Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 89945

Shown: posts 16 to 40 of 40. Go back in thread:

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ?

Posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 12:34:32

In reply to Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ?, posted by rjk on January 13, 2002, at 9:31:03

Crap!

Are all of you people telling me that now that I am stabilized on meds that they will mess me up eventually? I don't want to hear it.

Without the meds I don't have much of a life. With the meds I have a life. Hmmmm. I think I'll choose the meds.

> Since combining Effexor and Remeron, I have had severe long term adverse effects from antidepressants. Is it just me,or have other people had long term problems with them?

 

Sustaining any improvements » cindylou

Posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 12:48:43

In reply to Re: all these posts hit home -bob, mr. scott, posted by cindylou on January 14, 2002, at 6:19:45

< < "Can chemical imbalances in the brain that cause depression actually be reversed through cognitive and behavioral changes?"

Cindy, for the original posts about ADs losing their effectiveness, I have nothing of value to offer, but there is somewhat of an answer to your question above.

People sometimes forget that a person, as a whole, is an intricately woven whole composed of many physical chemical systems (endocrine, immune, neural, etc) reacting to our environment. You can't separate one system from the other & study how it works without realising that one always affects the others. And the more scientists learn about the body, the more we learn how much each system affects the other.

We were MEANT to react & adapt to our environment. One of the most obvious examples of our environment affecting our body as a whole is what we remove from our environment & put into our body as food. We need to eat to survive & we need to eat healthy to thrive. (No, this isn't a thread about nutrition - just an example.)

Our environment can influence how we feel both physically & mentally/emotionally. That's why psychologists will expose someone to a phobia or fear, bit by bit & by conditioning them, have it change their reactions. It's completely an outside influence - no drugs, but brain images by PET scans does show actual physical changes in the brain.

It's one reason I'm a firm believer in tackling depression from all angles. If after a med is found to work, I believe it's crucial to make sure that one has a good healthy diet & active, healthy life-style. I also believe that in most cases, the patient can benefit by therapy of some sort to restructure their thought patterns. Depression 'teaches' us to think in a certain negative way & too often, a person continues to act & react the same way. Most people need help to see how they think & why it needs changing.

I also believe we need to fill our hearts & minds with a purpose once we feel better. I think of it as the spiritual side of a person, whatever someone else may call it. I don't mean a single-minded driven goal but something that's 'spiritually' healthy just like healthy life-style & healthy thinking patterns.

Again, just my two cents worth.

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Simcha

Posted by Mitch on January 14, 2002, at 13:24:24

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ?, posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 12:34:32

> Crap!
>
> Are all of you people telling me that now that I am stabilized on meds that they will mess me up eventually? I don't want to hear it.
>
> Without the meds I don't have much of a life. With the meds I have a life. Hmmmm. I think I'll choose the meds.

Simcha,

I think a lot of what you are hearing are people who are probably more "treatment intolerant" rather than "treatment resistant". Obviously if your meds are working for you and you are tolerating them then you should continue taking them (IMO). I am personally not trying to fool myself into thinking that I can somehow be "med-free". I know better than that! I have problems with antidepressants primarily because I have bipolar disorder. I just think there is more than just a little bit of a coincidence that I have trouble tolerating them physically as well as mentally.

Mitch

 

Re: Sustaining any improvements » IsoM

Posted by cindylou on January 14, 2002, at 13:29:04

In reply to Sustaining any improvements » cindylou, posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 12:48:43

> Again, just my two cents worth.

And a great two cents it was! Thanks, IsoM.

You know, I just started seeing a new therapist a couple months ago. I have seen several throughout the past 15 years or so, and gave up on them entirely for awhile. Therapists are kind of like meds -- some are great, some make you feel worse, some help at first but it doesn't last, and ... just maybe ... there's that one who can really make a lasting difference.

I think I may have found that therapist. It's wild ... sometimes I'll leave her office and feel so much better it's like I had a hefty dose of Prozac with no side effects. That feeling will last a few days -- energy, motivation, etc. -- and then I'll kind of spiral down until I see her again.

