Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 921662

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Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » Buckeye Fan

Posted by 49er on October 23, 2009, at 16:36:31

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by Buckeye Fan on October 20, 2009, at 11:04:14

BF,

If you do decide to taper, I would taper one drug at a time and leave the Trazadone for last since it is a sleeping med.

When you taper Pristiq, do not stop taking it cold turkey. 50mg is the lowest dose right? I can give you suggestions as to how to taper it and my advice is free.

<< I have tried to go med-free befOre ( not totally)
and I have never been able to get past the withdrawl and depression>

I know I sound like a broken record but taper at the rate I suggested. When I resume tapering Doxepin, I am going to have go even more slowly than 5% of current dose. Yes, it is a pain in the neck but I want to be off the drug permanently. If it take forever to taper it so I can have a decent quality of life, so be it. That is the attitude you need to have.

People on Paxil Progress Board have reported being unsuccessful in tapering before succeeding because they did it slowly.

<<I wonder if I should try it alone...or go into a Rehab program.( I hate the thought of confinement and the fact it will become part of my medical history)>>

DO NOT GO INTO A REHAB CENTER. They will treat you like an addict and load you up with drugs to help you taper very quickly. Kind of defeats the purpose.

You don't have to go at it alone. http://www.paxilprogress.org is very supportive. It is run by an RN whose son became psychotic on Paxil due to tapering schedule that was way too fast. He is off Paxil and is fine.

<<Also.....what will the real "ME" be like, unmedicated ??????? Will the symptoms return ???>>

You won't know who real "you" is until you are a few years off meds. But the best piece of advice I can give you if you do decide to taper or even if you don't is to accept who you are right now.

For example, right now, I have a horrible memory from withdrawal and let's just say it can be embarrassing and a downer. But I have to accept that this is the way it is and simply figure out how I can minimize the symptoms. Beating myself up will simply put me down a path I don't want to go.

Tapering off of meds doesn't guarantee you won't get depressed. By the way, when I started tapering, I prayed that I would have a few years of peace before anything happened. Silly me for thinking that.

Anyway, the family member got ill and then died. As I previously mentioned, I dealt with job instability until finally being hired permanently.

But believe it or not, this was the best thing that happened to me as strange as that sounds. I learned very early that I could cope with whatever challenges that I was dealt with. Heck, if I could deal with a family member dying, what else could be so bad?

What I am saying BF is that tapering is going to be one of the hardest things you do if you chose to go this route. I am not going to sugarcoat things.

But it is also one of the most rewarding things I have done at the same time. And again, tapering slowly is the key.

49er

PS - Please babble mail me if you want to talk further.


 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » Phillipa

Posted by 49er on October 23, 2009, at 16:40:24

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » Buckeye Fan, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2009, at 10:35:58

> Good question I often ask myself the same question or is it like thyroid problems where you need them for life. Although mine don't work switching didn't work either. Do any meds work? Chemo can cause remission but so many get cancer again is it like that? Phillipa

I don't think they do. I am too lazy to find the supporting links

Anyway, when I was suffering those side effects, they sure weren't working.

Interesting comment about chemo drugs. Maybe I am not looking in the right place but I haven't found any statistics that point to its effectiveness.

If I had incurable cancer, I would not undergo chemo and torture myself like that.

49er

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » Buckeye Fan

Posted by 49er on October 23, 2009, at 16:50:43

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by Buckeye Fan on October 22, 2009, at 6:58:23

> I also have a related question to this entire Topic.
>
> It is my understanding that many of the AD's work by inhibiting the re-uptake of certain select
> chemicals produced in our Brain. I will use this example, since this is a medication I was on for many years..Zoloft
>
> Definitions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor on the Web:
>
> an antidepressant drug that acts by blocking the reuptake of serotonin so that more serotonin is available to act on receptors in the brain
> ===========================================================
>
> My question is this.....if our brain naturally gets rid of the serotonin, and we interfere with that by causing it's uptake to be slowed...how can this be healthy ?????
> Is there not a good REASON that our bodies are designed to dispel this and other mood altering chemicals? Is this not upsetting the natural balance that was intended to exist in our brains?
>
> Im sure this question has been poised before, but I have always wondered about it, so I thought I would ask.
>
> Thanks
> BF

BF, you nailed it

Also, keep in mind that SSRIs don't just affect Serotonin which then leads to more disturbances.

