![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by n0matter on May 1, 2002, at 13:07:57
All because of what what seemed at the time to be a barely post-adolescent nervous breakdown. My initial prescription consisted of 1mg Ativan, 3x/day. Over the past 7 years, this script has somehow manifested itself into .5mg Klonopin, 2x/day, supplemented with 10mg paxil before bed. I believe I was improperly treated for my breakdown all those many years ago and now, after experimenting with dozens of SSRI/klonopin cocktails, I believe I've pretty much lost touch with what is a "normal" lifestyle and general thought methodology. I hate the fact that I need pills to maintain my sanity. And this revelation is constantly renewed when, say, I forget to bring my prescription on a weekend outing and ultimately spend most of it attemting to hide the crippling withdrawals. Is it unreasonable to just give up at this point and accept the fact that I'll never again lead a life without medication? I'm not looking for sympathy. Just maybe an empathetic response from others in my situation who have basically already made the choice to submit to their affliction.
Posted by Wade on May 1, 2002, at 13:39:57
In reply to Accepting My Fate as a Chronic Anxiety Sufferer..., posted by n0matter on May 1, 2002, at 13:07:57
It is good that you dont' want to give up. My cocktails have mainly consisted of Paxil, Luvox, and Xanax. I thought at one point I had licked the anxiety. I detoxed myself from Xanax, was off for a few weeks, then a doctor prescribed Valium instead. I was shocked because I was hoping for a different anti-depressant. I don't like having to carry my pill bottle around. I think all of us that have this in common feel that way at one time or another.
I had a psychiatrist at detox tell me that I was going to be on an anti-depressant for the rest of my life - maybe, but I didn't like hearing that. I wonder if he just wants the kickbacks.
It is hard to find a doctor that isn't cocky and really cares about the patients. I had one good one for about 5 years and missed a few appointments. He wouldn't see me anymore. That stunk because forgetting stuff was part of the problem.
Concentration isn't my best quality.Wade
Posted by Anna P. on May 2, 2002, at 1:14:33
In reply to Re: Accepting My Fate as a Chronic Anxiety Sufferer..., posted by Wade on May 1, 2002, at 13:39:57
Hi...
I wish medications would work for me. I will gladly take it...
Anna P.
Posted by Bill L on May 2, 2002, at 9:01:28
In reply to Re: Accepting My Fate as a Chronic Anxiety Sufferer..., posted by Anna P. on May 2, 2002, at 1:14:33
That's a very common reaction that people don't want to be dependent on drugs their whole life. In my case, my anxiety and depression were so bad for so many years that I considered suicide many times. When I finally found medications that worked, I felt so much better that I didn't mind the idea of always having to take them forever.
At least the good news is that the antidepressant medications are very safe compared to other types of drugs.
Posted by Lisa Simpson on May 2, 2002, at 9:46:02
In reply to Re: Accepting My Fate as a Chronic Anxiety Sufferer..., posted by Bill L on May 2, 2002, at 9:01:28
Hi Bill. Can you tell me what meds you finally found helped with your anxiety?
Thnx.
Lisa
Posted by JohnX2 on May 3, 2002, at 3:12:38
In reply to Accepting My Fate as a Chronic Anxiety Sufferer..., posted by n0matter on May 1, 2002, at 13:07:57
> All because of what what seemed at the time to be a barely post-adolescent nervous breakdown. My initial prescription consisted of 1mg Ativan, 3x/day. Over the past 7 years, this script has somehow manifested itself into .5mg Klonopin, 2x/day, supplemented with 10mg paxil before bed. I believe I was improperly treated for my breakdown all those many years ago and now, after experimenting with dozens of SSRI/klonopin cocktails, I believe I've pretty much lost touch with what is a "normal" lifestyle and general thought methodology. I hate the fact that I need pills to maintain my sanity. And this revelation is constantly renewed when, say, I forget to bring my prescription on a weekend outing and ultimately spend most of it attemting to hide the crippling withdrawals. Is it unreasonable to just give up at this point and accept the fact that I'll never again lead a life without medication? I'm not looking for sympathy. Just maybe an empathetic response from others in my situation who have basically already made the choice to submit to their affliction.
Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin Prozac...I guess its a matter of perspective?
I have succumbed to the idea that I may not be able
to treat a good portion of my quirks. So I'm trying to
change lifestyle habits to address my issues and reduce
self imposed psychological dependence on medicines.Frankly however, I wonder if I would still be alive to
type this if it wasn't for the medicine.As a side note, there's always the analogies. Would you
want someone with diabetes to succumb to their affliction
and give up their Vitamin Insulin?Take Care,
JX2
Posted by Rathrbfishn on May 3, 2002, at 23:36:23
In reply to Accepting My Fate as a Chronic Anxiety Sufferer..., posted by n0matter on May 1, 2002, at 13:07:57
When I was first diagnosed with panic disorder I thought that if I researched it enough I would find the answer as to why I had it and then I would be able to overcome it. After years of therapy, lots of bucks spent on docs and meds, I've pretty much decided that no matter how much I learn or know about my condition, it's not going to go away as a result of questioning why. No, I don't like being medically dependant on pills. But I dislike the panic attacks more. Hell, it's just a little pill I take a few times a day and I feel fine. Nothing wrong with that in my book. At the same time, I have never given up hope that someday this affliction will magically dissapear, just as it appeared. Or perhaps someone will discover what causes all these problems and find a solution that isn't necassarilly chemically based. Until, and if, that happens, I mainly spend most of my energy in my free time looking at ways to deal with the condition I have more effectively, rather than spending all that energy on why I have this disorder. nOmatter, I completely understand your frustration. I think most here do. But until a resolution is found, I'm fine with taking medication to function, I'm resigned to taking it for the rest of my life if need be. But I never give up on hope. Don't get me wrong, I still get pissy and down in the dumps from time to time, but so does everyone else in the world, med free or condition free. Hang in there, who knows, tomorrow may be YOUR day.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.