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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 18 to 42 of 106. Go back in thread:
Posted by Athena on October 1, 2000, at 22:19:49
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Dohotay, posted by Donna Murphy on September 24, 2000, at 15:11:44
Thank you thank you thank you!! I have been searching the Internet for SSRI withdrawal symptoms and after much searching, I finally found this board. And FINALLY someone has said something that I can relate to.
I am coming off of Luvox, and it is extremely difficult. I can relate to the "lag time" when you turn your head. I experience that too. It's almost as if my brain "shifts" or something, and it's very distressing. I just want it to go away.
I'm experiencing some confusion. And my dreams are incredibly vivid now...and when I wake up, sometimes I don't know where I am for a few minutes. And, of course, I extremely fatigued. It takes all my energy to do anything.
All of these withdrawal symptoms just make my decision to quit stronger. Doctors are handing these pills out like candy, implying that they are almost harmless to your brain but are essential to treat your depression. Well that just by-passes all the essential issues we all need to deal with by handing us a "happy pill." Yet we still have our issues, they haven't gone away. And now, we are on these pills that OBVIOUSLY alter our brain chemistry, and we were not warned of them. I am starting to seriously disagree with the opinion that these pills are "safe."
Besides, numerous studies have shown that exercise works just as well or even better! in treating depression. Well, thank you, I will be trying that instead. If I can EVER get these withdrawal symptoms to go away.
*sigh*
Hang in there everyone!
Athenafeel free to email me @ goofyhilson@hotmail.com
Posted by cv on October 15, 2000, at 6:59:57
In reply to Prozac - need advice, posted by kathy on May 29, 1999, at 13:27:10
I was on Prozac from Feb 2000 till Aug 2001. For 90% of that period, I was at 60mg daily. I've been off it completely for about 1.5 months now. I've been experiencing lately reoccuring nightmares in my sleep be it at night or afternoon naps. Is this a Prozac related withdrawl symptom?
Please e-mail, as I will probably never be able to find this posting spot again. zabri_us@yahoo.com
Posted by Mel on October 16, 2000, at 19:14:53
In reply to Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by cv on October 15, 2000, at 6:59:57
> I was on Prozac from Feb 2000 till Aug 2001. For 90% of that period, I was at 60mg daily. I've been off it completely for about 1.5 months now. I've been experiencing lately reoccuring nightmares in my sleep be it at night or afternoon naps. Is this a Prozac related withdrawl symptom?
> Please e-mail, as I will probably never be able to find this posting spot again. zabri_us@yahoo.com
I was on 40mg of Prozac for about 2 years and tapered
off about 3 weeks ago. I'm having horrible withdrawl
similar to what many of you here have mentioned. I feel
like I'm never going to be my old self again. By noon,
I am exhausted, nauseous, light headed and have great
difficulty focusing. Today I thought I wouldn't even
make it driving home from work. I also suffer from that
"lag" feeling and have some little "shock wave" type
feelings that go through my head and body many times
a day. The sensations are so strange and almost impossible
to describe. I feel like going back on the pills just
to feel normal again - does anyone have any suggestions
for ways to ease the withdrawl symptoms?
Thanks, Melissa
Posted by Athena on October 16, 2000, at 19:33:26
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Mel on October 16, 2000, at 19:14:53
Hey guys,
I am SO glad that my "shock wave" brain thingie is not uncommon!! It bugs me so much!, it's hard to focus. I admit that is does help to take a half a pill when i feel this brain thingie (I'm coming off of Luvox), but I suspect that soon I have to go cold turkey off of this shit to ever get it completely out of my system. (excuse my french). I am so tired of my brain having to RELY on a drug to function normally.
You say that taking the drug makes you feel better, well of course it does! Your brain is addicted to it! It needs it! Personally, I say throw all of it in the garbage. Going back on it is NOT the answer. I don't know what IS the answer, but I know that I don't want to spend the rest of my life depending on a drug's availability for my sanity.
