I can't tolerate antidepressants.

[Eagle3]

I can't take anti-depressants either. I'm on Buspirone, which seems to work pretty well and is a designated anti-anxiety medication. Since it just takes the edge off, I've looked into holistic methods of reducing anxiety and found several foods and herbs that work very well. I'm a huge fan of MM, but its not legal where I live so I don't use that. Lemon water, turmeric tea, and completely removing all processed foods (sugars, starches, grains, dairy) has done the most good. Also, practicing mindfulness, meditation, and as much physical exercise as I can tolerate. Learning to be more social and looking for safe touch and care from safe people have done wonders as well. In addition, I've recently started hormone therapy for severe hormone imbalances and that's made a HUGE difference! Anxiety reduction really is about lifestyle choices and learning to be a whole human being again. It's taken me years to get this far, and I still have a long way to go, but its not a "one-pill-fixes-everything" situation. Anxiety is very complex and requires a multi-faceted approach. Good luck finding answers!! Remember, every little step that alleviates anxiety is a step in the right direction.

 

[blackemerald1]

I cannot handle antidepressants either.

Are you seeing a psydoc because they are more likely to know a thing or to about it. A gp is ok but perhaps much less knowledge about what might work since you cannot tolerate the standard stuff.

What else are you doing besides looking for a suitable med?

 

[katesells]

I cannot handle antidepressants either.

Are you seeing a psydoc because they are more likely to know a thing or to about it. A gp is ok but perhaps much less knowledge about what might work since you cannot tolerate the standard stuff.

What else are you doing besides looking for a suitable med?

I've actually got an appointment with a psychiatrist on Thursday. At the moment I have no treatment plan however after Thursday I'm hoping for something. Will have to see what's suggested!

 

[asimone]

I can't take anything, either. I either get severe allergic reactions or adverse side effects like major weight gain (50+ pounds) or hallucinations (really terrifying and not good). In Canada, anything addictive is no longer available for longer than a few days (benzos, pain killers, etc).

I'm still looking for alternatives and I'll be trying CBD oil (it's legal here). I found this natural remedy called 'nerve tonic' from the natural food store and it's helped me. Arnica homeopathic remedy has helped a little bit, chamomile tea helps calm me, EFT tapping works awesome (see Brad Yates on YouTube). I also do brainwave guided meditations where all I do is let it play with headphones and the sound frequencies calm the brain without having to try (which is awesome because my concentration is terrible these days). I do Kelly Howell (you can Google her). Some I've liked, like the healing or meditation ones but the anxiety one just makes me upset. So try a couple you are drawn to, maybe.

I am still trying to accept I don't get to be one of the ones that gets a pill that eases everything. It's tough. And my T says to me all the time to remember that any tool or method should be considered not a 100% solution or fix but as 5-10% improvements. So if you find 5 small things that work for you, you could be feeling 50% better than if you didn't do them. I hope that makes sense.

 

[FauxLiz]

Every doctor so far I've met will only give benzodiazepines for a matter of weeks (very short term).

I find that GP's won't prescribe Benzo's but if you can work with a P-doc they are more willing to prescribe and monitor them. I am on a regular daily dose of xanax and have been for going on a decade. We take a break every 18 months to 2 years and do up to 3 months without them just to make sure I don't have tolerance or withdrawl issues. A good psychiatrist will work with you and prescribe what you need.

 

[Spacefish]

I'm pharmaceutically/chemically sensitive and had a horrid reaction to Sertraline (both physical and mental) and then nose dived into sticky black tar depression so my Psychiatrist put me on Moclobemide (a RIMA) which was blessed relief and then a mixed bag but slowly I've been adjusting to it and also increasing my dose. It's taken 5 months to get from just 75mg to 75mg in morning and 37mg in the afternoon (normal dose is between 150mg and 300mg but people have been known to need 600mg or even more).

