tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post5008323645661012762..comments2023-10-28T04:45:48.353-04:00Comments on Between Living and Existing: Anxiety medication dilemma take twoTiptoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17388368645986593755noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-23987655335204957062009-09-08T06:48:05.947-04:002009-09-08T06:48:05.947-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-55236953400946891572009-04-20T01:21:00.000-04:002009-04-20T01:21:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-74222073030227307492009-01-06T23:30:00.000-05:002009-01-06T23:30:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-70762570463579220392008-12-15T15:10:00.000-05:002008-12-15T15:10:00.000-05:00a good psychiatrist can work with you until you fi...a good psychiatrist can work with you until you find the right mix for you. i'm limited in what i can take because of my drug issues. good luck to you!!!!!!I Hate to Weighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17241064340434705588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-75961050191649782712008-12-14T23:27:00.000-05:002008-12-14T23:27:00.000-05:00MelissaS, thanks for sharing your experiences. I'...MelissaS, thanks for sharing your experiences. I've been on lexapro which didn't do that much for me. I was on neurontin a few years ago for parasthesia after a dog bite to my leg. All the other meds I've ever been described have been for depression.<BR/><BR/>I'm really glad to hear that you have found a psychiatrist you like and the meds are helping you. Much luck for continued success. :-)Tiptoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17388368645986593755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-73986923257009626532008-12-14T17:01:00.000-05:002008-12-14T17:01:00.000-05:00i have eating disorders and a drug addiction, so i...i have eating disorders and a drug addiction, so it's funny that i resisted prescription meds for years. so, i stayed in bed for a year and was too anxious to even dial my best friend. here's MY experience since. no recommendations, just my experience. i've seen five psychiatrists. the two not on my health plan were great. one, my current one, is my hero. my friends find the same thing. if you can afford it.... i take lexapro, which changed my life. i was wildly nauseous getting used to it,but then my mood lifted remarkably. i used to cry all the time. now i cry at, like, funerals. it's the item i'd take to a desert island. i take neurontin for anxiety, and it really helps. it's not a controlled substance (because of my drug addiction, i can't get those)but i'm much less stressed. klonopin is great for anxiety, but it's a benzo, and it is debilitating to get off. and i take trazedone for sleep. also not a controlled substance, so it's not weird like ambien and lunesta (all of which i took in quantity once!) good luck. i hope i didn't say too muchI Hate to Weighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17241064340434705588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-91823862954665294612008-12-13T09:45:00.000-05:002008-12-13T09:45:00.000-05:00Reagan, thanks for commiserating with me. ;-) It'...Reagan, thanks for commiserating with me. ;-) It's good to hear that meds helped you better with making decisions. That's a really difficult thing for me right now and gives more incentive to going on a med.Tiptoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17388368645986593755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-77992776184193168282008-12-12T14:15:00.000-05:002008-12-12T14:15:00.000-05:00Oh wow, I can commiserate. I ended up choosing a p...Oh wow, I can commiserate. I ended up choosing a psy. who doesn't take any insurance, because she was recommended by my therapist. She is absolutely wonderful, though the out of pocket cost does stress me. It's all what you think is important and what you can handle.<BR/><BR/>Also, as for the trouble making decisions, that really got better for me once I was on the meds!!<BR/><BR/>And don't let anyont tell you differently: This IS an important life choice. <BR/><BR/>Good luck!Reaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456378732640287979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-84238258608875584242008-12-12T13:01:00.000-05:002008-12-12T13:01:00.000-05:00Gutsinarut, thanks for the validation in actually ...Gutsinarut, thanks for the validation in actually wanting something more than pill dispensing with a psychiatrist. And yes, insurance indeed sucks sometimes!<BR/><BR/>Still haven't figured out the cigarette thing. It'll just remain a mystery.Tiptoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17388368645986593755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-17144234043559366712008-12-12T04:24:00.000-05:002008-12-12T04:24:00.000-05:00I think you're wise to make a list of potential ps...I think you're wise to make a list of potential psychiatrists and to *want* a relationship with them. To many people I know just go to get their pills and be on their merry way. It's important to have background information. I just hate that it's such a struggle to get decent insurance coverage for these kinds of things. They don't realize that by not covering some of the most-qualified prospects, it's like playing with someone's life. It burns me up! <BR/><BR/>Oh, and the cigarette thing? Is really strange!