished breastfeeding at 9 months, I was on vacation when I quit breastfeeding. And it was cold turkey quit. I had not brought a good pump with me so I just stopped. I was fine until I got home and then the hormones kicked in and I was a basket case. I cried and cried all the time, felt terrible. I had some medicine left over and put myself back on the Lexapro. It really helped me finally get through that time and feel better. You owe it to your family to get yourself back to feeling better. Dont try and do it yourself, get help!

Dear C.,
I suffered with post partum depression after my first and second pregnancies. I didn't realize that what I was experiencing wasn't "normal". I felt so much like you discribe. I wish I would have gotten help and not tried to go it alone. Please listen to your doctor. It isn't healthy to feel like you do. You have to take care of yourself and trust me, I was a nurse in my previous life, if you are going off the medication you need to do it gradually. If you want to be a good mom who is involved and emotionally there for your kids then you have to feel good yourself first. Get back on the meds for awhile and then with help from your doctor wean yourself gradualy when the time is right. You have to patient with your body. Post partum depression is not made up. It is so real. A year from now when you are feeling better you will look back and think "how did I ever think what I was going through was normal". When you are in the middle of depression you see things differently. Take care of yourself and God bless.

There is nothing wrong with taking your happy pills if they work for you. Maybe your body is not ready to stop yet. When I went off, I was sick, but I was not irratable. If you are right back where you started, then I would go back on them. IMO.

Best of luck,
D.

HI C.,

I will offer this in hopes that you feel better soon. I think getting off it gradually is a good idea. Anti depressants make it so that you are not very attached to your thoughts, they just float by, and don't really solidify as a concept. One method that really helps me when I am frustrated, angry or sad is THE WORK with Byron Katie. Here is her website. It is very very entertaining to watch the videos where she helps people let go of their thinking and concepts so they can have peace. I know it might be hard to find the time with 3 kids to go there, but after I do THE WORK I am laughing at life again. It is the best therapy I have found.

www.thework.org

Also you could supplement with vitamins to make sure the chemistry in your body is balanced so you are feeling good. Sometimes depression is just an imbalance in our hormones or body chemistry. B vitamins help with energy, and if it is dark or cloudy where you live Vitamin D is really helpful. I supplement with both of these to help me. I recently started taking a supplement that helps with moods and energy and it is working great. Now, my husband is taking it and he is even in a better mood from it. He never wants to take the vitamins I give him, but this one he asks for. Here is the website if your interested. It is called StemEnhance. I am a distributor because I have helped so many people feel better with it. Please don't think I am trying to sell it, I am just sold on it myself because I think it is a miracle product and it helps with depression and energy and healing.

www.luminouslife.stemtechbiz.com

Best of luck,

A. Rose

What ever you do, listen to your physician. Do not stop taking any antidepressant drug without their help. I attempted to just stop taking Paxil and I think if my friends had not intervened I would have committed suicide. The medication itself sends signals to your brain, telling it that you are rational, happy, full of life. When suddenly your brain stops receive this message or endorphins, it becomes confused, unstable, and the irratibility, anxiety, fatigue, creep back in. Please listen to your doctor, please continue to take the medication until you feel your life is back to some normallacy. I chose to finally wean myself off of Paxil, and it took me a month, of missing a dose every other day for a week, then every three days the second week, and every fifth day the last two weeks. In doing this my mind had time to adjust and to respond on it's own. But I was ready to quit, I had a great job, no stress in my life, and in the end I moved forward. I still have days when I feel low, and days when I feel extremely high, but they are just that, they are days, not weeks or months. Whatever you do, make sure that you do it with the approval of your doctor, and hopefully your husband will help you along the way.
Good luck dear.

