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I think I need to start medication

Hj1981
Community Member
I suffer from CPTSD and I think my anxiety issues are getting worse. I think I might need to start medication but I’m so scared to do so. I’m scared because I’m sensitive to drugs, I’m scared as I feel that once on them there is no going back. I’m scared because I’ve had friends on meds and they didn’t help them or stop them from taking their lives.


What was the deciding factor for you to go on meds? Where do i start? Did medication help? Were the side effects bad?


Once on them can you come off them? And be ok? They don’t fix anything do they? They just hide the problem.
5 Replies 5

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Hj, a warm welcome to the forums.

I'm sorry for what you are having to go through, but medication is prescribed by a doctor or a psychiatrist to alleviate these problems.

No one knows how long someone has to take them, this depends on how they are feeling, but if you take them and your friend doesn't need to, is no comparison at all, perhaps they take another medication you don't need to, but your health is so important.

Medication combined with counselling is probably the best way to understand why all of this is happening.

Book an appointment with your GP and if you decide to look on the net about side-effects please remember that the companies have to list all of them, doesn't mean you may get them, but they have to do this to protect themselves.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Hj1981
Community Member

Thank you

I am currently sitting in psychologist waiting room to see her now. Haven’t had an appointment since January. I thought I was doing ok but lately I’m really not.

hate this feeling and want it to go away. But so scared of other treatments.

Nurse_Jenn
Community Member

Hi Hj1981,

It is great to see you using supports like the forum to help you get well. It is a great sign that you are able to reach out. You have taken some really strong steps towards your own health and healing. Please acknowledge this each day as this is really important.

I am sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time. Your post really caught me as I forget sometimes how frightening and scary it can be going through health challenges. I thank you for being so open about how you're feeling. You are completely justified in feeling scared of all the challenges you have ahead of you in your recovery. Fear is a healthy and normal emotion when you are going into unknown, uncharted territory. Be kind to yourself and know that you are not alone in feeling this way. Also know that so many people drive through their fears and get well again.

As Geoff has mentioned in his post, everyone is unique. I have seen a person go through a similar trauma or experience and have a similar diagnosis and both have improved on completely different treatments. Some people respond really well to medication and some people find it helpful but not enough. Some people start seeing a counsellor or psychologist and they are very quickly relieved and feel as though they are on a good treatment pathway, some people go to their appointment and come out feeling like they didn't click with their therapist and find themselves looking for a new one.

The key theme I see in people who recover is persistence. So many people go a few steps forward and then a few steps back but the people who keep marching forward despite the set backs get ahead eventually. Each person will take a unique length of time to recover and everyones definition of recovery is different. Some people want to get back to the place where they were before they became unwell and some people find they take a new journey entirely.

Whatever the case - I see you are doing great things already like reaching out on the forum and seeing a psychologist. There are many different types of treatment and support options for anxiety and low mood that are discussed on this forum. It is important to exercise some patience as neither psychological therapy or medication work immediately, however it is also important to speak out if you feel your treatment plan is not effective and work with your care team until you find the right balance. You are not alone.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Hj, I agree so much with Nurse Jenn when she says 'The key theme I see in people who recover is persistence' because many times we have seen people who started to feel so much better, decide to stop taking their AD's only to find that they then fall backwards.

Please let us know how your session went and I also hope that you feel as though you are on a good treatment pathway because it can't be rushed.

Wish you the best.

Geoff.

Hello Hj

Hello and welcome.

How did your time with the psychologist go? I hope you were comfortable. As said above, persistence is the key. Sadly that does take time.

I see you have reservations about medication. You are not alone in this. It is often a contentious topic with those who feel it is good and others who say the opposite. In reality it depends on each individual and how medication, or more precisely antidepressants (AD), work for each one. Some appear to have no effect, some have uncomfortable side effects and some have an enormously positive effect. Sadly there is no way of knowing in advance. You need to monitor yourself and talk to your prescribing doctor and be completely open.

I was taking an AD which was the same one as a colleague had. She had no problems while I had bad side effects. Remember it takes up to six weeks for the full effect of the AD to kick in though of course there are incremental improvements. Side effects can be temporary so it's worth persisting for a while. Keep your doctor well informed on what is happening for you.

Being sensitive to drugs is unfortunate. I know as I have the same problem and not only to AD. My GP changed my AD from an SSRI to a TCA but started me on a very low dose. Gradually I went up to an effective amount. I think I knew from the start this was going to help me and had no horrid side effects. I am grateful the GP went slowly. So if your doctor wants you to start taking meds please try them.

I see you asked a few questions. Where do i start? Did medication help? Were the side effects bad? Once on them can you come off them? And be OK? They don’t fix anything do they? They just hide the problem.

  1. Meds can be very helpful and therapeutic.
  2. Side effects vary from person to person. See my comments above.
  3. You can stop taking AD whenever you wish. You do need to have a graduated withdrawal.
  4. Dropping an AD can be difficult if you go cold turkey. Best to wean off them.
  5. Meds do not necessarily fix anything. If you are looking for a way to be well again you do need to work at it. e.g. have therapy. The meds help you to gain some headspace, to be in a good place and able to work on your depression which will still be there but under control to a large extent.
  6. Meds do not hide the problem. That's my experience and I suspect others may disagree, especially if the AD suits them. Feeling more in control is great but that does not necessarily mean being well.

Hope this helps.

Mary