Psycho-Social Drugs

Eight or nine years ago I had an affair with a different POA. It was very intense. I thought I was falling in love, and had met the person I had always dreamed about. And I felt like I could leave my family for her. The guilt and the conflict grew in my mind. My mental health diminished. I called a friend that was a psychiatrist for help. She told me I must be bipolar, so they put me on Effexor and Paxil. I told my wife that I thought I was bipolar. My relationship with my POA continued secretly for another 2 months, until we got caught. I used mental illness as my excuse for my actions. I think I was also taking Depakote, and some other things. Probably not all those drugs at the same time, but a any given time I was taking at least two of them, at a fairly high dosage. In addition to the the drugs, was visiting a clinical psychologist every week for an entire year. At the end of the year they told me that they didn't think I was bipolar afterall. lol oops their mistake...lol (I wish I had known about love addiction) The drugs did have a detrimental effect on my body and overall health. I felt much better when I was finally completely off them.

I guess they did help me to cope. They made me feel a certain way. I discovered after going off of them that I could MAKE myself feel the same way without the drugs.

With my current POA my pain and anguish was just as bad, but instead of taking a year to get over it I am already feeling better in just a few weeks. This time I didn't take any drugs. I only took some stuff I got from the health food store, St John's Wart Special Formula (for the daytime), and some L-Tryptophan to help me sleep. I'm no longer taking ANYTHING now. And I am feeling pretty good.

This site has helped a lot. I could be turning to all those meds again, but the Higher Power works better. Understanding and embracing the concept of surrendering your will to the will of the Higher Power is not an easy thing for everyone to do. I pray that epiphany will come to all those who are seeking for an answer right now. Don't let yourself get in the way!

Yes I take medication for both anxiety and depression. But I also use Cognitive Behavioral therapy, prayer, meditation and AA meetings to keep me centered. In my opinion meds only go so far to help us. At least that has been the case for me. We all need a well rounded recovery program and as much support as we can get. But in all honesty, I could not function without my meds.

I have taken Lexapro and currently take Effexor and they lessen my anxiety..I had issues with severe anxiety and panic attacks..
I was opposed whem my doc suggested since my Mom was addicted to those drugs and at one point was taking 140mg of valium a day..she was not an emotionally woman and ended her life when she was 57.
I was able to keep things in perspective and am able to take my meds and be a much less anxious person.

Tough system? Yes....when it comes to physical pain I am amazing. I had both kids in under an hour with NO pain meds!!! Emotional pain is a WHOLE other story!!!! Hence the meds which of course are prescribed by my doctor.

interesting thread.
I am always very careful about this topic.

PRO's
personally, like Susan, I have a multifaceted approach to recovery. I attend twelve step meetings and I make an effort to work the steps, I enjoy Shambala mediation, and also work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, plus - I have this board.
Additionally, I take Himalaya Stress Care, Ultimate Omega by Nordic Naturals, and a low dose of lithium. I watch my diet, exercise, and at present I no longer take antidepressants.

Here is a story.
Many years ago, I met a beautiful woman who was in AA and they told her not to take any meds to be completely sober.
She had a history of extreme child/sexual abuse that no one knew about. With her meds she was bright and struggled some while working through things.
Off her meds, she brutally murdered someone who triggered memories of her father and is now locked up for life. It was the first time I ever cried for the person who did the killing. It
was so sensless, she had been doing ok as long as she took the meds.

I think of her whenever the medications topic comes up.

We have no idea what someone else is going through or has lived with. If someone is on medications best for them to stay that way and consult with professionals if they need to make changes.

A different post on how to choose a good psychiatrist, where to find reliable referrals, and when you need one vs the general physician may be in order..

good topic T.
bluebird

Hi Telmita,
I, like you, have a system that does not adjust well to drugs. I was on Yaz for a short time for the same reason as you say -- to help with the week and a half leading up to the periods.
For me, the yaz did not work. First, she say it does not cause weight gain. Not the case for me. Also, it did not do what I was hoping for and I am prone to Migraines, which the Yaz also did not help.
Maybe it will work for you. Or maybe your combo. is the trick.
Just wanted to let you know, for my pmdd, i now take B vitamins and Omega 3, 6, 9 daily. I must say that this was not a quick fix. But for me (after about 90 days of taking) I have noticed some changes before my period. Please read up on these supplements if you do not take them.
Good luck to you and have a great week!