C.,
It is normal to feel this way after taking an anti-depressant for so long. The first thing you need to do, since you already stopped cold turkey, is make it a point to get out. Exercise, take a walk everyday. Go out and have a cup of coffee. Pick a day of the week when your husband is home to watch the kids and go out, even if it is just shopping, going for a walk, anything. Also, set up a ddate night about once every two weeks for you and your husband to go out alone. Also, set up time for your family to do something fun together.
I know, it may seem like a lot, or even overwhelming, but it will help you out tremendously. Email if you'd like so you can talk to someone. I am a great at listening. ____@____.com Best of luck!

C. -I am a nurse who lives with chronic depression. It is not good to go "cold-turkey" on anti-depressents because of exactly what you are experiencing. Your body needs time to adjust. I was off my meds for several months, but never felt really happy - always tired and short-tempered with my 2 year old... to the point where I was afraid I might hurt him! Luckily, I realized I needed help and got back on the medication (I take Cymbalta) and will be for the rest of my life, probably. However, hopefully you do not have chroninc depression and will be able to off your medication at some point soon. Talk to your doctor and describe what you are experiencing. You made need to take the Prozac again for a short time and then taper off. I hope this helps.

There is a reason your doctor didn't want you to quit "cold turkey". Go back to see your doctor, (if you DON'T trust your doctor's judgement, or listening skills or whatever - FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!) tell them what you're going through. I understand you don't want to have to take medication for the rest of your life (even "a long period" can feel like it's the rest of your life) Sometimes your body needs a change, it could be a small one or a large one. A good doctor will try to help you find what works best. And don't think that you won't need to change again at a later date. Our bodies become immune, or just used to things and they don't seem as effective. Allergy medicines are like that, perm solutions (I know I've permed my hair for over thirty years) soaps, makeup, vitamins, all kinds of things. Your doctor may prescribe prescription strength vitamins and/or minerals, you need to let your pharmacist know what you are taking (or stop taking) both prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamin, minerals and herbal remedies. THEY REALLY DO EFFECT YOUR BODY!!!! No one is perfect, our daily lives are actually more stressful now than just 20 or 30 years ago. If you don't feel you are getting the kind of help you need go see a neurologist, perhaps there's a growth somewhere throughout your nervous system causing some systems. Also ask your doctor about hormone therapies. Have them check your thyroid, and other hormone levels, maybe it's a combination of things.
Don't give up, you know your body better than anyone, if something doesn't feel right, find someone who'll listen and help. This is one lesson in life you have to learn in order to be able to teach your children. You are their most important teacher.

Hi C.,
Please call your doctor today! The worst thing you can do is stop taking Prozac cold-turkey. They want you to gradually ween yourself so that your brain can readjust gradually.
I am currently taking Zoloft, and for a long time I fought having to take any medication. But the truth is, that I just need to. It is so common for a married woman with young children to be depressed, but why suffer? If medication helps, then please take it. And take the medication until you think you are in a good enough place to start to gradually decrease your dose.
I know exactly how you are feeling, totally out-of-control of your emotions and reactions. Please call your doc and start taking some meds right away so you can become balanced again.
Good luck to you, and I hope you start to feel better really soon!
M.

C., I am bi-polar with anxietyand depression associated with it....
NEVER stop your anti-depressants cold turkey..you will go through withdrawal which sund like what you are going through. You will feel VERY fatigued..not justtired but actual fatigue......you will be irritable and achy and life will just be so hard to even get through the day. The first few days are bearable because you have some built up in your system but after that three day period you could be in big trouble.You haveg iven your body this medication for 10 months and it is very relieduponit...and haslearn toadjust with it.
A 10 month time(were you feeling it wasnot working anymore) is a mark that it probably needed the dose increased.
I am wondering why you really want to quit the anti-depressant as it seems that you need it. Some people have chronic chemical imbalance in their brain and need to take the medication to function. It is just as if you had diabetes and needed the insulin. But if you are really set on getting off of it...I would start by decreasing your dose over a three day period...what I mean is.....say if you are taking just one tablet or capsule a day...over a 6 day period take one every otherday...then go to 1 every two days...then 1 every three days...thenyou could probably stop them...thatis how theydidit withme...if you take more than one tablet cut it inhalf the dose for three days and then take the one every otherdayfor the next6 days.
Hon, you feel terrible to quit cold turkey.I would take your dose and start the ease off...you will feel so much better.
You know it does not mean anything even if you have to stay on them. Anti-depressants have alot to dowith the serotonin and dopaminein our brains and you are messing yours up tremendously with just going off cold turkey.
I have beenon one anti-depressant along with a mood stabilizer since I was 16...please do notfeel like you have failed at somethingbecause you need an anti-depressant, be thankful that thereis something tohelp you feel better. It is not ourfault that we have achemical imbalance inour brains. we could have something thatisnon-treatable...Thakheavens there is help because that is an awful way to feel. L.

