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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dkscully on February 8, 2005, at 23:13:07
I think about all of the questions I've posted on here and other boards, and one question comes to mind: What have I done to myself?
I can't remember what I was like before going on medication, but I think it has to be better than this. I feel like I'm sabotaging everything that's good in my life, and I don't know what to do. My boyfriend thinks I'm unhappy with our relationship because I'm so unhappy in general. He's the one thing that does make me happy, and even though he says he's not going anywhere, I'm so afraid I'm going to lose him because of my anxiety/paranoia/insecurity. I guess I have to be better at showing him I appreciate him, it's just hard when all I want to do is cry about anything and everything. I love him so much, though. I don't want to ruin this.
I'm a month and a half off Effexor, and I've been on Wellbutrin for the same amount of time. My psychiatrist says I may need to take something else with the Wellbutrin eventually, because it doesn't work for anxiety, and as time goes by, I feel like this is probably the case, as much as I haven't wanted to admit it... Last week I felt better; this week I feel like my world is falling apart. I get up in the morning, and I have a pit in my stomach before even have any coherent thoughts. I am very anxious, quite obviously. But I don't WANT to be on anything else. I'm already taking ambien to sleep, and still a very small dose (.25 mg) of klonapin because I can't seem to stop that completely, even though the ambien was supposed to take its place. I don't want to be on an SSRI that may not even work, along with the Wellbutrin. I really want to stop all of these meds, but I'm in my last semester of grad school--I have difficult classes, an assistantship, comprehensive exams to pass, and a career to start. I know I'm not at my best for doing all of these things in my current state, but I'm afraid that stopping the meds could make things much worse. I'm afraid if I start something else, that'll make things worse. I just want to feel STABLE, I don't need to be dancing around with joy. HOW did I get myself into this? Somehow, from starting Zoloft for PMDD, at my gynecologist's advice, I got into this mess and I don't know how to get out. :(
Sorry... I just needed to get that out.
Posted by HappyGirl on February 9, 2005, at 0:02:55
In reply to What have I done to myself? No more meds?, posted by Dkscully on February 8, 2005, at 23:13:07
Hi:
Do you have a 'counsellor' in the college where you're attending? Or, a psycho.-therapist to consult? Most of mental illnesses NEED a medication to get well, ... at least one med. at a time.Recalling your previous post regarding your experience on 'Effexor,' I believe that you need other class of anti-depressant, ... but to be frank and honest I have NO idea which form of A.D. would fit you at this moment when you're going through depressive spells, ... 'crying' and 'not happy' in general, even though your bf seems a caring individual towards your mental illness.
In my suggestion, ... first you need a 'good' anti-depressant which help you feeling-well before planning any 'tedious' and 'hard-work,' because all of those tasks give you quite a 'stress,' ... in other word, exacerbation the 'depression.'
In my suggestion, ... if you have a 'good' counselor in your college, talk to him/her about your current situation. In my knowledge, there are some 'accommodation' for those who have mental illnesses.
H.G.
Posted by SLS on February 9, 2005, at 6:37:21
In reply to What have I done to myself? No more meds?, posted by Dkscully on February 8, 2005, at 23:13:07
You know how they say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"? Well what do you do when it is broke? Fix it. If it can't be fixed with psychotherapy, maybe you should continue with medication.
It might be worth doing a trial of Remeron along with the Effexor. They can make for a good combination and shouldn't cause you any anxiety. How much Effexor are you taking?
- Scott
Posted by dkscully on February 9, 2005, at 9:49:37
In reply to Re: What have I done to myself? No more meds? » Dkscully, posted by SLS on February 9, 2005, at 6:37:21
Hi there,
Maybe I was confusing--I'm actually OFF of Effexor (for about a month and a half now) and I've been on Wellbutrin for that same amount of time. I'm currently taking 300 mg of Wellbutrin. I'm having a hard time knowing what to attribute to my withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (since I know they can go on for up to a couple of months) and what to attribute to Wellbutrin, my new med.
