It's Complicated

[therisa]

I find myself, wanting to scream at the world, as I heard these words, leaving my nurse practitioner’s (np) mouth, yesterday: “It’s complicated”, when describing my body’s reactions to the two most commonly prescribed medications, for anxiety. Previously, I have been prescribed, both Cymbalta and Effexor, to deal with my chronic and often severe depression, which my body has reacted, in a very negative way. She mentioned another category of drugs, which I have forgotten its name, but the issue around addiction, forced both of us, to reject them. So now, I am finding myself, during the waiting game, until I can see a psychiatrist, who knows, which drug might work for my chemically sensitive body.

Sigh.

On the sleep front, I talked with my np, about taking Melatonin, as a sleeping aid, as she shared with me, all the information that she had at her disposal, concerning possible reactions, given my diabetes and other medications that I am currently taking. She saw no reason, for me, not to take it, but suggested that I talk with a homeopathic pharmacist, before buying it, at a nearby chain, close to my doctor’s clinic. After a brief explanation of my condition, to the pharmacist, she showed several options that I had available to me, and explain the pros and cons, for each one, as I held them, in my hands and read each label, to see if there was anything that I should be aware, for possible side-effects. I left the pharmacy, with 2 mg capsules of Melatonin and an herbal tea mixture, to ease myself, into my nightly sleep.

I will be keeping my medical team up-to-date, on my body’s reaction to this. Am hoping that I am able to enjoy a regular night’s sleep, without waking up at the slightest noise or touch by my cats. Right now, I would accept having flashbacks, again, if this meant sleeping at night time.

 

[AimKat]

Hi, I so identify with you!I am super sensitive to meds. I was on at least ten different antidepressants before I saw a good psych doctor who swabbed my mouth and told me I was allergic to antidepressants. I have been off anti depressants for 6 years now. I still have seasonal flashbacks but if I did not take ativan(anti anxiety) I would not eat sleep or think! Perhaps they could see if you are having issues related to the antidepressants. They do work for some people but they are not a fix all for everyone! Good Luck on your journey!

 

[therisa]

AimKat, it's 6 different anti-depressants, in less than a 6 year period. The only anti-depressant that worked for me, my body grew toleratant to it and can't take it anymore. Not sure, where the next med will take, except, I want some peace, in my life.

 

[AimKat]

I feel for you and I so understand

 

[GrahamCracker]

I have similar issues with pills. I also take melatonin and drink herbal tea to help myself sleep (I really like the Yogi Calming tea). One thing that's also helped me is wearing earplugs. Some people like white noise machines as well, but I found that they kept me awake more often than not.

It's hard when the slightest thing can wake you up. I don't have too much of an issue with nightmares but every time something wakes me up in the middle of the night I feel like I am going to have a panic attack.

I hope you find something that works for you. Maybe trying something like fish oil or B Vitamins, etc. might be better if you are treating depression and anxiety? I'd talk to the same person you discussed the melatonin with. For some reason, supplements make me more depressed but it may be something to look in to if you haven't.

 

[AimKat]

Night time flash backs are horrid. Its hard to explain to "normal" folk. I also get depressed from supplements. And almost every meds I take. When we started treating the anxiety with anxiety meds I felt better. Every one is different I know so it feels like a guessing game sometimes and that is aggravating. I also do not like medicine and thought my ativan would take me out,however it just calmed my anxiety and severe nightmares and flash backs. I function fine on it,better actually. I have been through 8 doctors and 4 therapist and until I found the one person who would listen....I suffered for many years

 

[therisa]

Sigh.

GrahamCracker, I am deaf, in one ear, and if I sleep on my hearing ear, I can't hear any noise. As melatonin, I will be taking it, for the first time, tonight. Hoping this bridges the gap, until I can sleep normally on my own.

Many of the anti-anxiety medications are anti-depressants, AimKat.

 

[maddog]

Oh Therisa, I cringed with familiar frustration at your account of the "it's complicated" comment, one which I have heard many times before about the same issue. I am extremely extremely sensitive and generally intolerant to almost all forms of medication, not just psych meds, and have an unstable heart condition which further complicates the issue and tends to make even seasoned and well educated health professionals extra cautious and avoidant when it comes to experimentation. Somehow, apparently it's enough to simply say "it's complicated" and to justify that as having addressed the issue.

Sorry, rant over...

Was very interested to hear that supplements make others depressed. That's been my overwhelming experience and I always figured it was just yet another qwerk of my bizarre body, but perhaps not so much.

To date I have made the majority of my journey medication free, which, while nice in theory, has been a gruelling toil in reality. I really really hope that the melatonin helps, because anything that does, even a little, is worth holding onto.

Maddog

 

[TLight]

I tried everything 'natural' for sleep, even over the counter aids. Nothing worked and still doesn't work. Valarian seemed to be working for mild sleep issues for awhile, but without my klonopin, I'd have no quality of life. I don't have addiction issues though.

 

[therisa]

Maddog, you have no reasons to apoligy to me, for I understand, I have to be very careful, how my diabetic medications react to any new drug that my doctor adds, to my mix. When I tried Prozac, it interacted with Metaformin, causing vomitting and severe nausea.

 

[therisa]

TLight, I have tried the presciption way, and I had nothing but pills to take, for 4.5 hours of sleep.