Posted by laima on October 7, 2006, at 10:27:26
In reply to HELP, posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on October 7, 2006, at 2:13:14
I've been in a similar situation before, before getting refered to a panel of "experts for tough and uncooperative cases"- and guess what- they were agast, utterly horrified at the number of drugs I was (supposed to be) using, saying things like, "After a certain point you don't know what is doing what, and you are inevitably treating many side effects. This is a mess. Don't EVER agree to take this many drugs ever again. How do you know what is going on? The brain is very delicate and poorly understood. 3, maybe even 4 drugs- is a lot. We need to wean you off." And they shook their heads and sputtered a lot in disbelief.Can you imagine-For example, I was given so many anxiety meds that in turn I was given some 90mg of ritalin per day, all at my disposal? And it didn't seem enough. Etc. Now, less than 7mg does the trick just as well- or better.
Withdrawal isn't fun- but I was counseled to not confuse withdrawal with the original problems. (It was explained, "If you use something like a benzo long term, suppressing your nervous system- and then suddenly stop- your nervous system will swing wildly in the opposite direction in response before it settles down. Many "withdrawal" symptoms work with this backlash premise. Cutting stimulants can make you tired, etc.") This is KEY to keep in mind. I am thankful I finally listened. (Just felt things couldn't be worse-so I thought I'd try)
Consider- tolerance to meds like benzos or hypnotics can arguably cause daily mini-withdrawals, you can develop a tolerance to stimulants- whatever-upping and upping your needs for more medication--which can also konk out at some point. (I'm not an expert, I only know from what I experienced and was told.)
Two years later, I am using only 3 medications, (as opposed to having my own personal home pharmacy) and feel far more stable, clear, and much, much better. Not perfect, but a night and day difference! I vote for second opinion with the best expert you can dig up.
Good luck.
> My cocktail is as follows
>
> 50 mg Paxil CR (depression, social anxiety)
> 1500 mg Depakote ER (anger)
> 40 mg Namenda (OCD)
> 600 mg Lyrica (generalized anxiety)
> 30 mg Amphetamine Salts (Adderall) (ADD)
> 10 mg Ambien (insomnia)
> 2 mg Alprazolam ER (panic)
> Xanax IR as needed (a half a vile from before we made the switch)
>
> Feedback? I'm on this much medication and I still feel like crap. I'm popping Xanax two, three times a day and I'm going to run out. The same goes for the ambien, I've had to take two, three in order to get to sleep. I don't know what the deal is here...I feel horrible. My predicament is leading me to self medicate. Am I on too much medication? I'm afraid that if I come off of my meds I'll be worse off than I already am. This sucks.
poster:laima
thread:692628
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061003/msgs/692684.html