Meds forever

[sandii100]

Just wondering if anyone has been on anxiety meds for 15+ years? Are you worried about long term effects?

[Hidden]

Hello sandii100

Well all medications no matter what sort you have to take can come with side effects and if we read them well it can send our anxiety through the roof but I sort of look at it if you had say a bad heart and needed medication for the rest of your life to keep it well you would take it even if there were side effects so when we take anxiety meds it is because the brain is poorly so if we have to take them 15 years or for the rest of our life's and they keep us well it has to be worth it

I think if you have a good Doctor and for example I take Blood Pressure meds which every year as they can and when I say can it can be 1 in so many thousands affect their liver , but they do a simple blood test to check everything is ok and if it was not they would take you of them before they did do any damage and I would imagine with anxiety meds if there were any long term side effects that could affect you they would keep doing reviews and checking so with this in mind it would help me to not worry that they will do anything to me other than help me with my anxiety

I am presuming but are you asking the question because you have been taking them long term ?

If you have any concerns , have a word with your Doctor the next time you go , I am sure they will be able to reassure you

lulu-1

[sandii100]

Yes, I've been on Zoloft, Prozac and now cymbalta. I have an appointment with my therapist next week and hopefully will get some reassurance

[Hidden in reply to sandii100]

Hi

Maybe make a list of all your concerns so you don't forget what you want to ask and you could even ask if you could jot down the answers so you can remind yourself if you find yourself doubting again , I am sure they will reassure you , let us know how you get on x

[sallybe]

My first post here. I tapered off Paxil after 10+ years of being on it. I finished it 8 wks ago (doing fine), but then 3 days after having none at all, I crashed. I got worse and worse, until 5 days ago, I gave up and went on Prozac. Helping already (some). In one month, we're going to add bioidentical hormones and then begin tapering off Prozac to see if my problem could simply be hormonal. I've been depressed most of my life, so it's got to be chemical deprivation. I'll let you know how it goes. There is a difference in anxiety & depression, and when I felt anxious, taking a couple of valerian root helped! (This was during the last 8 wks of being off anything, btw.) Depression is probably what hell is like, except not as bad as hell. I feel very sad (ha! surprise, surprise) for those who are going to be there. Summation: A good brand (cheap didn't work) of Valerian Root helped the anxiety significantly. Prozac is starting to kick in and helping as well. Hope this is helpful!

[sandii100 in reply to sallybe]

I thought of valerian but i read it shouldn't be taken with antidepressants. I'm on cymbalta right now