Posted by yxibow on November 13, 2006, at 17:02:57
In reply to Meds suddenly not working?, posted by inthegloaming on November 13, 2006, at 16:10:32
> Hi all,
>
> So I've been on 40mgs of Prozac for the past... 4 years. 20mgs for about a year and a half before that. All for anxiety, which stemmed from the death of my mother at age 8. Over the years, my anxiety ran rampant to different degrees until, at 17, I decide that I wasn't going to subject myself to it anymore and went on the meds.
>
> Now, five years later, I'm sitting here, miles from home, finally out on my own with my own job/apartment/kitten, freaking out. Can barely eat--have just stopped crying in the past couple of days, panicking, etc. I think it stems from realizing that I don't have a support system here and feeling intensely lonely.
You have probably hit it on the nail. At home you had a support system. Something triggered an outbreak and what you are experiencing is breakthrough anxiety and panic.
But these meds are suppose to work! I can't do this anymore and I want to renew the pledge I did at 17--this is going to STOP.
>
> But I'd like to know--Does this happen? Can you really build up a tolerance to your meds or have them suddenly cease to work? Is this normal?
It doesn't mean they have ceased to "work." They may not be enough for you now or the right choice now because your brain chemistry has shifted while your medication has stayed the same.
I don't have a pdoc here yet--insurance reasons which will be resolved by December--so my hands are tied in that respect at the moment. Does anyone have any suggestions? Been in my shoes?
I can't say I have lived away that long, yet, but I have been independent for periods and yes, it eventually builds up for me that the peter pan syndrome lying dormant never gives up. Its a hard thing in life to discover yourself, and give yourself a new identity that is truly your own. It is one of those parts of life that everybody, even those without biological disorders, has experienced.
I hate to say to sit tight until December, but unfortunately I can't advise you to do certain things with certain pharmacies that Dr. Bob doesn't like. There are alternative treatments like Kava but they should never be taken more than like once or twice a week, it is bad on the liver.
But before it spirals out of control, there are self-help books that you can read to try to 1) do relaxation therapy (its not hooey), 2) know what to do when panic sets in -- that's really the most important. If you let the panic get you, it will take you running. Get out, take a walk. Take a long walk. Do something different when they come up. And good luck and when the next month comes around get yourself a good referral for a doctor in your area and you will have already started on your way.> Thanks for letting me rant.
>
> --gNot a worry.
-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:703182
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061110/msgs/703195.html