I'm also receiving therapy, since our university doesn't allow the psychiatrist to help you with meds unless you're also seeing a therapist on a regular basis. So far, I get the impression that she doesn't think anything is "wrong" in my life, per se; rather, I just have generalized anxiety and depression. Therefore, she's choosing strange remedies... like making me take a career test, even though I'm a second-year master's student who loves my area of study. Next time I go in, I think I have to tell her that above all, I really want to learn some techniques for coping with anxiety, instead of just being prescribed more and more meds.... I am worried, though, that it will be necessary to take something else with the Wellbutrin. So frustrating...
Posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 11:19:06
In reply to Re: What have I done to myself? No more meds? » SLS, posted by dkscully on February 9, 2005, at 9:49:37
I feel the exact same way as you do. I never had most of the problems I have now UNTIL I started on medicine.
I had an anxiety attack because my dad was dying (but HELLOOO.. who wouldn't?) and then listened to my doctor as she convinced me I needed medicine because I would likely get worse as my father gets worse.
Well, she was right. I have gotten worse but I've gotten 10x's worse because of the medicine.
It's frustrating. I am off all medicine now (going on day 8) and still don't feel right. I'm scared to death that my body won't get back to "normal" and I'll end up on yet another medication.
It's hard to know what to do sometimes.
I'll pray you have some answers and begin to feel relief soon.
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 15:55:12
In reply to Re: What have I done to myself? No more meds?, posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 11:19:06
The story of my life too. Only I've been on the AD part for 8 years. Initial Dx was Generalized Anxiey. I took low doses of benzos with that. Then when the new SSRI's came out and I was really not adjusting to my newly dx'd Hashimotos Thyroiditis, and was feeling awful, unable to do anything paxil 10mg was rx'd. I should have been suspicious when the pdoc put me on lopressor for 3 weeks before starting it "so I could tolerate it". Well, if it's supposed to help with anxiety why did I need this? Now I too am looking for a way out of meds that have landed me on Disability for 8 yrs, and the end of a career I loved. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by fachad on February 9, 2005, at 22:48:09
In reply to What have I done to myself? No more meds?, posted by Dkscully on February 8, 2005, at 23:13:07
I've been on psych meds of various sorts for years. I'm very skeptical of their purported benefits AND very suspicious of their side effects and the sometimes gradual worsening of things with their long term use.
Anyway, my wife's gynecologist was trying to be helpful and suggested that she go to a pdoc and get meds for anxiety. I was just horrified at the thought - not that I would want to deny her genuinely needed treatment - but I live with her every day - and I am not insensitive - and I knew that her problems were not that severe - not severe enough to merit the gauntlet of psych meds.
Anyway, her gyn convinced her that she needed a pdoc; the pdoc started the RX express; new meds had side effects for which other meds were RX'ed; old meds were D/C'd which precipitated withdrawal/discontinuation and new treatment emergent problems, which necessitated new meds be RX'ed, etc. - everyone here knows how it goes once you start down that path.
Well, I thought she was the only person on earth to be started on this ride by, of all things, a gynecologist. I guess she was not the ONLY one...
Posted by Willyee on February 9, 2005, at 23:49:18
In reply to Re: What have I done to myself? No more meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2005, at 15:55:12
I think first thing is we need to stop calling it medication......and putting a happy face on it,they are drugs,,medication has some science to it and normaly is treating something,making it better,what we take is based on nothing more than what is looking like more and more of a theory based on dollers.
