Going off SSRI's

Yessica... said:

Hello,

I have been dealing with depression since 1998. I have been on Citalopram (Celexa) for 2 years. I recently got food poisoning, and the changes in the bacteria in my stomach caused me to experience amplified side-effects.

I need to ween myself off, and start solely medicating with MMJ. I am afraid though.

If I go off the SSRI, aren't I likely to have another depressive episode?

What about overseas travel, if I have no pot and no SSRI's, won't I go insane?

I will discuss this with a doctor, clearly. But hearing from someone else that has experienced this would be amazing!

Thank You

Click to expand...

SSRI withdrawal can be some serious stuff. This is NOT the sort of thing you try without direct MD supervision! The other thing you need to keep your MD advised on is ALL the other drugs you're using . . . OTC, alcohol, etc. Your doctor can't keep your engine running if he/she doesn't know all the fuel you're running on.

We tried ALL the SSRI, some tri-cyclics way back when, Buproprion (Welbutrin) in various combinations. Biggest concern my MD had in all this is that I indulge in a lot of head benders and these other meds most definitely affect the efficacy of the SSRI.

None of the Rx meds seem to work for me (PTSD) -- anxiety/depression. I can get an Rx for "Medical Marijuana" but I'd be lying if I asserted that marijuana use helps with the PTSD.

Allison Wunderland said:

SSRI withdrawal can be some serious stuff. This is NOT the sort of thing you try without direct MD supervision! The other thing you need to keep your MD advised on is ALL the other drugs you're using . . . OTC, alcohol, etc. Your doctor can't keep your engine running if he/she doesn't know all the fuel you're running on.

We tried ALL the SSRI, some tri-cyclics way back when, Buproprion (Welbutrin) in various combinations. Biggest concern my MD had in all this is that I indulge in a lot of head benders and these other meds most definitely affect the efficacy of the SSRI.

None of the Rx meds seem to work for me (PTSD) -- anxiety/depression. I can get an Rx for "Medical Marijuana" but I'd be lying if I asserted that marijuana use helps with the PTSD.

Click to expand...

Actually, that was a couple months ago. The ween went well. Glad to be off them and on MMJ instead.

I went to another clinic in Thunder Bay recently hoping to get a family doctor. I filled out their application, but the wait list could be a year at least, the nurse said.

The doctors at the walk in clinics were fine renewing my prescription to Celexa. I wonder how they'll feel about renewing my prescription to Medical Marijuana? My guess is...differently...

I would have really liked to have had a doctor help me through this time. But, besides the doctors at Emergency or the walk-in clinics, there isn't much help for the wandering patient...

All I know, is medical marijuana is working for me, and the Celexa made me sick.

Yessica... said:

Actually, that was a couple months ago. The ween went well. Glad to be off them and on MMJ instead.

I went to another clinic in Thunder Bay recently hoping to get a family doctor. I filled out their application, but the wait list could be a year at least, the nurse said.

The doctors at the walk in clinics were fine renewing my prescription to Celexa. I wonder how they'll feel about renewing my prescription to Medical Marijuana? My guess is...differently...

I would have really liked to have had a doctor help me through this time. But, besides the doctors at Emergency or the walk-in clinics, there isn't much help for the wandering patient...

All I know, is medical marijuana is working for me, and the Celexa made me sick.

Click to expand...

try talking to a social service worker they will help you get into the door

sunni said:

try talking to a social service worker they will help you get into the door

Click to expand...

I see a psychologist and I'm on "Med Can" which is a service that is supposed to set people up with family doctors - but there just haven't been any new openings in Thunder Bay yet.

It seems like someone always "hears of" a clinic that is accepting new patients. And then when I get to that clinic, there's a wait.

I've been going to walk-in clinic doctors for awhile now. Annoying, because they don't know you, but in a bind they get the job done.

How do you mean, go to a social service worker? I'd be interested in trying anything to get a doctor that I could see on the regular.

physiologist is different than a social service worker, an SSW is an advocate for people , so go and explaint he situation they may be able to open some doors and get you a doctor faster