Off My Meds

Dear N.,
I so understand you feelings. I was medicated for 10 years. I should say over medicated for 10 years. I won't bore you with the details but after being over medicated for so long and getting worse not better I ended up at my family Dr. not psychiatrist, who checked my Throid closely. I was on a thyroid med already but not the right one and not enough. I now take 2 thyroid meds and only a little bit of paxil.
I think I was on close to 5 different drugs all at the same time for depression and anxiety, mostof the drugs I was on more than the optimal amount. I am not trying to diagnos you but it is worth a closer look. If your Dr is to fast with a RX pad you might want to find a new Dr. So many Dr.s don't listen they just write Scripts.
Some of my symptoms are depression, anxiety,fatigue, bone/muscle pain, dry skin, hair loss and at times heart irregularities. all or any can be a sign of uderactive thyroid. Unfortunately those are signs of many other things. It can be checked with a simple blood test.
I also know Klonipin is a very addidictive drug and coming off of it may be difficult as well. It is a very effective anti anxiety but you can have rebound anxiety when you come off of it. You might want to ask your Dr if there is an effective less adidictive step down med you can take.
I certainly understand the zoombie state I hated that feeling. Once I was off everything I felt so wonderful just to be clear headed. As someone else noted there are homeopathic and herbal remedies just make sure that everyone involved with your medicines knows all you are taking. The herbal stuff can realy effect you and the other drugs you are taking. I know St. Johns Wort can make birth control pills unaffective.
Best of luck. If you need to talk more please feel free to contact me her.
J.

Wow. Without reading every single response I have just one thing to say.

Zoloft.

Ive been on it for about 5 years. Not for depression but for PMDD and sleep problems galore. It has been the best thing for me. It can be used for depression I believe. There are also seratonin products on the market in the herbal or vitamin section. I dont know how well they work, but I would definately ask a doctor about it first.

Sometimes I think if it wasnt for the Zoloft I would have done something to regret later. My kids even call it my crazy medicine. They know if I have not taken it for a week.

Good luck.

Hello.Some people have no problem weening off meds. Some have horrible issues, even when doing it the "RIGHT WAY" i am one of those people. I was on Zoloft while pregnant, and for a while after i had my baby. now i am on lexapro. i take 5 mg a day which is not even considered a dose, but it helps for the "edge" I know exactly how you feel. Maybe you need the lowest dose possible just to make you tolerate "life" a little better

i am currently taking lexapro for depression it is also an antianxiety pill it has no side effects and is not addictive maybe this is something that you could try i am not perfectly "normal" on this med but i am happier and so is my family

Are you opposed to any herbal remedies? I am not at all the person to tell you what is what, but I have an herbalist that tells me what is what ;) I do know that St. Johns wort is good though. You also may want to try adjusting your diet. It's amazing how foods affects mood. Some suggestions; first, keep a food diary for a week or so to really get a grasp on what you actually consume. Then try to adjust it. Eat plenty of raw fruits and veggies, soybeans, soy products, whole grains...complex carbohydrates. (a diet low in complex carbs can cause a depletion in serotonin and ^ depression). Avoid diet sodas (things with artificial sweeteners), aspartame can block the formation of serotonin. There are many other diet things that you can research and adjust as needed. You might also need a good multivitamin. Many people with depression (or other mood related illnesses) are low in folic acid and zinc. Ask your doctor about your specific depression and what the cause of it is and try to research the most "natural" way to self adjust it. Remember that diet and exercise will go a long way if you have the right combination for your body. Good luck to you, I hope you find what you need.
~L.

Hi N.,
What a great sense of humor you have, even through your trials. To compare "normal" to a washer setting is a hoot. I also admire your desire to stop putting chemicals in your body. I agree with you totally and that was my goal as well. For years I have studied what chemicals are doing to our bodies and have come to the conclusion that it is all bad. Especially since there are wonderful slternatives with no side effects but rather positive results. I'd be glad to share what I've learned. Feel free to contact me personally at ____@____.com the mean time, keep that great sense of humor.
S.

My husband just got off of 4 different meds- one of which was klonopin. It was a hard transition and a hard decision but I think the key is finding other ways to deal with your stress- maybe some therapy to learn to reel yourself back in or yoga - something so you can quiet your mind. It is hard and no ones life is ever "normal" after you have kids- and with four more power to you!! Good luck- I hope it works out for you

wow sounds very hard for u! Well y r u trying to get off ur regular med anyways? I would make it clear u want it back(if it worked well) and that u dont want to go throuh a bunch of other meds with lots of side effects. (been there done that)
Express ur feelings about ur stress and how ur not handling it well. i really feel dr. will by past u unless u make it clear to them. or maybe try asking another dr. I do know going through a bunch of replacement meds will play with u badly. i wish u the best of luck!!:D