Medication, What are your experiences? Options

[Righteous]

You are really lucky you're not dead, then.

Regarding my drug use and its effects on my system, you are the only person who has ever said that.

But yeah, my liver doesn't work too well. I'm sh*t-faced drunk after three beers and quite stoned after four hits of regs (and I'm not sure if this has anything to do with anything, but I also piss frequently; according to the guys, I have a "bladder like an infant"). I will also say that it takes me a long time to come off of a high and by that I mean I can get high at ten PM and feel groggy the next morning.

My liver is monitored because of the lithium I take. Right now, it can function at a nominal level, however I am (and have been) forbidden to drink alcohol; that's the big thing and I'm glad I'm being more responsible than when I was nineteen. I don't know how long I'm going to last, but I'd like my liver to last just as long.

I'm sure drugs and alcohol were affecting the Depakote in some way, but at the time, they were the only things that helped keep me sane. The drugs and alcohol came way after the meds, not the other way around. I never needed to self-medicate while on lithium, which is one reason why I say it works better.

[Mata]

edit: Incidentally, one of the things I'm supposed to take is evening primrose oil for the hormones thing. I'm being told by my doctor that "this helps to balance out and control hormone production and settle down the monthly cycle".

Well, I don't know about that, but I had a girlfriend who was prone to mood swings and they helped her a huge amount. I could tell just by talking to her whether she'd taken any evening primrose oil that day or not! I guess it stabilises the way the hormones effect people to stop them going up and down all day. Speaking as a boyfriend, I love the stuff!

[Phyllis]

You are really lucky you're not dead, then.

Regarding my drug use and its effects on my system, you are the only person who has ever said that.

That's surprising. It's pretty basic psychopharmacology. I was referring more to the drinking than the drugs, however, since I don't recall you mentioning that you'd ever done any hard drugs. I only know roughly how much you drank based on having known you on the forums at that time and seeing how much you talked about it here. I might be overestimating it based on that.

How long had you been on the Depakote before you started drugs and alcohol? It takes about two to three weeks for the drugs to have their full effects, at an absolute minimum. If it was only between several weeks and a month, you could still have been feeling withdrawal symptoms from being taken off of the lithium so suddenly.

And in any case I'm sure the drug and alcohol use definitely made the problem worse. Recreational drugs seriously mess up the effects of antidepressants (talks of livers aside), because not only do they often affect the same neurotransmitters as antidepressants...they also cause a kind of depression themselves. They cause a withdrawal feeling once the effect of the drug has worn off. With milder drugs it often amounts to just feeling depressed in comparison to the mild euphoria present when you take the drug. The exact term is escaping me at the moment (and I can't be bothered to find my Fundamentals of Learning textbook), but it's a big part of what makes drug addiction so difficult to beat. For every high point induced by drugs, there is a corresponding low point once their effects wear off. So yeah...you may have taken them after getting on the Depakote, but I am almost certain that they just made things worse.

[Righteous]

How long had you been on the Depakote before you started drugs and alcohol?

Longer than I thought. Holy crap. I was on the suff for almost a year. I got on it in late April of 2002 and didn't smoke pot or drink heavily until mid to late March of 2003.

They cause a withdrawal feeling once the effect of the drug has worn off.  With milder drugs it often amounts to just feeling depressed in comparison to the mild euphoria present when you take the drug. [...] For every high point induced by drugs, there is a corresponding low point once their effects wear off.

When I was on Depakote along with the other drugs, I very rarely experienced a "low," as you put it. I recall one time snorting my nose raw and my "friend" kept telling me, "Dude, you're gonna crash so hard," and I never did. These days, I feel lows a lot more and my highs aren't as high. This is primarily why I smoke in moderation.

So yeah...you may have taken them after getting on the Depakote, but I am almost certain that they just made things worse.

Probably, but not all that much. I quit for about four months and my temperment really didn't change. I still cut and still lost my temper just as much. Similarly, my little cousin (who's sober) and my great uncle (who's sober) acted similarly and were both institutionalized. I have my theories about how drugs affected me, but I don't think it was all that radically. In any case, I'm on lithium and am more in control of my emotions and no longer need drugs to feel happy or alcohol to deal with my depression.

[{Gothic Angel}]

Of course, there are also all those commercials.  Erm, do you have them in the UK?

We don't even have them in pharmacies. We have occasional posters in GP surgeries and school matrons' offices and stuff talking about seeing a doctor if you're feeling depressed, but it's actually really difficult to get psychopharmaceutical drugs out of UK doctors. Which is a little weird, because the majority of the UK is stupidly overmedicated for everything else anyway - I know a lot of doctors who just prescribe to stop people coming back and whinging about things.

