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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on June 17, 2005, at 16:16:02
Hello all! I'm curious to see how long (i.e. number of years) that people have been on psychiatric medications. I've been using them since 1997 and I often get upset and worried about the fact that I've been taking something for so long. I feel that I should be able to go off at this point, but every time I try, I turn into a complete basketcase and make the lives of all those around me a living hell. So then I just end up starting my AD again. Is this typical? I hate the side effects (especially the lack of libido and general emotion) but the withdrawal is terrible. And I also notice that I feel less confident and worry more about things when I'm not taking my meds (gotta hate that). I can't stand to think that I might be one of those people who has to be medicated for the rest of her life...but I'm starting to believe that may be the case. Is this OKAY?? I don't know what I should do.
Posted by ed_uk on June 17, 2005, at 17:04:01
In reply to typical duration of treatment?, posted by jessers11581 on June 17, 2005, at 16:16:02
Hi!
I've been on psych meds since I was about 14, I'm almost 21 now. I was very ill when I was a child though (severe anxiety, much worse than it is now). Looking back, I should probably have seen a pdoc when I was about 3!
~Ed
Posted by yesac on June 17, 2005, at 17:05:02
In reply to typical duration of treatment?, posted by jessers11581 on June 17, 2005, at 16:16:02
Could you try different drugs? I don't know if you've been on many different things, but it's possible you could find something that you don't hate the side effects so much.
I took my first drug in 1998 when I was 19. I was only on it for a few months. Then I wasn't on anything for 3 years, then back on drugs for about 6 months, then off for probably 10 months. That was fall of 2002. I've been on something or other ever since then.
I expect that I'll be taking drugs for the rest of my life. I had a hard time with that fact, or more accurately, accepting the fact of having a chronic illness--- but I've pretty much accepted it now. It sucks to take drugs, but I'd rather be on drugs than feel the way I feel without them.
But it sounds like your issue might be withdrawal. If you really don't want to take drugs, you might have to get through the withdrawal and see how you feel after that. Maybe you don't need them.
I think some people might need them for a while and then not. But there are others who have a more chronic course and may need something for the rest of their lives.
I guess in the end it's a personal decision that you have to make for yourself.
Posted by linkadge on June 17, 2005, at 17:43:15
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment?, posted by yesac on June 17, 2005, at 17:05:02
I was prescribed these pills when I needed them. I no longer need them now, but I am addicted to them. I don't believe I have the type of depression that requres life long treatemnt, but I do believe I will need the medications for the rest of my life.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2005, at 18:03:23
In reply to typical duration of treatment?, posted by jessers11581 on June 17, 2005, at 16:16:02
What drugs are you taking?
Can you describe in detail what you experience when you attempt to discontinue medication?
- Scott
Posted by KaraS on June 17, 2005, at 19:18:25
In reply to typical duration of treatment?, posted by jessers11581 on June 17, 2005, at 16:16:02
Life is really too short to worry about labels or feeling upset that you might need to stay on medication your whole life. I used to feel upset by it but now I just want as good a quality of life as possible (for myself as well as those around me). In the end, that's really all that matters.
Posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2005, at 20:32:29
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment? » jessers11581, posted by KaraS on June 17, 2005, at 19:18:25
It wouldn't matter if they worked but for me they don't. When I had my first panic attack at age 22 valium and meprobomate almost eliminated it for quite a number of years. Plus I was a lot younger with a future to look forward to. Now I keep thinking "gee the young posters have a whole life before them for new drugs to replace what we have". I won't be around to see that happen. In retrospect I should have been on meds as a child as it was very unsettled with a dying mother who threw temper tantrums and blamed me for her illness. But they didn't exist at the time. Oh well Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Jazzed on June 17, 2005, at 20:58:43
In reply to typical duration of treatment?, posted by jessers11581 on June 17, 2005, at 16:16:02
Some people take herbs for sexual side effects, and there was just a post by someone else who recommended something, can't remember what it was. I take Damiana for sexual side effects, and it works very well for me. I'm female, but I understand it works well for men too.
Jazzy
Posted by Jazzed on June 17, 2005, at 21:00:16
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment? » jessers11581, posted by KaraS on June 17, 2005, at 19:18:25
> Life is really too short to worry about labels or feeling upset that you might need to stay on medication your whole life. I used to feel upset by it but now I just want as good a quality of life as possible (for myself as well as those around me). In the end, that's really all that matters.
