Does Anyone Not Take Medication?

[anthony]

I don't use medication.... I do not smoke and I only usually drink in moderation.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Which chemicals are you confused about? Catecholamines, aka fight or flight chemicals, are out of whack in many people with PTSD. There are drugs that can bring these chemicals back to normal levels.

 

[reallydown]

I am also not on any meds. I tried them once...briefly but quit after less than a month. They were making me sicker and I did not feel like experimenting anymore. Therapy, if you can find a good counsellor, is the way to go. However, that's not always easy to do. I read somewhere recently that they're doing research into treating ptsd with MDMA (ectasy)...I wonder how that works...

 

[wonderwall]

Hello Scareoflonely,
I was wondering if there was anyone who didn't take mediaction in general. Not specifically of symptoms of dissasociation. Really I just wonder if there were anyone else anti-medication. I wouldn't take medication for any type of symptom.

Thanks
Wonderwall

 

[wonderwall]

Hi

Dear PerfectEmpire,

I too am with you on the psychiatry thing. I find the cognitive type the best one to relate to. Like you I don't think we should be handing meds out like a quick fix.

At the end of the day these people have degree. But not necessarily direct experience. Basically following what is written in books on what medication to give out. Like they really know what effect this is going to have on you. Plus the worry of addiction and side effects. Thay came back a few yrs later after dishing out seroxat for depression that it makes people suicidal.

I am with you on the meds thing. I won't be takening them.
Maybe shop around for a new psych that respects your right not to take medication.

:smile::thumbs-up

 

[shiraz]

I stayed off meds for all my PTSD years until recently. I was adamant that I would NEVER go on meds! I have read too much about the pain of addiction and the long struggle to find the right combination of meds - it all terrified me! I tried natural and homeopathic meds for a long time, but nothing seemed to help me. I was SO anti drugs that nobody dared suggest it to me.

then .....

I spiraled down so low, I just could not get back up again. My relationship began to suffer for it and eventually I was suicidal. I went on meds - have been on for three weeks now and my world is back in focus again. The fog has lifted, I can think clearly again. I can plan for tomorrow, I can leave the house, My partner can rely on me for a few things again .... life is looking up.

As everyone says - it is a personal decision. I know meds are right for me 'right now', and I have been very fortunate to find something which works without side effects. I do wonder how I will feel in a few months time - there is no telling what will happen and how I will respond later on. It scares me, but for now - I have a break, I can rest and sleep and love again. I can rebuild my life and support my man like I want to and perhaps in time I can go back to study and work.

My T reminded me about the 'Plasticity of the brain' - the brain can change and new pathways can be formed, new thinking and skills can be learned, new synapses created and new neurons grown .... this excites me! It means that while on meds it is easier to function, and I get to develop new skills and change the working of my brain through therapy, when I come off the meds, that new growth is still there and the new functioning can take over to assist with the transition away from meds.

That is yet to be seen - it is what I am hoping for and working towards.

 

[helena]

Hi Shiraz,

Can you name the meds you take?

 

[This Ends Now]

I am also not on any meds. I tried them once...briefly but quit after less than a month. They were making me sicker and I did not feel like experimenting anymore. Therapy, if you can find a good counsellor, is the way to go. However, that's not always easy to do. I read somewhere recently that they're doing research into treating ptsd with MDMA (ectasy)...I wonder how that works...

ReallyDown,

I tried MDMA for PTSD. Basically I got a flood of memories and emotions that I could not even begin to handle followed by severe depression and one heck of a hangover. I would strongly advise against it as it can further damage your brain's ability to produce seratonin. There are two types of seratonin: MDMA works on one by forcing its massive release and Prozac works on the other one by slowing its absorbtion. There are also people testing LSD for PTSD. Again, tried it, don't recommend it. No good can come from that one. There is also a mountian of research on THC for PTSD. Tried that one too, worked extremely well, caused me a bunch of legal troubles b/c the USA has some really backwards laws.

As far as prescriptioins goes.... I tried to live without them for years. Some of the ones my doctors pushed on me had horrible side effects. For some people it is a matter of personal choice and there are many good homeopathic ways to cope with the symptoms. IMHO it stops being a choice the second you become a danger to yourself and/or others. At that point I would consider it irresponsible to not take darn pills, record your reactions, and keep in close contact with a doctor until you find the mix that works for you. It upsets me that I am at that point and have to be hevily medicated... but for me right now the alternative is much much worse.

I would also like to add that medication is not a quick fix and should not be used as such. It is important to combine medication (or lack thereof) with other forms of healing. Exercise, phototherapy, journal writing, talk therapy, mental imagry, service animals, self education, spiritual or ethical guidance.... all are very useful with or without meds.

I wish you all the best in your healing journey. :Hug_emoticon:

Liz H.

 

[LoveWins]

I'm not on meds and haven't been at all since I developed PTSD
I am however thinking about talking it over with my doctor again and perhaps trying something out to take the edge off the worst symptoms, but it's still something I am considering. I feel I'm at a stage at the moment where some extra support to take the edge off would really help me out, as I'm busy fighting off harsh symptoms most days which leaves no room for much progress

I will proceed with caution though and not just take anyone's advice blindly. I realise the side effects of some drugs can be more horrible than the symptoms we have already

 

[Deleted member 1860]

As far as prescriptioins goes.... I tried to live without them for years. Some of the ones my doctors pushed on me had horrible side effects. For some people it is a matter of personal choice and there are many good homeopathic ways to cope with the symptoms. IMHO it stops being a choice the second you become a danger to yourself and/or others. At that point I would consider it irresponsible to not take darn pills, record your reactions, and keep in close contact with a doctor until you find the mix that works for you. It upsets me that I am at that point and have to be hevily medicated... but for me right now the alternative is much much worse.

I would also like to add that medication is not a quick fix and should not be used as such. It is important to combine medication (or lack thereof) with other forms of healing. Exercise, phototherapy, journal writing, talk therapy, mental imagry, service animals, self education, spiritual or ethical guidance.... all are very useful with or without meds.

Thank you for posting this. I belong to quite a few boards, and it seems that there is a LOT of argument over whether or not to take drugs, with those who do not take drugs acting like they are superior to those who choose to take drugs. (No, I'm not attacking anyone HERE). I am one of those people who is a danger to myself when NOT medicated, so I have no choice as to take drugs or not. If I wasn't medicated, I would be DEAD. Its as simple as that.

And I agree, meds are in no way a "quick fix." I have a lot of work to do in addition to taking medications. Meds are just one tool in the toolbox, and I think that way too much emphasis gets placed on medications. Meds won't work worth crap if you don't have the coping skills to go along with them.

 

[NarcSis]

Took SSRI's for depression a few years back when dealing with the death of my Mom - won't ever take any of those kinds of meds again. I have Ativan, however I only took it when I had waking complications from a lack of sleep, so it was very rare. I hate meds, I think they only mask problems and don't aid in Dealing with the cause.

 

[Yumeko-chan]

I was on Zoloft for a couple years, but I stopped taking it because 1) It was bloody expensive, and 2) It killed my creativity with my writing. Other than that, I was on Klonopin briefly earlier this year when I had a MAJOR flare-up of my PTSD. I can honestly say that REALLY helped me get over that hump. I say if you need it, you need it. If you don't, you don't.