Posted by Lou Pilder on December 17, 2010, at 6:06:17
In reply to Re: thoughts on 'polypharmacy', posted by mellow on December 17, 2010, at 4:53:55
> > I've had to accept the fact that I'm probably going to have to stay on multiple meds to control my symptoms (in order of severity, depression, anxiety, hypomania)
> >
> > I've tried monotherapy, with Lamictal or Lexapro, and it just doesn't work for me. The closest I came was with Lamictal + supplements but I still had a severe depression relapse.
> >
> > herpills
>
> I can feel you on this one, but I am actually going in the opposite direction as you right now. I'm trying to get to Lamictal monotherapy with vitamins and fish oil. That is the goal my doctor and I have set for 2011.
>
> It was driven into me that I was "sick" and needed to be medicated for the rest of my life for so many years. I was on a 4 drug cocktail for years and finally got the SSRI (Lexapro for many years/Celexa in the end) out of my cocktail. Very difficult transition, but have worlds more energy, more interest in the bedroom, it's much easier to socialize and I have a lot more self esteem. I just feel better in general.
>
> I'm hoping that one daily dose of Lamotrogine (I'm at 150 mg right now) can get me where I need to be. Tapering my Risperdal may prove a challenge, but we are starting in January.
>
> I just don't think polypharmacy works. I was on a big cocktail which was manipulated to "get me stable" often for five years and still had suicidal thoughts, was very ocd, tons of irritability and I was sleeping 14 hours a day. I also gained 80 pounds.
>
> I finally made a full commitment to therapy and have been seeing the same woman for 2 years where I have worked through a ton of issues. This is where the breakthrough happened for me. Feeling physically and mentally better for the last several months (especially during winter) leads me to believe I can have a very med limited or even med free life.
>
> I certainly think psych drugs are effective in acute situations. I would be dead had I not been sedated and forced to sleep off psychotic episodes years ago, but we also have the ability to learn coping mechanisms and move with life's flow.
>
> I am pretty passionate about this stuff as I feel like I was poorly medicated for several years and was very close to hurting myself last year. I'm not trying to grandstand I just think the idea of accepting polypharmacy is dangerous...it does not give one the affirmation that they are capable of living the good life...that they are a good person with a lot to offer this world. It reinforces the message that we as the patient are "defective" or have "disorders" and should submit to the side effects and hope for the best.
>
> That's not a life I'm willing to accept..there is something better out there for all of us!
>
> mellow
>
> mellow,
You wrote,[...that's not a life I'm willing to accept...].
Could you post here, if you know, what led you to take that stand? If you could, then I could have the opportunity to have dialog with you in hopes to be of help to you and others. I think that your post has the potential to save lives and/or to prevent one from getting a life-ruining condition
Lou
poster:Lou Pilder
thread:973717
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101203/msgs/973774.html