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » bulldog2

Posted by 49er on October 23, 2009, at 17:01:56

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by bulldog2 on October 22, 2009, at 9:14:45

> I'm not so sure the comparison between a high blood pressure med and a psych med is not valid. The bp med controls symptoms and does not cure. It also does it in a manner that disrupts natural body functions. Often one med does not work and another type of bp med is chosen. Sometimes a combo is needed. Sometimes one stops working and another is needed. Not that much different really than psych meds. Keep tinkering with the body until a desired result is produced. For all I know my bp med may be causing some unknown damage with it's disruption of natural processes to lower my pressure.
> The alternative people might say I need to get my body in balance with diet exercise and blah blah blah. Well I've dieted and erercised and my pressure is still high. So I take my meds.>>

Bulldog, here is a link to foods that help high blood pressure:

http://www.healthcentral.com/high-blood-pressure/c/35150/26425/blood/

Even if you have tried this, maybe it can help someone else.

By the way, even though I think we have different positions on meds, I completely agree with you about the alternative folks. I actually have more contempt for most of them then I do psychiatry.

I think they are taking advantage of people who are dissatisfied with psychiatry and to me, that is even more disgusting. Not all of them but quite a few.

49er

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er » 49er

Posted by bulldog2 on October 23, 2009, at 18:33:10

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » bulldog2, posted by 49er on October 23, 2009, at 17:01:56

> > I'm not so sure the comparison between a high blood pressure med and a psych med is not valid. The bp med controls symptoms and does not cure. It also does it in a manner that disrupts natural body functions. Often one med does not work and another type of bp med is chosen. Sometimes a combo is needed. Sometimes one stops working and another is needed. Not that much different really than psych meds. Keep tinkering with the body until a desired result is produced. For all I know my bp med may be causing some unknown damage with it's disruption of natural processes to lower my pressure.
> > The alternative people might say I need to get my body in balance with diet exercise and blah blah blah. Well I've dieted and erercised and my pressure is still high. So I take my meds.>>
>
> Bulldog, here is a link to foods that help high blood pressure:
>
> http://www.healthcentral.com/high-blood-pressure/c/35150/26425/blood/
>
> Even if you have tried this, maybe it can help someone else.
>
> By the way, even though I think we have different positions on meds, I completely agree with you about the alternative folks. I actually have more contempt for most of them then I do psychiatry.
>
> I think they are taking advantage of people who are dissatisfied with psychiatry and to me, that is even more disgusting. Not all of them but quite a few.
>
> 49er
>
>
Many of alternative docs are not covered by med insurance. They tend to need tons of expensive tests. I think many of them are charlatans that take advantage of people who have not been helped by conventional medicine and drain people of money. How many of them treat the poor. These docs have clinics that charge outrageous prices. So they offer medicine that few can afford.

As I stated before alt med is like finding a needle of truth in a haystack of outragous claims. Sure some of them have have find processes that work but figure out who these people are. Basically right now alt med is a big unregulated mess.

Another thing when I used to browse on alt med websites advertising the latest miracle product. There were always testimonials. Were these testimonials even real? I suspect many of them were made up.

I just don't have time for this any more. Spent to many years reading books and buying products that cost me a lot of money and delivered nothing.

Sorry for the rant. But see to many people getting ripped off and being made false promises.

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er » bulldog2

Posted by Phillipa on October 23, 2009, at 19:39:26

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er » 49er, posted by bulldog2 on October 23, 2009, at 18:33:10

Are some of them here too? Just curious. Phillipa

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er

Posted by bulldog2 on October 24, 2009, at 11:43:20

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on October 23, 2009, at 19:39:26

> Are some of them here too? Just curious. Phillipa

I don't know. By the way where do you purchase your seaweed. It is quite pricey!

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?

Posted by Sigismund on October 24, 2009, at 18:39:53

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er » 49er, posted by bulldog2 on October 23, 2009, at 18:33:10

>Many of alternative docs are not covered by med insurance.

Yes


>They tend to need tons of expensive tests.

Yes


>I think many of them are charlatans that take advantage of people who have not been helped by conventional medicine and drain people of money.

