I’ve been officially off prozac now for about a month and a half. I don’t really notice any difference, which is good, except that some of the minor side effects, such as lowered libido, are definitely gone – a nice side effect to be rid of ;-) I do sometimes wonder, though, when I have the inevitable bad days if the lows aren’t sometimes a little lower. It’s really hard to say, though, and might just be my self-absorbed tendency to over-examine things. And since it’s only been such a short time that I’ve been drug free it’s probably impossible to really tell one way of the other.
I do have to really stay on top of exercising though. There have been several medical studies done that have shown that regular exercise can give the same benefits – sometimes even better benefits – than using anti-depressants. I tend to walk and hike so much anyway that my right knee sometimes gets a little sore. So I have to do the pilates mat exercises on days when it’s acting up. I just don’t want to backslide, and I really don’t want this blog to turn into a daily examination of The Moods of Sandra. That would be really boring.
Best of luck. Hiking is a good outlit for thinking as well as exercise. I know it helps me out.
Went through this with the ex-wife. After years on Paxil, she decided to quit taking it. The first month went by just fine; an improvement if anything. Second month was OK too. Third month, well, she was a little wonky sometimes, but hey, who isn’t? Round about the fourth or fifth month, I walked into the house and she was naked in the bedroom, sobbing hysterically, holding my loaded .44 Magnum to her head.
Yeah, that worked out real well. Just a cautionary note, and a warning that sometimes you’re the LAST one to notice any changes.
That said, I hope you’re one of the very small minority who can stop taking anti-depressants and be OK. Just don’t keep any loaded guns around the house . . .
that perfect body is the result of lots of work I bet!. Keep up the good work and reward yourself once in a while.
Thanks Lou and PF! I love to walk and would do it for hours every day if I had the time and the strength in my knees, but it does make a big difference…And yeah, getting tied up so much is a nice reward too ;-)
Sorry for the delay, Misty, on your comment. It got held up by accident in the spam queue.
I pray that your wife made it through that incident and didn’t actually shoot herself. And yes, if my doctor and I decided I needed to go back on the meds I would be open to it. I wouldn’t be thrilled but I would do it if it was the thing to do. Thankfully I have close friends and neighbors who know all about my “secrets,” so there are plenty of people to talk to and ask if things are okay if I seem withdrawn.
And no, I would never own a gun for that very reason. Even with prozac every month or so I’ll often have one of those dark nights where the thoughts get pretty despairing. It’s amazing how powerful ones moods can be. I’ve felt that so many times that thankfully I know that getting some sleep and exercise will usually do the trick and things will be okay before too long.
Yes, Sandra, she did survive, but she did have to spend a few days in a place where people in white coats kept a very close eye on her.
As for the delay in responding . . . Hmmm . . . I think you need to be punished. Betcha I could come up with something appropriate.
I’ve got videoptape of that same ex-wife in nylons and a pair of 6″ heels – that’s all – hogtied and with a blow-up hood over her head. The knife for her to cut herself free was in plain view (well, to me it was) somewhere in the hotel suite. All she had to do was find it. Hee hee. She did pretty well, actually; it only took her a couple hours.
Better get this one up more quickly or I just might have to pack my blow-up hood and head to LA to see if you can do it any faster. :)
Hi Misty,
Glad to hear she came through okay…
Oh no, horrors – a blow up hood, rope and a knife hidden in plain site! I’ll pick you up at LAX ;-)
Hey,
I came across your blog and noticed this entry. It’s a shame such a good looking person as yourself suffers from depression.
I’m from the UK and have been on Prozac too (and also Seroxat) and am slowly having my dosage reduced with plans to come off the meds completely.
Taking up vigorous exercise seems like a really good idea.
I know what you mean about the dark moods, but judging from what you’ve said here, you seem a really strong person and very focused. It’s quite admirable really!
If you ever want to chat, drop me an email: boy_in_eyeliner@yahoo.co.uk