Hopefully I can get to the point where I can sustain that mentally healthy feeling on my own.

She has a lot of very similar beliefs as you -- about the body being a whole, and every system affecting every other system. She stresses the importance of healthiness and wholeness in all areas of life, including spiritual.

Rambling again. But thanks again for your always insightful two cents!
cindy

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Mitch

Posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 13:34:59

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Simcha, posted by Mitch on January 14, 2002, at 13:24:24


> Simcha,
>
> I think a lot of what you are hearing are people who are probably more "treatment intolerant" rather than "treatment resistant". Obviously if your meds are working for you and you are tolerating them then you should continue taking them (IMO). I am personally not trying to fool myself into thinking that I can somehow be "med-free". I know better than that! I have problems with antidepressants primarily because I have bipolar disorder. I just think there is more than just a little bit of a coincidence that I have trouble tolerating them physically as well as mentally.
>
> Mitch


Mitch,

I hope I did not come across as disagreeable. I just want to believe that the mix of meds I'm on will be what I need for a good long time. I really do not want to have to go through more med changes. I don't want any long-term side effects.

My pdoc warned me that the meds are no cure and that if I decide to take myself off of them more than likely I'd relapse. Usually for someone like me who has had 4+ major depressive episodes in only 32 years (and each one gets worse) the illness gets more difficult to treat if untreated.

When I read about these threads where all of you talk about nasty long-term side effects I get all creeped-out because I don't see that there is much of a choice for me. OK there is a choice not to take the meds but that would be choosing unbearable depression, sexual OCD, and anxiety. That's not much of a choice.

Damn, it kind of makes me angry that I cannot live a balanced life without depending on some outside substance. OK though at least there is something that works and I'm on it. I need to be grateful that this is my only serious health burden there are others who have it worse. And there are those who are treatment resistant.

OYE!

 

Re: Same here » rjk

Posted by MB on January 14, 2002, at 16:25:44

In reply to Re: Same here, posted by rjk on January 14, 2002, at 9:36:01

> Sorry MB, I missed your name off my follow up to Mr Scott, Bob, and Cindylou. No offence meant!


That's OK, my mind is racing so fast that when I saw the "Mr" I thought it said "MB" so I didn't even think I was left out! heh heh heh

 

Re: Same here » Mr. Scott

Posted by MB on January 14, 2002, at 16:32:19

In reply to Re: Same here » MB, posted by Mr. Scott on January 14, 2002, at 12:15:14

> Well, the first go around with Prozac was like that but it's been so long I forgot and I just forced myself to sit it out, because I remember reading to expect severe anxiety and agitation, but that it would go away. The body did eventually adjust to it
>
> Scott


Well, I didn't take my dose this morning. I feel a little better. I might need to take a few days off just to calm down a little before starting back up again. It's good to be reminded that the anxiety and restlessness get better. I tried to take Neurontin to mitigate the Prozac symptoms. It helped *slightly* with the anxiety, but made the resslessness worse...like Restless Leg Syndrome throughout the whole body. Hard to sleep at night...tired all day, etc. I just need a couple day break to let my blood levels go down a bit.

MB

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Simcha

Posted by MB on January 14, 2002, at 16:34:52

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ?, posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 12:34:32

> Crap!
>
> Are all of you people telling me that now that I am stabilized on meds that they will mess me up eventually? I don't want to hear it.
>
> Without the meds I don't have much of a life. With the meds I have a life. Hmmmm. I think I'll choose the meds.
>
> > Since combining Effexor and Remeron, I have had severe long term adverse effects from antidepressants. Is it just me,or have other people had long term problems with them?


No, I think what we're saying is that you're very lucky to be stable...don't change anything. Stick to what's working for you, because if you change a bunch of stuff experimentally, then go back to what's working now, it may not work later.

MB

 

Re: Simcha, MB is absolutely right!

