Not so good news

[hb_kenzie]

Whelp, it’s been 8 months and I’m feeling the most stuck and trapped I’ve ever felt in this medication journey. I am still at 5mg of lexapro, but I’ve started going to a therapist and a psychiatrist almost every week. I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder, and have been prescribed not only ability but Xanax as well at the smallest doses (even cutting those pills in half). I am extremely torn between the medication route and the natural remedy route and it gives me even more anxiety trying to decide which path is better for me... I guess for now, my tapering off of lexapro is at a standstill because frankly, I can’t handle being on 5 mg well at all and I’m not sure what the reason is...

[Hidden]

You sound like me. I can’t handle even the smallest dose of an anti depressant. Makes me feel worse. Would love to go the natural route but not quite sure where to start.

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

Yeah. I feel like if medication is the right route for me, that I’ve been on the wrong medication this whole time. Are you on any anti anxiety or antidepressants at the moment?

[Hidden in reply to hb_kenzie]

I was on mirtrazapine but all that did was make me want to sleep. I also had klonopin but that is addictive. I suffer from OCD, anxiety and depression all as the result of a trauma. My life has fallen apart. I was very ‘normal’ ... (I am 60) now I am not and am trying to figure out how to put my life back together, What else have you tried?

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

Wow I’m sorry to hear that. I’m glad you’re still trying to help yourself though. That actually gives me some hope to not give up so easily. I’ve only been on lexapro so far, but a doctor tried to switch me to Zoloft, which didn’t work and I began to have withdrawal symptoms so I got right back on lexapro. I’ve been tapering off of the lexapro starting about a year ago because I wanted to see how I would be without medication, but I’m not handling the tapering well at all and I’m constantly anxious and paranoid.

[Hidden in reply to hb_kenzie]

Withdrawal is horrible...took me months to get off mitrazapine. I neglected to say that I also tried lexapro and sertraline...both of which gave me suicidal thoughts.

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

Do you regret getting off of your mitrazapine? Or do you think it was better for you to be off of the medication?

[Hidden in reply to hb_kenzie]

I go back and forth with all of that. Some days I feel like I should be on something where other days I hate the thoughts of meds and all their side effects

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

I feel the same way. I feel like I’m constantly battling with myself about whether or not medication is the right thing to do...

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

Are you engaging in any therapy currently?

[Hidden in reply to hb_kenzie]

Yes. I have been in therapy for almost a year. Hasn’t helped much with the OCD.

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

What kind of OCD symptoms are you experiencing? I suffer a little from OCD as well

[Hidden in reply to hb_kenzie]

I have thought OCD...ruminating about things from the past. I have a negative experience (trauma) occur and I can’t get it out of my head....replays over and over...it’s brutal, dr suggested Luvox but I am a wreck about taking it.

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

That sounds terrible. Mine is thought as well but it’s like songs playing over and over in my head and it gets really annoying and keeps me from sleeping

[Hidden in reply to hb_kenzie]

It is terrible, what drugs have been suggested for you.

[hb_kenzie in reply to Hidden]

Well on top of my 5mg of lexapro I’m currently taking, Ive just started taking abilify and have now also added Xanax

[Hidden in reply to hb_kenzie]

Is it all working for you

[Pahasapa]

You need patience, don’t give up on antidepressants, takes time

[hb_kenzie in reply to Pahasapa]

I know but it’s been years and I just am so paranoid and worried about everything all the time...

[Pahasapa in reply to hb_kenzie]

Stick to meds and counseling

[hb_kenzie in reply to Pahasapa]

That’s what I’m going to do for now... are you taking any antidepressants or engaging in counseling currently? If so, is it working for you?

[Pahasapa in reply to hb_kenzie]

Absolutely working

[Hidden in reply to Pahasapa]

Which anti depressant are you on May I ask.

[Pahasapa in reply to Hidden]

Cymbalta

[Hidden in reply to Pahasapa]

What are you being treated for May I ask? Don’t mean to be nosy...just wondering what cymbalta is good for. Thx

[Pahasapa in reply to Hidden]

Panic,anxiey

[Hidden in reply to Pahasapa]

Did you have specific events that caused it? Mine stems from trauma.

[Pahasapa in reply to Hidden]

Chronic back pain