April 27th, 2009
Brain Drugs
UPDATE, May 5
Hey kids! I’m scrambling to meet some big deadlines so the comic will be late this week. Sorry :(
I will be at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival and reading for the Comics Books Are Totally Gay event this weekend. For more information, check out my appearances page.
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Original Post
I’m already onto my second-ish week of Operation Get Off Brain Drugs and so far it’s just been makin’ me poop funny. Oh, and I guess I’m a bit more jittery and anxious, but nothing too bad. ::twitch::
April 28th, 2009 at 2:01 am
I took myself off my anti-ds last August. I was on 30mg of Citalopram and I started going for as long as I could (before I got too withdrawly) on the 30s, then took myself down to 20 doing the same, going for as long as I could without feeling too terrible and then down to ten until I could come off them without too much trouble at all.
April 28th, 2009 at 2:54 am
When I go off my anti-depressants, my eyes start feeling weird. Every damn time they move! It’s like a surge going into my head.
Good luck! (I’ll just assume if the comic ceases to update that you’ve been committed or died in an epic shootout).
April 28th, 2009 at 3:44 am
Meditation?
April 28th, 2009 at 4:06 am
I don’t know what you are on, but I’m on paxil, which I can get a generic for for $4. You might also want to look into seeing if there are any clinics that are on a sliding scale in terms of payment.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Well, if you ever have a Bad Day, you can come back and read this: your comic makes me snerk milk out my nose, its super awesome! one of my favourite webcomics. From weekly posts, i have gleaned that you must certainly be a similarly awesome person. also, the beauty of the internet lets me see a number of photo shoots you have done (flour? bird mask?) and this seems really creepy to acknowledge…. anyway, point, you are sexy. that is all. is that too creepy? great, now i feel like a freak.
April 28th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Hey, found this through webcomicsnation a few weeks back and have read through several years of your life in one, maybe two sittings. It was weird. I never expected to be able to read a commentary into a person’s life through comics. It’s different. Definatly different.
My lecturer told us today never to say “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like”. So instead I’ll say, I’ve only come recently to webcomics – and comics in general – in the last year, but I’ve seen a whole load of different styles in that short space of time. Often even the style of the comic will put me off (as I’m sure it does for a lot of people) but sometimes it’s the story arc (or strip plots, whether existant or nonexistant). And I’m pleased to say that I love both in your comic.
I know this means that I should be buying something or at least donating, and I will, as soon as I’ve cleared off the over-the-topness of my balance in my credit card. But mostly, as someone who does artistic things at times myself, I know how much the artist craves feedback. And stuff.
So, if you can pick out the feedback amoungst the ramblings in this, well done.
And I totally agree – and my bf does too – on the necessity of sex toys in a relationship!
(Is this too long for a comment?)
April 28th, 2009 at 6:13 am
Oh, and good luck with the medication-free life as well!! :)
April 28th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Why the towel all of the sudden?
April 28th, 2009 at 8:01 am
I poop funny all the time, so yeah, it could definitely be worse. My brother had airplane hallucinations when he went off his anti-depressants last year.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:50 am
If you smell lavender it makes you feel happy. So whenever you poop, wash your hands with lavender soap!
April 28th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Well, at least he’s being realistic.
(hem, ahem, you forgot an A in “withdrawal”)
April 28th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Awww~! Now that’s true love~<3
April 28th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I weaned myself off of Efexor over a six week period and it was hell. I couldn’t sleep, I was having vision and dizziness problems, and worst of all, I became temporarily lactose intolerant. But it was totally worth it.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Good luck! I believe in you! *hugs–which on the internet are hopefully not creepy?*
I’m going to go along the vein of Nicowa and say that I really love this comic too! It’s so delightfully funny and sweet and I think you are a bright, brilliant person (something that shows in these comics!!)!
It’s definitely inspired me to try and do the same, although now my only problem is trying to draw myself in comics without obsessing over how it looks. Any advice? :)
April 28th, 2009 at 10:44 am
As someone who has been on and off of anti-depressants several times, I feel obliged to give a word of caution. If your meds are doing what they should, your emotional state should behave normally. You feel good when things go well and when things suck you feel a down then move on without getting genuinely depressed. The only thing that you really notice are the side effects, which are at best annoying and at worst infuriating. For myself, when I’m off things go just fine until the stress starts piling on or things go to hell in general.
As to the sex drive…. A few years back me and my girlfriend at the time both went off anti-depressants at about the same time. Yeah, definitely got a few messages from friends wondering if I had moved or something.
April 28th, 2009 at 10:47 am
You can do it! :D *bright, cheering, rainbow unicorn swirls or happiness*
April 28th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I’m in the same boat, only unemployed rather than freelance. I’m on my last four pills of Celexa and NOT looking forward to the withdrawl at all. I’ve been cutting my pills, trying to skip days, but the side effects (restlessness, insomnia, “brain shocks” which are impossible to describe properly) are already starting. Sigh.