Posted by Mary Beth on October 16, 2000, at 21:59:15
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Athena on October 16, 2000, at 19:33:26
> Hey guys,
>
> I am SO glad that my "shock wave" brain thingie is not uncommon!! It bugs me so much!, it's hard to focus. I admit that is does help to take a half a pill when i feel this brain thingie (I'm coming off of Luvox), but I suspect that soon I have to go cold turkey off of this shit to ever get it completely out of my system. (excuse my french). I am so tired of my brain having to RELY on a drug to function normally.
>
> You say that taking the drug makes you feel better, well of course it does! Your brain is addicted to it! It needs it! Personally, I say throw all of it in the garbage. Going back on it is NOT the answer. I don't know what IS the answer, but I know that I don't want to spend the rest of my life depending on a drug's availability for my sanity.
I am glad to know that others are having some of the same side effects that I thought were instead related to a recent fall out with a friend. I notice that I am slightly more sensitive in that I think possibly others are criticising me when they probably are not but I am not as likely to sit back and let others walk all over me, I am bitchy. However, I had totally lost all desire/ability for intimacy in my life.
I notice the crashing thing in my day too. Exercise does help! I am not one to exercise. I have gained about 70 pounds since I began prozac about two and a half years ago but once I exercise life seems much easier.
Does anyone know anything about the herb sam-e?
Posted by Bill L on October 17, 2000, at 7:54:53
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Mary Beth on October 16, 2000, at 21:59:15
Yes. I take SAM-e along with 20 mg Celexa and it works very well. I have been taking SAM-e for about 2 years. Up until 2 years ago I took Prozac (20 mg) for about a year but stopped because it started to be less effective. Celexa is similar to Prozac, but less activating. However, Celexa is more activating than Paxil.
If you had success against depression with Prozac but felt that you were too agitated or had other side effects, I would recommend staying with the Prozac but maybe trying a lower dose of it. Try taking 10 mg for a month or so and see if that works better. It's not good to have to rely on a drug but nothing is worse than depression.
> > Hey guys,
> >
> > I am SO glad that my "shock wave" brain thingie is not uncommon!! It bugs me so much!, it's hard to focus. I admit that is does help to take a half a pill when i feel this brain thingie (I'm coming off of Luvox), but I suspect that soon I have to go cold turkey off of this shit to ever get it completely out of my system. (excuse my french). I am so tired of my brain having to RELY on a drug to function normally.
> >
> > You say that taking the drug makes you feel better, well of course it does! Your brain is addicted to it! It needs it! Personally, I say throw all of it in the garbage. Going back on it is NOT the answer. I don't know what IS the answer, but I know that I don't want to spend the rest of my life depending on a drug's availability for my sanity.
>
>
> I am glad to know that others are having some of the same side effects that I thought were instead related to a recent fall out with a friend. I notice that I am slightly more sensitive in that I think possibly others are criticising me when they probably are not but I am not as likely to sit back and let others walk all over me, I am bitchy. However, I had totally lost all desire/ability for intimacy in my life.
> I notice the crashing thing in my day too. Exercise does help! I am not one to exercise. I have gained about 70 pounds since I began prozac about two and a half years ago but once I exercise life seems much easier.
> Does anyone know anything about the herb sam-e?
Posted by roo on October 17, 2000, at 9:05:41
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Bill L on October 17, 2000, at 7:54:53
>I've taken prozac for many years. Gone on and off
it. For those of you concerned about the sexual
side effects, and how long it takes to regain your
sex drive/sensation after going off the drug--it
takes awhile--prozac takes a long time to completely
get out of your system. Depending upon how big a
dose you took, and how long you took it for, it can
actually take a few months for it to completely
clear. For myself, it usually took about a month
and a half for it to clear. (I took 20 mg's for
years).
Posted by judith on October 18, 2000, at 11:58:13
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Mel on October 16, 2000, at 19:14:53
> > I was on Prozac from Feb 2000 till Aug 2001. For 90% of that period, I was at 60mg daily. I've been off it completely for about 1.5 months now. I've been experiencing lately reoccuring nightmares in my sleep be it at night or afternoon naps. Is this a Prozac related withdrawl symptom?