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-72056847356924982902008-12-11T23:33:00.000-05:002008-12-11T23:33:00.000-05:00Everyone, thanks for all the input. I guess I'd c...Everyone, thanks for all the input. I guess I'd consider myself the procrastinator at this point, and I'm not feeling rock bottom or anything. I know that you don't need to be for meds, there is just more incentive for me to go on them when I am like that.<BR/><BR/>I'm giving myself the weekend to think through this more, though I don't know, that may be a bad idea too.Tiptoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17388368645986593755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-47465902823494989032008-12-11T16:54:00.000-05:002008-12-11T16:54:00.000-05:00I was reluctant to take meds, too, but I'm glad I ...I was reluctant to take meds, too, but I'm glad I finally did. For me, it took care of the "buzz" of anxiety and depression that was keeping me from functioning. I've been lucky with my doctor, too, and she knew which medication was less likely to cause weight gain as a side effect. <BR/><BR/>I didn't have trouble with side effects when I started the first time, but I experienced some nausea when I started up again this fall. It lasted for about two weeks, but I was able to stick with it.Lisa and Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17857704375623585452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-52006360128299276282008-12-11T16:09:00.000-05:002008-12-11T16:09:00.000-05:00Even though going on medication is complicated and...Even though going on medication is complicated and scary, I'm a BIG advocate for it. I have ED and depression and I would be in a horrible position without meds. Sometimes people just need a little biological help. There are some meds that cause weight gain, but there are a lot that don't - so make sure to tell your doc that you don't want any possibility of weight gain. <BR/><BR/>Most psychiatrists want you to see them once a month, so I wouldn't go to a psychiatrist that you don't think you can afford. Although it is important to find one that you connect with. <BR/><BR/>Good luck!Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02777608805308517582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-50269637135561291332008-12-11T13:33:00.000-05:002008-12-11T13:33:00.000-05:00I'm possibly not the best person to ask about this...I'm possibly not the best person to ask about this, because I do tend to get a bit funny on medication. That said, when you do find the right one for you, it is so unbelievably helpful. Unfortunately sometimes it takes a couple of attempts to get there. <BR/><BR/>I can't offer advice with the Pdoc either, mine have all been allocated via the National Health, so i never got to choose. I guess there will be no wrong choice, just a bit of a gamble. It's not a binding contract, and I know there is the expense issue, but this is your future and your happiness, you should be choosey, and change if you are not happy.<BR/><BR/>I hope this works for you Tiptoe, so many people swear by meds for anxiety.<BR/><BR/>Lola xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-31122797994002655882008-12-11T12:36:00.000-05:002008-12-11T12:36:00.000-05:00I completely understand your dilemma, as I am righ...I completely understand your dilemma, as I am right there with you. I have to applaud you for making all the calls (I know how torturous that can be). The truth is there are some terrible psychiatrists out there, but there are some great ones. I would think an ED specialist would be perfect. Let me know how it goes. You may just inspire me to stop white-knuckling it through this anxiety of mine!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12524913753671188764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4699361536242687629.post-10068141511099353152008-12-11T07:27:00.000-05:002008-12-11T07:27:00.000-05:00I put off medication for as long as possible, then...I put off medication for as long as possible, then when I hit my rock bottom I knew it was something I had to do to help me in recovery.<BR/><BR/>I was recommended to my psychiatrist by my therapist, and I lucked out because she is an amazing psychiatrist. <BR/><BR/>Starting meds can be overwhelming, just the idea of if its going to work, side effects, etc. I believe it's really in the psychiatrist to find the drug that will work best for your symptoms. I deal with OCD, anxiety, and depression. I'm on two pills currently.<BR/><BR/>I'd also make sure that whoever you choose doesn't throw you on a high dose quickly. I started with one pill at only 5mg, and worked my way up, with follow ups, and discussions on my mood, etc. Be sure to be vocal about all your concerns even if you don't think they are going to affect how you are treated. I am really against taking meds, so my psychiatrist knew to start me low. She knew I did not want to gain weight, so she made sure the med did not have that side effect, and so on. It's very personalized, and you have more decision over your treatment than you think. <BR/><BR/>Sorry it's so long! You can get in touch with me if you want to talk more=)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17034980786297421545noreply@blogger.com