Anti-depressant withdrawal?

I have been on escitalopram since 13th June. I have encountered a problem (see my other posts about "ileostomy") in that I think they are causing diarrhoea, i.e my bag leaks a lot. My GP has told me to cut them in half and then possibly stop them. I've been on antidepressants since Dec 1999 (not including 6 weeks before that taking prozac, which did nothing) and am worried about stopping them altogether. Does anyone have any experience of coming off anti-depressants? Also, if they are not addictive, why do some of them have such bad withdrawal symptoms?

Certain anti-depressants can present problems when discontinued abruptly. Your doctor appears to be attempting to wean you off of them. Is this the same doctor that prescribed them? If not,,,then you need to talk to the provider who gave you the prescription initially. Also, it appears that you are not asking your doctor enough specific questions. You must take control of your own health care and ensure that you have answers to ALL of your medical questions from your provider. Sometimes patients don't ask questions and doctor's assume that there aren't any. ........... best wishes

dont stop taking them i was prescribed effxor and i been taking since oct 06 and i went w/o my meds for 2 days and i was in bad shape.... i have a friends boyfriend and he shakes / and hes vomiting when hes off of his effxor..... dont do it or youll be sick

I am on an antidepressant, for about a year now. I don't know for how much longer, as long as I feel great, and wonderful. I hope to never get off.

But, I can imagine the withdrawal is as bad as when I first started the dizziness, headaches, feel like I had an upset stomach. But, it all subsided in about a week, maybe you just need to give it a little more time, since you have been on them for so many years. Good Luck.

Please realize if you discontinue taking them your symptoms will return. There are so many out there, your doctor should be able to find one that does not cause gastro upset.

there is total other approach you stopping it by little bits and built up an homeopathic alternative

I was taken of citalopram Friday last week suddenly after developing a rash so I wasn't eased off them. The first night was awful I was snapping at everyhting and sobbed in a featal position. After that I kept myself busy, though I have noticed that I am snappier than usual (though not that moody considering). I have noticed that I am very easily confused and fuzzy most of the day, almost as if I'm not waking up properly. I also have minor dizzy spells since coming off them really quickly.

do not stop them altogether! it can cause so many problems. you have to go to the person who gave them to you(Doctor) and have him take you off slowly
even when you do go off, don't expect not to have any side affects. it will be hard, so don't go off unless you are sure you want to.
my side affects were that i couldn't sleep at night. and when i did i had terrible nightmares that people are coming to kill me etc. so just bear in mind it will be hard.

I know firsthand all about this! Getting off can be hell but it is possible, the best thing to do it is to do it under Dr. supervision and do it very slowly!
Try this site, so many info on this subject and you can get lots of good answers!

yes wean off them slowly, they will cause nervousness, head twangs, dizziness and so on.

you are taking a mood elevator you need to withdraw slowly..it is mind altering

Sounds like your GP should not be in charge of your antidepressants. Maybe you should still be on some. A psychiatrist will be able to tell you this for sure and help with withdrawing from or changing to another antidepressant. They have the experience and knowledge about these medications above and beyond your GP.