> > Please e-mail, as I will probably never be able to find this posting spot again. zabri_us@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> I was on 40mg of Prozac for about 2 years and tapered
> off about 3 weeks ago. I'm having horrible withdrawl
> similar to what many of you here have mentioned. I feel
> like I'm never going to be my old self again. By noon,
> I am exhausted, nauseous, light headed and have great
> difficulty focusing. Today I thought I wouldn't even
> make it driving home from work. I also suffer from that
> "lag" feeling and have some little "shock wave" type
> feelings that go through my head and body many times
> a day. The sensations are so strange and almost impossible
> to describe. I feel like going back on the pills just
> to feel normal again - does anyone have any suggestions
> for ways to ease the withdrawl symptoms?
> Thanks, Melissa> Hi! I too just stopped taking prozac after being on it for several years.WOW. What a nightmare. I could not hang so I went back on it 40mg. I dont like the way I feel, I need the serotin uptake, forocd,adhd, & severe pms. Any MED. suggestions? thanks, just judes!
Posted by Athena on October 21, 2000, at 13:11:47
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by judith on October 18, 2000, at 11:58:13
Okay, this is when I would like to ask, is MEDICATION REALLY the answer we need???
Years after we go on these meds, we STILL have the same issues as before, just the symptoms have been delayed. And now we have the symptoms, issues, AND physical problems with coming off of these meds.
I urge all of you who are considering upping or lowering your dosage to consider quitting completely. Brain altering drugs are not the answer to our problems. Up it, lower it, and you will feel better for HOW LONG? A month? A year? In a year or so, you'll be back on a board like this with the same darn complaints and the same darn issues and you will find that you just again wasted precious time avoiding your real issues by taking a drug that only smooths over the surface of your problems.
Or do you plan to be on these drugs for the rest of your life? If so, are you truly living your life? or are you wasting your life ignoring your problems? Our PROBLEMS are here for a reason, we must recognize this and learn what lesson they are here to teach us.
Don't waste your life. Get off these meds. It's going to be a nightmare to do this, but it's better to do this now than waste one more SECOND of the precious little time we have here.
Athena
Posted by pullmarine on October 21, 2000, at 14:24:59
In reply to Are Meds the Answer?, posted by Athena on October 21, 2000, at 13:11:47
> Okay, this is when I would like to ask, is MEDICATION REALLY the answer we need???
for some.
>
> Years after we go on these meds, we STILL have the same issues as before, just the symptoms have been delayed. And now we have the symptoms, issues, AND physical problems with coming off of these meds.
>
too true!!!> I urge all of you who are considering upping or lowering your dosage to consider quitting completely.
Some people are happy with the meds. let's let them be.
Brain altering drugs are not the answer to our problems.
Indeed, but then again, neither is therapy.
Up it, lower it, and you will feel better for HOW LONG? A month? A year?
some people are better on meds and this, for years.
In a year or so, you'll be back on a board like
this with the same darn complaints and the same darn issues and you will find that you just again wasted precious time avoiding your real issues by taking a drug that only smooths over the surface of your problems.
>
Maybe, maybe not. WHo knows?> Or do you plan to be on these drugs for the rest of your life? If so, are you truly living your life? or are you wasting your life ignoring your problems? Our PROBLEMS are here for a reason, we must recognize this and learn what lesson they are here to teach us.
I agree, but I have far too much respect for people to push them in any direction. all lies and jest, still a man believes what he wants to and disregards the rest.
>
> Don't waste your life.Life will waste itself. my advice would be do what the heck u want as long as you don't hurt anyone.
Get off these meds.
If you want to!!!!It's going to be a nightmare to do this, but it's better to do this now than waste one more SECOND of the precious little time we have here.
According to whom?
