Stress Center Peer Support

I have been on meds for almost 4 years and know that they are contributing to my anxiety in a negative way. I want to get off them so I can feel better. Is it wise for me to get off them while Im doing the program, or should I wait until I finish? I just read a book called, "your drug may be your problem" by Peter Breggin and want to get off the drugs asap! Anyone gotten off of them successfully??

Make sure you don't quit any drug your on without asking your doctor. I was on Xanax and Celexa for about 2 years. Then I went about a year with nothing and got on Zoloft for 3 years with the occasional Xanax. I have been off all pills for about 1 and 1/2 years. I also quit drinking 2 1/2 years ago which helped alot. I have anxiety but I know I can overcome it with faith in God and this program. F.E.A.R=Forget Everything And Run--F.E.A.R=Face Everything And Recover!

BIG COUNTRY: ^^^^^^^5 on the F.E.A.R thing - that is a great phrase. thks

JULES722:
My anxiety disorder triggered in April-2005. Prior to that date, I had never experienced any physical symptoms b/4. In addition, prior to my anxiety disorder triggering, I had never taken ANY MEDS for that or just about anything else - maybe antibiotic - you get the idea.

I took immediate action after it triggered: 1st) I went to my regular Dr. I didn't know what this THING WAS - I just knew it wasn't physical. I went equipped w/ therapists(psychologists & psychiatrists) covered under our medical insurance. She made a general diagnosis: ANXIETY DISORDER. She stated my case was 1 of the worst she had ever seen. We discussed it(I was w/ her for 14 yrs & trusted her opinion) & I went on a anxiety med(XANAX) for the moment.
2nd) W/in 1 week of seeing regular dr, I made an appt w/ a psychiatrist. I chose a psychiatrist because of my taking a med: if someone was gonna prescribe me a medication, I wanted them to be the one evaluating my condition. I started therapy on 5/3/05. After 3 initial sessions, I was diagnosed w/: anxiety disorder + panic attacks + PTSD. In addition, he stated I was 1 of the worst cases he had seen. I was so ignorant to what anxiety disorder was & how severe my state was then, I asked him "so, when can I go back to work & when can I go back to college @ nite - a dream of mine". My therapist replied, "you can't - you are not in any condition to work & attend school. We evaluated my ANXIETY MED - I told him I didn't want to continue taking this, for I read it was highly addictive. He prescribed CLONAZAPAM - 3x's per day. I was also experiencing severe sleep deprivation: I was only averaging 1-2 hrs of sleep per every 24hrs. I desperately needed help - I was prescribed 2 sleep aids(this was after taking 1 & still needing a little extra help). <span class="ev_code_RED">I told my therapist: I have never taken a med in my life, & obviously none of these. I do not want to take them forever. So, we are gonna GO THERE - lets face & address all we need to - cause I am not a complacent person - a person where "ok, give me whatever you say or want" - that is not me. I want to know what you recommend & why as it relates to me - then I will decide. I will not just take a med, w/o addressing the issues behind this anxiety disorder of mine.</span> He basically knew, I wanted to ATTACK THE ISSUES BEHIND MY ANXIETY DISORDER - cause I knew I will not be taking these meds forever. We did just that.

During the coarse of my sessions/therapy, we did the work necessary - as it related to my background & issues. Simultaneously, as we addressed various things, I did my own work at home as well: journaled(getting myself to a point where I could admit what I was thinking & feeling & feel them) + researched: read 16 books on anxiety disorder. I was doing the work necessary to further aid myself in therapy & so eventually I wouldn't have to take the meds. Gradually, I was able to stop 1 sleep aid & then the next, leaving only the CLONAZAPAM. Then, w/ the CLONAZAPAM - as I recovered more - the potentancy was lowered & the dosage as well. @ ALL TIMES - it was I who brought it to his attn - recognizing how I was feeling, "Dr - I believe I am ready to go to lower potentancy & dosage". <span class="ev_code_RED">DURING IT ALL, MY THERAPIST: would interview me - lol, kind of like the CIA/FBI - asking me questions, about what I was feeling/thinking - the state of my anxiety disorder - B/4 HE DID CHANGE THE DOSAGE OR POTENTANCY OF MEDS.</span>