Posted by rjk on January 14, 2002, at 16:42:24

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Simcha, posted by MB on January 14, 2002, at 16:34:52

> > Crap!
> >
> > Are all of you people telling me that now that I am stabilized on meds that they will mess me up eventually? I don't want to hear it.
> >
> > Without the meds I don't have much of a life. With the meds I have a life. Hmmmm. I think I'll choose the meds.
> >
> > > Since combining Effexor and Remeron, I have had severe long term adverse effects from antidepressants. Is it just me,or have other people had long term problems with them?
>
>
> No, I think what we're saying is that you're very lucky to be stable...don't change anything. Stick to what's working for you, because if you change a bunch of stuff experimentally, then go back to what's working now, it may not work later.
>
> MB

I'll second that.
Two years ago I told my psych that I was coping and doing okay, but not 100%. He said "oh, we can do better than that". Famous last words! I have not been as good as I was then since!
RJK

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ?

Posted by sid on January 14, 2002, at 17:01:55

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Simcha, posted by MB on January 14, 2002, at 16:34:52

You guys are scaring me. I was so reluctant to take ADs, and reading this I almost don't want to continue. I hope I don't have to take them forever, I hope it's a one year+ treatment that'll leave me functioning relatively normally. But I may be wrong hoping so much, I don't know. Seeing my doc tomorrow, will have a long talk !

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » sid

Posted by bob on January 14, 2002, at 17:15:18

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ?, posted by sid on January 14, 2002, at 17:01:55

Everybody... and I mean EVERYBODY, is different. There is no particular reason to think that just because another individual has trouble with a certain antidepressant(s), that you will have the same experience. Peoples' conditions are unique, as well as their responses to meds.

The only advice I might give is that if you are living a reasonably functional life without meds, than try to keep that up. You will know if you really need to try meds - your life will become significantly impaired. If that is the state you are in currently, then maybe it's time.

 

Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » sid

Posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 17:17:17

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ?, posted by sid on January 14, 2002, at 17:01:55

Sid, don't be scared. You're probobably hearing the more negative posts as the positive ones, the ones that ADs work nicely for, aren't generally the people who seek out these forums.

I've stopped some ADs in the past or switched, not so much because they weren't effective, as because I didn't like the side-effects. I've been stable on Paxil before but wanted off it due to withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms if I was late for a dose. I'm on Celexa now & have been stable on it for well over a year. Only Luvox actually 'pooped out' for me.

I have other friends who most people wouldn't realise have taken ADs. In talking with them, many have taken them for 6 months or more, but were able to discontinue them afterwards successfully & continue normally. We just rarely hear about the positive stories as they get on with their life without mentioning meds to most people.

**************************************************************************************************

> You guys are scaring me. I was so reluctant to take ADs, and reading this I almost don't want to continue. I hope I don't have to take them forever, I hope it's a one year+ treatment that'll leave me functioning relatively normally. But I may be wrong hoping so much, I don't know. Seeing my doc tomorrow, will have a long talk !

 

Re: Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » IsoM

Posted by sid on January 14, 2002, at 17:52:00

In reply to Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » sid, posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 17:17:17

Thanks so much, your message really helps. I have put so many efforts into this before (CBT, acupuncture, changing lifestyle) that I need to hold on to the hope right now. I am generally in a good mood these days, but I am still having trouble moving forward, making decisions and living instead of just thinking about. My new-found anxiety may be the cause, more than depression, which I think has been resolved, except perhaps for dysthymia. I was recently diagnosed with abnormal anxiety, and I never suspected a thing before - we're all like that in my family.

Anyway, I will cross my fingers... and I hope that everyone find a way out of their mental problems. It makes life much tougher. And I hope that R&D makes it easier to heal from mental illmesses in the future. We are still very much in the dark, I find.

- Sid

> Sid, don't be scared. You're probobably hearing the more negative posts as the positive ones, the ones that ADs work nicely for, aren't generally the people who seek out these forums.
>
> I've stopped some ADs in the past or switched, not so much because they weren't effective, as because I didn't like the side-effects. I've been stable on Paxil before but wanted off it due to withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms if I was late for a dose. I'm on Celexa now & have been stable on it for well over a year. Only Luvox actually 'pooped out' for me.
>
> I have other friends who most people wouldn't realise have taken ADs. In talking with them, many have taken them for 6 months or more, but were able to discontinue them afterwards successfully & continue normally. We just rarely hear about the positive stories as they get on with their life without mentioning meds to most people.
>
> **************************************************************************************************
>
> > You guys are scaring me. I was so reluctant to take ADs, and reading this I almost don't want to continue. I hope I don't have to take them forever, I hope it's a one year+ treatment that'll leave me functioning relatively normally. But I may be wrong hoping so much, I don't know. Seeing my doc tomorrow, will have a long talk !