JOOHN >
> Athena
Posted by allisonm on October 21, 2000, at 19:24:58
In reply to Are Meds the Answer?, posted by Athena on October 21, 2000, at 13:11:47
Dear Athena,
You are using a rather broad brush.
From what I understand, have experienced, and have read, if you have a doctor who knows what he/she is doing, you need not suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Is medication really the answer we need? For some of us it's one answer. Not the only one, but one. Sometimes it may be all a person might need, while another may need to do other work as well. How long were you on Prozac? Was this your first antidepressant?
Many on this board have suffered for years with and without medication and most are struggling to find the right combination because they haven't yet. I suspect that those who are happy with their lot and their medication(s) don't think to visit this board because they aren't having problems and are living what they consider to be normal lives. Who are we to decide what is right or define what feels normal for another human being?
Because we still are on meds does not mean that we have not faced our issues and it would be naive to think that mental fortitude will fix things. Sometimes the meds have brought us out of our depressions enough that we are finally able to talk about those issues with a professional. This seems to be one of the more effective ways -- meds and therapy going hand-in-hand.
I don't believe I'm wasting time taking meds. On the contrary, I would not be alive now to write to you were I not on meds. You do not know me. Please try not to make assumptions. Were I a diabetic, I would not cease taking insulin if I knew it was keeping me alive (assuming I wanted to be alive -- right now I do and I credit meds for this.) I have been suicidal without meds. I have gone on meds and stopped feeling suicidal. I have stopped meds and have gone back to feeling suicidal. I have ignored my illness, thinking that what I was feeling wasn't really real and would not show (mental fortitude). It does show. I never asked anyone what they thought of my behavior -- they volunteered it, often taking me aside and asking me how I was, whether I was all right. Likewise, when on meds, people have observed -- without my ever bringing up the subject and without them knowing that I'm on meds -- that I seem more alive. This also tells me something. I take these observations and hold them up as truths because my depression clouds my thinking so that I don't see what's happening.
When I first started taking medications, I too had the misconception that they were "happy pills."
They are not. They have never made me happy. I am the only one who can do that.I regret that you have had a bad experience with Prozac. If being off ADs is right for you, I'm glad for you. I would prefer not to have to take meds, but have proven to myself -- by getting off of them -- that I cannot function long or well without them. It took me several tries to find a drug that I could tolerate with few side effects. Nothing has worked completely -- my depression has lessened but not subsided, and I am aware of it every day of this life. What I am doing is right for me. If I have to take drugs for the rest of my life and if they lessen my time here, so be it. I would rather have less time but of a higher quality than suffer endlessly and needlessly in pure hell on earth for the rest of my days.
Best regards.
Allison
Posted by laural on October 21, 2000, at 22:16:27
In reply to Re: Are Meds the Answer?, posted by allisonm on October 21, 2000, at 19:24:58
allison--
nicely put. laural
Posted by caroline on October 22, 2000, at 2:52:27
In reply to Re: Are Meds the Answer?, posted by allisonm on October 21, 2000, at 19:24:58
Alison
I realise I'm echoing Laural, but you have stated our case beautifully. For me, it took years of trying different meds and different combo's but, with help from people on this board, I finally found the combination that works for me. It has given me back my life.
I hope you are keeping well
Caroline
Posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 8:20:18
In reply to Re: Are Meds the Answer?, posted by caroline on October 22, 2000, at 2:52:27
Oh contrare, people...
actually, antidepressants HAVE done me a lot of good, as they have for most of you. By this I mean, I too have been at the bottom, seriously contemplating death, not wanting to take even one more intensely miserable breath in this world...and then I was put on Zoloft. For depression & anxiety (wouldn't wish that combination on anyone, even Hitler). Of course, Zoloft didn't work, and then I was put on Luvox, and it WORKED.
And, yes I agree, ADs are NOT "happy pills." Luvox did not make me "happy." I guess the easiest way to describe it is I found each breath a little easier to take. That is all. The courage to breathe just a little longer...