C.- it sounds like you still need them, don't ever go cold turkey especially against your Dr's advice. You have 3 children to take care of and to contend with. Three toddlers can be a lot! I recommend Lexapro, it is milder, and I got used to them in 3 days. You don't feel medicated at all, and you can go cold turkey off of them. You need to take care of YOU, in order to take care of your family. There is no shame in needing a happy pill. Try them for at least 6 months to a year. Talk about it, I am here for you girl!

I too suffered from depression and anxiety right after having my second child. I do not believe in taking drugs to cure most things, however, when I was depressed, I was never so happy to feel "normal" again. I had a time trying to ween myself off of them and my doctor kept saying to take it slow or you will shock your body. Please take heed to what your doctor is telling you. Think of how you introduced the drug into your body. I know with my Zoloft, it gave me a high for about 2 days after a week of starting it and then when I quit taking it for a few days to a week, I was more irritable than before. You will need to maybe take your regular amount every other day or 1/2 a pill every day is what my doctor told me. This is by no means medical advice and I think that you should talk with your doctor about how to get off the drug safely since the drug I took is different (and doses may be different).
My other advice is to stay away from caffiene if possible, and try to find a church organization or some kind of exercise program that will keep you going when you think things are not gonna work. I still struggle with depressive moments, and keep the pills close on hand, but have been able to control things by keeping in touch with why I am really mad, keeping a journal at times, praying (this is the thing I do most), and letting my husband take the reins when I've had enough.
I think that sometimes we as women take on too much. I have 2 kiddos, not 3 and feel that it is too much. No matter what is going on with my husband though, I let him know that I've had enough and he needs to let me do my own thing to re-find myself. This is empowering. I'm not sure of your marital situation, or if this is possible, but please let him know that he needs to let you go do things on your own at least 2 times a week to help you maintain your household.
At first, I would just drive (what else do you do in the middle of Kansas?), and then I just sat him down and told him that I was tired of being a mom, felt like I was a bad mom for having these feelings and that I needed to find myself. Let him know that and think of positive things that you can do to raise your spirits (like a pedicure once a week).

Best wishes.

Kim B.

Dear C.,

I am a Grandma now, and want to tell you that being on anti-depressant and/or anti-anxiety medications doesn't mean you are a failure as a person. Most of the posts I've read here are saying go off them gradually like there is something wrong with using them. They are not bad for you! I have been on meds for many years, now and the most important thing is finding the one that YOUR brain needs. They are very different and the one the dr recommended for you may not be the one that gives the best result for you. I tried everything out there over the past several years. Most of them made me gain weight. Zoloft did not help my feelings at all and caused a weight gain. At the time I was part of a research study, so I could get my meds for free because a had lost my job. I had to stay with them for a year as part of the study, but the best thing was the dr I was seeing there prescribed a combination of generic Celexa and generic Wellbutrin. This worked a miracle for me. The weight (20 pounds) dropped off like magic and my best friend said her best friend was back! I hadn't been myself for the whole year. Anyway, that's been my routine for the past several years and I still feel great. I now go to a wonderful naturopath (sp) at Ballard Neighborhood Doctors and he prescribes them for me. Before that, I went to Bastyr and they prescribed them. I want you to know that I don't take pain killers willy nilly or anything else unless I know why I need them. I've been married to a wonderful understanding and supportive man for the past 20 years. My daughter just turned 42 and she and her husband have a darling 3 yo daughter. My son will be 37 soon and his son is almost 13. I spend a lot of time with both of my grandchildren and I'm so lucky they live nearby. I am an active member of our church and my husband and I are both on our Worship Team. We are both strong Christians and love leading worship music.
May God bless you and your family, C., and please don't feel ashamed of needing a little medical help at this time in your life. It really is so important to have a good doctor that will take the time to work with you and really listen to where you are right now!
Again, God bless you,
Grandma Cheryl