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » bob

Posted by sid on January 14, 2002, at 18:00:06

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » sid, posted by bob on January 14, 2002, at 17:15:18

Thanks for your message. I also think that doing without these meds is better if it's possible.

I function relatively OK ona day-to-day basis, but I seem to be stuck in my life. I need to move on to better things and I am stuck. I feel I need meds at this point because I have done everything else I could think of. At this point, I think the anxiety is my worse problem. Dysthymia is not too bad, I've learned to live with it a long time ago. But anxiety can bring back a major episode of depression, and it makes me so nervous at crucial times that nothing in my life seems to move forward. I screw up (pardon my French) way too often these days, I need to get back on track. I am hoping that the meds might help. Also, after major depression, I have some very negative thinking that stayed with me, which is resistant to CBT, even though I know it's unrealistic and irrational. Most issues have been resolved, but 2 remain. I am hoping that meds will help with that too.

>
> The only advice I might give is that if you are living a reasonably functional life without meds, than try to keep that up. You will know if you really need to try meds - your life will become significantly impaired. If that is the state you are in currently, then maybe it's time.

 

Re: Sustaining any improvements » IsoM

Posted by Lou Pilder on January 14, 2002, at 19:38:41

In reply to Sustaining any improvements » cindylou, posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 12:48:43

> < < "Can chemical imbalances in the brain that cause depression actually be reversed through cognitive and behavioral changes?"
>
> Cindy, for the original posts about ADs losing their effectiveness, I have nothing of value to offer, but there is somewhat of an answer to your question above.
>
> People sometimes forget that a person, as a whole, is an intricately woven whole composed of many physical chemical systems (endocrine, immune, neural, etc) reacting to our environment. You can't separate one system from the other & study how it works without realising that one always affects the others. And the more scientists learn about the body, the more we learn how much each system affects the other.
>
> We were MEANT to react & adapt to our environment. One of the most obvious examples of our environment affecting our body as a whole is what we remove from our environment & put into our body as food. We need to eat to survive & we need to eat healthy to thrive. (No, this isn't a thread about nutrition - just an example.)
>
> Our environment can influence how we feel both physically & mentally/emotionally. That's why psychologists will expose someone to a phobia or fear, bit by bit & by conditioning them, have it change their reactions. It's completely an outside influence - no drugs, but brain images by PET scans does show actual physical changes in the brain.
>
> It's one reason I'm a firm believer in tackling depression from all angles. If after a med is found to work, I believe it's crucial to make sure that one has a good healthy diet & active, healthy life-style. I also believe that in most cases, the patient can benefit by therapy of some sort to restructure their thought patterns. Depression 'teaches' us to think in a certain negative way & too often, a person continues to act & react the same way. Most people need help to see how they think & why it needs changing.
>
> I also believe we need to fill our hearts & minds with a purpose once we feel better. I think of it as the spiritual side of a person, whatever someone else may call it. I don't mean a single-minded driven goal but something that's 'spiritually' healthy just like healthy life-style & healthy thinking patterns.
>
> Again, just my two cents worth.

Anyone hear music?
If so, email me at louelsa@cs.com Lou

 

Re: music? » Lou Pilder

Posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 20:02:27

In reply to Re: Sustaining any improvements » IsoM, posted by Lou Pilder on January 14, 2002, at 19:38:41

Am I being naïve or am I just missing something? Why music, Lou?
>
> Anyone hear music?
> If so, email me at louelsa@cs.com Lou

 

No Need To Answer, Lou. (nm) » IsoM

Posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 20:35:12

In reply to Re: music? » Lou Pilder, posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 20:02:27

 

Very True » IsoM

Posted by Mr. Scott on January 14, 2002, at 21:32:51

In reply to Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » sid, posted by IsoM on January 14, 2002, at 17:17:17

The people on this board are in the minority. Take what is helpful and leave the rest.

