Is There Anyone Else Not Taking Meds?

[Saint Nik]

Hello folks (again!) :)

Just a few quick questions about medication. Is there anyone else like myself that is dealing and coping with PTSD without medication? And if so, how are you finding your experience? Do you think it makes a difference? What is your reason for not taking meds? What is your way's of coping?

I don't disrespect anyone who takes medication by the way. I was on meds to begin with when the trauma began 3 years ago (though it's been all my life, and really kicked off when I took my first nervous breakdown January this year). My reason for not taking medication is, that I have a really bad phobia of medication, it's all in this post here, as to why that reason is: https://www.myptsd.com/threads/honesty-the-best-policy.55022/

I'm just looking to relate with someone who is managing without medication. Because of my phobia, Doctor's have gotten sick of me, telling me I should be on meds, but I keep refusing them and continue to push through this PTSD, anxiety and panic attacks without them, even therapy has been completed. They say there is nothing else more they can do for me now!
It would be nice to hear from you guys if any of you's are doing the same, and how it's working for you too!
:tup:

 

[falling_wave]

@Saint Nik I mostly don't take meds. I stopped about 6 months ago the last time. I will take ativan ocassionally but nothing regularly.

I chose this because I felt as though the long term meds were making me worse not better and I couldn't judge exactly what was going on with myself because I didn't know how much positive or negative effect the meds were having. It's been so much better since I've been off. I feel more aware of myself and am more proud of myself when I am doing well because I know I fully did that work. The ativan is great because if I need to take the edge of I can but 8 hour later it's out of my system and I'm back to me.

 

[Saint Nik]

I felt as though the long term meds were making me worse not better

I agree with this quote! I was the same, I hated wakening up to feel like a zombie, that's what it felt like to me being on meds! My other massive concern was withdrawals, it was hard enough to deal with PTSD to only be eventually weaned of meds and go through withdrawals. . .I was in no way preparing myself for that, so I refused medication from doctor's. Started seeing them as drug pushers and dealers and always throwing medication prescriptions in my face all the time, because they simply were not clued up on mental health and how to deal with it sufficiently.

Anyway, it sounds amazing that you got through it without medication too and yeah, I do too, think it's great when I progress a little further, feeling I am doing all of this without medication too. Gives me a little bit of control back into my life, because PTSD has pretty much took that away at least 90%!

Thanks for your reply though, gives me hope to keep going, because sometimes I do want to cave in and take medication, but it is my phobia that stops me, every time!

 

[BlueDream]

Hi,
I am not taking any meds. I was on Xanax and antidepressants for 13 years. I quit for a combo of reasons. I switched gp dr's and my new dr freaked because I had been on them for so long, my T also wanted me to quit, Along with my husband.
I did quit, and it was hard. I didn't sleep for a few weeks.
So here I am a year and a half later, and I am doing the same as you, learning how to cope.
The meds pushed my feelings down so deep I couldn't help myself back then. Now I have all of these emotions coming to the surface and it's been hard to deal with.
I'm back in therapy and doing as much learning about PTSD as possible. I know this will be a long process, but I know I am worth the time and effort, as are you!!
Be patient with yourself, love yourself and take it one day at a time.
I am trying meditation and it defently helps me to relax. But to be honest with you, I'm not working right now so idk how day to day stress relief is going to be. Deep breathing, and grounding seem like some of the only options for the daily issues.

I know I'm not offering the best help to you, but I just wanted to let you know, you are not alone in this!!
If I find something that helps I will let you know. In the meantime I wish you peace!!

 

[Saint Nik]

Thank you @BlueDream your reply means a lot!

Sometimes I get this gut feeling that the body reacts in pain with PTSD in it's natural state (without meds) because it's the brainsway to process the memory, reliving the trauma over and over. . . until one day, your brain is like, okay, I've got that, and then it's okay! Or, that could be my complete wishful thinking.
I know that medication just numbs everything, and then eventually you have to come off everything and deal with it all at a later date. So, I would rather deal with it now and it's bloody hard. I always thought facing things head on I would be passed it by now, somehow overcome it. Even at times, I couldn't help think that therapists also put things in my head too. I kept insisting that PTSD has nothing to do with my past. I am not in the past anymore. Okay, the brain brings the past up and I am very aware of it, but I was more terrified of the physical symptoms and no-one was able to explain to me what was happening to my body in the present moment!
It's like I needed someone to sit me down and says, " See that crushing pain in your heart? The chest pains? The surges inside your body and at times it's like you can't breathe? Well. ..that's normal, because of all the shit you have been through. Right now your brain is trying to comprehend wtf is going on and that is why the body has shut down, it's had enough and you are now ready to face this shit head on. You right now have the ability, the strength and courage to do it!" But. . .God hasn't sat me down and said this to me yet, but if he did. . . I know I would cope much better! :D

Rather than second guessing myself, worrying about another symptom, exhausting my mind all the time by telling myself, " It's okay! You are safe! It's not cancer! Truth is you don't know what it is! Yeah, that's scary. . .but it's okay, because it will pass, it always does. . .(though questions come up, but why does it have to be here in the first place? I don't understand). . .etc" Oh the mind, it can be a dangerous master or a wonderful servant!

Sorry, rabbited on there, thanks for your reply and it does feel great that I am not alone! :tup:

 

[falling_wave]

@Saint Nik the withdrawals are also what keep me from caving and going back on when I'm in a rut. Withdrawals off lexapro were the worst I've ever experienced and lasted over a month. I felt like every three minutes I was getting electrocuted everywhere in my body to the point it took my breath away and made me hot and red in the face. After that I knd of felt like SSRIs are poison at least to my body and brain chemistry. I know they help some people and I'm so thankful but just not me unfortunately. They helped at first but very temporarily before making me worse and then the withdrawals.

 

[BlueDream]

I don't think you need God to sit you down and have that talk, I think it's you who has to talk yourself into it!!
You do have strength and courage or you wouldn't be here!!
Much love ((((hugs)))

 

[Saint Nik]

I think it's you who has to talk yourself into it!!

I always second guess myself though. . .that's what makes it 10x harder to believe in and convince myself!

 

[Saint Nik]

They helped at first but very temporarily before making me worse and then the withdrawals

I was the same. I think my body just reacts differently with medication. It helps for a little bit. . .but then I become more out of it, more aware of the brain chemistry changing, body chemistry changing. . . oh no, just thinking about it makes me more phobic!

 

[BlueDream]

You must believe in yourself, look at what you have already made it through. If anyone has mad skills to survive it's you!! Believe in yourself, and give yourself the credit you deserve!!

 

[Saint Nik]

Easier said than done @BlueDream

I am trying and that is all I can do! Thank you though for your kind words :hug:

 

[StellaBlue]

I am not currently taking any psychotropic medications (I do take medication for high blood pressure). Over the past 30 years or so, I've tried pretty much every antidepressant there is - some worked for a bit but then stopped. I'm thinking the initial efficacy may have been a placebo effect. Once I realized the depression was probably a symptom of the PTSD, it made a lot more sense why the meds weren't working. I very much doubt I will ever try anti-depressants again. (And I have also had doctors tell me I needed to be on anti-depressants for the rest of my life). Anxiety drugs - I've never been prescribed them (except when I had cancer) - probably not the best idea for me anyway - I'd probably abuse the crap out of them ;).

DBT and therapy have helped a lot with the depression / suicidal ideation (among other things).