Spiritual healing, stopping anti depressants cold turkey and scared, any1 been through this?

Question

been taking my mirtazapine meds (15 mg a night) for about a year now and just recently met one of my friends cousins who says he is a spiritual healer. Ive been speaking with him and he told me to go completely clean for 6 weeks straight, that includes alchohol, my moderate drug usage and even my medication. as much as the clean thing off drugs and alchohol is going to suck im not too worried about it, but stopping my meds cold turkey sounds really scary. Ive told him im really worried about the meds but he says ill be fine and hes done it with people before. PLEASE PLEASE if anyone has experienced this or something similar your feedback would be much appreciated. im sick of being on medication and really want to get off but im worried ill lose my head. please someone help me. thanks

Answer 1

It sucks. Probably one of the worst things I've ever experienced.



I was on Effexor XR for about 6 months and one day decided to quit cold turkey, BIG MISTAKE.

For the next 4 weeks I experienced the worst withdrawals. Nausea, vomiting, headache, vertigo, brain zaps, dizziness, sweats & chills, confusion, loss of appetite (only because I would throw up every time I ate) and many other things. Not only did my depression worsen, but I was in intense physical pain.



Never quit any SSRI or SNRI meds cold turkey. Learned the hard way

Answer 2

He has NO IDEA about potential risks of abrupt discontinuation of antidepressants. Google: "mirtazapine; discontinuation; effects"

"Brain zaps", skin crawling sensations, and even seizures are quite possible. A previous answer follows, and resources and advice about addictions may be found at http://your-mental-health.8m.com/blank_30.html Effective, natural treatments for depression, and anxiety are shown on pages 1, b, and i. You will have your work cut out for you, just with the alcohol, and drugs, so I'd focus on them now, and when you are clean for at least a few weeks ...



TAPERING OFF - DISCONTINUATION - WEANING OFF: Dr.s are quick to prescribe, but often know little about discontinuation. You may well be proceeding too fast.



I'd be wanting to taper off more as follows: first week 90% dosage; following weeks: 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 7.5, 5, & 2.5%.



One way is to get a mortar, and pestle, and crush tablets to a powder; put it in a long, thin line, and work out correct proportions, perhaps cutting the line in half once, and then repeatedly (measurements need only be approximate).



A more accurate way is to dissolve them in water, and use a graduated medication measuring container, from a pharmacy.

I know Lexapro have a liquid version, suitable for this purpose, but am unsure about Paxil.



Another option is to replace the Paxil, 10% daily, with Prozac; stabilise for a short while, then wean off the Prozac (said to be considerably less troublesome, for most people). Check out http://theroadback.org/workbook.htm about yours. ~~~



Note: Mirtazapine may not be as bad to wean off as Paxil, or Lexapro, which are notorious, so you could probably cut the above times by around half, safely

Answer 3

Alcohol and some street drugs is not good when combined with the psyche meds. This will really mess a person up. I would say get off the alcohol and street drugs first then see how you feel.

If you still want to get off the anti depressent try to do it slowly under a doctors supervision. I know it can be lonly and difficult staying sober but I think you have to tough that one out somehow. The alcohol might be whats making you feel depressed.

Answer 4

Spiritual healing will not work! You should not come off your mirtazepine like this and this so called spiritual healer is being highly irresponsible by telling you he can help you like this. People have committed suicide because they've come off their meds without the support of a properly qualified medical professional. See your doctor, not some nut! If you want some spiritual help then read The Bible and join a friendly church run by sensible people.

Answer 5

Please dont be offended but this is a very stupid plan. Stopping psychoactive drugs cold turkey is dangerous and very unpleasant.



Regardless of your decision to seek spiritual healing or not, contact your doctor and follow his instructions to quit. Sometimes they will prescribe another medication to take while reducing your dosage over a few days or weeks.