Wondering.....🤔

[TrustYourSoul]

So it seems like medications don't seem to be helping a lot of people on this site..??? I read numerous posts from people whose problems just go on and on, every day it seems, with no improvement?? Something is wrong here. The famous quote: "The definition of insanity~doing something the same way every time, expecting different results." Why Do things, or Take drugs that obviously aren't working based on the repetitive posts about high anxiety, depression, regular thoughts of self-harm...???

I continue to wonder sometimes if a combination of multiple daily psych meds actually causes some level of significant mental imbalance. The mind and body are easily confused by "substances" that may interfere with optimal functioning.

From personal experience, my mental health, energy, and outlook on life improved Greatly when I was "supervised/ doctor-advised" as I decided to wean myself off multiple synthetic drugs, down to just one "as needed". SO much better for years now. Some people take so many things that their mind doesn't even know who they are anymore, and it can really complicate their situation. I had a VERY wise therapist who listened, agreed with my medication concerns and guided me properly to a much better, nearly chemical-free state of mind. Only Xanax when needed (not daily), and only half a tablet by my choice. My quality of life improved so much. If the brain and body are full of multiple unnatural chemicals, I'm afraid too many people become psychologically "lost" and psychologically dependent, on too many meds. Just wondering, and sharing my story.

[Dolphin14]

Great post. Glad you have a good therapist and were able to wean off meds.

I think therapy is key to getting better. You have to talk and look inside to get the answers. I am on meds and I needed them. I needed to calm my anxiety before I could focus on the work. I'm off one and weaning off another now. I have better coping skills and need to put those to use.

I think some people don't give meds the time it takes to kick in. I also know meds are not one size fits all. Sometimes they have to be changed around to find the right one. My primary Dr does not believe mental health problems are real. Yup.... can you believe that? She is the one pill for all type. I have a psychiatrist that knows what to do so I told my primary Dr she's fired from my mental health issues. I told her to stick to general medicine.

I'm so glad you are doing well

🐬

[AnxiousSilver]

There's mainly 3 types of people out there.

1 - Pill route, but doesn't do therapy or support groups. (and that's their choice)

2 - No Pills, but big into any and all talk therapy.

3 - Combination of both.

.

Personally, I happen to fit into option #3, because there's a certain dosage that I can only handle with pills.

Bottom line - Everybody is different, and if pills are working for you, then please stay on them unless your doc says different.

& For any random reader out there reading this, please never mess with your meds, unless your doc gives you the approval to do so.

[AlexFlorida in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Hello AnxiousSilver. Great post. I’m also on plan #3 (Combination of both)…. But I’m still feeling horrible

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

When I first started on meds I was on Lexapro and clozapram. I was on them for few years. But I was also doing therapy. It worked. I gotten to a point where I was weaned off of both meds. Only took clozapram as needed which wasn't often.

Sadly I had a set back and back to taking my clozapram everyday 2x a day and seeing a therapist. I'm hoping it doesn't take me several years to recover.

[Shnookie in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

I understand your concern. However if the Klonopin is helping U now please don’t feel guilty or anxiety ridden by taking it. U can take walks, listen to music 🎶 U enjoy 😉 I’m here for U hugs 🤗 Shnookie

[Willow2022 in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

Similar here. Prozac and klonopin plus therapy then weaned off all. Major set back and right back where I started though I think I may need higher doses this time. Doc appointment is coming this week.

[Blueruth in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

I got myself off meds in a similar way too. Except one which I literally can’t. But 2020 was too much by 2021 so I did take one again. Now I’m off. I also got a therapist. I believe one of the things I was missing in 2020 was yoga. At home just wasn’t the same. My local studio thankfully opened for in studio in the beginning of 2021. Many people who lost mental health services and groups suffered in 2020. If you haven’t I think something that gets you to move as a habit may help.

Thank goodness I’m off… it was 2-400/ month! My prescriber gave me samples or I couldn’t have done it.

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to Blueruth]

My setback was because of a health issue. Started a new medication and was doing find in 2020. Probably one of the very few people not in need of therapy in 2020. But they up the dosage and the side effects to the medication is anxiety and depression. So if you are already suffer from anxiety...it just made it 2x times worse. I had to beg my doctor to lower it which he did. Started to get back to where I was. Got a new doctor. Things are going find and then had another side effect got sent to endocrinologist. Endo is the one who raised after I told her I don't do well on the higher dose. She won't lower it so Monday I'm going to ask my doctor to lower it. Endo was just a referral for something else I don't need her anymore. I just want to get back to me again.

[Blueruth in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

When I go to a new doctor I address their philosophy on meds and I tell them I take low doses. I’m intolerant of high doses. You can increase a lot easier than decrease. When I wanted to end a med I had a doctor that thought I could just cut it off after two weeks. I took matters into my own hands and stretched out to eight. Every time I thought it was too much of a drop I backed off. So this time my prescriber let me decide when and how much. Doctors aren’t omniscient and they don’t know your body better than you do. I see you are in the US. You could look for someone you can trust. Just be upfront before you even work with them.

