Posted by Bob on January 17, 2005, at 0:00:35
I have taken psychoactive meds, almost without break, since 1991. At first it was just trace amounts of Prozac, followed by a break of a few months, and then it got serious with all kinds of meds from different classes (no MAOIs, and no antipsychotics) until about two months ago. For the first time in almost 15 years I have been off all psychoactive meds since mid-November of last year! It is nothing short of a miracle, as I had terrible, terrible withdrawl from most meds I tried, especially SSRIs and the newer anticonvulsant meds also. I think the only reason I was able to wean off was because I managed to get my regimen down to one med - Lithium. Then, I tapered this very slowly, and eventually stopped, with much pain and consternation.
My question is what I should do next. As I look back, it is quite evident that the meds caused as many problems as they crudely covered up. I don't ever, ever want to go back on them, but figure I probably will someday. By doc now things I should tough it out as long as possible to see if things "clear up", but I'm not too sure I can last much longer like this. I have anxiety and depression that come and go. However, just as problematic are the muscle problems (tension or pressure that comes in waves ever so often), breathing problems, and severe weakness after the slightest physical exertion. These problems are largely physical in nature, and it seems like, as much as any mental issue I may have, my body is now a physical mess. I don't know if I'd have these issues if I'd never tried medications (not that I felt I had a choice), but I tend to believe I wouldn't. Anyway, does anyone here think I can actually wait out this mess and it will improve, or does that sound like a dead end?
I've tried stretching and very mild exercise in the fleeting moments when I'm not dogged by breathing problems, muscle discomfort, weakness, or whatever. I know this sounds ridiculous, but the physical activity seems to make it very much worse - especially a day or two later, as I seem to experience a rebound reaction of some sort, with increased anxiety, and physical discomfort (not the kind of discomfort associated with muscle soreness, but a muscle pressure, kind of deal - definitely not normal).
Any suggestions for where to go from here? I'm thinking that, since I really don't want to go back to meds, I could try ECT, but it seems to weird to try that to fix what is at least a 50-60 percent physical type issue. I have heard of people responding better to meds after ECT, though.
poster:Bob
thread:443015
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050113/msgs/443015.html