Scott

 

Re: Very True » Mr. Scott

Posted by bob on January 14, 2002, at 23:38:37

In reply to Very True » IsoM, posted by Mr. Scott on January 14, 2002, at 21:32:51

> The people on this board are in the minority. Take what is helpful and leave the rest.
>
> Scott

-----------------------

And thank God for that! If we were the majority, the human race would indeed be in trouble.

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Simcha

Posted by Mitch on January 14, 2002, at 23:41:33

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Mitch, posted by Simcha on January 14, 2002, at 13:34:59

>
> > Simcha,
> >
> > I think a lot of what you are hearing are people who are probably more "treatment intolerant" rather than "treatment resistant". Obviously if your meds are working for you and you are tolerating them then you should continue taking them (IMO). I am personally not trying to fool myself into thinking that I can somehow be "med-free". I know better than that! I have problems with antidepressants primarily because I have bipolar disorder. I just think there is more than just a little bit of a coincidence that I have trouble tolerating them physically as well as mentally.
> >
> > Mitch
>
>
> Mitch,
>
> I hope I did not come across as disagreeable. I just want to believe that the mix of meds I'm on will be what I need for a good long time. I really do not want to have to go through more med changes. I don't want any long-term side effects.
>
> My pdoc warned me that the meds are no cure and that if I decide to take myself off of them more than likely I'd relapse. Usually for someone like me who has had 4+ major depressive episodes in only 32 years (and each one gets worse) the illness gets more difficult to treat if untreated.
>
> When I read about these threads where all of you talk about nasty long-term side effects I get all creeped-out because I don't see that there is much of a choice for me. OK there is a choice not to take the meds but that would be choosing unbearable depression, sexual OCD, and anxiety. That's not much of a choice.
>
> Damn, it kind of makes me angry that I cannot live a balanced life without depending on some outside substance. OK though at least there is something that works and I'm on it. I need to be grateful that this is my only serious health burden there are others who have it worse. And there are those who are treatment resistant.
>
> OYE!

Simcha, I don't see anything you are saying as disagreeable at all. I *do* worry about posting negative things about meds, because I know there are a lot of folks that are going to be helped a lot and they might be afraid of medical treatment and not get better-or worse commit suicide or something. But, OTOH, there *is* a large subgroup of folks (IMO-mostly bipolar), that have horrendous problems with antidepressants. I just don't want to see others get confused about the different groups of folks that can be harmed by treatments as much as others are being helped. it is a dilemma... NOTHING is black and white...

Mitch

 

Re: Same here » MB

Posted by Mitch on January 14, 2002, at 23:45:26

In reply to Re: Same here » Mr. Scott, posted by MB on January 14, 2002, at 16:32:19

> > Well, the first go around with Prozac was like that but it's been so long I forgot and I just forced myself to sit it out, because I remember reading to expect severe anxiety and agitation, but that it would go away. The body did eventually adjust to it
> >
> > Scott
>
>
> Well, I didn't take my dose this morning. I feel a little better. I might need to take a few days off just to calm down a little before starting back up again. It's good to be reminded that the anxiety and restlessness get better. I tried to take Neurontin to mitigate the Prozac symptoms. It helped *slightly* with the anxiety, but made the resslessness worse...like Restless Leg Syndrome throughout the whole body. Hard to sleep at night...tired all day, etc. I just need a couple day break to let my blood levels go down a bit.
>
> MB

Prozac accumulates for a long time before it reaches a "steady-state" at the same dosage. You might find that taking your 20mg dose every other day or every third day might be sufficient for you to tolerate it.
hope this helps-I had a GP tell me that I was full of sh*t that I could control most of my symptoms with 20mg of Prozac a week-but it did.