Two years later, here I am, coming off of these meds and all I am doing is offering my opinion, another opinion to make you guys think about your situation & choices. Are you doing the right thing for you? I truly hope so. Because no one told me the negative aspects to taking meds, nobody told me that withdrawing from them would be worse than my worst nightmare, so I want to tell YOU, so that at least you have heard of it before.
And no, I do not know you, that is obvious. I do not know your personal pain more than you know mine. But I am human, and I know depression, and I know that dark abyss too. I just don't want anyone to go through what I have had to endure...w/o at least being warned beforehand.
Do not think that I am here to attack anyone, anyone at all, because I am not. I am here to help you learn, as hopefully I can learn from you...
So ...
Are meds REALLY the answer?
Is exercise the answer?
Is a red flashy convertible the answer?
A palm pilot?
A new computer?
A new haircut?
New clothes?
and on and on....Well? IS IT?
Tell me, is there ANYTHING outside of yourself that IS the answer?
I'd really like to know what you guys think.Oh the woes of Luvox withdrawals,
Athena
Posted by KenB on October 22, 2000, at 13:49:33
In reply to Ah a healthy discussion, i like it!, posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 8:20:18
Athena,
The "Hedonic range?" post below was inspired somewhat by your comments in this thread, but I started a new thread to avoid side tracking this one. This could probably fit as well on that social page, too, but it addresses the underlying philosophies that relate to the use of medications, and it relates to this "Are meds the answer?" discussion, so I put it here.
Kendall
> Oh contrare, people...
>
> actually, antidepressants HAVE done me a lot of good, as they have for most of you. By this I mean, I too have been at the bottom, seriously contemplating death, not wanting to take even one more intensely miserable breath in this world...and then I was put on Zoloft. For depression & anxiety (wouldn't wish that combination on anyone, even Hitler). Of course, Zoloft didn't work, and then I was put on Luvox, and it WORKED.
>
> And, yes I agree, ADs are NOT "happy pills." Luvox did not make me "happy." I guess the easiest way to describe it is I found each breath a little easier to take. That is all. The courage to breathe just a little longer...
>
> Two years later, here I am, coming off of these meds and all I am doing is offering my opinion, another opinion to make you guys think about your situation & choices. Are you doing the right thing for you? I truly hope so. Because no one told me the negative aspects to taking meds, nobody told me that withdrawing from them would be worse than my worst nightmare, so I want to tell YOU, so that at least you have heard of it before.
>
> And no, I do not know you, that is obvious. I do not know your personal pain more than you know mine. But I am human, and I know depression, and I know that dark abyss too. I just don't want anyone to go through what I have had to endure...w/o at least being warned beforehand.
>
> Do not think that I am here to attack anyone, anyone at all, because I am not. I am here to help you learn, as hopefully I can learn from you...
>
> So ...
>
> Are meds REALLY the answer?
> Is exercise the answer?
> Is a red flashy convertible the answer?
> A palm pilot?
> A new computer?
> A new haircut?
> New clothes?
> and on and on....
>
> Well? IS IT?
>
> Tell me, is there ANYTHING outside of yourself that IS the answer?
> I'd really like to know what you guys think.
>
> Oh the woes of Luvox withdrawals,
> Athena
Posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 14:18:24
In reply to Re: Ah a healthy discussion, i like it! » Athena, posted by KenB on October 22, 2000, at 13:49:33
> Athena,
>
> The "Hedonic range?" post below was inspired somewhat by your comments in this thread, but I started a new thread to avoid side tracking this one. This could probably fit as well on that social page, too, but it addresses the underlying philosophies that relate to the use of medications, and it relates to this "Are meds the answer?" discussion, so I put it here.
>
> Kendall
>
Hey Kendall, where's the "Hedonic Range?" new thread? I've looked everywhere, can't find...I would love to read it.
Athena
>
>
>
> > Oh contrare, people...
