Afraid of meds

Perfect Facade · Post by **Perfect Facade** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:53 pm

I am to the point where I am constantly anxious and not enjoying life, and my depression is at a pretty critical point as well. It took me a long time to admit that I probably do need to be on medicine, but I am so deathly afraid of its side effects. I haven't been prescribed meds yet, but I have started counseling and I know they will probably be prescribed soon. Even though I hate feeling the way my anxiety and depression makes me feel, I'm comfortable with it. I hate not knowing how meds could change me. HELP!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:42 pm

I don't like meds either and was able to come along way without them thanks to this program. I guess the best thing is to educate youself on what to expect. Most side effects go away after a few weeks. But if you haven't gotten the program, you shold try it.

epa · Post by **epa** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:51 pm

IF you need meds, try to ask for the lowest dose possible and view them as temporary until you are able to learn the skills to manage without them. Some help tremendously with the problems and you could feel like a new person!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:37 pm

one of my biggest problems still is the fear of meds. i finally am able to take advil, but i still to this day won't take tylenol...kind of silly, it won't hurt me, but i just won't do it. i have been on just about every med possible, and i'm still kickin, lol. i'm just wondering if there is a certain side effect that you are afraid of??? some people need medication, some don't. they thought i needed it, and maybe at one point i did. but some people don't. there rae unpleasant side effects to some medicatons, but you have to remember, they don't happen to everyone, and "uncomfortable" is different than "lethal", lol. just like how some foods can give you heartburn. that feeling hurts and i don't like it, but i eat the foods anyway knowing there is an uncomfortable side effect. i'm just trying to put it into perspective for you.i wish you the best on your road to recovery

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:30 am

I was afraid of meds too. I started Lex 3 months ago and am feeling great on it. I had some side effects for about the first week, but it was nothing compared to the anxiey I was having before the meds. I am now really glad I tried them as they have given me my old self back and I love it.

Prv31Mom · Post by **Prv31Mom** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:29 am

Oh man i know the feeling ..But to be honest once i got so bad i couldnt sleep anymore or eat becasue i got so depressed from my anxiety i did get on something..I made sure it was a really low dose though. After a few weeks i slowly started sleeping again and eating , my anxiety was still there but i was able to work on it better not being so depressed. So i know it can be scary but if i had to do it again i would. Im still scared of advil and other meds but when your life is to that point sometimes you have to be strong enough to make that choice if it will help you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:08 am

I have been on effexor for 6 years for depression and it has made a big difference, giving me more energy and availability for life.
A number of years ago I also was diagnosed with ADD and was on ritilin. However when my anxiety was off the wall and I asked my psychiatrist for something to take prn to calm me down, he suggested getting off ritilin as it contributes to anxiety. I got off ritilin, found Lucinda's tapes, continue to work my 12 Step Program, and am feeling much better, calm, more positive and present.
---Meds affect different people differently. It might be worth a trial, you can always go off if you don't like side effects. It's important also to have a counselor and/or prescribing doctor who will listen to you and work with you. Best Wishes

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 4:34 am

Hello Perfect Facade,

You might consider looking into herbal therapy with a professional naturopathic physician. I have been taking them since May of this year and am feeling great. I had anxiety/panic, fybromyalgia, GERD/acid reflux, intestinal infections and inflammation, and the the mother of all my reasons for all my health troubles, my thyroid and adrenal glands not working properly to manage all the hormones in my body. Everything is in check now. I am continuing to work with the herbs doc as it takes time for these things to turn themselves around. No side effects and nothing is addictive. I went a round with meds before I found my herb doc. They were definitely not a route that was going to work for me.

Good luck,
Eileen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:26 am

I am scared to take them too but this time I am really a mess and it's been going on for almost two months. I seemed to get better and then two weeks ago it came back with a vengence. I have been having diarreah every day. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy next Friday and of course I am scared of that too...cancer..etc...My NP gave me ativan to take and it's the lowest dose but I absolutely hate the way it makes me feel. Even though I am more relaxed I still feel like I am losing my mind even though I know I am not. This is worst anxiety I have ever had. I went through the program almost three years ago and did great. I am hoping once the colonoscopy is over, some of the anxiety will leave. I do plan on going to talk to someone this time. I just hate that my summer has been ruined by this...by me...by not being able to control it. I am so disgusted with the whole thing!! And my poor husband has had to put up with all this. I am very lucky that he loves me!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:39 pm

Hello Hannah,

You might check out another forum thread here on peri-menopause/menopause. Some really good info there:

<A HREF="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/eve/forums/ ... 086954/p/1" TARGET=_blank>http://bbs.stresscenter.com/eve/forums/ ... 954/p/1</A>

If you are at the age when this approaches, your symptoms may be related. I read the post because I am having many of these same symptoms and am finding that this may be happening to me too. I am going to have some blood work done to clarify my thyroid T3, T4, hormone levels. The herbal therapy I am taking has made a huge difference. I will be happy to see what the blood work shows.

Hope you are doing well soon,
Eileen