Mitch

 

Re: Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » sid

Posted by Mitch on January 14, 2002, at 23:54:55

In reply to Re: Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » IsoM, posted by sid on January 14, 2002, at 17:52:00

> Thanks so much, your message really helps. I have put so many efforts into this before (CBT, acupuncture, changing lifestyle) that I need to hold on to the hope right now. I am generally in a good mood these days, but I am still having trouble moving forward, making decisions and living instead of just thinking about. My new-found anxiety may be the cause, more than depression, which I think has been resolved, except perhaps for dysthymia. I was recently diagnosed with abnormal anxiety, and I never suspected a thing before - we're all like that in my family.

>
> Anyway, I will cross my fingers... and I hope that everyone find a way out of their mental problems. It makes life much tougher. And I hope that R&D makes it easier to heal from mental illmesses in the future. We are still very much in the dark, I find.
>
> - Sid
>
> > Sid, don't be scared. You're probobably hearing the more negative posts as the positive ones, the ones that ADs work nicely for, aren't generally the people who seek out these forums.
> >
> > I've stopped some ADs in the past or switched, not so much because they weren't effective, as because I didn't like the side-effects. I've been stable on Paxil before but wanted off it due to withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms if I was late for a dose. I'm on Celexa now & have been stable on it for well over a year. Only Luvox actually 'pooped out' for me.
> >
> > I have other friends who most people wouldn't realise have taken ADs. In talking with them, many have taken them for 6 months or more, but were able to discontinue them afterwards successfully & continue normally. We just rarely hear about the positive stories as they get on with their life without mentioning meds to most people.
> >
> > **************************************************************************************************
> >
> > > You guys are scaring me. I was so reluctant to take ADs, and reading this I almost don't want to continue. I hope I don't have to take them forever, I hope it's a one year+ treatment that'll leave me functioning relatively normally. But I may be wrong hoping so much, I don't know. Seeing my doc tomorrow, will have a long talk !

Sid,

I agree with IsoM. Don't get too uptight about all of this. It is all a big experiment for everybody in general. I still firmly believe that I am *much better off now* than I was for over 20 years-despite sfx of meds. I got my Social Security statement in the mail the other day-and I did a correlation between my gross income and the meds (or lack of) and the "med years" are the most productive. Especially recently. The main thing is-if something isn't working or is causing *intolerable* side effects you have to be assertive enough with your pdoc to switch a med, change a dose, etc., and if you can't get satisfaction-you need to find a smarter pdoc.

Mitch

 

Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Mitch

Posted by Simcha on January 15, 2002, at 7:44:03

In reply to Re: Anyone Had Long Term Adverse Effects from A/Ds ? » Simcha, posted by Mitch on January 14, 2002, at 23:41:33

Mitch,

I know, it's just that I'm worry sometimes about possible permanent damage from all of these drugs. I guess it's a life-time of sitting in Health classes learning that "drugs are evil."

You should be free to post whatever you will. I may have a reaction to it, but so what? That's life.

BTW, as far as the pdoc can figure, I'm not bipolar. We'll see. I seem to be doing fine on the meds and I'm not manic.

I hope that you find a therapy (pharmacological or not) that works well for you.

Take Care,
Simcha


> >
> > > Simcha,
> > >
> > > I think a lot of what you are hearing are people who are probably more "treatment intolerant" rather than "treatment resistant". Obviously if your meds are working for you and you are tolerating them then you should continue taking them (IMO). I am personally not trying to fool myself into thinking that I can somehow be "med-free". I know better than that! I have problems with antidepressants primarily because I have bipolar disorder. I just think there is more than just a little bit of a coincidence that I have trouble tolerating them physically as well as mentally.
> > >
> > > Mitch
> >
> >
> > Mitch,
> >
> > I hope I did not come across as disagreeable. I just want to believe that the mix of meds I'm on will be what I need for a good long time. I really do not want to have to go through more med changes. I don't want any long-term side effects.
> >
> > My pdoc warned me that the meds are no cure and that if I decide to take myself off of them more than likely I'd relapse. Usually for someone like me who has had 4+ major depressive episodes in only 32 years (and each one gets worse) the illness gets more difficult to treat if untreated.
> >
> > When I read about these threads where all of you talk about nasty long-term side effects I get all creeped-out because I don't see that there is much of a choice for me. OK there is a choice not to take the meds but that would be choosing unbearable depression, sexual OCD, and anxiety. That's not much of a choice.
> >
> > Damn, it kind of makes me angry that I cannot live a balanced life without depending on some outside substance. OK though at least there is something that works and I'm on it. I need to be grateful that this is my only serious health burden there are others who have it worse. And there are those who are treatment resistant.
> >
> > OYE!
>
> Simcha, I don't see anything you are saying as disagreeable at all. I *do* worry about posting negative things about meds, because I know there are a lot of folks that are going to be helped a lot and they might be afraid of medical treatment and not get better-or worse commit suicide or something. But, OTOH, there *is* a large subgroup of folks (IMO-mostly bipolar), that have horrendous problems with antidepressants. I just don't want to see others get confused about the different groups of folks that can be harmed by treatments as much as others are being helped. it is a dilemma... NOTHING is black and white...
>
> Mitch