> >
> > actually, antidepressants HAVE done me a lot of good, as they have for most of you. By this I mean, I too have been at the bottom, seriously contemplating death, not wanting to take even one more intensely miserable breath in this world...and then I was put on Zoloft. For depression & anxiety (wouldn't wish that combination on anyone, even Hitler). Of course, Zoloft didn't work, and then I was put on Luvox, and it WORKED.
> >
> > And, yes I agree, ADs are NOT "happy pills." Luvox did not make me "happy." I guess the easiest way to describe it is I found each breath a little easier to take. That is all. The courage to breathe just a little longer...
> >
> > Two years later, here I am, coming off of these meds and all I am doing is offering my opinion, another opinion to make you guys think about your situation & choices. Are you doing the right thing for you? I truly hope so. Because no one told me the negative aspects to taking meds, nobody told me that withdrawing from them would be worse than my worst nightmare, so I want to tell YOU, so that at least you have heard of it before.
> >
> > And no, I do not know you, that is obvious. I do not know your personal pain more than you know mine. But I am human, and I know depression, and I know that dark abyss too. I just don't want anyone to go through what I have had to endure...w/o at least being warned beforehand.
> >
> > Do not think that I am here to attack anyone, anyone at all, because I am not. I am here to help you learn, as hopefully I can learn from you...
> >
> > So ...
> >
> > Are meds REALLY the answer?
> > Is exercise the answer?
> > Is a red flashy convertible the answer?
> > A palm pilot?
> > A new computer?
> > A new haircut?
> > New clothes?
> > and on and on....
> >
> > Well? IS IT?
> >
> > Tell me, is there ANYTHING outside of yourself that IS the answer?
> > I'd really like to know what you guys think.
> >
> > Oh the woes of Luvox withdrawals,
> > Athena
Posted by chdurie2 on October 22, 2000, at 14:43:13
In reply to Re: Ah a healthy discussion, i like it!, posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 14:18:24
> > Athena,
> >
> > The "Hedonic range?" post below was inspired somewhat by your comments in this thread, but I started a new thread to avoid side tracking this one. This could probably fit as well on that social page, too, but it addresses the underlying philosophies that relate to the use of medications, and it relates to this "Are meds the answer?" discussion, so I put it here.
> >
> > Kendall
> >
> Hey Kendall, where's the "Hedonic Range?" new thread? I've looked everywhere, can't find...I would love to read it.
> Athena
> >
> >
> >
> > > Oh contrare, people...
> > >
> > > actually, antidepressants HAVE done me a lot of good, as they have for most of you. By this I mean, I too have been at the bottom, seriously contemplating death, not wanting to take even one more intensely miserable breath in this world...and then I was put on Zoloft. For depression & anxiety (wouldn't wish that combination on anyone, even Hitler). Of course, Zoloft didn't work, and then I was put on Luvox, and it WORKED.
> > >
> > > And, yes I agree, ADs are NOT "happy pills." Luvox did not make me "happy." I guess the easiest way to describe it is I found each breath a little easier to take. That is all. The courage to breathe just a little longer...
> > >
> > > Two years later, here I am, coming off of these meds and all I am doing is offering my opinion, another opinion to make you guys think about your situation & choices. Are you doing the right thing for you? I truly hope so. Because no one told me the negative aspects to taking meds, nobody told me that withdrawing from them would be worse than my worst nightmare, so I want to tell YOU, so that at least you have heard of it before.
> > >
> > > And no, I do not know you, that is obvious. I do not know your personal pain more than you know mine. But I am human, and I know depression, and I know that dark abyss too. I just don't want anyone to go through what I have had to endure...w/o at least being warned beforehand.
> > >
> > > Do not think that I am here to attack anyone, anyone at all, because I am not. I am here to help you learn, as hopefully I can learn from you...
> > >
> > > So ...
> > >
> > > Are meds REALLY the answer?
> > > Is exercise the answer?
> > > Is a red flashy convertible the answer?
> > > A palm pilot?
> > > A new computer?
> > > A new haircut?
> > > New clothes?
> > > and on and on....