[ladysan]

I've been dealing with severe depression [which runs in my family] for most of my life. My mother's side of the family has a whole host of mental disorders, and my father's side has a bit of an anger problem.

I was lucky enough to escape from this geneology relatively unscathed, although I can chalk many of my behavioral nuances [being utterly terrified of christianity, for example] to my mom. Being raised by a cult-christian schizophrenic until you're fourteen will do it to you, I guess.

Currently my mental disorder list has ADHD, Depression, Paranoia [though not badly, thankfully], and Anxiety taped to it. The ADHD was espescially fun since my mom never bothered to get it treated and upon my custody change to my father he refused to believe I had it. I was seventeen and halfway through my senior year when I was finally diagnosed, and the doctor actually looked at my father and asked him how he could've not noticed the classic signs. That was one of my more warm memories with a doctor.

I was then taken off of Trazodone, which I had been on for two years at that point for depression- which had worsened into three serious suicide attempts by the time father finally took me to a shrink who put me on it. Traz was actually a lifesaver [somewhat literally] for me, and kept my mood for the most part more towards the angst side of "I hate my life." rather than the suicidal end.

ADHD I learned to somewhat cope with on my own, but I know firsthand just how horrible it is. People who scoff at those who truly have it are quick to get the sharp side of my tounge, although I'll readily admit that it is overdiagnosed in young children.
This scinario was my daily life through school:
Teacher assigns work. I, being one who appreciates an education, want to do my work. I fill out two answers, then notice how cool my pen's ink flow is. I play with said pen for four minutes, then give myself a mental slap and fill out half of another question before becoming enthralled with the surface of my desk. This pattern repeats until the end of class, where we are allowed to take our unfinished work home. Out of thirty questions to be finished, I have four done. I then scream at myself when I get home for not just *doing* them, and force myself to finish the work, despite my wavering interest. Somtimes I got it done, sometimes I didn't. It all depended if I could snap myself into a certain "zone," an elusive feeling of complete focus that allowed me to work on one thing for an extended period of time.

I was put on Stratterra for ADHD, and almost immediately found that the drug gave me that "zone." It also spaced me out quite a bit, though, and made me feel like I hadn't slept for four days, even though I was very awake. The amount that it calmed me was unnerving, but what was even more frightening was that four to seven hours after I took it my heart began to race and I had dizzy spells that planted me on the floor as soon as I stood. Still, my grades had been steadily improving through out the nine weeks, and I was reluctant to go off of it.
It wasn't until I had an athsma attack and passed out on it that I stopped the medication altogether, hating the fact that I got to watch myself go back to not being able to focus a good 80% of the time.

It's been a year since I was on any meds, and I find that while depression is still an issue, living with my boyfriend and not being screamed at every day [a common occurance in my father's house] helped it greatly. My boyfriend was diagnosed with ADHD in middle school, so he understands what I'm going through, but I have it much worse tha he does, since mostly he grew out of it while mine turned into Adult ADD.

Anxiety is still a problem - I broke down crying today over a $300 deficit in bills we owed today, and he helped me put things back in perspective. I tend to let things get worse in my mind than they really are.
As far as the paranoia goes, I'll sometimes [say, once a week] have a "Oh dear god cameras are in all the mirrors, THEY'RE WATCHING US!" moment, but my mind tends to give that thought a good mental slap and reply with "no one is watching you, you dolt. Now go play video games." And that's the end of that.

o.o Sorry. Fairly long post.

[little_bear]

I take Budesonide and Terbutaline Sulphate.

[elphaba2]

Not that that was a particularly exhausting Google search, but why not just say what the meds are for? The thread was started as a reason to explain what effects different meds have on people, so why not respond to that instead of just naming the ones you take?

[Righteous]

Lithium- Mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder
Lamictil- Mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder
Depakote- Antisiezure (I believe) commonly used to treat bipolar disorder
Effexor- Antidepressant
Welbutrin- Antidepressant
Synthroid- Artificial TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to help regulate thyroid activity

[{Gothic Angel}]

Not that that was a particularly exhausting Google search, but why not just say what the meds are for? The thread was started as a reason to explain what effects different meds have on people, so why not respond to that instead of just naming the ones you take?

Wasn't the original question "What medications are you on?", not "Please tell us in great detail about your possibly uncomfortable and unpleasant personal life and mental health problems?"

