life lately

[Teaandnicotine]

I’m happy to have found this group. Just wanted a safe place to share some feelings I’ve been having. I feel like lately my anti depressant isn't doing enough. When I started on them, it was just for a long term solution to my anxiety but I feel like I’ve developed depression while on them. Now I just feel stuck, I don’t want to take more because I hate being medicated. I don’t want to take less because I know my anxiety isn’t under control. Just. Stuck.

[hazelnut11]

i feel you. i’ve been stopped taking them by myself, i do not recommend that. i also hate taking them. the worst part is people around me saying stuff like ‘are you off your meds again’ i’ve never heard something so heartbreaking.

[Windsorgardener5087 in reply to hazelnut11]

I am so with you when stupid comments like that are thrown at us. Aside from the hurt, has the other person actually noticed something different that you are doing?

[hazelnut11 in reply to Windsorgardener5087]

probably. but that doesnt mean they can say such a thing to me. especially the people you love.

[strawberryfield25 in reply to hazelnut11]

sometimes my mom would say that to me and i could literally feel something shatter in my chest..

[Windsorgardener5087]

Hi and thank you for your post.Sometimes you aren't taking the right drug for you or at the correct dose. A prescriber has about 30 drugs to choose from so hang in there. Trial and error takes patience on our behalf to find the best drug.

Keep your doctor informed and decide on the next step together.

The other thing I was thinking is you haven't mentioned seeing a therapist. For some people, medication and therapy together, is better than either one alone 🤔

[mikeyg661]

I never liked the idea of medication and I avoided it for years, I started testing out different anti-depressants about 2 years ago and ended up finding one that seems to help, based on my own experience I would say to be careful when stopping them cold turkey, I've done that and it caused extreme withdrawals, I didn't even realize they were withdrawals, but your serotonin, dopamine, etc depending on what you're taking can get thrown off big time if you don't taper off of the meds correctly.. Recently I stopped taking a mood stabilizer cold turkey that I was prescribed 6 months ago and I have felt extremely low and depressed, I am back on it but it will take time for them to kick back in and even then who knows if I will bounce back, or how soon I will bounce back. Now I'm trying to cope with it by being mindful of what is causing it, instead of blaming myself, I remind myself that it's a chemical reaction in my brain. Good luck to you.

Warmly,

Mike

[Dolphin14 in reply to mikeyg661]

Mike

This is great advice

🐬

[strawberryfield25]

hi, i’m glad you’ve found this group too. i hope we can help bring you some comfort and understanding regarding your concerns about your anxiety medication. i was on lexapro for about 2 years before i finally realized that it was making me more sick. i would have weird intrusive thoughts and feel really sad about the slightest of things. when i decided to get off it to find more natural/holistic ways of relief, i went through some pretty bad withdrawal symptoms and regretted my decision two days after (so please be prepared for that or work with your doctor on safer ways to wean because i did not;)). once the withdrawal symptoms subsided though, i had an amazing feeling of almost being brought back to life. i no longer had brain fog, no longer had those weird intrusive thoughts and my appetite even got better. i wont tell you that getting off your medication is the best thing for you because everyone is different and i’m not a doctor. but i will say, in finding more natural remedies to my stress and anxiety, it feels much healthier and cleaner for my brain and body. some examples would be lavender oil (which i use RELIGIOUSLY), ashwaganda, various different teas, spending more time in the sun when i can, having pets help, and making sure im feeding myself only the more whole/organic foods. CBD and small doses of marijuana is always recommended and i go to therapy.

im sorry that you’ve been experiencing discomfort with your current medications, thats gotta be frustrating and intense. but we’re a community that will help try to guide you through this and hopefully come out stronger and brighter on the other side ❤️