Taking medications
I have a fear of taking medications. Does anyone have this problem and if you do can you give me some advice on how to deal with it. I have been put on zoloft and told it would help only Im afaraid to take it. I also have to take medication after having my thyroid removed and Im having a hard time with that one to. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.
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Guest
Medication can help some people, and not others. The only way to see if it will help would be to try it. If you and your doctor have talked and decided to try zoloft, there's no need to fear it. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. No big deal. As far as the thyroid meds, those you will probably have to take, like it or not. What is it you fear about it? I know there are side effects to every med but as long as both you and your doc are on top of it, any problems can and will be caught early and the med adjusted or changed as necessary. Don't let fear make unhealthy decisions for you. Good luck! 
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Guest
In all due respect, everyone is different (in terms of medicinal effects). Telling someone who may actually benefit fr medication during their recovery & who is AFRAID, "medication is not the answer - pls avoid if at all possible. I know fr experience" - ISN'T AN APPROPRIATE ANSWER. Sure, share your experiences w/ the med's you've taken. Noting in particular - the person you're telling is different than you. I think, medicinal questions & advice should be left to the medical professionals: regular dr + psychiatrist/therapist + pharmacist - they will ans your questions w/o instilling fear on top of the fear you're already experiencing.
I had GREAT SUCCESS w/ medications during my journey. I was diagnosed in APRIL 2005 w/ anxiety disorder + panic attacks + PTSD fr 3 diff things + severe sleep deprivation = only averaged b/w 1-2 hrs of sleep per every 24 hrs. I was 2 steps away fr being put in a psych hospital. The severity of my condition REQUIRED I take medication. Yes, I had the ultimate decision/choice. I listened to my dr/therapist/pharmacist. <span class="ev_code_RED">I had never taken a darn thing in my life - liquid advil for PMS, lol</span>
I wanted to feel better - initially that required I take the medication. Yes, there were trial & error finding the med's that worked best for me (an anxiety med & 2 sleep aids). Prescriptions & their effects on individuals are not black & white. During that time, I too got both frightened & frustrated - I wanted relief. I noted what I was feeling & when - then I shared these things w/ the prescribing dr. How often do we lose patience & over-react to things? Med's are no different. 2 important things I did when deciding to choose to take medications: 1) I knew I didn't want to have to take it forever. In my particular case, I decided to work my RECOVERY like noone's business: therapy sessions + journaling + research = reading 16+ books + LUCINDA'S PROGRAM + dietary change = eating healthier & portion control + exercising + joining WEIGHT WATCHERS - 2) I knew, per my research, that there isn't a med on this green GOD GIVEN EARTH - that will take away EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF ALL BODY SYMPTOMS - that takes work, on YOUR PART - knowing that will aid you the sufferer greatly. When I recovered fr anxiety disorder/PTSD I was then diagnosed w/ depress - a result of the work involved. Now, I hadn't taken an anxiety med/sleep aid @ that point (MARCH 2007) in 1 1/2 yrs - I p/u'd the pace w/ exercising + had some serious BOARD MEETINGS W/ GOD 
& I let it all out in therapy. I have recovered fr depression now - I haven't taken a med for that in 1 MONTH!
I am not trying to convert anyone. I had fears w/ med's too. I grew up in the ghetto, where prescription & illegal drug abuse was like a massive disease - starting fr when I was a little girl. That left an imprint on my mind & seriously interphered w/ my decision to take a med. However, I had medical professionals on my side - who were there to aid me.
Not everyone may have success w/ medications. Let us be honest - yet possitive w/ eachother during our journey - to help eachother - not spinning things as such that folks are running away fr the very thing that MAY help them. Share your stories & particulars w/ the med's you've taken - sure. But pls be responsible & sensitive that that person you're telling is not you & they are afraid - don't frighten them more.
All my sincerest best wishes + prayers + friendship to all those of you who are on your journey to recovery - YOU ARE NOT ALONE - I am 1 of many who has recovered FR BOTH ANXIETY DISORDER & DEPRESSION - through me, I BEG YOU - see the possibilities.
Your friend,
LENORE
I had GREAT SUCCESS w/ medications during my journey. I was diagnosed in APRIL 2005 w/ anxiety disorder + panic attacks + PTSD fr 3 diff things + severe sleep deprivation = only averaged b/w 1-2 hrs of sleep per every 24 hrs. I was 2 steps away fr being put in a psych hospital. The severity of my condition REQUIRED I take medication. Yes, I had the ultimate decision/choice. I listened to my dr/therapist/pharmacist. <span class="ev_code_RED">I had never taken a darn thing in my life - liquid advil for PMS, lol</span>
I wanted to feel better - initially that required I take the medication. Yes, there were trial & error finding the med's that worked best for me (an anxiety med & 2 sleep aids). Prescriptions & their effects on individuals are not black & white. During that time, I too got both frightened & frustrated - I wanted relief. I noted what I was feeling & when - then I shared these things w/ the prescribing dr. How often do we lose patience & over-react to things? Med's are no different. 2 important things I did when deciding to choose to take medications: 1) I knew I didn't want to have to take it forever. In my particular case, I decided to work my RECOVERY like noone's business: therapy sessions + journaling + research = reading 16+ books + LUCINDA'S PROGRAM + dietary change = eating healthier & portion control + exercising + joining WEIGHT WATCHERS - 2) I knew, per my research, that there isn't a med on this green GOD GIVEN EARTH - that will take away EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF ALL BODY SYMPTOMS - that takes work, on YOUR PART - knowing that will aid you the sufferer greatly. When I recovered fr anxiety disorder/PTSD I was then diagnosed w/ depress - a result of the work involved. Now, I hadn't taken an anxiety med/sleep aid @ that point (MARCH 2007) in 1 1/2 yrs - I p/u'd the pace w/ exercising + had some serious BOARD MEETINGS W/ GOD & I let it all out in therapy. I have recovered fr depression now - I haven't taken a med for that in 1 MONTH!I am not trying to convert anyone. I had fears w/ med's too. I grew up in the ghetto, where prescription & illegal drug abuse was like a massive disease - starting fr when I was a little girl. That left an imprint on my mind & seriously interphered w/ my decision to take a med. However, I had medical professionals on my side - who were there to aid me.
Not everyone may have success w/ medications. Let us be honest - yet possitive w/ eachother during our journey - to help eachother - not spinning things as such that folks are running away fr the very thing that MAY help them. Share your stories & particulars w/ the med's you've taken - sure. But pls be responsible & sensitive that that person you're telling is not you & they are afraid - don't frighten them more.
All my sincerest best wishes + prayers + friendship to all those of you who are on your journey to recovery - YOU ARE NOT ALONE - I am 1 of many who has recovered FR BOTH ANXIETY DISORDER & DEPRESSION - through me, I BEG YOU - see the possibilities.
Your friend,
LENORE