Posted by Snoozy on May 16, 2003, at 1:51:46
In reply to Thinking of quitting meds, posted by bookgurl99 on May 16, 2003, at 1:24:35
Hi books -
I'm also an anxious OCD type, and I've been off Xanax for 2 months now. I'm still taking Wellbutrin, which if it does anything, probably actually induces anxiety:) I was on benzos for about 10 years for anxiety.
I tapered off really slowly, and it wasn't bad. There's no night-and-day difference in my anxiety levels - maybe they're a bit higher now, but not a big difference. It seems like with a lot of meds, not just psych meds, you get into this cycle of taking one drug, and then having to take another drug to counteract side effects from the first drug, so on and so on, until all the pharmacists know you by your first name.
Your ideas sound really good - what about meditation and relaxation techniques? I have a really nice relaxation tape that I find quite helpful. I also learned some relaxation techniques I can use anywhere.
I'd be curious to hear if changing thyroid meds does anything for you. I've been on just Synthroid forever.
Good luck - I hope this works for you!
> Hey,
>
> I am thinking of quitting psych meds. I believe that my symptoms of severe anxiety may be controllable through other means, though I will have to be quite disciplined as I ride out the non-med period and change my lifestyle for the better.
>
> With getting off Zoloft, and seeing a positive change there, and then feeling dopey again on Serzone (my old favorite), and Straterra,I'm starting to feel that it may be healthier for me to find other ways.
>
> Admittedly, I have a chance that changing my thyroid treatment to a t4/t3 treatment (not just t4) will help my anxiety. So I may have more 'options,' just not technically psych related.
>
> My intuition has been nagging me on this for awhile. I think that there may be another way out there for me.
>
> Does anyone have suggestions for me? Did you ever quit meds and find another way? How do you get through those first couple of months when your brain's looking for the med?
>
> Right now I envision lots of anxiety, counterbalanced with yoga, daily exercise, journaling prayers, and therapy. Plus keeping on top of my eating right.
>
> Any hope for an anxious/ocd type off meds?
>
>
poster:Snoozy
thread:226993
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/227000.html