How long is too long on the same meds? 13 years?

[frustrated317]

I am a 42 married mother of 3 very active kids.  i started taking Zoloft 13 years ago after 2nd child for PPD 50 mg.  Gradually over the years increased and take 150 mg  of Zoloft plus 300 mg Wellbrutin daily with Klonopin on a as needed basis (which lately is daily).  Have participated in counseling off and on for serveral years as well.  Now and for the past few years I have been experiences anger outbursts (which I am constantly told is overreacting to to small of situation). I was recently even called on the carpet by my boss in the last two months about "justified anger" in situations and if that really does exist.  I swing ups and downs days at a time and I am so tired of it. I feel like I am hurting my family with my outbursts, blahs and tiredness.  The last two days I am just "annoyed" with everyone and don't know why or how to explain it.  My husband has been over supportive of my our 19 years of marriage but I am now tired of who I am.  I feel I should look into changing my medications etc. GP is on my case to loose wait and get my cholesteral down more.  In addition to Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Klonopin I take Pravachol and Rantidine.    Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.  I have tried in the past to come off the Zoloft but I felt like I was so rock bottom that is when I was placed on the Wellbutrin along with the Zoloft.  Thanks

[Melmac60]

I feel where you are coming from.  I've been on Paxil for 9 years... most of my adolescent life.  I'm now 23 and just weaned totally off of them.  Like you, I had mood swings towards family and my boyfriend and I didn't like what I was feeling. I chaulked it up to being on the Paxil for too long. I originally intended on switching from Paxil to Effectzar (spelling?) but I'm gonna try and work things out without anything as I have been feeling ok so far.
    I've also tried talking to several different people about it, but I quickly found out that it just wasn't for me so I know where your coming from with that also.
    So for now, I guess I'm going to just go with the flow......
   Good luck and hope you find what works!

[momofbipolar]

I would go see a psychiatrist, you could have bipolar due to the extreme mood swings.  Check out www.mcmanweb.com this is an excellent place to learn about the spectrum of depression and bipolar.  I have read their under some of the depressions that anger outburst are common for different types of depression.  You may just need to get off your medication and on to a different type of antidepressants.  I have had to change to find the right on for me.  I hear this is common.

[dps524]

do you feel like you have a good relationship with your husband and children?

[MzL]

Check around for a christian counselor, it worked for me.  Also what worked for me is reading a lot - about my "issues".

[frustrated317]

I have faced a lot of issues with years of counseling.  Stress has got to play a part in all this too!

[frustrated317]

Easier said than done.  I am not opposed to counseling - quite the opposite.  My issue is finding someone who is decent and lately I am trying to determine if a psychiatrist is something more I need that a psychologist or counselor.  I could go back to the counselor my husband and I were counseling with a few years ago for marital issues.  I didn't see her on a personal basis.   I suppose anywhere to start would be good.  

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I would strongly suggest that you do some serious counseling. The medications have serve a purpose of suppressing things that are bothering you about your life or yourself, but now you should be facing and resolving them rather than looking for a medication fix.