Have spent so much money on supplements for anxiety.....almost headed to get some meds... - Page 5

[betsu63]

This is so good to hear and a great inspiration to others that there is hope for them also. While I believe you should only take the medications you need, sometimes prescriptions are an absolute necessity. I work in psychiatry and see the miracles they produce. We also do the other therapy things also so it is a combination of things We also monitor for possible side effects and bloodwork as appropriate.. Over the years I have come to conclusion, for some people, the possible side effects or even shortening their lives by a couple of years is far better than not medicating properly. It is all about quality of life over quanity. I know for me I would rather spend my life enjoying my family, people wanting to spend time with me and enjoying life experiences and dying at 80 than not enjoying these things and dying at 82. That is the reality for some people. I have seen psychiatrists who are overly concerned about the possible side effects and reduce or discontinue medications and the "stable"  client regress to an angry, stressed individual who their peers, relatives and staff don't want to spend time with. How is this better? People are so quick to want to only  take supplements but this is actually taking medication. The difference is that many of the supplements aren't regulated so you don't actually know what you are taking.

[Oubliette8]

Originally Posted by betsu63 

This is so good to hear and a great inspiration to others that there is hope for them also. While I believe you should only take the medications you need, sometimes prescriptions are an absolute necessity. I work in psychiatry and see the miracles they produce. We also do the other therapy things also so it is a combination of things We also monitor for possible side effects and bloodwork as appropriate.. Over the years I have come to conclusion, for some people, the possible side effects or even shortening their lives by a couple of years is far better than not medicating properly. It is all about quality of life over quanity. I know for me I would rather spend my life enjoying my family, people wanting to spend time with me and enjoying life experiences and dying at 80 than not enjoying these things and dying at 82. .

This is not exactly true. Individuals with serious mental illness die an average of 25 years earlier than their peers. That would be like dying at 55 instead of 80. Some of this difference is due to suicide and inadequate access to health care compounded by things like homelessness. However, some of it is related to issues that the meds cause or exacerbate- like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. And of course, suicide can sometimes be linked to the meds as well thus the black box warnings. I'm not saying meds are always bad, but that a difference of 25 years is MUCH different than 2. Its something each consumer should be aware of and balance the risks and benefits for themselves. You can read more about mortality in the mentally ill here- http://www.nasmhpd.org/general_files/publications/med_directors_pubs/technical%20report%20on%20morbidity%20and%20mortaility%20-%20final%2011-06.pdf

[babygrant]

Day 20.  10 mg cipralex.

I'm feeling wonderful.  I never realized how depressed I was until now.  I am seeing the beauty in everything.  I'm not crying all the time.  I'm not anxious.  Did a ton of yard work and was actually mtoivated to do it!  Good times!

[babygrant]

Day 21.  10 mg cipralex.

Another great day!

[Mom2M]

It's so good to hear your updates, I hope things keep going so well for you!

[babygrant]

Day 21.  10 mg cipralex.

Still good.  My period is late though???  Been pretty much clockwork for years.  Not preggers although I haven't taken a test.  Could meds do this?

[Mom2M]

I looked it up and the only thing I could find was a rare side effect was to increase menstrual bleeding and/or to make it more frequent.

[Alenushka]

  Suppliment are almsot the same as the Big Pharma pills in some ways . You can't take them all the time. There is reason for your anxiety. Go to therapy. Traditional psychotherapy will help to explore why you have it.....if you do not have time for it, try CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is short and to the point!

[journeymom]

I'm just stumbling across your thread here. I'm so impressed with the progress you've made. I'm almost 43 y.o. and over the years I noticed a seasonal trend -anxiety that starts in January, grows worse and worse through March.  End of March I find myself feeling better.  The short winter days might be exacerbating your anxieties. It's possible that you'll continue to feel better as the days grow longer.  And if the seasons are affecting you like that, then with the current success you're having with the medication then this coming winter might be easier to tolerate.

Edited by journeymom - 3/24/11 at 10:16pm

[babygrant]

Day 22.  10 mg cipralex.

Good day for the most part.  I had some mild anxiety through the day but I honestly think that if I didn't have an anxiety disorder, it wouldn't even phase me.  It never slowed me down.  I did lots of yard work, hung out with my sister and her kids, played lots with the kids, cleaned house, and made a good nourishing dinner!  :)  

[babygrant]

Day 23.  10 mg cipralex.

Good day.  Very very very mild anxiety throughout day, but didn't slow me down or anything.  I have so much motivation to do stuff aruond the house and out in the yard.  It's great.  My house is the cleanest it's been in years, my yard work is completely done, my kids are happy, and we are eating proper meals that I spend hours making!  I will update this thread until day 30 and then just update if anything crazy happens because I feel bad for bumping my thread day after day.

[Alenushka]

My son is on meds...and many of the metabolic side effect can be alleviated by Metformin now.

My mom had the same illness and no meds, she killed herself at 46. So, I think depending on the disorder that med can be very appropriate.

The issues with anxiety disorder is that many meds prescribed for it are very addictive.  Often there is huge enviromental component in anxiety...sometime couples counseling can help.

[babygrant]

Day 24.  10 mg cipralex. 

Good day.  Still no period.  Hmmmmm.

[babygrant]

Day 25.  10 mg cipralex.

Another good day!!  No period.

[babygrant]

day 26.  10 mg cipralex.

Good day.  No period.  Will go buy a test later today just to be safe, but I'm 99.9% sure I'm not.  it's probably just from the meds.

[babygrant]

Day 27.  10 mg cipralex.

I went in the morning and dropped $15.00 on a pregnancy test (no dollar stores here!).  Took it and it came back negative.  About 2 hours later I got my period.  lol.  Go figure.  I had a moderate amount of anxiety and was pretty cranky and irritable.  :(  

[babygrant]

Day 28. 10 mg cipralex.

Very crampy period.  Ouch!  haven't had a painful period in a while.  Some periods of moderate anxiety throughout the day.  So far my period is way better than it has been though....so no complaints.

[babygrant]

Day 29.  10 mg cipralex.

Moderate anxiety throughout day.  I'm wondering if I need a doseage increase ALL the time or if I can just increase a week before my period and go back down to 10 mg after my period??  I don't know.  I have a doctors appointment in a couple of weeks, so I'll chat with her then.

[babygrant]

Day 30.  10 mg cipralex.

Good day.  

[babygrant]

Day 31.  10 mg cipralex.

Good day.  I'm done updating for now.  I'll update if anything changes.  But for now, I'm doing waaaaay better than before.  No regrets starting the medication.  I actually wish I started taking it earlier because I missed a few big milestones in my childrens lives because I was too anxious to actually enjoy them.  But I can't go back in time, so no guilt, I will just make sure I enjoy the moments from here on out!!  If anyone has ANY questions for me, please message me because I'd be happy to answer them.