Meds or no Meds?

[Anselm]

Have a psychiatrist appt., will discuss whether to go on anti depressants for my ongoing somatic anxiety, but am very scared of side effects.

[NeuronerdDoaty]

I don’t know what somatic anxiety is. I’ve never heard that diagnosis.

Start real low; lower than others start at to avoid complications. It will help you be relaxed during the process. Remember the average is the third med is the right one.

Best of luck to you. I’d like to hear how you’re doing.

Doaty

[Anselm in reply to NeuronerdDoaty]

Thank you, somatic means physical. Thanks for the third trial recommendation

[NeuronerdDoaty in reply to Anselm]

Thank you. What I mean is I’ve never heard a doctor put the two words together. Of course anxiety is physical. I’m in the USA though so verbiage can definitely be different. I hope you find some relief.

[Pagesofwords in reply to NeuronerdDoaty]

I think somatic anxiety would be feeling anxious about physical illnesses such as headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, joint pains, etc, In fact, here is something I found by googling it just now. "Somatic symptom disorder is characterized by multiple persistent physical complaints that are associated with excessive and maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to those symptoms. The symptoms are not intentionally produced or feigned and may or may not accompany known medical illness."

For someone who has this kind of anxiety disorder, it makes sense that the person would fear side effects of medications. It may be hard to discern whether a side effect is just a temporary side effect or symptoms of a new illness to worry about.

My advice is to go slow with medications, talk honestly to your prescribing MD about them and the possible side effects, and practice deep breathing and other relaxation techniques to stay calm.

Best wishes to you!

[Hidden]

They help but the side effects can be harsh. They gave me more energy good things but totally wrecked my bowels and stomach. That’s my experience. On low dose. If you can go without go for it. Or trying herbs. They work great for some but for me a mix of hell.

[Anselm in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much

[Hidden in reply to Anselm]

I stuck it out in appalling stomach and bowel side effects and my stomach stuck out bowels seized for 4 months. I gave it a good try. They put me in Resperidone and I was in stomach meds already. I couldn’t empty my bowels I’m still trying to deal with consequences of it all. I would suggest a sleeping pill. Maybe antidepressant vs antipsychotic. Antipsychotics after 6 months (look it up on long term ) I agreed to try six months it was the stomach bowel stuff that sank me and nausea.

[Hidden]

In my experience psychiatrists are pretty good at assessing which medication one should try to alleviate symptoms. I resisted taking anything for years until my anxiety and depression became unbearable and brought me to a standstill.

Listed side effects on the leaflet were very scary to me, but the advice was to seek professional help asap. if needed. I also knew that I wasn’t going to be abandoned by the psychiatrist.

I had headaches and feelings of nausea at first until my body got used to the meds.

At least now I feel calmer, can function and have the wherewithal to learn how to deal with my stuff.

In addition: we discussed every possible thing I worried about regarding the medication including the fact that I didn’t want something that would make me gain weight!

I hope this helps.

[Audiomarc1]

Tell the doctor your med issues. He works for you, not the opposite.

[Jeff1943]

If you start on medication expecting side effects you will notice side effects.

If you start on medication expecting respite from anxiety and depression then you will notice respite.

Any minor side effects usually resolve after you've been on the medication for a short time.

Most psychoactive meds take anything from 3 to 6 weeks before the full benefit of the med is felt.

This is why so many people who start taking meds give up within the first few weeks complaining the med gave them side effects rather than respite.

Many years ago I took amitriptyline for anxiety. For the first few weeks I felt dizzy when I stood up. It passed. Then after a couple of weeks I felt the benefits of the medication.

Those long lists of side effects on the notes that accompany meds are there to cover the pharmaceutical companies legally. It doesn't mean you can expect to feel these side effects.

If anxiety and/or depression are overwhelming and you have family or work responsibilities that cannot be ignored I say the right thing to do is to take the meds. But meds don't offer recovery so eventually you may wish when the time is right to taper off the medication very slowly and apply anxiety control methods learned from able self-help writers.

I wish you happier days ahead whatever you decide.

[Anselm in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you so much

[shoppaholicsue]

In my experience - I needed to use some meds to dig me out of the black hole i'd got myself in. I weaned myself off them pretty quickly (3 months) and I'm much better. Still not fully there, but I can now help myself far better - whereas before the meds I was sinking!

Hope whatever you choose works for you.

Sue

[Anselm in reply to shoppaholicsue]

Dear Sue,

Thank you for your response. It sounds encouraging.

Good luck to you, too.

Anselm