Psycho-Babble Medication | about biological treatments | Framed
This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | List of forums | Search | FAQ

Re: 1st post: How can you tell if meds are working??

Posted by Sarahh on September 3, 2003, at 14:10:19

In reply to 1st post: How can you tell if meds are working?? , posted by dazedandconfused on September 2, 2003, at 17:01:11

Wow...you are practically speaking for me. I hope that someone will have some input for us. I too have no idea if my meds are working. I can tell you one thing though...I DID notice a difference right away when I was first introduced to REMERON. It gave me a sense of the real me again, my old self. It lessened my insecurities, gave me motivation, lowered my anxieties and generally gave me my great sense of humor back and my old sense of well being. Unfortunately I had to stop taking the REMERON due to the excessive weight gain that I experienced. I am thankful that I atleast had experience with a med that DID prove positive results to me almost immediately.
Currently my GP talked me into trying out meds again. I am now on 37.5mg of EFFEXOR XR a day for the past 2 weeks. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS MEDICATION IS WORKING. We are in a very similar boat it seems. If you would appreciate the support from someone that understands your frustrations please let me know...I would be interested in any help all of us can give one another. Good luck otherwise and hang in there.

-Sarahh

> This is my first time posting a question so hope it makes sense. I haven’t seen this issue discussed and really need help sorting it out.
>
> Does anyone else have trouble determining whether or not their meds are effective?
>
> I don’t notice much of anything (life in general, not just meds). I feel somewhat disconnected; not in touch with feelings (physical or emotional) at all. But when I read other posters say, “on X med, I felt more motivated, focused, etc.” but X med made me feel “agitated, anxious, etc.”, I simply can’t relate. And it really blows me away when a poster can be so specific as to say, “X med improved my motivation level to 70%, and X med is clearing up the residual depression and obsessions”. HUH??? How can you be so detailed in your description of your reaction to meds? What am I missing?
>
> I have no idea whether my meds are effective. When I first started treatment for this round of depression (three years ago), I was laying in bed all day sobbing uncontrollably. So, yes, the meds have been effective in pulling me out of that and I am “better” than I used to be. However, I certainly don’t feel “well”. I haven’t worked in three years and get overwhelmed with the smallest of household activities. (I have other symptoms, but am trying to keep this message from becoming ridiculously long). I have no idea if my motivation levels and ability to focus are normal, but I suspect not. I believe I have suffered from varying degrees of depression my entire life; therefore, if I have never had high levels of motivation or focus, how will I know when / if it happens? How will I know when meds are working and I am getting well (or as well as I can get?)
>
> As an example of being disconnected, of all the meds I have tried I have never noticed the side effect of dry mouth. Now I probably have a dry mouth, but I simply don’t notice it. In fact, I have rarely noticed any side effects from meds (occasional headache). Although this “not noticing” is great for negative side effects, the flip side is I don’t even know what positive effects are coming from the meds. In other words, I have a hard time determining how well my meds are working. Energy, focus, motivation, mood, etc…HUH? HUH? HUH? Obviously, this keeps me from making much progress. How can I tell if I am on the correct meds if I am not aware of how I feel and if I have always suffered from depression?
>
> Is this ADD? Disassociation? Am I just spacey? Apathy? I am on high dosages of all my meds, so it shouldn’t be a dosing question. I really hope someone answers. This is a huge stumbling block for me.
>
> Thank you!
>


Share
Tweet  

Thread

 

Post a new follow-up

Your message only Include above post


Notify the administrators

They will then review this post with the posting guidelines in mind.

To contact them about something other than this post, please use this form instead.

 

Start a new thread

 
Google
dr-bob.org www
Search options and examples
[amazon] for
in

This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | FAQ
Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:Sarahh thread:256395
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030902/msgs/256656.html