[believe]

I've been on.. Zoloft, Prozac?, Depakote, Trazodone and finally EffexorXR. I started at 12 and I desperately, desperately needed said medications. In fact, I'd wish I'd been on more and stronger ones, as the need would have well outweighed any risk in my case. I was not functional with extreme panic and depression.

Unfortunately, I also don't swallow pills. Asking a depressed teen to take a daily crushed pill (ie aversion) therapy, doesn't work so well. For years after I couldn't handle the taste of anything I'd taken the pill with. My dose was so irregular that I can't fairly discuss the effect of Zoloft. >_o Tried prozac briefly, not sure why I stopped that. Depakote.. I don't remember it doing so much and I finally stopped it do to increased appetite/not thinking it worked so well. Trazodone did work at putting me to sleep, but that was about it. EffexorXR is the latest and I wish to God that I'd done it soon. Its worked beautifully and I've never felt so sane. I have Xanax on as needed basis and thats worked well for panic attacks/anxiety.

Edit- I forgot to mention that EffexorXR was for generalized anxiety disorder and depression, the difference between that and regular Effexor.

[elphaba2]

Wasn't the original question "What medications are you on?", not "Please tell us in great detail about your possibly uncomfortable and unpleasant personal life and mental health problems?"

Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that! I do realize that people's personal problems aren't to be bullied out--but Little_bear posted sort of allergy/asthma meds. My apologies to the bear if I've offended: I was merely confused as to why such seemingly innocuous meds caused such a brief post. But now that I've seen Righteous's post it's clear I haven't made myself understood. Sorry, all!

[ezfriday]

I was talking with my girlfriend tonight about one of the newer members on the board and somehow the conversation got around to issues of medication and peoples' experiences with them. I've never taken any mood-drugs but I have many friends who have and I thought it might be useful if people shared their good and bad experiences of the various ones available. For example I have one friend at the moment who is taking prozac because she finds it works well for her and helps her keep a level head, whereas a family member took prozac and took himself off it after a month because he hated having the sensations of happiness when he knew that he didn't actually feel that way.

So, have you been/are you on medication? What has helped? What hasn't?

I was prescribed welbutrin but stopped taking it because it had an effect almost like speed ... so darn happy I couldn't sleep! Doc thought it would help because I am extremely forgetful and he attributed the forgetfulness to depression ... Heck I'm to forgetful to remember if I'm depressed or not. Now I'm told I've got ADD ... not sure where thats headed yet?

[Icey]

Right...

Currently I am on a wash out from Fluoxetine to be able to start taking Mirtazapine. I have been on 3 different medications in the space of 5 months. I currently have to see a doctor every month, and I have been signed off work for nearly 6 months.

As well as receiving medication, I also receive counselling every Friday from 'MIND'. My doctor referred me to a psychologist, but the practise doctors refused, I'm not getting too much help from them, only person who really is helping is my personal doctor, of which she was very annoyed at the refusal of proper psychological treatment.

Anyway, I'm going thru hell and back with life and medication.

[Clatterpop]

I spent about eight years on various anti-depressents, and it all ended in tears after they tried me on seroxat. After taking it for three months I went completely out of control and came very close to killing myself. My doctor eventually realised that anti-depressents don't make transgender issues go away. Ho hum. Things have improved a lot over the last few years, despite the medication. I've since had reassignment surgery and I self medicate with lots of kayaking on my local rapids.

[artist.unknown]

Agreed Clatterplop--that's my problem with over-medication. Meds aren't a panacea. Instead of treating the underlying problem, they mask the symptoms. Sometimes that's what someone needs in order to keep their head above water; other times it just allows the actual problem to grow unchecked under the surface. I'm glad I never took my doctor up on her offer of Prozac for my OCD, because when it came to the point where I was destroying my health I had to come to terms with myself. And I'm pretty proud of myself when I do brave things like use a metal spoon or shake someone's hand, because I can feel like it's a personal victory.

[believe]

I like to think of as the medicine enabling me to be able to deal with my actual problems, rather than the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Its hard to come to terms with whatever the actual issue is when the disease has me going about in pointless circles. That said, I agree its definitely not for everyone and some doctors seem quite overeager to medicate.

[Aria]

I was prescribed welbutrin but stopped taking it because it had an effect almost like speed ... so darn happy I couldn't sleep! Doc thought it would help because I am extremely forgetful and he attributed the forgetfulness to depression ... Heck I'm to forgetful to remember if I'm depressed or not. Now I'm told I've got ADD ... not sure where thats headed yet?

