Quitting anti-depressants

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, one month before my 50th birthday.  I had a tendency toward depression since I was around 30.  I tried zoloft for a brief period in 1993 and did not like it.  It seemed like I was feeling worse taking it so I quit on my own.  Then, in 2001, when I was diagnosed with MS, I whacked out and the doctor prescribed Remeron while I was in the hospital and continued taking it for a couple months but again I didn't like it.  I really didn't like the idea that I had to take anti-depressants anyway, but the Remeron didn't help so I quit.  My MS was still there although I was going into remission and I was still depressed, having a hard time being sociable and suffering with anxiety.  I also fealt that anxiety had a more detrimental effect on me than depression.  I needed help again so I was prescribed Effexor.  While taking it my MS was well into it's remission phase, which elated me, my depression was gone and the anxiety was greatly curbed.  So after about a year of Effexor, I decided it had served it's purpose and I stopped taking it, not because I didn't like it, but because I fealt I didn't need it anymore.  So then about a year later(2004) the MS had a severe relapse and I was back in the dumps with the depression and anxiety only this time it was worse because the MS was so severe.  I had some Effexor left from my last bout so I started taking it but it wasn't helping. The anxiety was unbearable so I went back to the counseling and continued the Effexor, but it wasn't helping at all.  The nurse suggested I try Cymbalta so I did for about a year and still no help.  My MS was the same with no remission in sight and I was miserable.  The anxiety was especially bad.  So, on my own I quit.  Immediately after I quit I suffered with ringing in my ears , especially at night when I was trying to sleep.  All I had to do was look to my left or right while I was laying down and I would get this pulse of ringing in my ears.  But after about a month of quitting the ringing went away.  I believe it was the Cymbalta that caused the ringing.  Anyway, the anxiety was diminishing as was the depression.  I made up my mind that no one was going to cause me to go into depression.  My MS is the same to this day with no remission in sight.  I'm still able to walk (barely) and drive and I have to use a cane.  I'm probably going to get a rollator (walker) here soon.  Even though the MS is a trying thing, I have no depression or anxiety and this is without taking anti-depressants.

My unprofessional opinion: don't take anti-depressants.  For me, they made anxieties worse.

The combination of my faith and the acceptance of my disease has healed me of depression and anxiety.

Just wanted to share that with you because I know, firsthand, what it's like to suffer with depression and anxiety.

James

James,  I agree with you 100 percent.  Antidepressants only mask your problems and cause some serious medical problems as well.  God can help us deal with our problems.  However, I do think there are some conditions where medications are warranted such as bipolar disorder.  Some people need the medications to function because of chemical imbalance and they should take the medicines as prescribed.