advice on being off my antidepressant

[libbie123]

ive recently tapered off cymbalta (because it wasnt working for me) its been close to 2 weeks that ive been totally off antidepressants. i was on lexapro for 3 years previously for anxiety/depression. the reason ive tapered off is because my doc wants me to try trintellix, but ive not started it because of issues with my insurance not wanting to pay for it. anyway, long story short, ive felt clearer headed in the last few weeks than i have in the last 3 years. like a veil has been lifted some. so i need advice on if i should take the trintellix when or if my insurance pays for it, or see how well i manage with out an antidepressant?

[Duffo]

Anxiety often accompanies depression and sometimes improves with use of antidepressants. Perhaps your doctor has observed symptoms of depression and/or heard you report them. In any event, like Paxiled I think you should discuss these issues with your psychiatrist to determine his precise reasons for wanting to prescribe it for you. If you don't have symptoms of depression, taking an antidepressant may be unnecessary, especially if occasional use of Xanax controls your anxiety. You would have to take an antidepressant all the time. Discontinuing use of antidepressants may be difficult and cause adverse symptoms in some cases, much like stopping regular use of benzodiazepines. I don't believe anyone should insist that you take an antidepressant simply because you occasionally use Xanax for anxiety alone. Based on what you've said, in my view it's probably not a better option for you. If you were to decide not to take an antidepressant, you and your doctor could then monitor your symptoms to ensure your use of Xanax as needed is sufficient.

[nameSissybug]

I agree with Paxiled. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as well and tried several antidepressants that did not work and made it worse. I finally came to realize I'm not depressed I just have anxiety attacks. I can feel an attack coming on and have practiced on controlling them. Discussed what I wanted with my doctor and she prescribed Ativan, which I haven't taken in almost two yrs. But I only took it when I couldn't control the attack. I also haven't hyperventilated and passed out from an attack since I learned to control the attacks and avoid triggers that cause them.

[libbie123]

yeah i have xanax to help when i cant get ahold of the panic/anxierty. but im not so sure the health care place will prescribe just the xanax without me taking an AD too. i havent discussed this with that doc so i really dont know.

[Paxiled]

If the Xanax is working for you, just make sure to tell your psychiatrist you only take it when necessary, not daily.  Most will prefer antidepressants because when they work they work all the time, whereas benzos only work for a short period of time, and benzos are classified as addictive drugs while antidepressants aren't but probably should be, as they can be just as hard to stop taking.  Benzos more often require one to keep taking higher dosages than antidepressants for them to keep working, but for people who only take them occasionally when they really need them benzos are probably less of a problem than a daily antidepressant.  These are things that will influence how your psychiatrist thinks about this.  

[Paxiled]

If you're feeling good, you don't need a drug.  If you're still anxious but feel great without the drugs, and they do change our brains, have you tried to do this with therapy and lifestyle changes rather than with medication?  If the anxiety is still overwhelming your life and therapy has never worked, then you probably do need to find a different medication.  It all depends on how your life is going, and if it's going fine, you don't need medication.

[libbie123]

yeah i do CBT and breathing exercises. and when my thoughts race, i force myself to calm down and concentrate on one particular thing. i just wondered if  my doctor would go along with prescribing just xanax (like i have a pres. of) and not for an antidepressant too.