The truth- once you take meds can you ever get off?

Bubsie1020

Doc want to put me on Lexapro- 10mg for PPD.  I've never needed medication before and do not want to be on the medication forever.  Anyone taken meds for PPD and successfully stopped?

blondek8

Yes.

Anti-depressants aren't heroin. A lot of the time the medication is used short-term. I was on Celexa in the past in 2005 for situational depression. Took it for 6 months and had been fine up until now. I'm on a high dose of Lexapro now but I'm not expected to be on it for more than a year. Don't be ashamed to take medication to help you over "the hump". You will get better!

mrsbnlmel

Yes! I took Lexapro for about 10 months after the birth of my son. I have never been treated for any type of depression prior to PPD. I also took 10mg. I weaned off of it very slowly with a doctors guidance. I did have about a week where I felt flu-ish and dizzy after I stopped taking it. Within a month of going off it I felt totally fine. I feel completely back to normal and don't really struggle with PPD anymore. I don't think I would have gotten better without taking Lexapro. 

jkelly41

I'm on a generic brand of z.oloft and my doc said he would take me off of it in the spring.  DD was born in Sept.

I'm so glad I'm taking it!  I think I'd rather stay on it because I've always had depression and anxiety issues. I feel so much more even on it, if that makes sense.  I almost never panic or fall into dispair like I used to. I never did anything but therapy for them.  I think the meds work much better.

Good luck!

TheirMomma

I was never on meds before I was pregnant either but I was on them for most of my 2nd pregnancy and all of my 3rd.  I stay on them for 6 weeks or so after the baby is born and then ween myself off of them, and after 8-9 weeks, Im good to go without them.  My youngest of 4.5 months old and I feel great, same as I did before I was pregnant with any of my kiddos.

JustJanie

My shrink said that PPD patients could usually wean off of their meds, but patients with anxiety disorders often had to remain on them for life.  I am an anxiety patient, and if I have to take 100mg of Zoloft for the rest of my life and I don't feel the way I felt one year ago, then that's fine by me!  Sign me up!  I can't tell you what a difference it makes, how much its worth it, how bad it was, and how much better it is now.

kryssy

blondek8:

Yes.

Anti-depressants aren't heroin.

This. 

Like you, I was scared to be put on meds because I thought it would end up being forever, but that was a completely unnecessary fear.  I was on meds for 6mo and then was weaned off without any problems.

posvane

Yes. I stopped to get pregnant with DD. But - I do have to say I was a much more relaxed person while on meds. I am questioning whether or not I'll need it again with this baby and am not opposed to it.

astroMom

both my doctor and therapist recommend staying on them a year then trying to wean (not just for me), but your doctor will advise you for your situation