I don't know. Some of them are trying to do less harm. It's not as if anything is wonderfully effective.


>How many of them treat the poor. These docs have clinics that charge outrageous prices. So they offer medicine that few can afford.

Quite right.

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?

Posted by bleauberry on October 24, 2009, at 21:05:06

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by Sigismund on October 24, 2009, at 18:39:53

> >Many of alternative docs are not covered by med insurance.
>
> Yes

But some are. One I saw took Blue Cross. Even if they aren't, as long as they provide the "medical codes" for classifying your symptoms and the reason for the visit, you can usually get reimbursed for 50% of the visit from your insurance company by submitting a claim to them for each visit (instead of the usual 80% that is automatically taken care of without any work on your part).

Most insurance companies do allow you to see doctors outside of their programs, which is most integrative docs. What is important is that the clinician is an MD.

>
>
> >They tend to need tons of expensive tests.
>
> Yes

Yes and no. They don't need them. They like to see them for a bigger picture, but they can do without them. Symptoms speak pretty clearly to someone who knows their stuff. I do not believe cheaper run-of-the-mill tests done in mainstream medicine offer any benefit because they often miss the obvious. Even if they were cheap, it was money thrown away, because they looked for the wrong things. I feel it is better, if tests are going to be done, to use targeted pinpointed ones specific for the symptoms, which mainstreet doctors don't use.

>
>
> >I think many of them are charlatans that take advantage of people who have not been helped by conventional medicine and drain people of money.

Then they should be reported to The Better Business Bureau and the State Medical Board. It is a blessing that patients have options when mainstreet doc fails. The patient does carry responsibility, in terms of approving which tests to do or not, and asking tough questions. The patient is the paying customer...the boss...the doctor is providing a service. It is up to the patient to get what he/she is paying for, or fire the underachiever. I've seen 3 different integrative MDs...two were certainly knowledgable but missed the obvious (Lyme) while the third was equally knowledgable but had a keen eye. Like anything else in life, you gotta shop to find the best deal. Same with mainstreet doctors, of which 90% were a disappointment to me. The fact that they were "cheap", as in my insurance paying for them, was totally worthless, because what good they were able to do for me was likewise worthless.

>
> I don't know. Some of them are trying to do less harm. It's not as if anything is wonderfully effective.

Things can be wonderfully effective. The problem is that human physiology and disease are so complex. We know so little. Much greater research is needed. With so many diseases, syndromes, and symptoms, we are still years or decades away from having answers. No matter what course we choose, it is almost all experimental...whether it be mainstreet docs or integrative docs, meds or herbs, or combinations of any of the above. But when the right approach is found, wonderful effectiveness abounds in thousands of stories across the country in some very serious diseases.
In most of those success stories, it was the patient themselves that guided the journey to victory, with the doctor playing a supporting role but not a leadership role.

>
>
> >How many of them treat the poor. These docs have clinics that charge outrageous prices. So they offer medicine that few can afford.

Two of the three that I saw take medicare, medicaid, and the State's program for the poor.

>
> Quite right.

You gotta shop around.

I've made several posts in this thread. It kind of got off track a bit. But to reiterate, my answer to the question "Is Becoming Med Free a Reality", my answer is the prognosis is very good but no guarantees. It is a different ballgame however. The rules are different. The patient plays a larger role than merely sitting in an office chair and letting someone behind the desk run their life.

It requires care for the entire body, not just the area where the symptoms are manifesting themselves. Because so often, those symptoms are coming from somewhere else in the body, not the site where they are actually seen. Detective work.

In the end, one or two supporting meds may still be needed, though doses and number of meds should be greatly reduced from where they were previously needed, aided by the intervention of the actual cause of symptoms, targeted specific supplements or plants, and strategically chosen food choices. If you or me were to add our names to the list of ones who won victory over the disease without meds, we would be the newest on a list of many thousands before us. It happens every day.

Each case is different.

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er » bulldog2

Posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2009, at 21:36:01

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er, posted by bulldog2 on October 24, 2009, at 11:43:20

It's hand havested on Sigi's beach. It comes from a long way away. Would you like some? Love Phillipa Sigi hope you don't mind that I gave away our secret income. Just kidding of course.

