Not doing so well. Need to make decision

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Not doing so well. Need to make decision
8
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 7:30am
Hello,

As I believe I stated before I am on a leave of abscence from the psyciatric hospital and my week is up tomorrow. I've been there for 5 weeks and tried several meds which I could not tolerate so it was decided that I would try 1 week at home to see if the group sessions helped and if I can function on my own without meds.

I've noticed over the past 2 days that I am going back into my slump. By that I mean the anxiety/depression is always just a step behind me waiting to push me flat on my face again. If I go back they will want to continue experimenting with meds which means my other physical problems will not be addressed which play a significant role in my vertigo spells. When they hit my spiral downward begins. I would also be putting a great strain on my family putting them through all this again. When DH gets home from work at night I tell him my day has been okay...but I'm not being totally honest with him because he is a worry wort and really wants me well again. I'm afraid to tell him the truth because I will have felt like I failed this task.

I meet with the doc tomorrow to go over my options. I'm not sure what the outcome will be but I would be lying to myself if I told her everything is fine and I can function on my own and everything is going well. I guess I will just be honest then wait and see what she suggests and take it from there. wish me luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2004
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 10:28am
How about letting her know that you're not ready to get off meds completely, but that you'd like to switch to a lower dosage to wean yourself off of them?
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 10:42am
I wish that I could say that I know what it is like to have no luck with meds...but I only had one bad experiance and that was with lamictal a mood stabilizer it gave me this horrible pus rash on my neck so I had to stop right away I guess it could turn fatel I took lexapro but i made me so tired and now I am on neurontin which works great for me and NO side effects from it has been almost a year...

I would be honest with your doctor tell her that you can not do this on just therapy alone at least not right now how many more meds are available to you as of now?

I also think that you should be honest with your husband he wants you to feel better and I do not think he would think you failed if you told him that you were not doing so great..that mask doesnt work very well...

I wish you the best of luck and I hope that something comes your way that will work for you..

Take care of yourself

Erin
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 1:31pm
Sweetie, I think you need to do what is best for you. If you aren't doing well, you can't be there to be supportive for your family.

Pamela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Fri, 06-18-2004 - 7:19am
I just want to say thanks for the responses. Last night I sat down with DH and told exactly how difficult my week has been and his reply was, "All I want is for you to get better. If that means staying in the hospital we will get through it." WHEW! Today when I see my doc I will be honest and if she feels a longer stay and trying meds is the answer then I will comply. I realize that if I am not well then I can't function to the best of my ability as a mother and wife. I have to be comfortable in my own skin before being comfortable with my life. Period.

Thanks again,

Tam
Avatar for legs2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 06-19-2004 - 8:46am
Sounds to me like you are doing a good job of weighing your options. It is both encouraging and scary for them to think you could go without meds. But I feel that should be your decision.

Weird piece of random information. I know there is a med for vertigo that is an anti-seizure med for the most part. It is one of those off-label uses. You know, a use for a med that is not typical. Maybe it will help. I am sorry that I don't remember the name of it. But look into it, you never know, it might be the key that unlocks your problem. I work in a corporate fitness facility and we eval people's health history to make sure they will be safe to exercise. So I come across a lot of random bits of info.

My brain is already full, so somteimes it is a problem. lol

I hope your husband realizes how wonderful you are.

Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.

Take care,

Lisa-)

Avatar for mumontherun
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Sat, 06-19-2004 - 12:24pm
Tam, you are very courageous. I know I've spent a lot of time hiding how I really feel so as not to make people worry or think less of me; but it's important for you to do what you need to for yourself.

Please let us know what your doc decides.

~Nicola

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2004
Tue, 06-22-2004 - 12:00am
Hi,

I agree with the other folks that it is totally up to you to decide what type of treatment is best for you. You should be proud of your DH for being so understanding and caring. I am lucky to have a SO like yours, who wants what is best for me. Like you, I sometimes hide my true feelings for fear of worrying him; or from fear that he is tired of dealing with my problems. It always turns out though, that when I get into a real slump and end up telling him how I am feeling, he is super supportive, and always tells me he just wants me to be happy. Sounds like your DH is the same way.

As for the meds...You said you have tried several meds over the past several weeks, but could not find one you could tolerate. Has your doctor considered starting you on a low dose, and building the dosage up over time, until you reach the amount that is best for you? Many years ago, I tried Zoloft, and absolutely hated it. I could not function. I decided to come off it. I didn't try it again, but come to find out, my Dr probably started me off at too high of a dose, at least that is what she told me later. Plus, most of the time, it takes a couple of weeks for your body to get used to a new medication. And with antidepressants, the first few weeks are usually the roughest part of taking the med. Maybe your doctor is not giving your body enough time to adjust to the medication before giving you something else to try. I recently took Lexapro for several months, and recall it took about two weeks for me to adjust to the point that I no longer felt like I was in a light haze.

I hope things begin to get better for ya. It was good that you opened up to your DH. Please let us know how things work out.

Sincerely, Cleocleopatra =^..^=

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Tue, 06-22-2004 - 7:08am
Thanks for your words of wisdom. The meds I have tried so far are Zoloft (1 pill almost killed me),amitriptoline (sp?), Luvox, Effexor and Remeron. In each case within a short period of time my blood pressure would plummet to dangerous levels. The only med that didn't cause this side effect was the Remeron. I thought I had something that finally worked! Wrong. After 3 days on a childs dosage I began having the trots along with severe vomitting. The doc said that my body was rejecting it. Perhaps it's time to try the all natural approach.

Thanks again for all the postings and encouraging words,

Tam