Posted by jay on June 25, 2002, at 2:32:23
In reply to End of my tether? General med questions (long-ish), posted by kreedi on June 24, 2002, at 8:19:25
Hey Jay..it's...well..Jay here too! lol..
Regarding being at 'the end of your tether', I honestly believe that is what so many of us feel, even after good trials with certain meds. But, that 'doesn't' lessen or disqualify your pain.
A message of 'hope' I seem to read alot of on this board, is that it often takes a bizzare, unconventional, sometimes off-label approach when it comes to our medications. Some folks are put off with 'polypharmacy', but that may be what it takes to hit back at your depression/anxiety. Depending on your condition, and it is usually trial and error, often an antidepressant (sometimes two from different classes..ie tricyclic/sri), combined with either/or a benzodiazepine, as well as both anticonvulsants and atypical antipsychotics (and there are quite a few of each..it will take a bit of time..plus there are many other meds in a class on their own..like Lithium..Buspar..) in a combo can hammer down many of your symptoms, so you can enjoy getting on with your life.
I know the above may sound scarry, but the *relief* that certain combo brings can make you wonder why you didn't seek help earlier. And yes, it does take a bit of time to let the medications set themselves into your body and system.
Also, just another important point...stopping a medication that was helpful for you is not a good idea. Relapse increases greatly when we stop a med that is helping. You may have to very well look at this as a long-term thing, and yes there *may* be some risk, but there is much more risk you living suicidal and unmedicated. Somebody on this board had a great saying they got from their doctor...that "..living unmedicated has side-effects, as well as living medicated". (Or something like that.)
Anyhow...just a perspective from a long-time, medicated, person with major depression and anxiety disorder for life.
I welcome your questions and any comments..and I think many on here have a lot to offer you, esp in support.
Best wishes...
Jay
poster:jay
thread:110602
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020617/msgs/110677.html