Talking to my OB and other nurses, it is more than the Baby Blues if it is lasted more than three months. Also, you do need to ween your body off these types of meds.

You should also talk to your OB about the strength of your birth control, if you are on some. I was taking a birth control pill that was too strong for me hormonally and I told my doctor that sometimes I would blow up over the littlest things and would have really horrible thoughts about hurting my husband or anyone else that made me mad. My doc adjusted my birth control and I have been much happier since.

Good Luck! This is rough stuff to deal with but good for you for getting help from your doctor for your sake and your families'. Don't feel guilty about taking the meds, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do so that you can take care of yourself so you can take care of your family.

Hi C., I know exactly how you feel. I am currently on Zoloft and even though I've tried to ween myself off, I'm still on it. I've tried twice now, but still need it. I say, if you need it, you need it! Trust me when I say the doctors know what they're talking about. It is something that you need to get off of gradually otherwise it can really mess up your system. As you step down dosages, you're supposed to take notice of any changes in behavior so that you can tell if you're ready to stop the medication or not.
My 3 kids are 6, 4.5 and 14mos, so I know how frustrating it can get. It makes things easier to have a helpful and understanding husband.
One other thought....are you using hormone birth control?? That is one reason I need the medication. Even the really low dose hormone birth control (I use the mirena iud) effect me.
I've also noticed that keeping busy can help.
Good luck and email me if you want to talk or something and we can exchange numbers. ____@____.com

C.,

When I met my husband about 6 years ago he was on an anti-depressant (don't ask me which one, I don't know and didn't find out until he stopped taking it and asked me if I had seen a difference). While he was on it he was on a blah keel. It was pretty even, and kinda fuzzy. When he stopped taking it his moods and reactions were more up and down, and he seemed more alive, not going through life wrapped in a wool blanket. He also stopped cold turkey.

I think some of your tiredness stems from your kids too. I have a 4 1/2 year old son and a 14 month old daughter that run me ragged from sun up to sun down, literally. There are days when I don't want to even open my eyes or acknowledge that I'm truly awake. There are also days when I wish I didn't have kids. Then there are the days where everything they do makes me laugh.

It sounds to me like you may still have post-partum issues, but I don't know what to tell you there, I didn't experience that with either of my kids. I think part of what you're feeling is totally normal and that you may just be run down by your kids.

Most days if my hubby is even in the house he's either sleeping, about to go to sleep, or getting ready to go to work. He helps when and how he can, but there is a laundry list taller than my 4 foot son of things I'd like him to do more of around the house.

You're NOT alone in feeling run down by kids. If you'd like to chat some my email is ____@____.com

Hope this helps,
Melissa

With prozac, you should follow your doctors instructions and go off of it gradually. You are probably feeling that way because your getting off of it too quickly. Talk to your doctor and he will probably have you get back on the drugs, it takes a while for the drugs to build up in your system and the same with getting off of them. You are actually doing something very dangerous and alot of people think about suicide. If that anti depressant isnt working for you, you need to call your doctor and let him or her know that it isnt working. Maybe you also need some talk therapy. The reoccuring theme here is to call your doctor.

C.,
Gradually getting off of the depressants might have been easier on your body. But I understand how you don't want to stay on the drugs -- side effects. I work with nutrition and have seen how the nutritional supplements I distribute can help women, like yourself, be able to bring their body back into a balanced state where they feel normal again. If this is something you are looking for, please contact me and I can help you.

