This is too much

[Joevik]

I've been on ssri's, atypical antidepressants, xanax for over 30 years. I've switched over three different such meds within a 3 month period but they don't seem to be working for me anymore. My docs want me to take antipsychotics and/or mood stabilizers but I am so scared of the side effects. I've also been living in a country where I can't seem to find the support I need. I have never felt so helpless, so scared and feel like I'm losing my mind

[Hidden]

I'm sure someone here knows more on the subject. I just wanted to send a hug.

Pooh hug

[Joevik in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, that brought tears to my eyes...

[Hidden in reply to Joevik]

🫂 a cleansing tear can clear your thinking.

[Crazy-Crafter]

It's a little scary when you don't have the necessary support system in place. I've had to have my medications changed and updated recently due to developing a tolerance after so much time. Stop the stigma and give yourself the opportunity to feel better. If these meds aren't made for you either, just speak up, don't give up. You have value and deserve to feel like you can exist and enjoy your life ❤️

[Kayaker73]

I’m so sorry you’re going through that. I’ve been going through something very similar. Keep pressing on and know that there is hope. You have the support of this community.

[Joevik in reply to Kayaker73]

thank you so much; I sincerely wish the best for you as well

[bethelbee]

Hi! Have you considered alternative treatment other than medication? I was on meds for decades and a few years ago became treatment resistant. The last few meds I was tried on either didn't work or gave me intolerable side effects. My therapist recommended TMS(transcranial magnetic stimulation) and for me it was a game changer. It's a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses targeting a part of the brain to reduce/eliminate depression. You said you can't get the support you need in your country. May I ask where you are? Maybe see if they have TMS. It's worth looking into. BTW. I'm in my late 60's,

[Joevik in reply to bethelbee]

Thank you so much for reaching out and letting me know that this alternative treatment worked for you. I am actually in Peloponnese, Greece and have been to most doctors here but it seems they all work the same way, overprescribing, and I have not been successful in finding alternative treatments. I will try to see if I can find TMS treatments and will let you know if I do.

[bethelbee in reply to Joevik]

Hope you are able to find a treatment that works for you! I hadn't heard of TMS before my therapist mentioned it.

[MorningDanceTrece]

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles.

To be honest switching meds that frequently seems counterproductive because with most medications it takes 8 to 12 weeks for it to reach maximum efficacy.

If each med took took the entire 3 months that means it should have taken 9 months to try three different medications.

As far as side effects go you basically have to do a cost benefit analysis and decide if the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the costs of the side effects.

Just to give you a personal example I too felt exactly how you describe in the last sentence of your post.

I started taking a mood stabilizer with the side effect of weight gain and hair loss which I really don't like but it made those feelings go away about 70% and nothing else had.

So for me it was worth it.

I'm sorry to hear that you're in a country where you don't get much support.

I hope that you can find the support that you deserve here at Health Unlocked.

[Joevik in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

thank you for reaching out; I agree that changing meds this frequently did not help but I was overwhelmed with the side effects and the fact that I experienced phobias where I would wake up in the middle of the night with my whole body shaking, made me do it. I would not be happy to gain weight or have hair loss but the medications I have been told to take have much more severe side effects them being Steven Johnson's Syndrome and akathisia and being that I am very phobic and overly anxious on taking medication in general, I am in a great dilemma.

I am so happy that you find that it's worth it for you and wish you the very best!

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to Joevik]

I both hear and understand what you are saying.

Both of those side effects you mentioned are very terrifying indeed and the risk of getting them is worth avoiding if at all possible.

I'm sorry to hear how badly you're struggling with the phobias and the waking up shaking.

I experienced things like that sometimes and it's terrible.

I do hope that you can find things to help you feel better and alleviate your suffering.

[MorningDanceTrece]

Also Xanax is addictive and one of the side effects of withdrawal is exactly what you describe: massive anxiety, feeling like you're losing your mind, extreme depression, et cetera

[Joevik in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

I have unfortunately been taking Xanax for over 30 years - .25 to 0.5mg per day and have not stopped it, therefore the anxiety would not be from withdrawal

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to Joevik]

I see.

I apologize for taking so long to get back to you.

I basically haven't been here at all not ignoring you.

I sincerely hope that you're feeling significantly better now than you were when you made your original post. 🪻🌞

[Joevik in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

Thank you so much for getting in touch, I hope you are well! I have upped my dosage of Lexapro to 20 mg and the terrible side effects have onced again resurfaced with a vengeance. I am taking small doses of Xanax but they don't help as much this time around, and am trying to be patient and hope they will go away soon so I can feel some long awaited relief.

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to Joevik]

I'm sorry to hear about the problems that you're experiencing. That really sounds like a major bummer.

I'm actually pretty severely clinically depressed with massive anxiety myself I'm just trying to put one foot in front of the other and get one or two important things accomplished each day.

Thank you for reaching out

🌞🎶🪻

[Joevik in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

Thank you for sharing that with me. It really means a lot to hear from someone who understands what it’s like. I’m also just trying to take things one step at a time, though some days feel so overwhelming. It’s good that you’re taking steps to manage how you’re feeling, like with the mood stabilizers. Do you find they’re helping at all?

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to Joevik]

Well I have bipolar 4 and since I've been taking the depakote I haven't had a major manic episode which is extremely positive results and also extremely helpful. (20 years)

The medication for that does not help as well with the depression unfortunately.

And the medication I'm trying to use for the depression doesn't seem to be working particularly well either.

I had started taking a specially formulated EPA omega-3 supplement to help with mood stabilization but I fell off the wagon of taking that religiously and correctly so I need to start that up again.

I got one major project accomplished today by breaking it down into four or five smaller pieces.

I've been sleeping on my naked mattress for a month with three cats sharing it.

So I actually put the entire vacuum on top of it and vacuumed it super thoroughly and then put on the clean mattress cover and then a clean sheet.

It feels amazingly awesome physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Having accomplished that helps me feel a little bit less anxious and overwhelmed.

Peace 🕊️

[Joevik in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

Thank you for sharing all that. It sounds like you've been dealing with a lot, but it's amazing that you’re finding ways to break things into smaller steps and tackle them. Even something like getting the bed all cleaned up sounds like a real accomplishment—especially with three cats! It’s great that Depakote has been helping with the manic episodes, even though I can see how frustrating it must be to not find the same relief for the depression. I hope restarting the omega-3 supplement gives you a bit of a boost too. You’re inspiring in how you keep going and celebrate those small wins. Peace to you too.

[MorningDanceTrece in reply to Joevik]

Thank you so much for your lovely message which I greatly appreciate 😉😺🌞🪻

[Joevik in reply to MorningDanceTrece]

❤️

[RS1974]

I'm on antipsychotics and mood stabilizer for schizoeffive bipolar disorder. They work good and help.

[Joevik in reply to RS1974]

Thank you for sharing that. It’s encouraging to hear that your medications are working well for you and are helping manage things. It’s always nice to hear when someone finds something that helps. It gives me hope that there’s a way to find balance, even with all the challenges.

[RS1974 in reply to Joevik]

Yes and I wish you well and hope you find something that works for you 😊

[Joevik in reply to RS1974]

Thank you, I really appreciate that. Wishing you the best too

[RS1974 in reply to Joevik]

😊

[Hidden]

Everything will be alright.please don't loose hope .......we are here with u❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ love care n hugs

Arpan

[Joevik in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much, Arpan. Your kindness means a lot. Sending love and hugs back to you. ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Joevik]

You are most welcome:)