Poll Does Prescription Medication Help Your PTSD?

[Barconian]

I take Zoloff for depression; depression is often a component of PTSD. I've tried some other meds but Zoloff is the only thing that's helped me stabilize

However, PTSD is not a component of depression :) Zoloft works for me too, but, really does ruin my libido :(

 

[DMerish]

@Barconian - I suppose I should have verified what I wrote before I wrote it. My apologies if I mislead anyone. I'll have to look it up - I thought depression could be a component of depression, or at least it's common that the two coincide :confused: But, of course, PTSD is not a component of depression.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Well, the literature does show that depression can be a component of PTSD--one of the complications.

 

[Abstract]

Yes Drew, you are perfectly correct. Some of the criteria are related to it and then on top of that a lot of us will go on to having stages of clinical level depression. I think depressive symptoms add a lot to the troubles we have with PTSD and getting better.

 

[Britt.f7]

I take medication for my depression and some anxiety. I guess that is part of my ptsd, but I look at them as separate issues.

 

[Lina007]

PTSD only, no other diagnosis. I voted no medication. I had a very negative response to Cymbalta, and now anti-depressants and such are prescribed very sparingly for me.

Pros? I don't have to deal with the stigma or looks at the pharmacy when picking up medication. I don't have to deal with the looks of pity from office staff in the doctors office, and I don't have the negative reactions I once experienced; mostly extreme anxiety. Benzodiazepines tend to blunt my emotions, which is great for anxiety, but make it so although I know something is wrong, I can't tell what. Self-help is difficult during times of apathy and lack of motivation, but they are integral and vitally important when medication is not being used (in my humble opinion). I would rate my level of functioning at moderately impacted. I am also coming out of an apathy or numbing period, so feeling emotions are a bit overwhelming to me right now, but I imagine that will pass as I attack and address the "next layer" to go through. It is physically exhausting, and I have no desire to leave the house.

What works best to treat my symptoms in the absence of pharmacology are all the coping mechanisms recommended. Exercise, ensuring I eat enough calories in that day (I lose my appetite very easily), ensuring I eat enough protein (instantly improves my mood if it's due to not eating), yoga, breathing exercises, and just generally forcing myself to live a normal life even when I don't feel like leaving the room. Again, my level of functioning would be improved if I were more successful in kicking my own butt in motion.

I have found short-term benzodiazepines to be very effective for PTSD symptoms that involve gastrointestinal upset, and other physical symptoms, along with sleeplessness. Cons for this method include blunting of emotions even more, along with increased anxiety over not being able to discern what the problem is when you do feel something. I have a fear of doctors after my experience with Cymbalta, and have significant difficulty in trusting them and their prescriptive behavior afterward.

 

[Deleted member 19804]

I have PTSD and was already on meds before I knew I had it. Got prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) for the severe depression and anxiety I felt. Looking back those (and other) symptoms started about two months after my trauma, so it was very probably the onset of PTSD.

I'm on the maximum dosage now and that's okay. I guess I need it.
My psychiatrist prescribed me Topiramat a couple of months ago to help me sleep. I took one pill and got terribly sick the next day, so I never took that again. She also prescribed me something else, but at the pharmacy they said it could not be combined with the sertraline, so I never took that. Kind of sloppy actually, 'cause that same psychiatrist is also the one who prescribed me sertraline.

Pros: well I think the meds saved my life, or at least my mental health. It is a very terrible thing to constantly be scared to death and not know why. That really messes with your mind.

Cons: not being able to drink much. Which is also a pro, because I never really cared for drinking. It's just that it's another thing in my life that separates me from "normal" people. To clarify: I'm a 21 year old student. It kind of makes you stand out if you don't drink at a party.

I think the meds have been a huge help to my functioning as a person. I can now go to college and hang out with friends and even date. It has given me clarity in my mind, which is making it possible for me to rationalise and make progress in therapy. I believe I've been very lucky on that part.

 

[Lucycat]

I voted yes. I have CPTSD and take quetiapine. Currently just 25 mg at night, although have been on higher doses - ie 25mg morning and noon, then 50 mg at night. So, in a nutshell, far reduced doses than others are saying.

I have been taking quetiapine regularly for 4 years now. I would not be without it.

In addition I have had EMDR. The quetiapine reduced the initial anxiety enough to allow me to have EMDR. I am still seeing a T on a regular basis but approx once a month at the moment - as required really. Last year I almost went the whole summer without therapy and then needed more support as winter approached.

At one point I was prescribed Citalopram for 'depression' - but neither T nor I thought I was depressed! I was distressed and could see that for myself but the doctor did not agree. However she did not force the issue when I quit taking them after a short while.

Pros of taking Quetiapine: I sleep. I can take extra for anxiety if I need to. I feel I am in control.

Cons: I get drunk very quickly. I don't like having to take a tablet every day. Initially I had a very dry mouth each morning but that has worn off. I can't tell people that I am taking an 'anti-psychotic'.

At the time of my initial diagnosis - 4 years ago, I was off work for a period of 4 months. Since then I have had one further period of sick leave for a month. Other than that I have worked full time ever since I left school at the age of 18 - and I will be 50 next birthday!

 

[Ed Norton]

I voted yes. I take Bupropion SR 300mg qd for depression, Busparone 15mg TID and Clonazapam 1mg tid prn for anxiety and panic, Gabapentin 300mg tid for anger (mood stabilization) and Aripiprazole a once monthly injection for(this is contraversial for some) PTSD related delusions. I am about to start Prazosin for nightmares too.

I find these meds to barely keep me afloat and I hate the Aripiprazole (Abilify) but I am forced to take it.

qd means each day, tid means three times a day and prn means as needed

 

[Obscurum2005infinity]

1. What you voted 2. If you voted yes, what are the pros and cons you have noticed? Do you take medication along with some form of self help or therapy? How would you rate your level of functioning? 3. If you voted no, what have you found works the best to treat your symptoms? What are the pros and cons you have noticed? How would you rate your level of functioning? Also, did you ever take medication short term and found it to be beneficial in your recovery?

1. I voted yes.
Since I have been back on medication the past 5 or 6 months, I have noticed a slight difference. My anxiety is a little better. I seem to have more good days than bad days. But I just lost my psychiatrist due to healthcare changes, so I am going to have to figure it out again without the medication until however long it takes to find another one.

-I am not sure about how my level of functioning is but I can't work an employed job anymore. It is something I am finding hard to come to terms with. Housework and just everyday tasks are difficult for me on my good days. As for multitasking, which I used to be really good at, well that is completely out the window now. Unfortunately the medication has done nothing for helping me remember things, even as I am doing them sometimes. Memory and concentration are my biggest problems lately.

 

[Saule]

I said no change either way. Taking Zoloft 100mg has lifted my depression, but does squat for PTSD symptoms. Still, it's easier to handle the PTSD symptoms when I'm not depressed so indirectly I guess it's helping ...

 

[Caterpillar]

I have co-morbid diagnoses (bipolar disorder and ADD), so it's a little complicated, but when I went off the anti-psychotic medication prescribed for my bipolar in order to switch meds, the sudden, intense flashbacks were unbearable. They mostly went away on the new anti-psychotic. So apparently the anti-psychotic (Zyprexa) is suppressing flashbacks, not that I care to try going off of it to find out for sure.

I'm also on anxiety medication which is directly related to the trauma and is hugely helpful. I wouldn't be able to function without it.