Current Events > To this day, the weirdest feeling I've ever experienced is going off SSRI's.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I've done many different drugs in my past so that should say something.

I don't intentionally do it, sometimes I'll just be having a great weekend and forget to take it for 2-3 days.

First, you start to bottom out emotionally, like crying at nonsense, then comes the brain zaps.

Imagine just walking to the bathroom and feeling like electricity is repeatedly jolting your brain. It's kind of disorienting and makes me feel like something is trying to invade my mind.
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SSRI's only block mind invaders for a relative short time. The drawbacks aren't worth staying on it for more than a year at most I'd say. Deadens the penis, sensation, emotion, and even sympathy.
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Funbazooka posted...

SSRI's only block mind invaders for a relative short time. The drawbacks aren't worth staying on it for more than a year at most I'd say. Deadens the penis, sensation, emotion, and even sympathy.

All of those things are true. However I've learned ways to adapt around them and still be normal. But I've been on them for years and want off of them. I'm thinking of switching to 5htp.
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Almost fucked off my awesome and then-new relationship. I stopped taking them and it was still 7 days later before I managed to bust one off.

Benzos may be addictive but I'll take that instead....otherwise I'd rather just deal with having anxiety.

Crazy. I was on them for a little bit when I was 17 and never had anything like this happen.
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I can still get off on them, just takes me a while. Like a solid hour of fucking. Usually the only way it works is to go for a while until she's tired, take a break, then go at it again and I'll finally get mine. As a result ive really developed a love of making my girl happy. I make sure she's gotten hers multiples times before I've even had mine once, and honestly I kind of prefer sex like this.
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Sativa_Rose posted...

Crazy. I was on them for a little bit when I was 17 and never had anything like this happen.

I've taken them for 3 years so that may have something to do with it.
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pres_madagascar posted...

Sativa_Rose posted...

Crazy. I was on them for a little bit when I was 17 and never had anything like this happen.

I've taken them for 3 years so that may have something to do with it.

Ah okay, yeah that is a long time.
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I've been on them so long, my depression actually is worse if I go off them because my damn brain doesn't know how to handle the flood of emotions once you're no longer "numb".
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That kind of thing can happen with drugs. If you decide to quit, hang on tight for a few weeks and don't let the emotional rollercoaster get the best of you.
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Antidepressants are scary stuff. We don't even understand depression worth a fuck yet. Listen to the commercials. They say the drug is BELIEVED to do this that and the other and that scientists and doctors THINK blah blah blah.

They're just throwing drugs at everybody and collecting data. Fuck being a guinea pig.

I'm thinking of switching to 5htp because my dad who has depression switched to cannabis + 5htp and it helps him, and I have my medical card too, and it certainly helps me with my depression, even before I got on meds for it. You just can't take 5htp while also on SSRI's.
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I feel bad for people with clinical depression. They can either feel miserable or feel nothing.

SaithSayer posted...

I feel bad for people with clinical depression. They can either feel miserable or feel nothing.

Yep, sadly it's basically about finding a drug or combo of drugs, along with supplements and other things, that works for you to be happy as best as possible, and it's a different recipe for everyone.
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Some people spend years trying to find that correct combo, though. It takes entirely too long to rule a drug out.

SaithSayer posted...

Some people spend years trying to find that correct combo, though. It takes entirely too long to rule a drug out.

Yeah, most doctors make you try one for 6 months before they switch for you.
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I had heard three months. God damn...

I had the depressed for no reason thing so I know how it is. Thankfully that shit evened out by the end of my teens. I do have anxiety and ADHD but I'll gladly deal with that on my own before I take something that'll put me in a funk and disable my ding dong.

Also ding dong is funny and not enough people say it.

Congratulations: you're a drug addict.
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Thanks for this OP, Im on my last mood stabilizer and will make sure to refill the prescription tomorrow.

Though the doctors havent been following up with me really and I only got the pills after one brief meeting with a psychiatrist while in the hospital. An entirely different doctor (infections) that I happened to see had to prescribe my refill.
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EzeDoesIt posted...

Thanks for this OP, Im on my last mood stabilizer and will make sure to refill the prescription tomorrow.

Though the doctors havent been following up with me really and I only got the pills after one brief meeting with a psychiatrist while in the hospital. An entirely different doctor (infections) that I happened to see had to prescribe my refill.

Doctors won't follow up. They don't know fuck all about mental health. They'll just keep changing pills if you ask them to.
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deupd_u posted...

Congratulations: you're a drug addict.

Considering I also smoke, no shit lol
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Dang lol, Im trying to find some kind of help. Just found out that Ive had a brain condition for ~10 years (right when things started going wrong for me). Not sure if meds can help but it seems like its more chemical than anything.

They have me on a low dose mood control but thats more for mania and I feel like Id benefit better from an anti-depressant; manic episodes only happen like once a year for me whereas depression is probably there most of the time.
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EzeDoesIt posted...

Dang lol, Im trying to find some kind of help. Just found out that Ive had a brain condition for ~10 years (right when things started going wrong for me). Not sure if meds can help but it seems like its more chemical than anything.