> > >
> > > Well? IS IT?
> > >
> > > Tell me, is there ANYTHING outside of yourself that IS the answer?
> > > I'd really like to know what you guys think.
> > >
> > > Oh the woes of Luvox withdrawals,
> > > AthenaAthena-Ken's reply is new thread called "hedonic...?" listed after "The Visit" below.
Caroline H.
Posted by KenB on October 22, 2000, at 14:43:45
In reply to Re: Ah a healthy discussion, i like it!, posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 14:18:24
> Hey Kendall, where's the "Hedonic Range?" new thread? I've looked everywhere, can't find...I would love to read it.
> AthenaMaybe you have refreshed your window with this thread, but not the main board. I suspect you have found the "Hedonic range?" post by now, but here is the direct URL:
Posted by Buffet on October 22, 2000, at 16:44:17
In reply to Ah a healthy discussion, i like it!, posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 8:20:18
Athena said...
> Are meds REALLY the answer?
> Is exercise the answer?
> Is a red flashy convertible the answer?
> A palm pilot?
> A new computer?
> A new haircut?
> New clothes?
> and on and on....
>
> Well? IS IT?My answer is join a Gym, get excercise, get some goals, get a haircut, go get a tan, go rock climbing, get married (or a relationship), maybe some religion, and hell- try the drugs out if you think they might help you. Prozac did help me for about a year and faded. Zoloft helped for about 4 months and faded. I enjoy being a lab rat because my knowledge base of what works and what doesn't slowly increases to the point that I finally start to narrow my drug choices down to ones that work. When they stop working, the imput from the drug users help in some way to create better drugs down the pipe. I'm looking for the day when a GABA increasing drug comes out, and I'll be the first to try it! The drugs will eventually get better, and if the present ones work for you then use 'em.
Posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 16:55:22
In reply to I'm a lab rat and kinda enjoy it!!! » Athena, posted by Buffet on October 22, 2000, at 16:44:17
My answer is join a Gym, get excercise, get some goals, get a haircut, go get a tan, go rock climbing, get married (or a relationship), maybe some religion, and hell- try the drugs out if you think they might help you. Prozac did help me for about a year and faded. Zoloft helped for about 4 months and faded. I enjoy being a lab rat because my knowledge base of what works and what doesn't slowly increases to the point that I finally start to narrow my drug choices down to ones that work. When they stop working, the imput from the drug users help in some way to create better drugs down the pipe. I'm looking for the day when a GABA increasing drug comes out, and I'll be the first to try it! The drugs will eventually get better, and if the present ones work for you then use 'em.
Buffet: of course if being argumentative makes you happy, by all means proceed. Personally, I definitely don't see the point in continually searching through drugs and more drugs and whatever else. But if you are HAPPY trying things that continually fail, then by god more power to you. What EVER makes YOU happy.
But I know that Instant Gratification is not the answer for me. I need things that I can depend on.
Posted by coral on October 22, 2000, at 21:00:25
In reply to Re: I'm a lab rat and kinda enjoy it!!!, posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 16:55:22
Dear Athena,
Zoloft worked like an absolute charm for me, after a ton of trial and error. But, I also coupled therapy with the meds.
You mentioned "something you can depend on," and I'd like to know where you can TRULY find that in this world, outside of basics, such as the earth turning on its axis. Ultimately, it comes down to depending on me since it is my life. That brings me to the most frustrating part of the depression for me. I failed me. After four decades of successes and failures, losses, grief, joys, being able to work through problems, always depending on my mind, my own mind turned against me and threw me into the darkest abyss. I still haven't come to terms with that betrayal.
Crawling out of the hole of hell required meds and therapy. I don't believe either one alone would've worked. So, your question is a good one. The answers and solutions are within me; providing my brain so that its chemistry is property balanced and therapy to deal with crucial issues that negatively impact my life.