Good luck, Erika. Keep us posted on your progress!
April 28th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Antidepressant withdrawl makes my eyeballs feel weird too! I’m glad I’m not the only one, it’s such a bizarre side effect.
And good luck Erika, I hope the withdrawl bullshit isn’t too bad.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Man, ya’ll are ALways naked!
April 28th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I’d recommend having whoever prescribed them in the first place walk you through going off of them. Your headmeats are the only ones you have, after all. I’ve done the self-demedication twice, and it was a bad idea to do unsupervised both times.
April 28th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hi Erika,
Just wanted to say that it was swell meeting you at Stumptown (it’s ok if you don’t remember; your table was swamped by DAR fans!). I’m glad I got addicted to your comics via Ms. Knisley; they serve as my weekly reminder to be a little more naked and to cherish every fart.
I loved the collection; it’s so satisfying to read your comics on paper; I look forward to the next one!!
Good luck kicking the anti-depressants, and have fun with the crazy poops. I do love the crazy poops (as long as they’re not of the explosive variety…).
Cheers,
Maris
April 28th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Man, I’m on 40mg of citalopram and I can’t imagine even beginning to wean myself off. I’m also on wellbutrin and trazadone. What? You mean prescription meds aren’t a major food group?
April 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Matt *totally* looks like Russell T Davies here, especially in the third panel :D The resemblance is not so striking in real life, but still…
April 28th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I hope it works out for you! I’m on Paxil for anxiety, and the generic form is pretty darned cheap.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get off of it — most everyone on my mother’s side of my family suffers from over-the-top anxiousness — I’m the only one who’s actually *doing* something about it; the rest just consider it ‘the family curse’ and suffer through it (and make everyone around them suffer through it).
April 28th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Mmk so I’ve been a huge fan of yours for years, and I decided to finally come out of the proverbial fan closet. When I started reading your comics, it was around the time of girlfriends in college and I was going through the exact same girl loving confusion. Then you got the man meat and I got one too and went through the same man loving but still girl loving confusion (I still call myself a lesbian). I too have an awkward fashion sense that I keep thinking I should improve but I’m too lazy and comfortable. I love origami stars and can’t stop picking my face. Your comics have been there with me every step of the way, and I can’t tell you how much I love them. If it weren’t for the fact that I’m marrying my Mr. this friday and just moving into a new apartment making me flat broke, I’d most definitely be buying your book right now.
I’ve been off anti-depressants for one year and eight months now. I was on them five years prior, and the weight of those years all came crashing in at once. Luckily, I have an awesome Mr. to help me out and I think yours will do the same. If things ever get too hard, just remember how much your comic has helped me be more comfortable in my own skin and how much it makes everyone smile. Kudos, my dear.
P.S. you’re cute!
April 29th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Be very careful. Being in a better place is probably partially BECAUSE of the anti-depressants. It’s hard to notice when you’re on them, or if you wean off of them slowly, but there’s often a big difference which you can’t see except in hindsight.
April 29th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Have you ever tried fish oil? It works the same as anti-depressants without any of the nasty side effects. I use Finest Natural brand. Make sure you take it with food though or else it’ll upset your stomach and give you fishy burps.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Hey,
Depending on which antidepressants you are on and your dosage amount – you should really consult your doctor about the weaning off? I do know a lot of people who have weaned themselves off medications but it may be against the best advice of your doctor.
Medications should be given in combination with counselling/therapeutic support so if you have not received this then I have no idea why you were on the brain drugs to begin with.
For the people I support I always recommend that they consult a medical professional about weaning off anti depressants so that the side effects can be monitored carefully. You may have an unexpected adverse reaction and your doctor needs to be aware of all of this.
Coming off anti depressants is a big step and it is one I would talk through with a psychiatrist first.
Good luck!
HCR
April 29th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
My other comment is gone :(
April 30th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Congratulations and good luck!!!
April 30th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Hey,
I’ve been reading your comics about a year now, and as a hair puller, I found any of your comics relating to obsessive-compulsive behaviors inspiring and easily related to.
I weaned myself off Prozac about a year ago after taking it since 8th grade. I’m now 20 years old, and I can say that getting off “brain drugs” is one of the best things I could have done for myself. I stopped pulling my hair, except whenever I have an episode, and quit biting my nails and have generally become a more motivated and happy person.
I hope you have the same success that I did.
And also, it’s helpful to have a therapist or a counselor or something. A husband can do that pretty well, I’m guessing.
I wish you luck,
Becks.
P.S. Your sex drive will go crazy. Completely insane actually. Mine went through the roof. Enjoy it.
May 1st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I stopped taking them as well last August for about the same reasons. I was going to try waning off them but I did it cold turkey (more from laziness than actual intention. I still have little half pills, which are great for those days when you are just feeling off…. I also stopped by my sex-drive was dwindling, so stopping helped my sex-life (thank GOD!!!)
