Taking Medication for PTSD

[ladybug08]

I was just wondering...I know there was a poll conducted for who takes and who does not medication for PTSD, but how many of you just stick with diet and exercise for PTSD? I do not take medications for PTSD, but I do exercise and find that it helps a lot. I use to take Zoloft for depression and anxiety pre -PTSD diagnosis, and I did not like how it made me feel (felt like I was in a fog), gained a lot of weight. I am not a 100% sure, but I also have a pituitary tumor from possibly taking a SSRI (Zoloft), so I am afraid to take medication for the times I may need to take something for depression and anxiety. Any suggestions?

 

[Grama-Herc]

Wis I had some magic answer for you, but I don't. All I am sure of is that I would not be here on this earth without my Zoloft and Xanax. These medications have saved my life.

I hope some here is able to help you

 

[Deleted member 541]

HI Ladybug,

I just got off all meds about 8 months ago. I have good days and bad. I do exercise when I can(when I'm not sick which lately has bee alot) I also eat healthy and try to limit sugar and white stuff from my diet. I do feel better when I do.

Sorry about the Pituitary tumor. Why do you think it was caused from Zoloft??? Do you know what type of tumor it is???? I ask because I know a 4 yr old that just had one removed over Christmas. She is fine now, but they are keeping an eye on things.

Hang in there.

 

[spiritofnow]

Hey Ladybug,

I have an absolute fear of taking prescribed medications and so I don't take them.
I excercise, eat well (most of the time), sleep is important but I have been crap lately at going to bed at a reasonable hour.

I have tried Bach resuce remedy for anxiety and I use lots of aromatherapy oils; lavender to calm and aid sleep, citrus for concentration etc etc.

However, I would say that you should seek medical advice as to taking prescribed drugs and then make a balanced choice.

Hope that may help.

Spirit x

 

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I take medication. I couldn't live without Valium because of all the panic attacks I have. I'm currently off of the anti depressants because I want to deal with my trauma and face it while not having that numb feeling that they cause. When I get real mean and moody I will start back on them until I feel better and then quit again. (I do that for my the sake of my family)

I take Adderall for ADD, but I don't have to have it. I would probably never leave the house though.

Tammy

 

[Cecilia]

I exercise three times a week and take Yoga one night a week, but I still use medication. Without the medication, I'm not sure I would ever make it to the gym.

 

[linasmom]

I don't know what I would do without the Xanax for my panic attacks - probably manifest my own death. :think:

But if you are doing well without taking meds for your symptoms, then that is great.

Best,
Rachel

 

[ladybug08]

She Cat -

They are not sure what causes pituitary tumors, SSRIs is considered a possible cause. I did not have any problems pre-Zoloft. Dairy products is also a possible cause. The tumors are benign, I stopped having my monthly cycle, I am regular, and milk leaked from my breasts. My baby is 16 yrs old. They took a blood sample and tested my hormones, my prolatin level was high, I had a MRI, and the tumor was the 0.7 cm. in size.

 

[nic]

When I posted the poll on meds., I didn't expect to find that many of you don't take ANY. I HATE taking medication, but I can't function without it. I have cut down, though, but I haven't been doing so well lately. I do have a healthy diet and I (try) to exercise as much possible, but sometimes I am (almost) paralyzed by the anxiety. Doctors always try to get me to take more meds, (or get me to take the ones I'm supposed to be taking), but I just don't WANT to. I don't really know why. Maybe I just hate the multiple bottles piled up in my medicine cabinet, or I feel like crap when I have to list so many meds on medical forms and such. I originally tried going off some of the meds to see if I would be able to since I would like to get pregnant in the near future. I would REALLY like to be able to function without any. I've tried various relaxation and meditation techniques, but they don't work for me.

 

[upstream]

nic, you may not have needed some of the medications to begin with, but often times these drugs can be addicting. A family member of mine started shaking when he went off Paxil... he chose to deal with it by working out heavily everyday and eventually overcame the withdrawal effects.

A former Pharmaceutical sales rep talks about withdrawal symptoms and the dangers of going on more meds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazObF_pHSU
(I'm hooked on this youtube channel, by the way)

I agree with your sentiment of wanting to function without having to take medication. I can't stand feeling like I'm dependent on those things. I'm surprised I let anyone talk me into going back on them, even if it was only for a few weeks.

Have you tried exercise? I'm told there are a number of studies that show that exercise is much more effective for depression than anti-depressants. It has been effective for me, the only exceptions were when I was too depressed to motivate myself to work out in the first place.

"The Influence of Exercise on Mental Health"
http://www.fitness.gov/mentalhealth.htm

We now have evidence to support the claim that exercise is related to positive mental health as indicated by relief in symptoms of depression and anxiety.

...there is a small to moderate relationship showing that both acute and chronic exercise reduces anxiety. This reduction occurs for all types of subjects, regardless of the measures of anxiety being employed (i.e., state, trait or psychophysiological)...

Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity

Reduced anxiety
* Best results with “aerobic exercise”
* Best after weeks of regular exercise
* Best benefits to those who are low fit to begin with
* Best benefits for those high in anxiety to begin with

Reduced depression
* Best after weeks of regular exercise
* Best when done several times a week
* Best with more vigorous exercise
* Best for those who are more depressed (needs more research)

Benefits (anxiety and depression) similar to those for other treatments

Activity associated with positive self-esteem

Activity associated with restful sleep Activity associated with ability to respond to stress

 

[nic]

Hey UpStream,

You don't have to tell ME about withdrawal from Paxil...I was sooooo sick that that in iteslf was traumatizing! (LOL) No, but really, I felt like I was on a really bad trip or something.

I do exercise; I try to do a half hour every day. I am curious, though, about the statement you made that SSRIs aren't anymore effective than a sugar pill. I have tried MANY SSRIs. I have to admit, some have helped, but I hate being on them do to the side effects.

Maybe I should take SOMA; heck, it worked for the people in Brave New World :-)

nic

 

[spiritofnow]

Not taking meds

I look at the side effects and think that although life can be torturous at times, especially when anxiety attacks are frequent, at least I know how this feels. I am scared of feeling more out of control than I already do at times.

I guess I have the opinion now that as I am in therapy I should be experiencing all that I do in order to allow it out! I have supressed enough!

I only have one child and no partner so maybe I can afford to take this approach? Medication just scares me - having a foreign body inside of me that takes my control away. ( Hmmmmm, I can see something in what I just wrote).

Spirit x