 

Alternative therapy board

Posted by delna on October 25, 2009, at 4:17:38

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? 49er » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2009, at 21:36:01

Hi,
I am actually quite saddened to find this conventional vs alternative (heated) debate happening here. This is a medication board, after all.

People on this board (including myself) are here to discuss psych drug treatments because we have 'chosen' that route. We have all been through our personal battles and may/may-not have tried other things. I, for one am here for support with my drugs and to support others who are also trying new regimes or suffering side effects or simply need some input on what they might expect from a certain drug.
(BTW, although I appear to be new here, I have been here, silently, for many years and have been greatly helped by peoples inputs to my one-off questions or by simply reading existing med threads.)

What started as a simple tread about the possibility of being med free sadly turned into a alt vs psych treatment battle. Only few posts made any real comment on the original question.

Its frustrating to argue with people who are anti-psychiatry and considering this is a psychiatry board we shouldn't have to justify why we are taking drugs. I find it depressing to 'stumble' upon such a thread because this is something many of us have had to hear our whole lives- that making simple changes to our lifestyles will cure us and taking the drug route is........well, I don't know what.

If you have had positive effects with alt therapies it would be more considerate to post those on the other board...I am not a touchy person but I felt a bit offended by some of the posts that made me feel like I was somehow taking the easy (or even stupid) way out of my problem.

Dr Bob has kindly created a board especially for people who believe in or practice alternative therapies.I'm sure anyone who is inclined towards alt treatments will be drawn there and discover possible things that may benefit them.
This is the board: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/


Thanks for your understanding...
Take care
Love
D

PS: No offense meant to anyone at all. I just had to share how this thread made me feel.

 

Re: Alternative therapy board » delna

Posted by Phillipa on October 25, 2009, at 19:34:03

In reply to Alternative therapy board, posted by delna on October 25, 2009, at 3:17:38

Delna I do understand thanks for getting the thread back on track and suggesting the alternative board. Sorry for joking my bad about the seaweed. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Alternative therapy board » delna

Posted by psych chat on October 25, 2009, at 21:44:41

In reply to Alternative therapy board, posted by delna on October 25, 2009, at 3:17:38

You raised some good points-but just because you don't get something from it, doesn't mean others won't benefit.

As you are uncomfortable with alternative suggestions here on the med board, I am uncomfortable with censoring other people's thoughts. Now censoring one's own thoughts is one thing...but it's very uncomfortable when I read posts telling others what and what not to say or what they should or should not say (aside from posts that are meant to be abusive).

It's happened to me before here...I guess I feel very strongly about free speech/individual thought. Seems I feel strongly about privacy issues too, as I am uncomfortable with the connection of my posts now to social networks. I guess I will just have to find another forum.

Sorry it makes you uncomfortable. Be well.

 

Re: Alternative therapy board » psych chat

Posted by delna on October 26, 2009, at 2:56:22

In reply to Re: Alternative therapy board » delna, posted by psych chat on October 25, 2009, at 22:44:41


> As you are uncomfortable with alternative suggestions here on the med board, I am uncomfortable with censoring other people's thoughts.
>I guess I feel very strongly about free speech/individual thought.


Firstly that post was aimed at no one in particular....it was just a general thought and a comment on how i felt about that thread. I think that's allowed.

Secondly, I believe in free expression too- what I said was nothing to do with censorship.

However, IMHO it's not an issue what you say but where you say it (and to whom). Especially when there is a special forum for alternative therapy, for believers.

For example, if I were to post/push my faith related opinions here, (instead of using the faith board) in answer to medication related issues/questions I don't think it would be appreciated and I DO believe I would make at least some people uncomfortable... ..... and TOTALLY offend others.
Yes, some people may benefit from my religious views on why we are all ill. But others would just feel awful, especially if they have had to deal with similar theories.

I will give you an example to explain where I am coming from:
Not that I believe it myself (or have any faith related views), but in Hinduism (my supposed religion) apparently you deserve your illness for past crimes in previous lives and you need to pray/do good deeds to recover- not resort to drugs. It's your karma and drugs are not going to change that...you'll just come back in your next life with the same if not worse problem.
I think people who want to hear that and learn more about how they should idol worship/ pray to be free of mental health problems would migrate to the 'faith board'. There I could give them lots of tips on which particular gods to pray to, share different chanting methods and examples on how these things have cured people. (NB: I am a non- believer myself so I am just using this as an example. Also Hinduism is not so crude, I am just making it sound harsh to make my point). But believe me I have heard all this before and even been sent for exorcism (!)