I too add myself,18 kid who never touched a drug,had an external situation,and told effexor would elimnate my sadness,well 6 years later i went from visiting health stores and going right to the body building shelves to roaming the net obsessed with something that prob dont exisit,i feel like a junkie now,i honestly do.Thanks doc!> The story of my life too. Only I've been on the AD part for 8 years. Initial Dx was Generalized Anxiey. I took low doses of benzos with that. Then when the new SSRI's came out and I was really not adjusting to my newly dx'd Hashimotos Thyroiditis, and was feeling awful, unable to do anything paxil 10mg was rx'd. I should have been suspicious when the pdoc put me on lopressor for 3 weeks before starting it "so I could tolerate it". Well, if it's supposed to help with anxiety why did I need this? Now I too am looking for a way out of meds that have landed me on Disability for 8 yrs, and the end of a career I loved. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Optimist on February 10, 2005, at 10:42:40
In reply to Re: What have I done to myself? No more meds?, posted by Willyee on February 9, 2005, at 23:49:18
> I think first thing is we need to stop calling it medication......and putting a happy face on it,they are drugs,,medication has some science to it and normaly is treating something,making it better,what we take is based on nothing more than what is looking like more and more of a theory based on dollers.
Psychiatric drugs have made me much better off, with little to no side effects. I think many a psychopharmacologist would challenge your statement that their is little to no science behind treating psychiatric disorders. You can't generalize from a mainly treatment resistant forum and a negative medication experience thread to the general population. If medication is working great for people one would think they would have less inclination to go searching for answers on the internet. :)
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 16:09:55
In reply to Re: Meds? Yes please... » Willyee, posted by Optimist on February 10, 2005, at 10:42:40
This is very true. I also stopped believing in the health route, and while working in psych became "brain washed" to believe all these meds worked. Now, for some disorders meds are absolutely necessary, but I question the need in others. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Willyee on February 10, 2005, at 23:08:31
In reply to Re: Meds? Yes please... » Willyee, posted by Optimist on February 10, 2005, at 10:42:40
Im not denying the fact that they help,i myself cant function without them.But there is not much scienace involved at a docs office when they are given,its usualy whatever med that particular doc is either most familiar with,or just a shot in the dark.
Upon prescription,there is no testing of anything,i cant speak for all but most p docs dont ask about diets,or possable allergys etc,they are not prescribing a certain med on a certain basis,its just theory.
I believe the drugs are tape,but tape is never a bad thing,tape allows me to live a functional life.I understand ur points though its a very complex issue all togther.
> > I think first thing is we need to stop calling it medication......and putting a happy face on it,they are drugs,,medication has some science to it and normaly is treating something,making it better,what we take is based on nothing more than what is looking like more and more of a theory based on dollers.
>
> Psychiatric drugs have made me much better off, with little to no side effects. I think many a psychopharmacologist would challenge your statement that their is little to no science behind treating psychiatric disorders. You can't generalize from a mainly treatment resistant forum and a negative medication experience thread to the general population. If medication is working great for people one would think they would have less inclination to go searching for answers on the internet. :)
>
> Brian
Posted by up'n'down on February 11, 2005, at 1:43:34
In reply to Re: Meds? Yes please..., posted by Willyee on February 10, 2005, at 23:08:31
Someone[s] stepped on my sore toes. I have been trying to educate people around me to use the term "medication" instead of drug, because I think of drugs as a substance that can be obtained illegally, and they are not an option for me.
I can see that the trouble with side effects, and with non-effectiveness is extremely discouraging. I have had many, also, but I would not be functional at all without the meds I take.
I have an excellent pdoc who is recently trained in pharmocology and knows the function of the body and the meds she prescribes. I can ask her a question, and she sits there with no reference material and tells me the whole process of action, right down to the mitochondria of the cell. Unfortunately, Her kind is all too rare. Please don't discourage the ones of us who believe in medication-belief is part of it's work. UP'DOWN
Posted by Optimist on February 11, 2005, at 9:38:41
In reply to Medication, posted by up'n'down on February 11, 2005, at 1:43:34
>"...belief is part of it's work."
>UP'DOWN
So true.
Brian
Posted by dancingstar on February 14, 2005, at 12:05:30
In reply to Re: What have I done to myself? No more meds? » Dkscully, posted by SLS on February 9, 2005, at 6:37:21
On the subject of whether or not psych meds work, I found this site interesting and hope that you all will, too. :-)
http://www.ahrp.org/ahrpspeaks/ahrpspeaks.php
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