I've also been using Lorazapam (Ativan) and/or Clonazapam at night as needed but because of their addictive factor I've really tried to limit them even though my GP says "knock 'em back, you know you've gotta sleep". Recently I've just started on Zopiclone due to major triggers going on for me at the moment, just to try and knock the huge anxiety and lack of sleep issues. It leaves me brain dead for the next 24-36 hours.

Pharmaceuticals are a pain, I hate being dependent on them, it brings up control issues for me as well, and the side effects are just blah! If you can get around them then do, don't rely on them as a solution to all of your problems or symptoms.

I've tried Tilray CBD100 (CBD only) and one drop of that sent me to the moon for days, I got some medibles from a stellar source but again it was not good. I can occasionally have the teeniest toke and it helps at night but not when I'm ramped because then it makes me worse.

I'm considering having DNA testing done to help with pharmaceuticals and lifestyle questions. I'm not sure where you are but I'm in NZ and this has just become available:
Use Your DNA to Reveal Your Best Self | myDNA

 

[Deanna]

I can't handle Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Celexa, and 1 more ( can't think of). The Effexor doesn't seem to bother me but I take other drugs with it.

 

[EveHarrington]

Is this not the case with yours then?

My doc gives me 1 pill a day to use as needed. I never take one pill a day, so a one month fill can last multiple months. He knows my use pattern as I am careful to not use it more than a few days in a row, and usually I take only 1/4 to 1/2 of a pill. I have been with him over a decade now so I have shown myself to be trustworthy.

 

[katesells]

Thank you everyone for all your replies. Since I wrote my post I have seen my psychiatrist and he has suggested I try a antidepressant called Agomelatine because apparently it has zero side effects and you don't even need to taper off slowly as it has no withdrawal effects. The downside is you need regular blood tests as it could damage the liver. Anyway as it sounds so different to anything else I've tried before I might at least give it a try.
Thank you everyone for your tips and suggestions I will be giving them a try.

 

[HealingMama]

I also am sensitive to every SSRI I have tried. Wellbutrin was ok but I don't like taking it daily, I want my brain to figure things out to respond better to the environment. Also depression is something that i just don't allow myself to feel for too long because I used to get stuck there for years at a time.

Anxiety is more my issue. Cannabis makes me psychotic so that's a no. GP gave me a large amount of xanax as a one-off Rx over a year ago and I still have plenty. I prefer not to take it if I can help it but I'm soooo grateful that I have it when I need it.

As a clinician myself I was contacted about a "psychiatric food" (micronutrients) that has promising research for mood, autism, anxiety and ADHD. Originally got it for my ADHD partner but you have to take it daily for weeks to get results and well that didn't happen so I'm trying it myself. It's basically high doses of minerals. Because I'm not on psychotropics I can just take it. If I were on psychotropics i would have to work with my prescriber to taper down as the micronutrients started to work as the body needs less of the medication once the micronutrients get to therapeutic levels.

 

[joeylittle]

Anyway as it sounds so different to anything else I've tried before I might at least give it a try.

Sounds like a good idea. It does work differently than the majority of SSRIs and SNRIs - and that might address your tolerance problems while still getting you some relief.

If you're in the US, I'm impressed your doc came up with the suggestion. They sound like a keeper to me :tup:

If you decide to try it, let us know how it goes.

 

[Justmehere]

I can't do most meds generally. I have tried many antidepressants. I have found that B vitamins can help, but I have to be careful with it so it doesn't spike anxiety.

Thanks for your reply. Every doctor so far I've met will only give benzodiazepines for a matter of weeks (very short term). Is this not the case with yours then?

Cancer and dementia risks are worth considering when evaluating pursuing taking benzos or not. Even more so, getting off them after regular long term use really is miserable. I took them for a time, because I probably would have ended myself if I had not, but I also regret going as high as we did on them, because it was so hard to get off.

I really hope that the new med works! I looked it up and after reading about it, I'm noting it in my own list of things to talk to my doc about.