They have me on a low dose mood control but thats more for mania and I feel like Id benefit better from an anti-depressant; manic episodes only happen like once a year for me whereas depression is probably there most of the time.

Personally, from what I've heard, trying 5htp before trying SSRI's is a good idea. It's non addictive, it's not as strong of a mood stabilizer, but it works for a lot of folks.
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And yeah just like you said, she met me for all of 5 minutes and I basically just told her I have bipolar (maybe schizophrenia) disorder, which Ive never been diagnosed with lol.

(But it is what my family has speculated I might have.)
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Yeah I really have no idea how to tell if theyre working or not. I feel like I should have been informed better.

Ive never wanted to use pills but now at rock bottom Id like to but idk they just seem ineffective in my expectations.
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SaithSayer posted...

I had heard three months. God damn...

I had the depressed for no reason thing so I know how it is. Thankfully that shit evened out by the end of my teens. I do have anxiety and ADHD but I'll gladly deal with that on my own before I take something that'll put me in a funk and disable my ding dong.

Also ding dong is funny and not enough people say it.

If you have depression and ADHD, and you don't want sexual side effects, I can't believe your doctor hasn't tried bupropion (Wellbutrin) yet. It's off-label for ADHD, increases sex drive and is as good of an antidepressant as the SSRIs.

Chemically, it's a substituted amphetamine without the highs or addictiveness of amphetamine, but has moderate stimulant properties and increases dopamine levels.
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yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.
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Kombucha posted...

yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine and vastly more addictive and dangerous than any SSRI. Just FYI.
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Coffeebeanz posted...

Kombucha posted...

yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine and vastly more addictive and dangerous than any SSRI. Just FYI.

im aware. i was able to step off of it (reducing dosage) over the course of a few months with relative ease luckily.
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im convinced benzos saved my life because i was borderline agoraphobic and they allowed me to face every day situations again without feeling crushing anxiety and panic. basically my brain relearned how to act in various situations and i kept pushing myself into facing things until i felt they had done their job and stepped off of them.

ive heard they dont work at all for some people so I was lucky to find something that worked. i suspected that the long half life of klonopin was a good thing because it wasnt just a quick jolt of relief like other benzos.
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Coffeebeanz posted...

Kombucha posted...

yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine and vastly more addictive and dangerous than any SSRI. Just FYI.

I feel like this is a myth purported by doctors. Where they underplay the dangers of ssris and restrict access to drugs that actually work, like benzos

Kombucha posted...

im convinced benzos saved my life because i was borderline agoraphobic and they allowed me to face every day situations again without feeling crushing anxiety and panic. basically my brain relearned how to act in various situations and i kept pushing myself into facing things until i felt they had done their job and stepped off of them.

ive heard they dont work at all for some people so I was lucky to find something that worked. i suspected that the long half life of klonopin was a good thing because it wasnt just a quick jolt of relief like other benzos.

Eh, a lot of people, including doctors, will tell you they're evil because they're addicting, but I'll take addictive over crippling anxiety any day. It's only a problem if you get a bad doctor that won't do a proper taper for whatever reason. Currently on 17 mg of Valium per day (tapering back to 10) and it's a godsend. Been on it 8 years now, no noticeable side effects besides a tiny bit of tiredness in the morning.
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sleepysausage posted...

Coffeebeanz posted...

Kombucha posted...

yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine and vastly more addictive and dangerous than any SSRI. Just FYI.

I feel like this is a myth purported by doctors. Where they underplay the dangers of ssris and restrict access to drugs that actually work, like benzos

Let me put it this way

You forget to take an SSRI and you get moody

You forget to take an benzodiazepine and you have a seizure and die
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sleepysausage posted...

Coffeebeanz posted...

Kombucha posted...

yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine and vastly more addictive and dangerous than any SSRI. Just FYI.

I feel like this is a myth purported by doctors. Where they underplay the dangers of ssris and restrict access to drugs that actually work, like benzos

benzos really are easy to abuse and dangerous to come off of compared to something like an ssri.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine_withdrawal_syndrome
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This is why I don't even bother with benzos. Yeah I get it, "you know your body". Here's a referral to psych, let them deal with it. I'm not starting dangerous meds on people who are depressed or have serious mental issues; too many people die because they feel good on benzos, alcohol and opioids.
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_Goggalor_ posted...

I'll take addictive over crippling anxiety any day.

after having dealt with it and the nightmare anxiety can become, i agree entirely.

also the way they impacted me personally did not leave me debilitated, as in i could still function properly day to day.
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The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is essentially identical to alcohol. It's a pill equivalent of getting drunk. Of course it treats anxiety and of course it works. But nobody would recommend drinking for anxiety, and really the only major difference between the two is the lack of cirrhosis on benzodiazepines.

There are plenty of people who are high functioning alcoholics just as there are plenty of people who do well on benzos. But it's not worth the risk.
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Coffeebeanz posted...

The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is essentially identical to alcohol. It's a pill equivalent of getting drunk. Of course it treats anxiety and of course it works. But nobody would recommend drinking for anxiety, and really the only major difference between the two is the lack of cirrhosis on benzodiazepines.

