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Re: Rejection of Meds Gives me Hope » Huxley

Posted by emme on June 23, 2010, at 6:29:48

In reply to Re: Rejection of Meds Gives me Hope, posted by Huxley on June 23, 2010, at 1:35:28

> I have a few questions for those who feel they need meds, dont take these as an attack. It is just the same questions I have asked myself over the last couple of months and would be interested to see how others rationalise it.

Hi there. Just to be clear - my answers below aren't rationalizations but are based on my observations of my experiences with meds over the years.

> Do you feel that you are better off or worse than before you were taking meds?

Better! This isn't to say it happened right away - it took a while to find meds that worked properly.

> Do you feel that your illness would have gotten better or worse without meds?

One cannot prove a negative, so I can't say with 100% certainty that it *never* would have gotten better without meds. BUT, I lived most of my adult life with chronic anxiety, and the depression became so severe that something had to be done, and therapy, exercise, yoga, etc. were not touching it.

> What do you think about the studies showing that SSRIs are no better than placebos?

That issue has been debated here many times, so I won't go into it except to say I tend to agree with those that have pointed out that the screening and selection criteria may not have picked participants who had severe depression and would really benefit from medication.

I am quite sure my responses have not been placebo effect. I have also tried a number of meds that did nothing - I would expect a response to everything if the placebo effect were a major player in my case.

> Do you think it is possible that meds can actually be the cause of a problem and actually make your illness worse?

Sure, if it's the *wrong* med for you. They key to using meds properly is to pay attention to what is going on when you take them. If it doesn't feel right, you talk to the doc and may need to stop. But just because a particular med makes you worse doesn't mean a good treatment is not out there for you.

> Do you think that doctors have diagnosed you on the side effects or withdrawals of other drugs, i.e an AD makes you agitated so they see that as bipolar.

No. My doctors have been aware of discontinuation effects and always believe me when I tell them I believe a certain symptom is a side effect.

> Do you feel disheartened by doctors who seem to know nothing about your condition and nothing about the medication they prescribe to you?

My doctors have been nothing short of WONDERFUL. Very knowledgeable, responsive, conscientious, up to date on research. I know people have had bad experiences. There are poor practitioners in every profession. But there really are terrific psychiatrists out there. After I moved a few years ago, it took a few tries to find the one I'm with now.

I don't mean to say it's easy. It can be hard trying different meds, deciding which side effects are livable if a med is working, sticking with it. But, I'm grateful and lucky to not be in pain all the time and to have a life back.

emme

 

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