Posted by Green Hornet on August 14, 2004, at 15:16:45
I have not posted here in quite sometime, but I am back and let me tell you why -- I realize that everyone reacts differently to medication and I am not preaching here, BUT PLEASE READ AND KNOW THAT THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
I was first diagnosed with "depression" in 1985 at the age of 44. This was exacerbated by the fact that I was abusing alcohol. Since that time I have had seventeen hospitalizations and I attended 12 step groups. I have been on just about every medication known -- at least almost every one -- (about twenty one at last count) constantly for the past nineteen years. Anti-depressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety the whole gamet.
I had seen seven or eight psychiatrists, four psychologists and heaven-only-knows-who else!
About a year and a half ago I switched to my family physician to manage my medications. She had a really unique idea -- stopping all of these meds! ( I was on four at the time). I had come off EffexorXR three years ago on a VERY slow taper with few problems, so I figured what the heck, let's give it a go. Now this doc has known me for most of my life both personally and professionally, and she and I agreed -- just maybe it was time to see who the real me is!
Well, all of the meds ended about eight weeks ago after slowly tapering each one. Today I am perhaps the happiest person alive!! At sixty three years of age I am alive for the first time in years! My doctor and I feel that often, I was medicating a side effect or withdrawal reaction, not a true psychiatric difficulty.
Lest you think this uninformed foolishness I will "come out of the closet" a bit. I am a mental health professional myself -- my master's/ nurse practioner degree is in adult mental health, and I have been in the field for over twenty years.
I am NOT recommending this for everyone, but ask yourself. 1) How did all of this begin?
2) Am I taking a new medication for each new "feeling"? 4) Have a serious sitdown with a reliable, trusted doctor (other than the current psychiatrist -- ie. second opinion). 5) Develop a strong spiritual life if you do not already have one.
Thank you all for all of your opinions in the past -- I will connect now and then to see haw all of you are doing -- thanks to you too Dr. Bob for providing this forum. Margaret J. (aka The Green Hornet)
PS I also stopped going to 12 step groups, that was ten years ago and today I do not drink or abuse drugs -- I have not for nearly twenty years.
poster:Green Hornet
thread:377650
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040811/msgs/377650.html