Anyway, I hope you can see where I am coming from. I, personally find the pushing of alt therapies and anti-psych talk on a med board more offensive than any religious lecture could ever be.

Incidentally I am not seeking an argument nor a debate. I'm ill and have no desire to enter into conflict. Sorry if it made you feel like I was being a teacher and moderating the board. I have no energy for that.I was just sharing my view. I hope you can see my POV.

Best wishes
Take Care
Love
D

 

Sorry to everyone.

Posted by delna on October 26, 2009, at 4:55:40

In reply to Re: Alternative therapy board » psych chat, posted by delna on October 26, 2009, at 2:56:22

Hi all,

I'm so sorry if my last 2 posts on this thread sound judgmental and opinionated.I feel ashamed at how I come across :(

I am not looking to debate/argue and I wish I could just remove them both because I can see people getting upset/annoyed by them.

It was foolish for me to post them in the first place as my purpose for being here is 100% for support and nothing else. Definitely not to 'sound off'!

I meant no harm, truly... but I do want to nip this in the bud before it offends/upsets anyone. That was certainly not my intention.


I really appreciate how supportive people on this site have been- I cannot emphasis that enough. To think I could have made anyone here feel bad is an unbearable thought.

Of course, people are free to say what they like and on whatever board they want to, its actually none of my business. If I was not happy with a thread I should have not read it. Or commented on it anyway. That was destructive behavior and I'm very ashamed and sorry.

I know this is no excuse but I am coming off the darn Parnate and it is making me so edgy. That's probably why I did something so impulsive. But still that does not excuse my posts. My posts may not be rude but they are argumentative and totally out of character. They also mislead as to my true purpose for being here- to support and be supported.

I hope you can be understanding with me and forgive my stupidity.

Anyway, I hope there are no hard feelings.....

So again I apologize and hope that no one took it personally.

Take care
All my love
D

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?

Posted by Buckeye Fan on October 26, 2009, at 6:50:09

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by bleauberry on October 24, 2009, at 21:05:06

Thank you to everyone who posted.
I feel as though I received alot of valuable information from this discussion. In fact...an unintended "side-benefit" for me personally was that after actually writing out a bit about my history, and receiving the responses...I feel better than any counseling session with a professional that I have ever been to!!!
I imagine part of the reason is that I was more honest and straightforward here...than when with the counselor, so in fairness to them, I readily admit this.

I've come to no definitive conclusion yet about becoming Med Free...but I sure feel I have a better grasp on the pros and cons than before this post.
Thank you again to all,,,,

BF

 

Re: Sorry to everyone.- To delna » delna

Posted by bulldog2 on October 26, 2009, at 15:40:58

In reply to Sorry to everyone., posted by delna on October 26, 2009, at 4:55:40

> Hi all,
>
> I'm so sorry if my last 2 posts on this thread sound judgmental and opinionated.I feel ashamed at how I come across :(
>
> I am not looking to debate/argue and I wish I could just remove them both because I can see people getting upset/annoyed by them.
>
> It was foolish for me to post them in the first place as my purpose for being here is 100% for support and nothing else. Definitely not to 'sound off'!
>
> I meant no harm, truly... but I do want to nip this in the bud before it offends/upsets anyone. That was certainly not my intention.
>
>
> I really appreciate how supportive people on this site have been- I cannot emphasis that enough. To think I could have made anyone here feel bad is an unbearable thought.
>
> Of course, people are free to say what they like and on whatever board they want to, its actually none of my business. If I was not happy with a thread I should have not read it. Or commented on it anyway. That was destructive behavior and I'm very ashamed and sorry.
>
> I know this is no excuse but I am coming off the darn Parnate and it is making me so edgy. That's probably why I did something so impulsive. But still that does not excuse my posts. My posts may not be rude but they are argumentative and totally out of character. They also mislead as to my true purpose for being here- to support and be supported.
>
> I hope you can be understanding with me and forgive my stupidity.
>
> Anyway, I hope there are no hard feelings.....
>
> So again I apologize and hope that no one took it personally.
>
> Take care
> All my love
> D
>

Delna

You have no need to apoligize to anyone. You raise a very legitimate point of view. This is a medication board with a certain purpose. There is an alternative med board with a set purpose.