May 1st, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Good luck, and take it slooooow. You’ll need a strategy for coping with really bad days. My depression’s only once been serious enough to need meds, so I’m not really in a place to advise from my experience. However in case it helps, I’ve more-or-less learned to spot when I’m entering a downswing, acknowlege that I’m going to be hating myself and everything else for a week or two, and (the tricky bit) remember that I will come out of it at some point.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I was wondering if you still did any of those live webcam comic sessions or did they finally get to ya? heh
Just wanted to know since I like watching any artist, vocal(I do voice overs heh) or non, and their craft. I always envied you artists and your ability to draw all the amazing things you do. heh
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Good luck! I’ve tried to do the same for the past few years but it’s a bit difficult. It’s definitely motivation to know that other people are able to handle weaning off :)
May 4th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Psychiatric drugs are tricky. I’ve only been on them (in various combinations) for about a year, and even in that times they’ve had ups and downs: they’ve gotten me through rough times, and then in other circumstances and other combinations, they’ve messed me up intensely. Good luck with going clean!
May 8th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Good luck!, but PLEASE excercise care and caution, listen to the concerns of those around you for whom you care.
May 9th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I just got home after seeing you at Comic Books Are Totally Gay. You were awesome. Even though I’ve read all your comics you gave all the ones you read a new life.
May 10th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Saw you last night at the Comics Are So Gay reading – my partner picked up your book today – FANTASTIC stuff… you’ve definitely got a hooked reader here…
May 11th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Hey -I’m the curly haired gal who bought a comic from you at the TAS. I’m sure someone must have told you already, but if they haven’t and you’re still in town, you should check out the Toronto Women’s Bookstore and make sure they have your comic. They would love it there and so would their custys. They’re at 81 Harbord Street. P.S. I’m not selling your comic on ebay ^_^
May 16th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I’ve been there!
Hey Erika, I bought your book at TCAF, just wanted to say that I love your work! New reader! Score!
May 20th, 2009 at 1:04 am
woo! it’s been a couple months since I weaned myself off my anti-depressants, and I still feel pretty good. I didn’t tell anybody I wasn’t taking them anymore because I was afraid they’d all say the only reason I was feeling so good, like I didn’t need the meds, was because that’s how the meds are supposed to make me feel.
May 22nd, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Emily, We had just gotten out of the shower. We hang out naked a lot, but we do so after having dried off ;)
Sulagna, I try to keep my avatar really simple and cartoony so that readers can relate to it better. The more specific and detailed a design is, the less a reader will generally feel a connection to it. I dunno, just draw a bunch and find out what feels right :)
Maris, hey! It was great to meet you too! You’re awesome!
Cait, Aw man, what a great comment! Jeez, thank you <:) Your comment didn’t show up at first because they go into a waitlist that I have to approve before they’re public and it can take me a while to get around to it.
Jake, Yeah, I just got too busy and tired to do them weekly /:) I’ll prolly do one every now and again, on special occasions.
Austin, Scott, Lola and Jaybo:
Aw jeez!! Thanks so much for coming out to the reading :D I was so stupidly nervous but it went over way better than I could have hoped for.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Best off luck with the weaning. I’ve tried that on a number of occasions, most recently about a year ago at my doc’s suggestion. After a few months she concluded I was better off with them than without, and I didn’t argue. It can be a very gradual slide back into what I’ve come to know as The Pit, and often I don’t notice the slippage until I’m in it pretty deep, sort of like the lobster being boiled or whatever that analogy is.
Boo, I’m gonna miss the Olympia Comics fest. I’ll keep an eye out for another of your local or semi-local to SeaTown appearances, though. :)
May 27th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Oh, I meant to mention — I notice above that Matt has six fingers on his left hand. He’s not hiding from Mandy Patinkin, is he? :)
June 26th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
just my humble opinion, but I figure that should be a decision that should be made by a qualified physician…
July 4th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Zomg, I JUST realised you have a full head of hair. ^^; I’ssa slow.
Found your comic through Devil’s Panties and read it all in one day~!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Matt is the best husband EVER.
November 14th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
This is a few months down the road from when this was published, I stumbled upon your ‘Tea Jar’ strip and have spent the last however long it’s been going thru from the first. I love the comic, I lol so much.
I wanted to write and say that I’ve been off of SSRIs for about a year now, I was on the maximum dose (60mg) Citalopram for about 5 years..
I wanted to link you to a journal entry of mine I wrote at the beginning of this year because it sums up what I would say to people if they asked my advice on when they should come off of brain drugs. I notice that these comments are moderated before they ‘go live’ & i have no problem with this link appearing on the site, but also if you wanted to keep this comment just for you that’s also cool. I love the comic, keep it up!
http://goddesssnoweh.livejournal.com/215284.html
November 14th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Oh, & Matt’s right about the sex drive thing ;)