D. Jantzen
###-###-####
____@____.com

Cold turkey is deffinitley not the way to go!!! You should talk to your dr. about tapering off or determininig if you are really ready to go off them. Maybe you need something different or talk therapy even. It helped me. I've taken it for over 2 years now, and at one point though I could taper off. So, I did, and it didn't go so well. So for now, I'm ok with taking them and when ready, I will talk to my dr. Best of luck to you

Since you quit cold turkey rather than gradually getting off of them, the things you are feeling are very normal. Your body basically went into shock. I was taking an anti-depressant for a while, and against my doctors advice I quit all together instead of gradually. A huge mistake on my part, I became super irritable, impatient, I felt like I had no control over my body or my emotions. Luckily my doctor was able to find a prescription that my body worked with (zoloft) and that is what I am still on today. If a doctor suggests to gradually decrease the amount, take his/her advice. They have studied and gone to school to be in the profession they are in, they know what they are taking about. Even smoking can't be quit cold turkey with out negative side effects. Have you discussed this with your doctor? Cause it will probably take a month or so for the drugs to get completely out of your system. I wish you luck on your adventure.

Hi C.

First it is ok to have depression. Think of it as diabetes or any other disease that you need to take medication for. Your brain isn't making enough of the necessary enzymes for you. So you take medication to compensate. No worries. Take the medication and don't feel guilty about it. It is ok to take medication when you need it.

C.

I hope that you haven't gone cold turkey with the Prozac because it isn't a drug to stop all together. From everyone that I have talked to (friends that are doctor's and nurses) you need to ween yourself. I have been taken Lexapro (only 10 mg, which is a very low dose) since giving birth to our daughter (which was 2 1/2 years ago) and I feel so much better. I really don't know if it is depression or anxiety or a combonation of both. Is it certain things that set you off (so to speak)? It could be that the Prozac is just not for you, sometimes you need to try different meds or even go to a naturopath doctor and see if there are any types of herbal remedies. Hope this helps!

May be you should listen to your doctor. But here is my suggestions how to deal with depression:
Exercise - if you can run, run as much as you can. If you can't go out and run get a treadmill or just dance at home. Get a fitness membership. Most of them provide day care.
Learn how to meditate. It helps with the anxiety.
Get organized. Make a weekly schedule and try to follow it as much as possible. Look at your mom's duties as a serious job. Get up in the morning and get a shower, dress up, put make ups and etc., just like you will to get ready for work.
Good luck!

I started to respond earlier, but my computer shut down--argh! I have no idea how many people have written you already, but I would have a regular exercise regimen--same time each day, eat as healthily as possible, and spend some time outside each day. I would also try to "mix it up a bit"--have something little each day that I look forward to. Have a picnic lunch with the kids, go for a walk, if you live near any museums, etc. A lot of hopelessness is not knowing what to do--so if you give yourself things to do/things to look forward to, it's easier.

I hope things go well for you! Take care!
S

Dear C. D,

I am with a company called Melaleuca that has natural alternatives for depression - a blend of herbs that work similar to Zoloft but are not harmful to your system. I have heard several success stories. They also have vitamins that are 90% absorbable and make an incredible difference in energy level (and are a great price). These both are 100% guaranteed - so if they do not work, you get your money back (empty bottle back guarantee!) Please call or email me and I will give you more information; it can't hurt to hear what's a viable option! It's so worth it!

###-###-#### or ____@____.com

I hope to hear from you soon!

K.

I know you've already received an overwhelming response to your situation, so I will try my best to keep this short. Sometimes there is a stigma attatched to anxiety and depression issues, it can come those around you or even from yourself, but remember that you are not going crazy and there is nothing "wrong" with you.

I suffered from debilitating anxiety attacks when I was 22- Debilitating. I sought out therapy and medication, therapy was only minimally helpful for me due to immaturaty, and lack of trust in my counsellors. The prozac helped well enough to allieviate the attacks and soon I stopped taking it-cold turkey and got the "weird-seratonin-withdrawl-feelings."