Hi folks, I'm a long-term med user. Agree with Susan, meds only go so far, but they're essential for me. I entirely disagree with some AA groups' stance on meds, that sobriety requires being med-free. To me, sobriety is about living with brain chemistry that's in the range of normal, so you can feel normal feelings, and relate to others whose brain chemistry is in the range of normal. Some folks require meds to get in the range of normal. So for them, sobriety *requires* meds. People can actually use depression as a way to numb feelings and avoid life, similar to using alcohol and drugs. Boy have I p*ssed off some AA's with this perspective

Telmita as for your situation I don't know much about PMDD, but I have a couple words of advice. Psych meds have a very individual response. A particular med & dosage might be a life saver for one person, and cause another intolerable side effects, or not work, or make things worse. You have to go through a trial-and-error period with your doctor to find a med/dosage or combination that's both effective and has tolerable side effects for you. I've known many people who try one med at one dosage, have side effects, and decide they "just can't take meds". I don't think doctors do a good job of preparing people for this lengthy process, so patients need to educate themselves. If you are suffering for two weeks out of every four, please do yourself a favor and persist until you find something that works for you.

I also know a good psych med support forum. I'm not sure if it's Ok to post links here, so PM me if you'd like. You might get more info there, but really it comes down to working with your own doctor. Other people can't tell you what will work for you.

Hi T,

I took prozac for about 6 months before a relationship broke up. I came offf it when I got cancer and my partner and father of my child left , I was fine ( I know go figure).

It worked for me. It CAN affect your 'intimate' enjoyment , this is written in the list of side effects and I experienced it and found it weird and frustrating.

I agree with bluebird , if prescribed then you must take. Its not up to us to say that prayer or anything else can take their place , although they can help obviously!!

I too was prescribed prozac for menstrual related stuff like this at another time in a small does, its pretty standard and has good results. whether you are used to taking stuff or not eg asprin will make no difference really. You are the way you are. you do not build up a resistance cos you occasionally take pain killers. though we are all subjective to what doses we might need.

as I have said before we cannot underestimate the power of our hormones esp in respect of LA. Perahps we should be talking about this more. Anyone know of any books?
Winnie

hiya t,

really glad to hearing your feeling better, lovely that everyone has shared their stories here.
I think its very important that we do not paint medication in a bad light because for some people it will be the only way they can live. I have to stronly disagree with your statement

"quite frankly, i do not believe in meds. most people over medicate."

Im not sure this is a line of thinking I would want to encourage. Its a little too black and white and lacking in empathey for me. It kind of puts what poeple have shared above in a different light too!?
I know you'll be cool with a little healthy difference of opinions

there are many types of anti-depressents and not all of them suit any one person explaining your experience with prozac. Also maybe you realised you didnt really need it anyway , perfectly acceptable.

Depression sadly is an on-going battle for some people and thier families , without drugs they just could not live , the idea that they are perhaps hindering their development for "deep spirituality" is pretty much irrelevent to them , its about finding a way to just 'live'.
I have first hand experiences with this as im sure many of us do.

I have taken a bit of a heavy duty line on this cos here in the uk taking anti-depressents still has such stigma attatched to it, and quite often people go without the help they need. people feel ashamed. I think we can all relate to that!!!

I sustained a serious injury to my ankle in the summer , I had to be on crutches. Meds are the same, you can use the as your break heals , under supervision , with a view to coming off ( hopefully , but sometimes not ) them and going to therapy.

thats not to say people don't over medicate they do . I have just stopped self medicating with sugar. I feel great and have trimmed down just a little.

Also T do you know that sugar AND caffine will make your menstrul symtoms alot worse, there is quite alot of research out there to support this. Def worth giving up for me .
all the best
winnie

I have struggled for over 20 years of depression and severe anxiety. The first few years I self-medicated with alcohol. Had a few years of therapy, didn't help me a lot. Finally, a doc tried some antidepressant med for me, it helped but not enough. I was fortunate enough to find another doctor that really worked with me and found the right combination of meds for me and the right dosages. I take 4 meds every day....that might seem like an awful lot, but I am thankful for being able to function. Even though I have been down about situation with my POA, I am coping better than if I was med-free....without meds I would be on an alcoholic binge or seriously attempting suicide. When I am on my meds, my desire and craving for alcohol is almost gone. I don't need it. I still have a lot of work to do, a lot of healing, but I can at least see the light now. The last time I went off my meds for a few months, I ended up slipping into depression, attempting suicide, and ended up being hospitalized. Once I started back on the meds, my situation no longer seemed completely hopeless. I will NEVER stop taking the meds unless I am being closely monitored by my doctor.
Just my experience.

For me to say that i believe that too many people self medicate is my opinion, Winnie. And only an opinion. I'm not a doctor. So I hope no one takes my opinion with any seriousness. I'm not even attacking anyone on this thread for how much or how little they medicate. To each his own. In my own personal experience, I have seen docs prescribe anti-depressants for the most ridiculous things and I have seen their patients blindly accept their doc's diagnosis and go on meds. I think it's ridiculous. Statistically, there are no more depressed people in the world than there were 50 years ago. But now, HALF the American population is on anti-depressants. They are the most prescribed drug in this country. This is partly due to success but ALSO due to great marketing. Drug companies make you believe you NEED anti-depressants.

I found that there are more side-effects than there are benefits and so I choose to stay away from them. But again, Winnie...it's all my choice, my opinion. I don't think I have offended any one here and if so...i apologize.

T