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stop taking emsam · Mar 7, 2008, 11:21 PM

I have been on the low dose emsam patch for two months. Before that I was on a variety of anti-depressants. I want to get off these meds but my Dr. keeps putting me on something else. I plan to stop the emsam patch and I am not going to ask him about it. I forget and take it off at night 1/2 the time.

So, if anyone has any ideas on how to wean myself off, thank you. Otherwise, I will just cut the patch in 1/2 for a few days and then use it just in the morning and take it off at night, then go to every other day and then drop it.

Wondergirl · Mar 7, 2008, 11:31 PM

Then please be sure to have a plan in mind, a plan that you will follow to keep from falling back into depression, if you refuse to go with meds.

Why are you against meds?

pasiria · Mar 7, 2008, 11:33 PM

I've been given anti-depressants about 4 times. I never took them, except for the last time by and I felt beyond sick. I couldn't eat and lost about 3 pounds in 5 days. I did not want my boyfriend to touch me. I'd rather be a little blue than take them. I snapped myself out of my depression, I quit the job that was depressing me, I joined a gym and I deal with it. But, my depression was mild. If you ever tried to commit suicide it's better to stay on them. But, mild depression can be controlled with yoga, exercise and positive self talk. I reccommmend Lucinda Bassets progrm "Attacking anxiety and depression".

stop taking emsam · Mar 7, 2008, 11:36 PM

Thank you for your answers. I'm not against meds.

I have been depressed most of my life (I'm 55 years old). I've been on anti-depressants for over 15 years. Tried all the SSRIs and nothing has worked. Yes, I've been in counseling at the same time.

I'm tired of the switching, the process of switching, trying to get used to something new, then having it not work. My depression isn't going to change from pills. I need to change my thoughts and behavior.

Wondergirl · Mar 7, 2008, 11:42 PM

Well, it has been recently determined, like pasira said, that mild to moderate depression can be alieviated with a regular program of exercise--swimming, walking, jogging, sports, etc.--plus volunteer activities, being part of a book discussion group at the library, attending classes at a community college, and doing other social things.

simoneaugie · Mar 7, 2008, 11:57 PM

They tell us never to go off our meds without a Doctor's counsel. Maybe you just need a different Doc. Switching from one to the next is not easy. The Doctor doesn't feel a thing.

I've suffered from depression my whole life. It wasn't effectively treated until I took SSRIs. Now, a combination of sunlight, exercise, bio-botanicals (grapefruit seed extract), enzymes and Omega-3 fatty acids are working wonders. I quit taking the SSRI but still take and old tri-cyclic. Quitting the tri-cyclic will involve hallucinations, weird dreams and many sleepless nights, so, it's fine for now. It helps me sleep soundly and lack of sleep is a depressing thing.

debbie4 · Apr 9, 2008, 09:08 AM

Hi, Simone I do not know which drugs you are NOT to use grapefruit with. So please people asked your doctor before using grapefruit. And the person asking about going off their medication if you are doing to do it without your doctor. Cut back a little bit at a time ( But first check to see if you can cut patches first because you may be either making not to give you any medication or to give you too much. Debbie