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to Blueruth]

Yes I'm beginning to see that. See I fired my first doctor after he was very unprofessional with me. But he did do me a solid and lowered the med before I left. Then I found this doctor who's a woman. And I guess I like her. But I like the office more. The waiting area is nice and it's easy on my anxiety. I would hate to leave it to find another doctor. Which just 5 mins ago I cried to my fiancé that I'm worried she'll say no, even if I plead my case and be assertive. I'll get told no. I could ask to see the other doctors there. Just not her. I don't get why she should say no. it not like it's painkillers and I'm asking for a larger dose. It's thyroid medication, ffs. My appointment is tomorrow so I'm nervous 🫦. I hope she'll hear me out cause I want to get back to living again.

[Blueruth in reply to CL3V3R-G1RL]

I fired a doctor too! Start with asking her why she feels that is the right dosage. If you don’t agree let her know it simply doesn’t feel right. You can say no. She can refuse to treat you but that is SOOOOO arrogant. It isn’t like you are refusing the med. I would get the RX and keep looking. Does your state let a PA prescribe? They really tend to be much nicer and listen.

[CL3V3R-G1RL in reply to Blueruth]

Yeah I pa can prescribe. Yeah I asked my PA if he can lower it and he told me no because my levels were good. He said he likes were they are at. But I told him this anxiety and depression is terrible and he said he understood how I felt. I asked what about if I were to talk to the doctor about lower it. He said he doubts it and she might agree with him . But he understands that how I feel. He's a nice man. But I don't think he does. I think he thinks this is just me and not the drug. He told me before that it could be worse cause they have patients who are on like 100/200mcg and I'm on 50mcg. So I'm lucky. I told him I don't feel lucky. Plus I don't like to do this comparative suffering. It isn't helpful.

[Shnookie]

This is Shnookie. I’ve been on meds for ADHD, anxiety depression for many years. Along with therapy and supportive people around me. They helped me function when my mom was diagnosed with stage 4

Pancreatic Cancer and I was her sole

caregiver for 16 months. I have a new 40

Hour a week M-F and work two 4 hour shifts a a caregiver for a client who has advanced dementia on the weekends.

My meds allow me to function working 7 days a week. I have some good PMs from

HU and some supportive friends and a few relative and reach out to NAMI a mental health support line. These combination of things keep me going even in the difficult

times.

[Hidden]

Hi I wish I could give a good answer but I can't because I'm not on a med now. I have been prescribed stuff in the past but don't take them long because of the side effects. I wish I could feel better without medicine I just want God to ease mind and my son's. Pray for us.

[404Error]

I lived most my life without meds. I'm waiting on snail mail therapy medication after a recent start with once a month therapy hoping my self medication of Jim Beam and not in small doses twice monthly would slow the f down. Taken slowly I function like most people, but unfortunately I can't hold myself back. I think I'm ready to walk around in a stupor with no idea where the walls are because my way isn't working. This is me not doing the same thing over and over. Thanks for not crediting Einstein on that quote.

[Blueruth]

I think it is incredibly rare for them to work on their own. My annoyance with traditional psychiatric medicine is it so focused on chemicals. That was all they learned in med school. There are even arguments that they would be out of a job otherwise. In fact my state allows PAs to prescribe so I go to one of those. They don’t have as much formal education but it is broader.

Study after study have shown unequivocally that meds supported by talk therapy, physical movement, mindfulness and nutrition work. Doctors should be prescribing at least ☝️ of those with the med. instead they are influenced by big pharmaceutical and assume it is a lifetime prescription.

[Skjones]

I think Mel's to do work and don't cause harm I think the people that are using ingredients them either a ist the right med or b do not give them enough time and also think that it will cure you,

Meds help clear the static but you still have to work on the things and do the therapy and exercises to get to a better place

[AlexFlorida]

Wow! Wow! I just came across your post. I really liked it! Thank you for posting it! I’ve been taking Xanax (for high anxiety and panic attacks) now for 3 weeks and although I still feel/felt bad, I genuinely felt that it is/was helping me but 11 days back my psychiatrist decided to give me a second pill for depression called Fetzima. The first week I didn’t feel anything but now and the last few days I’m actually feel worst! I’m starting to think that Fetzima is not good for me. I feel terrible 😞

[TrustYourSoul]

Thank You AlexFlorida. There is no problem taking a "mild" low-dose antidepressant, such as Prozac, while taking the the lowest dose that helps you of an anti-anxiety med. It's when people keep adding more meds, or changing them, where I was concerned about the brain no longer being able to "figure out" who the person really is. The meds may cause too much "confusion" for the brain to function well. My therapist in the past agreed, fortunately knew her stuff, and was well-versed on brain and body chemistry. I felt much better weaning off "chemicals", down to just one that I only take in a small dose (half a Xanax) as needed. It takes the edge off quite well. The rest is up to me to consciously do things to help my frame of mind. 🙋‍♀️