anti-depressants not working

Amy1010 · Post by **Amy1010** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:46 am

I have been taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds for about 18 years now. My anti-depressants stopped working at least 8 years ago. I have seen a few different doctors during this time and they kept giving me new meds to try with no success. I started seeing a new doctor a couple of months ago and he told me the reason the anti-depressants weren't working was because I was taking Ativan for anxiety at the same time. So I had to go in the hospital to be de-toxed off of the ativan which was no fun at all! He said after I went off of the ativan, it would take about 3 weeks for my anti-depressants to start working. Well It's been about 3 weeks, and my depression is finally lifting after 8 years of trying different meds. Has anyone had a similar problem? I am just starting to use the anxiety program to learn to deal with my anxiety without drugs. Please wish me luck, or pray for me. I am putting alot of hope in this program.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:52 am

Amy1010,
Your courage to come off of the Ativan is very impressive, it could not have been easy. This just shows how strong you truly are!! I am happy to hear that your anti-depressant is starting to work for you again.
When I started, I was confused and stubborn (I kind of wished I was benefiting from Meds!) My Problem was Major Depression and I now just have a few sessions to go to finish the Program. I feel my Hopes were well placed by starting this, jusr like You did!
Jump right in Amy, the water is Fine... Splash around, get messy, Make some Mistakes, It's OK!!! We all did. I think you will Like This Place and These People as much as I do!!!
Welcome Amy, Seadog (I'm Steve)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:33 pm

Hey Amy,
My heart goes out to you. I am very new to this program, but am already amazed at the strength of the people in this program. I will pray that the anti-depressants will continue to help you, but I do believe that this program will put you on a better path. Just knowing you are not alone makes you feel so much better or at least it does for me. My prayers are with you. Remember the past is the past and we can not change it. We have to push ourselves forward and believe that there is a better life awaiting us! God Bless.
Mary Lu

Ms. Hopeful · Post by **Ms. Hopeful** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:36 pm

I'm praying for you Amy. You sound like a very strong woman and I know this path will be a healthy and worthwhile one for you. Keep putting your hope in the program. It will work.

Take Care,
Jeanie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:38 pm

Amy-

I am right here with you! I was on Ativan also for years and went through the detox in the hospital in June...It was horrific! One of the most horrible experiences of my life was the with drawls...I too do not have any success with medications and I suffer from anxiety, and primarily OCD.....I hope that this program works for me as well....Go and read in the Bible Ephesians 6:10-18 " The Armor of God"....I will pray for you, please also pray for me too.....By the way, do you still get withdrawls? I was detoxed with Valium/Librium/trileptal......Would love to hear back from you...

Patricia

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:09 pm

It is so nice to know there are people out there who understand and that are praying for me. Thank you all so much. I am going to put my all into this program.

Dear Patricia,
I am so glad to know there is someone out there that understands how horrible detox from ativan is. The doctors don't tell you about that when they put you on these meds. I just started detox on Dec. 17th, so yes I am still having withdrawals. Every day still seems like I am in Hell. I have horrible cravings all of the time. I haven't listened to my relaxation tape yet, but I plan to do it tonight before I go to bed. I am hoping that will calm me down and slow down the cravings. I read Ephesians 6:10-18 and it is very helpful for me because sometimes the cravings in my mind feel like they come from the devil. They feel like evil thoughts. I am going to write those passages down and bring them to my drug support group
tomorrow. I will be praying for you tonight.
Do you still have withdrawals or cravings?

Amy

Droopy · Post by **Droopy** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:33 pm

Amy, Good for you. Hang in there, dear. I can tell you how much the program helped me out of the pit of anxiety and fear. I suffered for more than 30 years and now I'm completely done with it. In fact, I wrote about it and gave my strategies in a book called "Anxiety Rescue." You most certainly can succeed with this. But you really need to be persistent and perserverent. Also, what I found the most helpful was to work from inside out, to work in changing your life, not just in dealing with the anxiety issues. I feel that the stresses of our life keep us in this problem. So, learning to better deal with and manage them, really really helps. Keep at it, you can do it...I did and after so many years, I am here to tell you it can be done and you will love it when you learn to take charge of the auto-pilot that keeps you stuck in fear. Hang in there!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:10 pm

Amy, you have the will! Go for it!

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. William Morrow

Kathryn, thanks for the great reply. You even inspired me.

Bless you all!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:08 pm

Heisthegreatphysican and Amy, do you mind me asking how much Ativan you were taking each day and for how many years? thanks.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:20 am

Good Morning! I turned my relaxation tape on last night before I went to bed and fell asleep about 1/4 of the way through. I guess I will try again this afternoon when I am not so tired so I don't fall asleep. I did get a good night's sleep though.

Thanks Kathryn, Denny 4 and Karilynn for your inspiring words. It is nice to wake up and have some positive words to start my day on. Thank you all so much!

To Karilynn,

I was on Ativan for about 18 years, and after about 2 years I was up to 2mg 5 times a day. I stayed on that dose until I went in to the hospital on Dec. 17th. During all that time, no doctor ever told me what I would have to go through to get off of the Ativan, or that it would affect the way my other meds worked. It's not easy to find a good doctor out there. You really have to watch out for yourself!

Amy