To the person who talks of freedom of speech thats absurd. There is an alternative med board for your viewpoints.I don't see med people coming to the alt forum and waging debates that alternative medicine is crap.

It seems that anti med people constantly rant and rave on this board about their view points. I find that rude and selfish. Expound all you wish on the other forum. Babble was set up that way for a reason though no one enforces the rules.

People come here for specific info and they end up being barraged by other topics. You undermine them in their treatment. Let them find out if something works or doesn't.

Like some said I wouldn't go into a Hindu Temple and rant about the merits of Christianity. It's common courtesy and has nothing to do about freedom of speech.

I've been on other mental health forums and see nothing like the constant warfare and bickering that goes on here. There a discussion of drugs, people experiences on them etc. People don't barge in and rant about amino acids, mercury fillings etc.

This place is getting out of control. Now wonder people leave.

Delna you were right to say what you said. Don't let them bully you.

 

Re: Sorry to everyone.- To delna

Posted by psych chat on October 26, 2009, at 21:28:02

In reply to Re: Sorry to everyone.- To delna » delna, posted by bulldog2 on October 26, 2009, at 15:40:58

Delna! Like bulldog said, there's no need to apologize or feel bad about what you said!!

I was adding my opinion to this observation-just as you decided to add yours. I have benefited from others mentioning alternative meds to my pharmaceutical meds questions (like in one thread I posted below). While some people don't benefit from it, others do.

Although specific boards are for initiating questions about specific topics, conversations evolve to include other topics--all the time. Some people post questions about SSRIs and their health-should they be posted on the 'health' board or the 'med' board? Should we split the post in 2-direct 1/2 of it to one board and 1/2 to the other? If someone wants to talk about changing an herbal remedy to an SSRI, what board should they post on? If they choose to post this delemma on the meds board, should people be restricted from posting comments about the alternative remedy that they were taking?

A person's interest in taking meds can be related to psychology-health-grief, etc. It just doesn't make sense to me to censor all the reponses to a post, segregating thoughts rather than allowing well rounded discussions.

One member recently posted to not have alternative treatments mentioned in their post about meds-I believe everyone honored that persons request.

I guess my main point is that posts evolve, and it doesn't seem, of course just in my opinion, to have utility in restricting another's thoughts about questions and topics initiated by others...when people always have the option of taking or leaving the information presented. What may not be useful for some may be useful for others. IMO, I'd rather have people post things that I don't care to hear about rather than having thought police jump out to censor what others write. I can simply ignore those comments I do not wish to consider.

Nothing to feel bad about, just adding my opinion. Please do not take it personally-it's about the concept of censoring, not the person. I appreciate that you commented about this and please don't let my comment stop you from ever adding how you feel about comments, discussions, or situations. It's always good to hear all angles of perception regarding a subject. I believe that's what discussion and learning is all about. :)

 

Re: Interuption Sorry

Posted by Phillipa on October 26, 2009, at 22:11:18

In reply to Re: Sorry to everyone.- To delna, posted by psych chat on October 26, 2009, at 21:28:02

Babblers all please go to substance abuse suicidal very suicidal poster. Help is needed now. One of you may know the person. Thanks as always we will stick together. I'm sure Delna will understand as well. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » Buckeye Fan

Posted by SLS on October 27, 2009, at 5:12:49

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by Buckeye Fan on October 26, 2009, at 6:50:09

Hi.

> I feel as though I received alot of valuable information from this discussion. In fact...an unintended "side-benefit" for me personally was that after actually writing out a bit about my history, and receiving the responses...I feel better than any counseling session with a professional that I have ever been to!!!

Sometimes, it just takes asking the right questions and listening to the answers with an open mind.

