Anyone on meds?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2004
Anyone on meds?
15
Mon, 10-11-2004 - 3:38pm
I was trying to avoid getting on medication, even though my therapist has suggested it, but I think it's time. My anxiety is at an all-time high, and this whole situation has really put me over the edge. I cannot concentrate on anything, and it's putting more pressure on me at work, because I am not doing the things I should be. I feel like I am always on edge and losing my patience.

I have never been on any meds for my anxiey or anything like this, and was wondering for those of you who are, how it has helped you. My H does not want me to take anything but I have explained to him that I feel like it's necessary, at least right now, and that hopefully it will make me a little easier to live with.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2004
In reply to: nycgemini
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 7:18am
<<<>>>

I came to this conclusion also. Actually, I started taking zoloft while in my affair, because I was so moody and teary all of the time. The drug removed the moodiness, but it also turned me into an unemotional zombie...not giving a *hoot* about anything. Most of all, like you said, all they really did was help me avoid dealing with the issues at hand. Once I weened myself off of them, I began to have the clarity needed to end my affair. I came to learn that the affair was THE source of my depression, and ending it (although very difficult) restored my emotional, mental and physical well being.

~True~


Edited 10/12/2004 8:20 am ET ET by b_true_2_yourself

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
In reply to: nycgemini
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 8:19am
TooSmart,

I haven't read all of the replies yet but had to comment on the Paxil. Paxil has some really bad side effects, especially going off!

I am all for meds if perscribed and generally they don't help if they aren't needed.

I have been on Paxil for almost 5 years and am tappering off now (great timing, huh???)

BUT I will start something else while tapering the Paxil. I need something because I went on it for severe PMS and anger and that is back again! The paxil isn't working like it was and I refuse to increase my dosage. Paxil itself is tough to go off but there are many many alternatives that are not at all like Paxil in terms of withdrawl and side effects.

BUT....Paxil has been one of the only effective meds for a friend who has severe panic attacks and anxiety. I almost quit when I read what was written on the internet, but stopping suddenly causes all of the stuff you described.

I am not looking forward to tapering and am scared of the results with trying to end my A and my emotions lately, but H told me that my PMS anger has returned and he won't even argue with me when I get going. He has been keeping track of the dates in relation to my period and just spoke to me about it recently. I'm so glad he did!

I also think that my PMS stuff has really affected my A and my reactions. I felt almost sick with anger and jealousy over MM last week. It was totally out of line - even my therapist told me that I was overreacting to his actions. NOT that he is an angel - he isn't AT ALL! BUT....my emotions are getting the better of me monthly now!

Thanks for the original post NYC! Interesting topic.


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
In reply to: nycgemini
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 8:36am
A couple of other thoughts after reading all replies - one thing that the bad press and lawsuits over Paxil HAS accomplished is better labeling and doctors learning more about stopping the meds - so hopefully that issue is better now than it was years ago.

I think for some of us the A has caused the emotional rollercoaster and problems that only handling the A and going to therepy can fix, but for others, there is a brain chemical imbalance that has nothing to do with the A, yet correcting the imbalance can help us better deal with ending the A.

JMHO

-lazy

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2004
In reply to: nycgemini
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 9:05am
Lazy-Unfortunately, I suffered those side effects WHILE I was still on Paxil, not when I went off and never so much as missed a dose. My dr. had to keep increasing the dosage as time went on in order for it to still work and I guess that's what happened. Also, I don't remember who commented on the weight gain but I ate nothing, as a matter of fact it suppressed my appetite, so the whole day would go by and I'd hear my stomach growling and realize I hadn't eaten and I still gained all that weight. The average weight gain is 60 lbs. Anyway, I'm not trying to scare Gemini and the list of side effects that comes with the drugs are just not good enough-as I mentioned, the drug company does not have to submit all the clinical trials-they're allowed to submit as few or as many as they want. Any side effects that are reported outside of a clinical trial are considered to be "anecdotal" but you have to consider them seriously when you have literally thousands of people reporting the same thing. I think the real issue is, as a few posters and I said, you can mask the pain and feelings for a while, but at some point we're all going to have to deal with them or be done in by them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
In reply to: nycgemini
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 9:17am
No, fortunately I don't need them.
Love

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