For several years I continued to suffer from depression, and unhappiness with how I handled it. Got married, had a baby, and started building a wonderful life- but after 6mos of symptoms that you described, I decided that I had Post-partum depression and sought help from my doc. She gave me zoloft which I took for 6mos or so and then asked to try something else- she then recommended me to a psych for a more specialized assessment... Who in turn sent me to a counselor.

The change in meds helped (cymbalta), but the therapy worked wonders. My counselor specialized in DBT, which stands for dialectecal behavioral therapy (spelling??), it helped me to understand where my stress and unhappiness was stemming from (which was impossible for me to figure out on my own, because I truly have a blessed life:), and how to better handle those stresses in a way that is in tune with my needs and goals.

I have been off medication for about 6 months (switched back to zoloft when I got pregnant, and then weened off them over a couple of weeks), and I feel fantastic. I see the difference in my life everyday, how I feel about myself, and my relationships.

I had been misdiagnosed for a short time and went through some trials with medications- extremely discouraging when you're feeling as though youre crazy, and asking for help is soooo hard. So to anyone who is having a hard time with therapy and or medication, I say--- DON'T GIVE UP. It's a difficult road to travel sometimes, but if you quit taking medication and seeking therapy too soon your chance of re-lapsing goes up exponentially (documented fact), and with it your discouragement and the feeling as though you will be taking drugs forever.

Don't give up- seek help from friends and family that you trust and who are supportive of you, if you are having a hard time with that there are many community organizations which can help you or point you in the right direction, or your church or religious community if you are a religious person.

AND- don't be too hard on yourself, which can be difficult when you see yourself getting frustrated and snapping on the people you love, and such.

:)

I can't take any of those pills. They make worse than I was.

I would have my thyroid checked. It was my problem. It can make you feel all those emotions at once.

Your Dr. needs to do a complete panel on your thyroid. There are 3 different hormone components involved. If one of them is off, you can have terrible emotional and physical issues. Ask for the test which measures T3, T4 and TSH.

I have been suffering for at least 2 years with everything you describe. After taking thyroid medicine for a week, I'm beginning to feel normal again.

C.,
It's extremely hard to know what to do when you're feeling so depressed and anxious. You are more likely to second guess every decision. Your doctor is right though, you need to gradually go off of anti-depressants, not cold turkey. I would advise that you contact your physician for his or her advice as soon as possible. I remember the first two weeks after I had my child were absolutely horrible and even knowing that it was directly related to hormones didn't help. After that it was better. What you're going through sounds more serious and long term. Don't try to do this alone, get some help. I wish you the best.

C.,

I'm a naturopath who specializes in depression and other mental health issues. I help people find natural alternatives to antidepressants and help people get off of supplements and medication altogether.

I agree with many of the respondents who advice you to taper off the Prozac. You'll feel better for it, and so will your family! Unless there's a compelling reason for abruptly stopping, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

In wellness,
Dr. E. Mendenhall, ND

WHOA! Stopping cold turkey is not a good idea if you have been on the pills for an extended period of time! I can tell you from experience - to quit meds cold turkey or even skip a couple of days, can be BAD NEWS! My daughter was extremely depressed to the point of being suicidal and had become anxiety ridden, I had to pull her out of school for a year. We tried her on a number of meds before we found the right fit. She has been successful with Paxil for a few years now and she works with a good therapist. Please consider going back on and weaning yourself with lowered doses. As for natural remedies, my husband began suffering extreme panic attackss which led to depression after a car crash. He had a bad reaction to anti-depressants and decided to go the natural route. OMEGA 3, St. John's Wort and essential oils, like Peace and Calming, worked for him, but it was a slow process. I know staying in your room is what you want to do when feeling this down, but maybe you should look into a Mom's group. Exercise makes a big difference too. Do you have friends that you can talk to that understand what you are going through? Being a stay at home Mom can get lonely, I know. GOOD LUCK

Do what you doctor says to do, go off gradually. Doctors have a method because it generally works, If cold turkey was affective your doctor would have suggested it.

