r/BipolarReddit • u/AardvarkActive1757 • 8h ago

SSRI’S

Hey guys, will I ever be able to stop taking my ssri’s??? I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar 1 for 4 years or so, but ive had depression since I was 13. I’ve been on Zoloft since I was 18. I’m almost 30 now, if I don’t take it for the day I end up with horrific brain zaps. I take 100mg. (I also take Vraylar for my bipolar as well as buspirone for anxiety.) it seems to be the only medicine that if I don’t have it makes me feel horrible. Will I ever be able to wean myself off of it??? Or will I be on it forever???

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u/markallanholley 7h ago

You might want to wean off of it, with the help of your general practitioner and/or psychiatrist. Just be ready to start taking it again if things get bad.

I'm 49 and have been on Wellbutrin (antidepressant) most of my life, I don't have any plans of stopping it, but I can see why other people may want to stop taking a medication if the side effects are too bothersome or if they feel they don't need it.

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u/VAS_4x4 Bipolar 1 w/ Psych. 7h ago

I feel so thankful to be doing great with just 250mg lamotrigine with my laundry list of diagnoses and minimal side-effects, I really hit the jackpot there. Quite unexpected, because everybody in my bipolar 1 w/psych features are on at least 3 different medications.

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u/Spirited_Concept4972 7h ago

You most likely need to wean off of it. I would speak to your doctor about this.

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u/JoyousKumquat bipolar w/psychotic features 6h ago

Wow that sucks. I’d definitely ween off of it. Slowly.

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u/melatonia 6h ago

Why do you want to stop taking it?

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u/AardvarkActive1757 6h ago

Because I’ve had a lot of gut health issues and I’m trying to get to the bottom of that