Are there any medications.....

I take far too many as it is since I had my aortic dissection. I'd like to get rid of a few. Reminds me, I haven't taken the 5 I should have had already today........

That's such a personal decision. There was a time in my life when I felt like that, but I didn't go down the anti-d path. I'm only saying it was the right decision for me as like you I felt it a weakness and besides who wants to try and explain it all to a busy GP.

But if it's only anti opinions that are putting you off and you really feel the need then that's what must be done.

Anti-d's have a bad press, you wouldn't feel the same if you had, say, an infection (presumably) though some feel that is a personal "weakness". My sister has had enduring mental health problems and is alive & well & happy, mostly, because of the drugs. Many others only need them for a short period(s) in their lives. Lots of other 'talking' therapies around these days too, available on the NHS, not heavy, baring-all as in days of yore. Talk to you GP if this is a personal dilemma!

I took anti-depressants for a while after a bereavement and they worked well. It was a very low dose but gave me just that little lift to enable me to get on with life. I'm just getting through my first winter without them, and doing o k.

I am on a low dose of Seratonin (Lustral) My GP offered these to me as I had been though the talking therapy and CBT 'classes' to no avail. I find these have helped me to feel 'normal' again. I have a telephone consultation with him on Monday - probably to see if I want to slowly come off them. There is no stigma these days re anti-ds. If you feel you may need some help to get through a situation then speak to you GP.

I was looking forward to having HRT and thought it would be the answer to all my problems. So many people swore by it, I thought. But when I asked I was told to go away and think about it because the GP thought I didn't need it yet. I kept putting off going back and then it was too late, the whole thing was over and done with without any problems!

Same here; I used to joke that I'd get old, start taking HRT and get younger again. Then, when I reached the magic age, HRT was suddenly dangerous to take [or, as my doctor said when I mentioned it 'so you want to die then ?'] All the people I know that have been taking it for years and refuse to stop look at least 10 years younger than they are. It's like making a pact with the devil with the elixir of youth....to hell with botox, just gimme the pills....

Well done culag.

No. I don't think depression is down to weakness at all. Just meant as a general question to all) I have taken 20 mgs fluoxetine for about five years. Am having a little go now at coming off them. But I won't worry too much if I can't.

Now my 10 mgs of Omeprazole I definitely can't do without!

jingle ...likewise.

I came off three of my tablets, the diuretic, aspirin and Lansoprazole and have not suffered as a result. I was getting a lot of bruising which I put down to aspirin. I was concerned that stopping the ppi might lead to tummy problems again but I actually feel much better and having acid in my stomach seems to have stopped all the tummy bugs I was getting. My aunt lived to 97 without taking any medication but she did die after a stroke.