Intro and question

**Posts:** 109 · by **Mermaid** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 3:01 am

Hello, I am Mermaid.

I'm a 40 yr old female who's been on various SSRIs (often with Wellbutrin) for the past 7+ years. I also did Cognitive Behaviour therapy for most of that time also; wrapping up group and only going to individual once every 2-4 months. I've learned a lot about myself and how I react to things. (I go to a psychiatrist for the meds and a therapist, an LMSW Licensed Masters of Social Work for the therapy.)

The meds have worked, but I am now having symptoms that may be side effects.

Over the past 4 months or so I've been looking at less pharmacological ways to deal with my depression: supplement programs, amino acid supplements, diet, exercise, etc. and at various ideas about the causes of depression (e.g. Learning Path).

My question is, how do I determine whether I can get off my meds and still remain healthy physically and emotionally?

It was a long time before I felt consistently better for more than 3 months at a time... my therapist said I should be doing well for 6 months before I consider going off. Then she (therapist) said that since I had 2 or 3 major depressive episodes that it was very likely I would become depressed again, that it could be difficult to bring my mood back up to normal if I waited to long to get back off meds.

I did go off last year, very slowly, withdrawal symptoms evident but very minor. But then I started having worse anxiety than I ever had, and not having very much support in this attempt to get off, I got back on the meds.

I sometimes have very bad dreams, and talking in my sleep. I am trying to be more consistent in my sleep schedule.

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 7:32 am

Dear Mermaid

Welcome to UncommonForum!

So you are looking to how you can make things different this time when you get rid of the meds. What new things did you learn from the Learning Path?

Roger

**Posts:** 109 · by **Mermaid** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 8:33 am

Roger,
Really good point!

The 2 biggest things are the role of over-dreaming and emotionally arousing thoughts in depression, and that serotonin levels are a result not a cause of depression.

I've been a sleep talker since I was young, and very rarely I will sleepwalk too. I have very vivid dreams and nightmares and often remember them.

Also more calmness = less depression, not more happiness = less depression. I like being around calm people because my natural tendency is to worry a lot. I haven't yet been able to stick with a meditation program but it is something I want to do. I created and am doing a plan in which I add good habits slowly, so that I'm not overwhelmed by trying to do too many new things at one time. I have "check-ins" with my sister 2x week -- for both of us.

I'm very frustrated with the answers I get from the medical profession regarding anti-depressant drugs. I know the drug trials (at least in the US) weren't long (< 6 months) which worries me, and I've heard of tardive diskensia (sp?) from anti-psychotics but I'd never heard about seratonergic syndrome and physical changes to the brain's receptors from anti-d's.

Mermaid

**Posts:** 85 · by **tasha** » Mon Jul 05, 2004 2:40 am

I am also concerned about seratonergic syndrome and physical changes to the brain's receptors from anti-d's - having recently weaned off of them after 8 years use. Could anyone shed some light on that topic please?

**Posts:** 10 · by **braveheart** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:31 pm

Hi Mermaid
I have recently been prescribed omacor by my doctor . This is a pharmacuetical strength fish oil , high in omega 3 fatty acid (90%) .
It is probably still too early to discuss any great benefits I have had but I do seem to be less tired and have more energy . I also hear it has done well in clinical trials , one of which was carried out by harvard university .

best of luck
Braveheart

**Posts:** 85 · by **tasha** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:46 pm

From my research Omacar is a drug - it's 90% omega
3 acid ethyl esters, which have several beneficial effects on the cardio vascular system - and often used for patients with heart disease. Why were you prescribed it?

**Posts:** 85 · by **tasha** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:49 pm

"What is Omacor used for?

• In combination with other medicines, for treatment after a heart attack to reduce the risk of further heart attacks and improve overall survival.
• To treat high blood triglyceride levels when changes to the diet have been insufficient, in patients at risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or heart disease.
"

**Posts:** 2821 · by **Roger Elliott** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 7:04 pm

HI Mermaid

It sounds as if you are doing exactly the right things. If you stick with it, don't expect everything to happen at once, and if you have a setback, just keep on with your program, I am sure you will see results.

It is great to hear what you have learned from the Learning Path - you have really extracted two highly important points, and your focus on being calmer with directly impact your levels of rumination and so dreaming.

I think it is highly important to remember that your brain responds to its environment. If it is artificially flooded with neurochemicals, the number of receptors will decrease. It takes a while for those receptors to be re-activated once neurochemical levels drop - hence why it is an extremely good idea to taper drugs slowly.

The human body is incredibly flexible (think about how long it keeps heavy smokers alive and healthy) - a nice idea to remember.

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