Posted by stjames on October 22, 2000, at 21:54:47
In reply to Re: I'm a lab rat and kinda enjoy it!!!, posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 16:55:22
> But I know that Instant Gratification is not the answer for me. I need things that I can depend on.James here.....
I've never found meds to be much of an instant gratification as they
take months to reach full effect.james
Posted by Buffet on October 23, 2000, at 0:53:10
In reply to Re: I'm a lab rat and kinda enjoy it!!!, posted by Athena on October 22, 2000, at 16:55:22
-------------------------------------------------
> Buffet: of course if being argumentative makes you happy, by all means proceed. Personally, I definitely don't see the point in continually searching through drugs and more drugs and whatever else. But if you are HAPPY trying things that continually fail, then by god more power to you. What EVER makes YOU happy.
> But I know that Instant Gratification is not the answer for me. I need things that I can depend on.
---------------------------------------------------
I'm sorry Athena, but I wasn't being argumentative. I agree with your frustrations and do see your point. When I said join a gym, blah blah blah... I meant it! These have been things that have pulled me out of depressive episodes on occasion. I was trying to say that any change of pace will sometimes change your mental outlook. I was saying that taking the meds for me has been a good thing, and when one med doesn't work (or poops out) I look forward to trying out a new one in hopes that it helps (changing meds is another change of pace thing for me).When I find myself trapped in my apartment because of low energy levels and depression, there comes a point where I just jump up and drive somewhere in attempts to just do something. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. There is no "answer", but there are things that one can do in attempt to combat depresion and other mental illness, and taking the drugs has helped me more than hindered me. I don't see it as instant gratification. For me, instant gratification is going out and using a street drug or alcohol for an immediate change in mood, which is something I absolutely CANNOT do anymore because I'm prone to abuse. Taking an AD is definitely not instant grat, but I don't think that was what you were getting at, right?
Hope this clarifies what I was getting at.
Buffet
Posted by Athena on October 23, 2000, at 16:49:19
In reply to Re: I'm a lab rat and kinda enjoy it!!! » Athena, posted by Buffet on October 23, 2000, at 0:53:10
> So I've been thinking of what I mean by instant gratification...and the answer the keeps popping up in my mind is anything that is outside of yourself. Well almost anything. Working hard at things for a long time to find results surely doesn't qualify as "instant gratification."
I guess I mean that, especially in the American society, we are almost programmed, encouraged, to look OUTSIDE of ourselves for our happiness. Like I said before...a new haircut, new clothes, cars, money, the ultimate diet, and yes, drugs. And in my mind, I do group ADs into this category as well. Obviously I know that you guys may not agree, we have different experiences/perspectives, and that's perfectly cool. That's why it's so interesting to be on a board and challenge each other's intellect & viewpoints. Learning.
I guess my challenge to you guys is not to look outside of yourself for that answer. Our world is full of "quick fixes" and millions of illusions.
So what can we depend on, one of you asked? What can we know is solid and true and will never betray us?
Knowing that there is something greater than ourselves...that none of the bullshit of this world means a damn thing....illusions, all of it. "Change is the only constant." And that's what I can depend on.
I don't even depend on my "image" of myself, because that is fleeting as well. My mind also will send my into the depths of despair, anxiety, suicidal thoughts...So I do not rely on myself, in the sense of this "self-image" as this is yet another illusion.
I seek Truth, and I will until I die...through the depths of hell, despair, even bliss, I seek it, and I want to learn as much as possible...and one of the best places to learn to from other people.
"The more you know the less you need."
Posted by allisonm on October 23, 2000, at 21:59:53
In reply to Re: I'm a lab rat and kinda enjoy it!!!, posted by Athena on October 23, 2000, at 16:49:19
< < I guess my challenge to you guys is not to look outside of yourself for that answer. Our world is full of "quick fixes" and millions of illusions. > >
This is all well and good and true. However, I suspect that lectures on the subject will have little effect. The only way to learn such lessons is for one to experience the disappointment and find, define, and refine within themselves what is really meaningful. Some people never get there, and no one can make them go.
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