****<span class="ev_code_RED">I was very strict about where I got info on meds fr. Meaning, if I ever had a question on the med itself or what I was feeling or experiencing or wanting to lower it, etc - AT ALL TIMES - I did so w/ : my therapist, or pharmacist, reg dr. In other words, I got the medical advice fr a medical professional - not here on the StressCenter.com BOARDS - anxiety can create a great deal of uncertainty & fear - they are the ones in a position to inform me in the best possible way- the people on here are some of the nicest/greatest people - I've made many friends. However, THEY ARE NOT DR'S, THERAPISTS, PHARMACISTS - save yourself the worry & fear: know what you want + inform yourself on meds & anxiety disorder + consult w/ your dr & therapist, etc - let them inform you - what is the state of your condiiton VS your desire to not want to take meds. They are there to help you & they are the ones better suited to help you help yourself.</span>

In Nov-2006, I bought Lucinda's program & started it. Having gone thru some pretty intensive therapy for 19mths @ that point, I was ready to face & change myself. Right around that time, I was only taking .25mg of CLONAZPAM(under the supervision of my therapist & never done w/o consultation w/ him AT ALL TIMES). I realized, "given the low dosage I was taking VS the issues I was addressing & the feelings I was feeling - I WAS ACTUALLY HANDLING MORE ON MY OWN - VS THE LOW DOSAGE OF THAT MED. What does that mean? lol - It meant I didn't need the med anymore - cause I was doing it on my own. So, In DEC-2006, I stopped taking the CLONAZPAM. I finished Lucinda's program in March-2007 for the 1st time.

I am recovered fr anxiety disorder. During this time - I have faced some pretty tough things: the past & all said/respective & surpressed emotions - faced & changed myself - was home not being able to work & worked on recovery - while hubby/family etc - was working - out in life, etc. THE SUM TOTAL OF THESE THINGS IN THEIR TOTALITY - created depression in me for the 1st time ever in my life. I had graduated therapy - & stopped going for several months. My depression got to its peak in April-2007 - I don't mess w/ depression & quicker than a pig in poopy I WENT BACK TO THERAPY. <span class="ev_code_RED">I am currently taking WELLABUTRIN for depress - while simulataneously attending therapy & facing WHY I AM DEPRESSED. </span> I am so ok w/ this - because the past 3 yrs - I have worked through some 34+yrs of pain/trauma/negative learned behaviors & changing myself - My depression is SITUATIONAL -it makes sense. I am learning this DEPRESSION THING - & thats ok - I am very sure of myself & what I want & taking this med forever IF I DON'T NEED TO - is a priority for me. I am willing to work it - I am willing to do whatever is necessary. I've changed my dietary intake/exercise everyday of the week - LOST 53LBS THUS FAR - joined WEIGHT WATCHERS/cut back on caffeine - to 1 cup in morning only - I am empowering myself to make the changes so that DEPRESSION DOESN'T OVERPOWER ME.

I don't necessary advocate MEDICATION - that is a very personal choice. I do ADVOCATE being proactive about all things YOU & YOUR ANXIETY DISORDER OR DEPRESSION. I ADVOCATE being informed by the medical professionals in conjunction w/ your condition/desires/needs - allowing them to help you help yourself & aid you making a well informed decision on what is best for you & YOU WANT to do. In the end, IT IS YOUR CHOICE. The medical professionals are there to aid you/direct you. I ADVOCATE KNOWLEDGE: research reading books to educate yourself on your anxiety or depression - become informed & go into your dr or therapist w/ questions - to further educate & empower yourself. I ADVOCATE self empoweredness(not sure its even a word, lol lol). I ADVOCATE getting a professional diagnosis ON YOUR CONDITION - YOUR STATE(get a 2nd decision if need be)- get that diagnosis fr MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS & not here on the StressCenter.com BOARDS - sure, they can offer opinions based on their experiences & offer support - again, THEY ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS - SO @ ALL TIMES, WHATEVER YOU DO - GO TO YOUR DR - it is the safe thing to do - you don't want to mess around w/ meds on your own.