I'm on (more) Wellbutrin now, and yes, it really does make me crankers. But I figure it's a lot better than being so tired I couldn't get out of bed. So yes, I am constantly hyper now, but on the upside, it's easier for me to exercise, which also helps with the whole depression thing. Unfortunately, now I get to worry about having more frequent panic attacks, but I've taken to carrying valerian around with me, so hopefully I don't have to run home-- I can just hide in the toilets until the valerian kicks in.

[Rose]

[Spam deleted - Mata]

[spiffilicious05]

This is an odd subject for me. Just about everyone in my family (mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandmother) is on some type of drug.

I know my grandmother is on zoloft - which seems to work for her. However, everyone else in my family who has tried it says that it doesn't do much for them.

My father was on zoloft but still had violent mood swings and was constantly depressed. Just recently I believe he was switched to lexipro which seems to be working for him. My mother is on lexipro as well.

My aunt is on some random cocktail of drugs for ocd, adhd, and depression. She swears by these drugs, whatever they are. I know one of the names sounds oddly like zimbabwe.

As for me, doctors have tried to put me on drugs and I have refused. I don't believe that there's anything necessarily wrong with medication - but I don't think that it's right for everyone. I was being treated for post traumatic stress disorder and clinical depression - but I didn't like the way they were treating me. The doctor said that the pill would basically solve my problems, make me happy - and make me forget. I however felt that I need to come to terms with everything that has happened and not be filled with fake emotions. If I am to be happy it shouldbe because I truly am happy.

Although, considering that many members of my family are on some sort of anti-depressant I wouldn't be surprised if I will need to be medicated some day.

[raech_mad_cow]

Hey,
Medication? I've been on all sorts of drugs to try and combat my depression. When i was first diagnosed they put me on Citalopram, which i hated as i felt like i couldnt think straight. I remember one day i was crossing a road and i thought, 'I don't actually remember looking for cars.' That scared me a bit!
When the Citalopram was making me worse they realised that i have bi-polar disorder and so i tried lithium which worked really well, until something happened which to this day im still not sure what and it just wasn't helping.
Now i'm still depressed, but have given up on the antidepressants for the first time in 5 years! I honestly can't remember if i was better off without the drugs so i'm still waiting to see what will happen. I'm hoping i'll feel better soon
I'm angry at the professionals when i was first diagnosed because they diagnosed me wrongly and so i was confused for years until they realised they'd made a mistake! Grrr
All i know is that depression sucks and is an ongoing battle for me which can be frightening and can ruin your life. I have really bad panic attacks but i find that Rescue remedy is helping.
Gotta keep on trying and

Raech
xxx

[Icey]

I feel so sad, I've had my dosaged upped again, I don't really know if its worth it anymore

[zivane]

While I was gone... I was tried on various antidepressants/antipsychotics. I don't recall half of them but the ones I really noticed... (keep in mind, these were half or quarter the amount a usual person would take as I was quite literally starving at the time).

zoloft - SSRI, made me a zombie. seriously, no emotion. just kind of dragged on through the day.
paxil - SSRI, at quarter the usual dosage, perked me right up however suppressed my appetite causing me to drop another 7lbs and landing me in the hospital
remeron - atypical antipsychotic/antidepressant, made me absolutely exhausted and dizzy as I don't know what, also increased my appetite insanely (also causing my anxiety levels to skyrocket)
lexapro - atypical antidepressant/antianxiety, made me too dizzy to continue longer than a week. didn't really feel any better on that either

Then my therpiast left town. And left me to fend for myself. Yay.

I've also been on imitrex for cluster headaches/migraines. Works wonders.

[lyfgozon]

I used Prozac too,and in fact being on this site is my aim of telling you guys to use it! When I was very depressed after my divorce, I used it as a way to feel stress-free.. I was taking medications from my shrink at 1st ( because I was very very depressed, had to consult a shrink).. and had to take lexapro, lexotanil, but after some time, some friends told me that Prozac is widely known for its numerous prescriptions. So, am sure it will help you to calm down you mood swings, and make you more positive about life..

[Phyllis]

I used Prozac too,and in fact being on this site is my aim of telling you guys to use it! [other stuff] So, am sure it will help you to calm down you mood swings, and make you more positive about life..

Whether or not an antidepressant works largely depends on the person taking it. What worked for one person won't necessarily work for others. There's no way you can be sure that it will help someone's mood swings. It's not a miracle drug. Such a thing does not exist. Additionally, remember that in order to be most effective, drugs should be combined with therapy.