There are plenty of people who are high functioning alcoholics just as there are plenty of people who do well on benzos. But it's not worth the risk.

My brother used alcohol for helping with his anxiety. Hes dead.
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Coffeebeanz posted...

The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is essentially identical to alcohol. It's a pill equivalent of getting drunk. Of course it treats anxiety and of course it works. But nobody would recommend drinking for anxiety, and really the only major difference between the two is the lack of cirrhosis on benzodiazepines.

There are plenty of people who are high functioning alcoholics just as there are plenty of people who do well on benzos. But it's not worth the risk.

i think for me it was worth the risk, as a personal decision to take them.

but i understand not wanting to make that call yourself and actually put that on a piece of paper for people that are mentally unstable. if i were in that situation again personally i'd rather be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist instead of quickly diagnosed and given pills even though it worked out.
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Coffeebeanz posted...

The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is essentially identical to alcohol. It's a pill equivalent of getting drunk. Of course it treats anxiety and of course it works. But nobody would recommend drinking for anxiety, and really the only major difference between the two is the lack of cirrhosis on benzodiazepines.

There are plenty of people who are high functioning alcoholics just as there are plenty of people who do well on benzos. But it's not worth the risk.

When I avoid anxiety by getting drunk, it's like putting up a dissolving wall. There's no anxiety that night....but the next day it dissolves and I get a double dose and it's terrible.

When I take a Valium, I have little to no anxiety for the next three days and there's no hell to pay like there is with alcohol. I don't know if I'm an exception or the norm but there that is.

Wellbutrin?
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It seems like doctors WANT people to get addicted to benzos. They often prescribe NINETY a month. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fuck that.

I take them AS NEEDED. That could be one a day or one every four days. Ninety would last me for a really long time even if I'm going through a stressful situation.

I'm the same way with other medication. Aleve says adults should take two. I took one and it helped. I still stick with that.

I take 17 mg of Valium every day with zero side effects besides little tiredness. Idk, never had any problems with Benzos besides Ativan because of it's short half-life. No memory, mood or sexual problems. Of course if you don't take it, you get withdrawal, but that's never been an issue because why would I not remember to take it? It's part of my daily routine.

The only times I've had problems were with idiot doctors who thought it was ok to cut me off cold Turkey with no taper.

Luckily my current doctor isn't like that and is supporting my decision to go down to 10 mg per day with a 1 mg decrease per month.
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SaithSayer posted...

It seems like doctors WANT people to get addicted to benzos. They often prescribe NINETY a month. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fuck that.

I take them AS NEEDED. That could be one a day or one every four days. Ninety would last me for a really long time even if I'm going through a stressful situation.

I'm the same way with other medication. Aleve says adults should take two. I took one and it helped. I still stick with that.

Depends entirely on the half-life of the drug.
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pres_madagascar posted...

EzeDoesIt posted...

Thanks for this OP, Im on my last mood stabilizer and will make sure to refill the prescription tomorrow.

Though the doctors havent been following up with me really and I only got the pills after one brief meeting with a psychiatrist while in the hospital. An entirely different doctor (infections) that I happened to see had to prescribe my refill.

Doctors won't follow up. They don't know fuck all about mental health. They'll just keep changing pills if you ask them to.

On the contrary, its my patients that dont follow up. time for follow up should and typically is established while youre in the office; Its standard practice to make monthly appointments until youre on a stable functioning dose. If your doc isnt, might be time to find someone else. Each SSRI has its own side effect profile and works differently from person to person. Regardless, youre a grown ass man, have some personal accountability for your own health and make an appointment if you feel like its been too long since you saw your PCP about your mental health
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Regardless, youre a grown ass man, have some personal accountability for your own health and make an appointment if you feel like its been too long since you saw your PCP about your mental health

It's astonishing to me how many of my patients have to have every little thing done for them. Get the meds shipped to my home, get me a free walker, get me a ride to the pharmacy, set up my appointments for me, get my insurance set up for me. Then they don't show up to their appointments and blame us for not being flexible. Sick of that.
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sleepysausage posted...

Coffeebeanz posted...

Kombucha posted...

yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine and vastly more addictive and dangerous than any SSRI. Just FYI.

I feel like this is a myth purported by doctors. Where they underplay the dangers of ssris and restrict access to drugs that actually work, like benzos

Hahahah.

No.
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Pogo_Marimo posted...

sleepysausage posted...

Coffeebeanz posted...

Kombucha posted...

yeah for anxiety klonopin was a godsend. i was on an ssri as well but ended up dumping it later and sticking with klonopin. the brain zaps are definitely next level weirdness.

glad i dont have to take either anymore.

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine and vastly more addictive and dangerous than any SSRI. Just FYI.

I feel like this is a myth purported by doctors. Where they underplay the dangers of ssris and restrict access to drugs that actually work, like benzos

Hahahah.

No.

Benzos aren't nearly as bad as people make them out to be.
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Prozac is the only good SSRI, the rest are poo
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