How do you handle being taken off your medications cold turkey? I've had a really bad month.

CSM Richard Welsch — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 11:07:14 -0400

That being said,they took me off my antidepressant Cold turkey.Iv been feeling the side effects and I can't take this feeling anymore.Im better off staying in my house for another 5 days until I see her because I have been very salty and angry for no reason.All I think about is all the guns the military let me use but did not let me keep and I miss them.I understand now why 22 vets take their own life's.With the VA knowing take me off a SSRI with nothing to replace it makes me feel like I'm being set up for To fail.I called the VA explain menstruation last week I was told my Dr won't be in for another week and that's when I have explained how I been feeling then but since then it only got worse.I want to make the Dr feel my stress and pain she mad me feel.I know I'm another 4 days I will have the results and the medicine but when I called last week in distress I was told if I'm not able to handle it, go to the hospital.Great advice so they can use me like a lab rat and tired of the system and IF I had to live the way feel I'd rather deploy as a PMC and take my chances without of fear of death.If anyone does respond to me and I don't get back to you right away it's because I'm sleeping.Thats the only time I feel peace..

Thanks all

Rich

Response by SGM Barry Kindred made Sep 24 at 2016 11:24 AM

SGM Barry Kindred — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 11:24:02 -0400

Rich, you aren't a lab rat. Don't wait! You can't cold turkey those meds. I know!
Get some help now please.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Sep 24 at 2016 11:28 AM

Col Dona Marie Iversen — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 11:28:37 -0400

Take one minute, take one hour at a time. Slow deep breaths. Long hot baths. This is not a scientific approach simply comfort measures. I would visit an ED or call the docs explain the immediate withdrawal of meds is not an approach that is of value. for you. Many meds can be discounted cold turkey, these are not in that category. Message me if you want to talk live. You have more support then you realize here on RP. You can do this successfully!

Response by LTC Stephen Kubiszewski made Sep 24 at 2016 12:10 PM

LTC Stephen Kubiszewski — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 12:10:19 -0400

Take care of yourself as cold turkey withdrawal particularly of antidepressants taken over a long time is not easy.
Since retirement, I have been a part of the only retiree peer support in a a military hospital that I know of. Face to face, eye to eye contact is key. Contact nearby friends. Dona's comments below are very good and what I TRY to do daily.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Sep 24 at 2016 12:15 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 12:15:44 -0400

Can't believe a medical doctor would do such a thing as that without a thorough work-up and consultation with everyone around, including yrself. I am on a maintenance dose of Prozac and have been for years. Every time I stop it to see how i really feel, in about 2 weeks I am making preparations to kill myself, so just stopping is not a good idea for me. Would be they wean you off the hard stuff and see how you react. Lots of good offers to talk and listen here on RP. Some folks are very experienced to give advice based on personal or medical training.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Sep 24 at 2016 3:23 PM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 15:23:43 -0400

You are NEVER supposed to quit these drugs cold turkey. Please contact the VA or another doctor, take someone with you and get a prescription for a lower dose. Whoever took you off of these cold turkey needs to have their license suspended and reviewed. It is well known that quitting antidepressants cold turkey is harmful and can be fatal. Once you are back on your mess and feel balanced you should report this "Doctor" to the Patient advocate and make sure to follow up on what actions were taken.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Sep 24 at 2016 3:37 PM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 15:37:32 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs do you know anyone that could help CSM Richard Welsch With this situation?

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Sep 24 at 2016 5:40 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 17:40:11 -0400

THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO TAKE YOU OFF IT SLOWLY AND IF THEY DID THAT TO ME I WOULD BE SAYING SOMETHING TO SOMEONE!! AND SEE WHERE THAT WOULD BE DOING NEXT.

Response by SGT Shawn Volkmann made Sep 24 at 2016 6:32 PM

SGT Shawn Volkmann — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 18:32:10 -0400

You should have been tapered off your medication with smaller more infrequent doses. Its a bit unsafe to your health and well being to be put off cold turkey, not to mention shows a lack of concern from the doctor.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Sep 24 at 2016 8:08 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 20:08:40 -0400

NEVER go cold turkey for AD's! High incidents of suicide. Contact me for some suggestions and GET BACK the AD's so they can bring you down off slowly and safely.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 25 at 2016 10:30 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 10:30:51 -0400

CSM Richard Welsch Please reach out to me or @Kim Bolen through the message capabilities when you get this post. Please connect with Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM and let's discuss some alternatives together - thanks Rich!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 25 at 2016 12:38 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 12:38:16 -0400

RP Members and Connection - UPDATE ON THIS POST - I'VE CONTACTED RICH AND HE'S IS DOING OKAY. HE HAD A BAD DAY AND IS SLEEPING IT OFF - WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT THROUGH MESSAGES AND HE WANTED ME TO UPDATE YOU ALL - HE'LL TRY TO RESPOND BACK TO YOUR POST LATER AFTE HE IS FEELING BETTER - THANKS!

Response by LTC Sonya Friday made Sep 25 at 2016 1:56 PM

LTC Sonya Friday — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 13:56:35 -0400

Totally concur with SGM Kindred, they should have NEVER taken you off of your meds cold turkey. Immediately seek medical help, contact your provider first thing tomorrow morning in person. I'm so sorry that you're going through this but if you need any assistance don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'll do what I can, even if its making phone calls on your behalf. Hang in there brother we will get through this.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Sep 25 at 2016 2:10 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 14:10:20 -0400

Getting off antidepressants cold turkey is difficult. When I got off antidepressants it took me three pills in a period of 15 days. That was painful enough.
There were a few recommendations by other on this thread to find someone to be with during that period. Human contact is powerful.

Response by 1SG James Lampe made Sep 25 at 2016 3:00 PM

1SG James Lampe — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 15:00:27 -0400

Recognizing that you're having issues and reaching out is a step in the right direction. I've been exactly where you are, and chose to use my Tricare benefits to pursue the medical treatment that the VA can't or won't provide. It was the best choice I've made lately. There has been a lot of great feedback from others here, and I hope some of not all has been helpful. Your not alone. There is always the option of going to the nearest ER as well. I'm sure you'll get the help you need then and there based on the things you've described that you are dealing with.
Once you are stable, I highly suggest that you call the Patient Advocate and report your experience. Hopefully burping that you'll prevent anotherVeteran from having to deal with the same despicable experience. I wish you the best.

Response by MSG Fred Villines made Sep 25 at 2016 8:20 PM

MSG Fred Villines — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 20:20:31 -0400

Cold turkey? There is no depression medication that this is ever indicated for unless it has become more dangerous for you because of the side effects. If it was an expired prescription issue, you have joined one of the fastest growing groups of Vets. There seems to be no followup on prescription coverage and no accountability for the failure to fix this. Meanwhille: They should have provided a temporary or short term prescription or put you on another less harmful medication that you could get immediately through a pharmacy. You need to call the national mental health helpline and get help. The provider that removed you in this manner should be fired, stripped of license, and run out of town.