>Wow, this is just a really good and positive way to look at it!
Jazzy
Posted by KaraS on June 17, 2005, at 23:00:29
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment? » KaraS, posted by Jazzed on June 17, 2005, at 21:00:16
> > Life is really too short to worry about labels or feeling upset that you might need to stay on medication your whole life. I used to feel upset by it but now I just want as good a quality of life as possible (for myself as well as those around me). In the end, that's really all that matters.
> >
>
> Wow, this is just a really good and positive way to look at it!
>
> Jazzy
>
>
Thanks. No one's ever accused me of being positive before. :-)
Posted by KaraS on June 17, 2005, at 23:05:54
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment? » KaraS, posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2005, at 20:32:29
> It wouldn't matter if they worked but for me they don't. When I had my first panic attack at age 22 valium and meprobomate almost eliminated it for quite a number of years. Plus I was a lot younger with a future to look forward to. Now I keep thinking "gee the young posters have a whole life before them for new drugs to replace what we have". I won't be around to see that happen. In retrospect I should have been on meds as a child as it was very unsettled with a dying mother who threw temper tantrums and blamed me for her illness. But they didn't exist at the time. Oh well Fondly, Phillipa
I feel the same way about the stage of life thing. I'm so sorry your mother did that to you. What a thing to have to live with! At least your valium is keeping the panic attacks away now and hopefully you'll find a medication that works for the rest of your symptoms. My fingers are crossed for you. You deserve it.K
Posted by Phillipa on June 17, 2005, at 23:59:47
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment? » Phillipa, posted by KaraS on June 17, 2005, at 23:05:54
Thanks Kara! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 18, 2005, at 9:40:40
In reply to typical duration of treatment?, posted by jessers11581 on June 17, 2005, at 16:16:02
I've been on meds for 3 yrs, but I'm still very depressed, so I'm likely to be on them for quite a while longer.
Research literature suggests that patients who have experienced a major depressive episode, should be stabilized (well) for a year before trying to go off of meds. I don't know if these sort of principles have been developed for other conditions.
Also, when you are getting off of meds, it is confusing as to whether symptoms are coming back, or if symptoms are withdrawal, so sometimes it can be hard to make the call.
Remind yourself that psychiatric meds are not about "weakness" or anything like that. You are treating a legitimate medical condition. Think about it like high blood pressure, or something like that.
Best,
EE
Posted by jessers11581 on June 18, 2005, at 11:43:28
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment? » jessers11581, posted by SLS on June 17, 2005, at 18:03:23
> What drugs are you taking?
>
> Can you describe in detail what you experience when you attempt to discontinue medication?
>
>
> - Scott
Well, I definitely get all the "brain shivers" that people talk about, and dizziness when I move too quickly. I also get highly irritable and emotional, and tend to lash out at those around me. Additionally, I can feel my self-esteem decreasing. I start to feel inferior to everyone around me, and this makes me depressed as hell. The only good thing about withdrawal is that I do have somewhat of a sex drive. Oh, and I also feel sick to my stomach and physically weak, almost like I have the flu. But meds make me feel weak too, so I don't know...Anyway, that's about it. Sound familiar? P.S. The drug I've been on for the past 3-4 months is Cymbalta. Before that, it was Celexa.
Posted by SLS on June 18, 2005, at 11:53:38
In reply to Re: typical duration of treatment?, posted by jessers11581 on June 18, 2005, at 11:43:28
> > What drugs are you taking?
> >
> > Can you describe in detail what you experience when you attempt to discontinue medication?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
>
> Well, I definitely get all the "brain shivers" that people talk about, and dizziness when I move too quickly. I also get highly irritable and emotional, and tend to lash out at those around me. Additionally, I can feel my self-esteem decreasing. I start to feel inferior to everyone around me, and this makes me depressed as hell. The only good thing about withdrawal is that I do have somewhat of a sex drive. Oh, and I also feel sick to my stomach and physically weak, almost like I have the flu. But meds make me feel weak too, so I don't know...Anyway, that's about it. Sound familiar? P.S. The drug I've been on for the past 3-4 months is Cymbalta. Before that, it was Celexa.
>
Hmmm.What happened when you discontinued Celexa and why did you choose to do so? Did you crossover to Cymbalta immediately or stop one before starting the other?
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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