If this were the first time that I was to be on antidepressants, I think I would want to try to discontinue them at least once. From everything I can gather, in a case like yours, you should be on antidepressants for a minimum of 12-14 months after full remission is attained before making an attempt. If you taper off the drugs gradually, you will probably avoid a rebound depression, which is more of a withdrawal phenomenon than a true relapse. Therefore, if you do feel the return of depression during a gradual taper, it is likely to be a true relapse. In this case, I would return to the therapeutic dosage of the antidepressants quickly to avoid a desensitization to their therapeutic effects, and thereby recapture the antidepressant response.

I think you are on the borderline of being able to qualify you as a chronic or recurrent depressive. If I remember your answers to my questions well enough, you have not yet demonstrated a rate of recurrence of once every two years. Likewise, your longest episode of depression has not exceeded two years. I don't think you are clearly eligible for either drug discontinuation or continued maintenance. However, three previous episodes is the criterion by which many doctors determine that continued treatment is indicated. Also, bipolar depression is more likely to require maintenance treatment.

You have a difficult decision to make, especially when the consequences of guessing wrong might be to develop a resistance to further treatment. I am not prepared to recommend a course of treatment that you should take. I just know that with my personality, I would try at least once to discontinue drug treatment.


- Scott

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » SLS

Posted by delna on October 28, 2009, at 6:58:19

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » Buckeye Fan, posted by SLS on October 27, 2009, at 5:12:49

>In this case, I would return to the therapeutic dosage of the antidepressants quickly to avoid a desensitization to their therapeutic effects, and thereby recapture the antidepressant response.

Hi, Scott
Do you feel this is a common thing, an antidepressant not working the second time around? Do you feel this to be true for other drug classes as well? Is there anyway around it , from your readings?
Thanks so much
Love
D

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » delna

Posted by SLS on October 28, 2009, at 7:57:09

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » SLS, posted by delna on October 28, 2009, at 6:58:19

> >In this case, I would return to the therapeutic dosage of the antidepressants quickly to avoid a desensitization to their therapeutic effects, and thereby recapture the antidepressant response.
>
> Hi, Scott
> Do you feel this is a common thing, an antidepressant not working the second time around?

I would not venture a guess as to how common this phenomenon is in the general population of people being treated for depression. However, unfortunately, it is a common occurrence in the population who frequent Psycho-Babble. It is probably valid to assume that the majority of people who find Psycho-Babble were looking for a site to help them deal with a history of treatment resistance to drug treatment.

> Do you feel this to be true for other drug classes as well?

Historically, it seems that the SSRIs are the most apt to "poop-out". That term had not even existed before the advent of the SSRIs. However, no class of drugs is immune to this effect.

> Is there anyway around it , from your readings?

Fortunately, it happens often that switching to another antidepressant - even another SSRI - can recapture the antidepressant response. I wish I could suggest a strategy to guarantee a response to a previously discontinued drug. I don't know of any. Sorry. :-(


- Scott

 

Thanks for that, Scott. (nm) » SLS

Posted by delna on October 28, 2009, at 9:51:21

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » delna, posted by SLS on October 28, 2009, at 7:57:09

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?

Posted by JohnJ777 on December 27, 2009, at 14:10:52

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » bulldog2, posted by bleauberry on October 21, 2009, at 18:42:04

Bleauberry mentioned that for some people it takes up to three months for Rhodiola to kick in. I didn't have that experience. Mine was about 2-3 weeks, and I was feeling "different" after only two days (placebo effect?). Anyway, don't give up on the natural products. For me, R. rosea has been remarkable.

 

Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality? » JohnJ777

Posted by janejane on December 29, 2009, at 7:39:08

In reply to Re: Is Becoming Med Free a Reality?, posted by JohnJ777 on December 27, 2009, at 14:10:52

> Bleauberry mentioned that for some people it takes up to three months for Rhodiola to kick in. I didn't have that experience. Mine was about 2-3 weeks, and I was feeling "different" after only two days (placebo effect?). Anyway, don't give up on the natural products. For me, R. rosea has been remarkable.

John, how long have you been taking RR? I've read conflicting things about whether it should cycled since it's an adaptogen. (I would be worried that it wouldn't be as effective if I restarted after stopping for a while.) What is your experience with this? Does it poop out if taken for too long a time without breaks? Do you use anything else? What is your dosage and timing? Thanks!

Bleauberry, if you have any insight on this, I would appreciate you sharing as well.


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