 

Re: Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » Mitch

Posted by sid on January 15, 2002, at 10:04:12

In reply to Re: Don't Be Frightened of Effects from A/Ds ? » sid, posted by Mitch on January 14, 2002, at 23:54:55

Thanks Mitch,

I don't have a pdoc, I have a doc (general). So far so good; but indeed, I will look for someone different if I am not satisfied later on. So far I'm OK on Effexor XR, but I'm just at 75mg a day. I tend to have a lot of side effects, so we are moving slowly.

I hope my income goes up as I get better, because now I am barely surviving financially. And I don't have any stability in my life either. I could move to another country for my job any day, if I can just find a job that's worth moving for. I need more stability too. Of well, I need to be patient, professionally and with the meds.

- Sid

> Sid,
>
> I agree with IsoM. Don't get too uptight about all of this. It is all a big experiment for everybody in general. I still firmly believe that I am *much better off now* than I was for over 20 years-despite sfx of meds. I got my Social Security statement in the mail the other day-and I did a correlation between my gross income and the meds (or lack of) and the "med years" are the most productive. Especially recently. The main thing is-if something isn't working or is causing *intolerable* side effects you have to be assertive enough with your pdoc to switch a med, change a dose, etc., and if you can't get satisfaction-you need to find a smarter pdoc.
>
> Mitch

 

Re: Simcha, MB is right - I'll third that!

Posted by BillK on January 15, 2002, at 15:05:10

In reply to Re: Simcha, MB is absolutely right!, posted by rjk on January 14, 2002, at 16:42:24

> > > Crap!
> > >
> > > Are all of you people telling me that now that I am stabilized on meds that they will mess me up eventually? I don't want to hear it.
> > >
> > > Without the meds I don't have much of a life. With the meds I have a life. Hmmmm. I think I'll choose the meds.
> > >
> > > > Since combining Effexor and Remeron, I have had severe long term adverse effects from antidepressants. Is it just me,or have other people had long term problems with them?
> >
> >
> > No, I think what we're saying is that you're very lucky to be stable...don't change anything. Stick to what's working for you, because if you change a bunch of stuff experimentally, then go back to what's working now, it may not work later.
> >
> > MB
>
> I'll second that.
> Two years ago I told my psych that I was coping and doing okay, but not 100%. He said "oh, we can do better than that". Famous last words! I have not been as good as I was then since!
> RJK

I'll third that.
I was on 30 mg Prozac and then Paxil for five years. Very happy and the only side effects were sexual and some sleep disturbance.

My pdoc coaxed me into trying Serzone in hope of eliminating the few side effects. I figured I would try it and, if it was not better, would go right back on Paxil.

NOT! Went through the Paxil withdrawal effects, tried Serzone, didn't like it, started taking Paxil again and ran into a brick wall. Tremendous nausea and agitation. Spent the next two years desperately trying to titrate Paxil or Prozac back up to 30, or even 20 mg. Never could do it. I had to go back to the old, less effective, amitriptyline to hold myself together.

So don't assume, like I did, that an AD that worked once can be relied on to work again.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.