From personal experience, your Dr. is very smart to want you to step down from the pills. Your body will likely eventually adjust to no therapy either way but, it just makes it much rougher for the first few days. If you continue to feel like this, talk with your Dr. Maybe now is just not quite the right time to go without the meds. I am currently stepping down from mine (Effexor) and am having no trouble with the transition so far. Ask me again in a week after a few days with no meds and we'll see how I'm doing! LOL!

To help you ease the transition right now, get working out!!! Exercise is a natural mood enhancer and should help you not feel so tired. I know it sounds silly but, it works!!! I think it is a big reason why I've been so successful at stepping down this time. I exercise every day for an hour whether it be weeding, laundry aerobics, a gym work out, etc. Losing weight and boosting my mood, what more could I ask for!!

But, seriously, don't get down on yourself for taking the pills. Life throws some pretty crazy things at us as moms/wives/caretakers and a little something to help balance us out and keep us rolling for a little while is nothing to be ashamed of. Take care of you!!!

I know this might sound harsh, but your doctor told you to wean yourself off the meds for a reason. I have experience with Paxil and Prozac belongs to the same group of NASIDS as Paxil does meaning they affect the same area and function of the brain. Every Doctor prescribing any antidepressents for use over a period of time will have you start with a dose and increase it in increments if needed. Also when you want to quit an antidepressent you need to slowly decrease the amount of CHEMICAL you have been ADDING to your brain over time. You brain has been accustomed to getting that little pick me up that those drugs give and just stopping it cold turkey is not recommended-which is probably why you feel as you do. People who stop taking those drugs cold-turkey usually have increased symptoms/suicidal thoughts due to the sudden stop of medication. You should have followed your doctors advice.

Good for you trying to manage your depression without drugs!!

Have you tried managing your depression with exercise? Sounds wierd, but the natural hormones released during any time of exercise (even just a walk in your neighborhood) can be used to manage depression. There is a great deal of research on this.

I am a personal fitness consultant (Fit-Focus.com) and I have worked with many clients that use my services just to help manage their depression and it really seems to help!

Try just getting out for a walk once a day, or even doing some simple exercises in your home. Good Luck!!

Well, since it is your fifth day, it is too late to follow the doctor's orders. I am very sorry you are feeling this way. I will say a prayer for you. Have you tried prayer? Also, I use Rhodiola or st. john's wort but not both. look into them a little and see. Also, valerian, chamomile, and hops are relaxants for the anxiety part. Don't just start mixing herbs though. Check to see what is compatible. Try an herbal combination. Check your local health food store. I hope you feel great real soon.

I would recommend talking to your doctor about other alternative therapies. Perhaps counseling? I've heard that exercise helps with depression/anxiety also. In my opinion you should get back on the medication until you find another form of therapy that works. It's not fair to your children for you to experiment with depression and it can be very dangerous for you as well. Please consider taking your medication and possibly getting a new doctor who will work on a different plan that you're comfortable with.

I would recommend your drs advice and go off very slowly. I was taking antidepressants (for depression and anxiety) for a while and decided to go off of them also and to do it cold turkey was not a good idea. I felt worse and couldn't understand it. I am also a social worker with years of experience working with mentally ill adults on medication....so you think I would of known. Anyways I started them again and consulted my dr to do it with her guidance. I have been off of them for 3 years now and doing better, going off slowly was much better. I also talked with a counselor a couple of times also that was beneficial....don't know if you have access to one, but with depression, anxiety and children to look after you have a lot on your plate, that can be rough.

Hi C.,
You may be suferring from the serotonin withdrawal syndrome. Prozac belongs to the class of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). All of the medications in this class require gradual weaning (gradual reduction in dose over 6-8 weeks) rather than quitting "cold turkey." I suggest you go back on Prozac & work with your doctor on the weaning schedule. Here is the article from the American Family Physician: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20060801/449.html. Good luck!