I'm New To Taking Prescriptions

[amrap]

Hello, I'm a 30 yr old male that has been "taking care" of the problem for the past 7 years with alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. 2 months ago I started going to counseling and 3 weeks ago I quit all 3 to allow the Zoloft (which I just started yesterday) to work the way its supposed to. Since I started going to therapy my flashbacks and depression has worsened and being sober isn't helping either. I know its not immediate, but how long before you started to feel a difference? Also, I feel like a truck ran over me after most sessions. How do you calm your mind?

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 19804]

Hi amrap,

I don't know how long it usually takes therapy to "work". I'm afraid I have yet to get to the "run over by a truck"-point. Which means I don't have any rituals to calm myself down after therapy.

However, I have found a few things that work really well when I'm really anxious or scared:
- singing/playbacking along with songs. Preferably the kind with extensive lyrics. It probably works so well because I am forced to almost completely direct my attention elsewhere.
- working out/going for a run
- watching comedy tv shows
- doing some light reading

I'm also on Zoloft btw. Though of course the effects will be different for everyone, it has been a lifesaver for me. Too bad I seem to have built up a tolerance for it. How is it working out for you?

 

[franciemarnie]

I self medicated with alcohol or drugs from 15 to 43. My shrink meds never did much but allow sleep and numb me. But eventually - especially first off drugs and alcohol - painful feelings and physical discomfort rushed in.

It might be best to accept you could feel discomfort for a while. It's a brave new world. Maybe not, but it's usually the case.

When I got off doctor prescribed meds too, the feelings felt overwhelming. For me though, it wasn't so much going thru floods of grief and anger and sleeplessness. It was not knowing how long it would last. It felt disabling.

The way you feel off non-doctor prescribed drugs (and alcohol) will not last. It will fade significantly if you do not go back to using. But you have to change how you deal with life or it could be unnecessarily painful.

I was never on Zoloft so I can't comment on that. But it differs for everyone.

My main ways of dealing with the excess trauma energy is release thru Somatic Therapy, daily mindful meditation focusing on the body, and working out. I still go to a support group for the drugs and alcohol. That is very helpful. For an hour, I can get out of my head and maybe learn something.

 

[Seasounds]

Applause, for you, for taking new steps! :hug:

I really liked the suggestions given in Franciemarnie's post above.

Other info that I can share, to be helpful:

• My doctor told me that it takes most people two or three tries, to find the right anti-depressant. Be patient. Most Providers will follow "textbook information" and not expect to see any changes until two weeks have passed. Me, I experienced results instantly. In fact, due to my sensitivity, after two days, the cumulative dose was too much. I got very anxious, so I stopped. Afterwards, I was put on a pediatric dose of Lexapro.
  
• SSRI's have a range where they help people; that range is very individual. Please help your Provider, and tell them if you are worse, or can't handle the stress and the flashbacks, while you wait for a drug to work. They may be able to help you, with other meds, during this transition phase. If you develop a relationship with your Provider, they may trust you with anti-anxiety meds. A non-narcotic anti-anxiety med is Buspar/Busparone. You might ask about this.
• I had a friend you added an SSRI while he was on marijuana. Within 2 days his depression got severely worse.
• I had a boyfriend, who was able to successfully give up drinking by taking Zoloft, and by using Trazadone to sleep. I think Zoloft is often tried for men, because it has the least side effects for male concerns. However, it can feel sedating. If it is too sedating, Lexapro and Citalopram can be considered-if you don't mind the male side effects. My boyfriend, once tried to switch to Effexor; this change increased his depression, so his Provider put him back on Zoloft.
  
• Sleeping can be an issue; just work with it, in any way you can.
• I would bet that if you can get to a few friendly AA meetings, and share what you are dealing with, that you might fine support. Make sure to ignore the 'white knuckle', 'no medication ' folks.
• Remember, sobriety is a 'learned skill'. So be easy on yourself, learn some tools, and if you need to start again, you will add to your toolbox. Success will be yours, with diligence, self-love, and support.
  
• And getting numbers, to call AA people, when you are suffering can be used, like this forum. Instead of being alone, you can reach out, just like you did! Hurray!!

Love and peace to you!:inlove:

 

[Bees Are Awesome]

Hello and welcome, amrap.

I used booze and drugs to cover up my pain and memories. When I got sober I, too, had all kinds of terrible memories flooding back. It can seem overwhelming, especially since you are learning how to deal with life without self-medicating. I don't know how long it will take you to feel better but just know that it will if you continue on your recovery from addiction and PTSD. I find that my therapy sessions and going to 12 Step meetings are excellent support. I hope that you, too, have some support in your life as well.

You won't always feel this way. Hang in there. Wishing you hope and peace.

 

[Seasounds]

@amrap, regarding flashbacks, you voiced it well; they are most intense when either you stop habits that prevented your awareness of memories, or when you first open to them in therapy.

Taking all the members' advice will help. Additionally, you can also know the intensity will decrease as you deal with the memories-emotionally expressing your feelings, physically helping the energy release-acupuncture, exercise, yoga, taking meds to help anxiety and delression, etc.

If you want the memories to slow down for you, while you build your tools, talk to you provider about increasing your meds, and speaking about your memories, when they bother you, and then focus on enjoyable activities to build your endorphins-that help lift your mood, and may decrease the flashbacks fir a while.Support from caring friends helps flashbacks decrease..

 

[amrap]

Thank you all for replying. I knew it was going to be difficult once I started therapy. It was a big reason I didn't go before. I am sticking with my decision in going to therapy, taking meds, and learning new coping skills. I am lucky that I have a great wife and support system. Finding this site is going to help too. Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be back.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Most anti-depressants will take a few weeks to start working and starting therapy will add on to the weight both good and bad in my opinion.

Good luck.