Posted by fallsfall on September 20, 2003, at 18:18:35
In reply to About to start medication--help? Thank you., posted by Emmaley on September 19, 2003, at 18:09:56
Emmaley,
Until 9 years ago I took almost no medication (I usually wouldn't even take Tylenol for a headache). Then came the depression. So I understand why you are scared.
It has helped me to see that I have an illness. There are medications that are available to treat that illness. This is no different from having Strep and taking an antibiotic, or needing insulin for Diabetes. You would take those medications for those illnesses (I assume).
Actually, there are a couple of differences. First, the chances that the first antibiotic chosen will cure your Strep is pretty good - but not 100%. You may have to take it for twice as long, or try a second antibiotic before every thing is cured. With Psychiatric drugs, the chance that the first one tried will work is lower than with many other illnesses. So the chances that you will have to try 2 or 3 before one works is higher. I think that it helps to know this so you don't get too frustrated.
Second. The antibiotic will make you feel better in 24 hours. Most(?) antidepressants take 4 or 6 or 8 weeks to work. Many times you can see signs of improvement before then. This means that if you have to try 3 antidepressants, and you try each for 8 weeks, it will be 24 weeks before you have the full benefit of the drug. I think, for me, that this is one of the hardest things to deal with. It is really hard to take something for 8 weeks and then decide it doesn't work. You can ask your doctor how long it will be before you have the full benefit of the drug - so you can set your expectations.
Third, there are side effects for all drugs. Some people take psychiatric drugs and have no problem at all. For some, the side effects are enough for them to stop taking the drug. I'm not sure that psychiatric drugs have MORE side effects (I have no data on that subject). I do know that when you are depressed, everything bad that happens to you is amplified, so I think that we may have less tolerance than some other populations to side effects.
I have been comfortable with my med use because I believe that I have an illness that can be helped by medication. I also believe that the quality of my life (such as it is) is better with the medication than it would be without. [My sister also has depression, and she does not take any medication - just therapy. That is her choice.]
Your doctor will choose particular meds based on your diagnosis, symptoms, his/her success with the various medications, your medical history etc. You could surely ask why s/he thinks that the med chosen is the best one for you to try.
Psychiatric meds can work really well. Here's hoping you find a good one on the first try!
poster:fallsfall
thread:261699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030917/msgs/262013.html