I wish you recovery & empowerment to do what is best for you.

LENORE

im taking lorazapam to help me sleep at night and for anxiety,but im always waking up every 2 to 3 hours.i dont get enough sleep im sooooo tired dont know what to do.i get scared when night times comes, because i dont know if i will be able to sleep.

I have. Off klonopin almost 2 years and off Zoloft about 1 year. I would advise talking to your physician about this and getting direction from them. Work with them. If they tell you to do something and it is not working, call them and let them know, Do not EVER do it without a doctor. At times the withdraws are bad and your doctor may be able to help you with this.

Jules,
I agree with liz, talk to your doctor. Please dont assume because you read a book, that your medication is causing you problems. If you beleive your far enough in the program, that you want to try without meds, then still talk to your doctor.
And its important he moniter your progress when tapering meds... Nelly:)

If you have been on meds for 4 years and still feel the same, then consider speaking to your drs about changing, also changing yourself. You may need to consider a new dr if the one you have is not working in your favor. You can do research on getting better as well. The only difference with the people on the forum and the Dr is , Dr went to school and read books to learn about the conditions, and receicved a degree, the people on here have went through the actual feelings... depending on the person you are, both can be very helpful. I personally can relate more to someone who has went through it vs someone who has just read and did research on it. I do see a therapist once a month just to vent talk about issues bothering me, get some added advice.

Good luck with your recovery, be sure to speak out on how you are feeling and what your goals are with the dr. Don't feel as though you have to take meds for ever

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. It looks like my first step is to talk with my dr. I wouldn't want to get off my anti-anxiety/anti-depression without help. I did that some years ago, and it was not good. I didn't think I would ever be able to drag myself out of that hole.

I learned the hard way just a week ago, I ended up in the hospital by going off my meds cold turkey. I have been on anxiety meds for 12 years due to a sleep disorder. I also get seasonal depression and didn't recognize the signs until I did this cold turkey trip. All of us hate to take meds and wish we could be off. I think Lucinda did not have as much abuse and trauma in her past as some. She got help early in life, you can't compare yourself to anyone else. This is the second time I started this program and the first time I tried getting off meds. Anxiety and Depression ran on both sides of my family My dad was bi polar and my mom had anxiety disorder and of course they went un treated because I grew up in the sixties. there wasn;t even as good of medications as there is now. Needing psych meds still has a stigma that all of us fight. We say "why can't I be normal like so and so? how do we really know how normal they are . It is all a distortion we see thru are dark glasses when we are in a pit of despair or the height of an anxiety attack. I will never try to get off meds again unless my doctor says I can. He was trained for a reason to be able to identify my problem. I too thought that they just put you on meds and more meds but by the time you are my age you have had enough hurt and disappointment to last a lifetime. I have done everything I know how to get healed and live emtioanlly healthy, but the trauma does not stop for me yet. If your meds aren't working anymore you may just need a dose adjustment or a slight change. Just be careful, remember what you said happened another time you tried to go off. Without medication I do not function. I have 3 year old twins and I am 52 I have to be able to function everyday. I owe it to them to be the best I can be. If that means I take meds so be it. It may be different for you. I didn't take meds until I was 40 years old but I had alot of bad copiong mechanisms i used to make it. It doesn't mean that I don't wish I could get off my meds but I fought getting on them for so long it was detremental to my health. I didn't sleep but 2 hours a night for over 10 years! anyway i am rambling. I should have listened to the people on this board they told me to go to my doctor. Hope this helped

Getting off meds is certainly tricky. I majored in Psych and think i know what is best for ME. however... I ran out of my anti-anx [could only afford the anti-dep] & had a meltdown at work on Friday. Of course, they ARE working me to death. But I am constantly concerned that I will not be able to function Rx-free. I wish I had the answer...Best wishes, HT