Comments on: The Frustration of Constant Chemical Wrangling

By: sera

sera — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:58:56 +0000

I hope you feel better soon, I really do.

By: aag

aag — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:25:44 +0000

Don’t worry. I will! Thank you Sam.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:07:26 +0000

Just wanted to say hang in there. It absolutely sucks, I know. And while going through it, it feels impossible to explain the sheer horror of it in way that anyone could possibly understand. I went through many medications, many dosages, and lots of side effects. But there is a solution. There is another side to this. I am actually off medications now, having found the right dosage/ meds and stayed on them for a couple of years. They burned my stomach so I had to stop taking them, but by that time I had gotten enough of a foot-hold on my brain and its downward spiraling that I am ok without the meds. And am surprised to realize that what was once a bottomless pit of pain and suicidal ideation is now like a bad dream. Keep hanging on.

By: Shell

Shell — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:59:59 +0000

I agree with crys. A long time ago, in a land far away, I was diagnosed with severe depression/panic disorder. Given the circumstances of life at the time, it was a fairly easy “guess” for the doctors to make. (Custody battle, changing careers and the pressure that entailed, the insecurities of being 20-something and feeling like a complete failure as a mom, wife and a human being…)

It turns out that all the anti-depressant drugs in the world wouldn’t help a sleep disorder. Disordered sleep from the stress meant more exhaustion and more stress. The downward spiral continued when I abused alcohol to be able to sleep. I was one f-ed up mess!

Then I remembered that when I tried MJ in high school, the only thing it did for me was make me sleep. Hmmmm… So I contacted a friend who smoked and asked for help with my “experiment”. He laughed, but agreed. A week later, I was a different woman. Clearly I don’t explain in polite or professional circles what happened, but in a quest for a more legal and socially acceptable alternative, I asked my primary care doc for Xanax.

13 years later, I’m still taking the same small dose. Only on school nights an hour before bedtime, and not with alcohol.

I’d give it a shot.

By: aag

aag — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:06:07 +0000

Could it really be that simple? :)

By: crys

crys — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:29:37 +0000

ummmm….how about trying a little weed? :-)

By: Mimi

Mimi — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:49:41 +0000

Ah yes, this seems to be a common theme for so many of us. I gave up on the medications b/c I just couldn’t stand the fog they put me in, plus one made me even MORE depressed so I just finally threw my hands up in disgust. The depression comes and goes, and would be considered mild I suppose so I just deal with it mostly via chocolate and exercise…LOL.

Like so many others, I feel your pain, and wish you good results soon. It’s got to at least be comforting to know that you are not alone in this particular struggle.

By: Molly Ren

Molly Ren — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:30:49 +0000

*hugs*

By: nitebyrd

nitebyrd — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:01:33 +0000

Depression is a bitch. Since I’ve been depressed and on meds for years, I feel your pain. You are taking the proper steps and being able to be cautiously optimistic is good.

By: Sexorcism

Sexorcism — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:09:09 +0000

It’s worthwhile to keep on trying until you find the right pharmaceuticals for you. Everyone is different. In the meantime, here are some nondrug remedies that may help you:
cherries, oats, exercise, orgasm (of course!), meditation, altruistic activities (helping others), coffee, vanilla, bananas, and cinnamon.
Good luck!
(((AAG)))