When will i be ready to go off my meds

[augustforever]

I need proffessional advice for this (im going to preface this question by saying im typing this on my ipad so excuse any typos).
I am a 16 year old girl and i have shown symptoms of major depressive disorder since i was 4 years old. I know this is a pretty far out idea but bear with me.
I began taking medication for depression and anxiety when i was nine, so ive been taking medication for 7 years. Ive read about how people who develop somewhat of a situtional depression sometimes only have to take medication for 6 months. When i think about this i cant help but feel a deep feeling of jealousy and resentment for my needing to take medication for so long. I accept that i am a damaged person and most likely always will be, but recently ive felt extremely stable.
I feel i should provide some detail into my last depressive episode in case the interval of time of stability is of importance. Last summer, i had a depressive episode that lasted for some-odd months, and i ended up in a psych unit for 2 weeks before being transfered to an intense month long inpatient unit. This unit is one of the best in the country and i can honestly say i dont know where id be had i not been admitted there. Since i got out, ive had semi-mild depressive episodes, but nothing too intense. Recently ive had a med shedule consisting of prozac, lamotrigine, seroquel, and methylphenadate er for my really bad adhd along with intunive to counteract the jitteryness side effect. I want so badlytonot have to take medicationfor my depression anymore, so i was wondering is there any way to predict when i may be able to go med free?
I appreciate it very much if you took the time to read this, because i know its long. And if you have an answer, i would very much appreciate if you share.

[jbtwentytwo]

I've suffered from MDD and Anxiety for 7 long years and have been on every medication out there before I found a psychiatrist that prescribed a combination that works.

After the first year symptom free, I was able to stop 2/3 medications but stopping the 3rd caused a relapse. I will be trying again after the 2nd year. If I relapse again, I accept that I will have to take the last medication for the rest of my life.

Of course you need to discuss this with your psychiatrist first. If you are still experiencing depression symptoms, then you need to treat those before you can even think about coming off any medications. From the day I was symptom free, I waited a whole year before trying to come off them.

You may want to get a 2nd opinion as well to make sure you are getting the care you need. I find the 'blitzkrieg' combination you are on alarming to say the least.

[thatquietgirl]

Definitely bring it up with your psychiatrist, but be willing to accept what he says.  If you are stable on medications, it's not the same as being stable without.  Psychiatric medications don't always work again the second go-around if you were to get off them and then try to start them again.

Do you have a therapist?  If not, I'd get one and consider working with them for a while before getting off medications.  If you have one and have had one for a while: have you worked to figure out your triggers?  Have you worked to come up with feasible ways to avoid these triggers and what to do with those you can't avoid?   Are you able to be honest with this therapist or do you find yourself holding things back?  Honestly, if you can get a therapist for your psychiatrist to discuss your case with, one who clicks with you and you are open and honest with, who will advocate for you but keep it real, then it may be a huge leap in your favor when it comes to this question.

[Jinx_777]

forgot the most important part.  NEVER STOP TAKING MEDICATION ON YOUR OWN.  you could have seizures, etc.  always talk to your doctor and let them decide.  

[Jinx_777]

this is something for you to discuss with your doctor.  just tell him you would like to see if you are able to come off of medicine and that as soon as you start to feel depression coming on, you will tell your mom right away.
anti-depressants take 6 full weeks to start working and that is why people usually have to stay on them.  it is a chemical imbalance in our brains.  our brains don't make the chemicals like other peoples do.  there is nothing wrong with that at all because thankfully we live in a time where there is medication available.
but, like i said......  share your concerns with your doctor and maybe you will be able to just stay on the prozac and back off other meds at this time.  
they have to know about any side effects you are having... like the jitteriness.