Did you take your meds today?

[renaeden]

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

Those are two antidepressants I haven't taken. Did they work for you?

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

Did you stop abruptly, or taper off under medical supervision? 

They actually worked for me, but I stopped abruptly, and it was not easy. I had to do it since I was asked to do so by my local church, who doesn't understand what autism was. So far, I'm still off my meds, but I resorted to smokes instead.

I would say the smokes are less healthy. That was a big sacrifice you made, I hope it is appreciated. And I guess you know the first place now that needs a bit of autism advocacy. Your church! As for stopping abruptly, I don't know how you managed, I once came off an antidepressant rapidly under medical supervision and that was bad enough.

["couldbecousin"]

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

Those are two antidepressants I haven't taken. Did they work for you?

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

 Did you stop abruptly, or taper off under medical supervision? 

They actually worked for me, but I stopped abruptly, and it was not easy. I had to do it since I was asked to do so by my local church, who doesn't understand what autism was. So far, I'm still off my meds, but I resorted to smokes instead.

 I'm sorry you felt pressured to quit taking meds that helped you because of a church that
 doesn't understand why you take them in the first place.  Do you still attend that church?

[DORKY CHOU]

Renaeden and Couldbecousin, I admit, that was pretty hard. I suffered a heavy withdrawal during that time, and I resorted to binging food and chain-smoking. And my meltdowns were becoming more frequent. As for my attendance, it dwindled since I quit my job over a month ago, only limiting myself to volunteering during services and small-group meetings.

[Callaway]

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

Those are two antidepressants I haven't taken. Did they work for you?

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

 Did you stop abruptly, or taper off under medical supervision? 

They actually worked for me, but I stopped abruptly, and it was not easy. I had to do it since I was asked to do so by my local church, who doesn't understand what autism was. So far, I'm still off my meds, but I resorted to smokes instead.

IMO, no church has any business asking you to stop taking medication that you are taking under a doctor's care.

What kind of church was it anyway, $cientology?

[DORKY CHOU]

Callaway, I hated that pathetic excuse for a "church" as much as you do.

But while it isn't the institution itself, it was my discipler who urged me to stop taking meds, which later proved to be hypocritical since he was on the same meds I took 6 months after I stopped.

[Callaway]

Callaway, I hated that pathetic excuse for a "church" as much as you do.

But while it isn't the institution itself, it was my discipler who urged me to stop taking meds, which later proved to be hypocritical since he was on the same meds I took 6 months after I stopped.

I hope that he sought you out and apologized to you six months later when he realized that he needed to take the same medication himself.  I also hope that the next time someone tells you to do something that doesn't feel right in your gut, that you investigate further before just obeying them.

[odeon]

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

Those are two antidepressants I haven't taken. Did they work for you?

I used to be on Zoloft and Paxil. I stopped taking them for almost a year now.

 Did you stop abruptly, or taper off under medical supervision? 

They actually worked for me, but I stopped abruptly, and it was not easy. I had to do it since I was asked to do so by my local church, who doesn't understand what autism was. So far, I'm still off my meds, but I resorted to smokes instead.

Your church forced you to stop taking your meds but cigarettes are OK?

[renaeden]

Callaway, I hated that pathetic excuse for a "church" as much as you do.

But while it isn't the institution itself, it was my discipler who urged me to stop taking meds, which later proved to be hypocritical since he was on the same meds I took 6 months after I stopped.

Heh, I wondered about Scientology as well.

Wondering if you will start your meds again and kick the smokes habit?

In other news, I have taken my morning and lunchtime meds. No positive effects from new meds, just side effects. Muscle fatigue for a few hours after I take them and periodic hands tremor.

[odeon]

"Scientology" was my first thought as well. "Fundies" was my second.

TBH, "Jenny McCarthy" was my third. It's the same kind of ignorance.

["couldbecousin"]

"Scientology" was my first thought as well. "Fundies" was my second.

TBH, "Jenny McCarthy" was my third. It's the same kind of ignorance.

 Years ago I read about a fundamentalist Christian church whose pastor counseled a
 bipolar  parishioner to quit taking her meds because according to the Bible,
 once she became "born again," she was a new creation in Christ and didn't need meds. 
 I don't remember how long she was off them or exactly what happened,
 but apparently it was a disaster.  Clergy should not try to practice medicine.
 (Unless they are also medical doctors of course.)

[odeon]

"Scientology" was my first thought as well. "Fundies" was my second.

TBH, "Jenny McCarthy" was my third. It's the same kind of ignorance.

 Years ago I read about a fundamentalist Christian church whose pastor counseled a
 bipolar  parishioner to quit taking her meds because according to the Bible,
 once she became "born again," she was a new creation in Christ and didn't need meds. 
 I don't remember how long she was off them or exactly what happened,
 but apparently it was a disaster.  Clergy should not try to practice medicine.
 (Unless they are also medical doctors of course.)

Bipolar?!? That must have gone well.

["couldbecousin"]

"Scientology" was my first thought as well. "Fundies" was my second.

TBH, "Jenny McCarthy" was my third. It's the same kind of ignorance.

 Years ago I read about a fundamentalist Christian church whose pastor counseled a
 bipolar  parishioner to quit taking her meds because according to the Bible,
 once she became "born again," she was a new creation in Christ and didn't need meds. 
 I don't remember how long she was off them or exactly what happened,
 but apparently it was a disaster.  Clergy should not try to practice medicine.
 (Unless they are also medical doctors of course.)

Bipolar?!? That must have gone well.

 Yeah, that's the impression I got.  Pastors ought to stay out of this stuff. 

[odeon]

I suppose radiation therapy is the work of the devil for these people too.

["couldbecousin"]

I suppose radiation therapy is the work of the devil for these people too.

 Well, there are fundie parents who refuse proper medical treatment for their sick kids. 

[renaeden]

I have heard of Born Again Christians being against psychiatric meds before I think. They don't seem to understand that a mental illness is still an illness, just like a physical one.