Seeking Insight

[greenleaf]

Hi @Tia72 -- I'm really glad you went out! I know it can be extremely hard to do so, but retraining your system that you're safe in various situations is so important too. This stuff is not all "just" chemical, but it's a weird combination... (And I guess there is really no separation between chemical and other stuff physically anyway, it's just that scientists don't understand a lot.)

Without the right meds, I really couldn't calm down enough to do the cognitive & emotional work, at a certain point in my life. However I do have to do that too.

Congratulations on your outing!!! That is really excellent news. I hope you will keep at it and work to find additional things that help you -- it sounds like your husband is supportive, which is wonderful. You could look for a yoga class too, maybe, or a park to walk in with your husband? There are lots of good posts on this website about ways people reduce their anxiety. Let us know if you want us to point you toward some good threads!

 

[anthony]

SSRI's were the big drug to be pushed for PTSD some years back... now the research and results are showing they're not as effective as first made out to be, and in fact the majority of users have adverse side effects compared to older drugs which worked better, and less side effects. What @joeylittle basically said...

 

[greenleaf]

Various SSRIs do in fact work for some people... I just read that Pristiq is somewhat like Effexor; I had a horrible reaction to Effexor and went back to Paxil. My brain chemistry didn't apparently care which drug was newer.

Whatever, you should get to use what works for you.

Typically study results are about percentage of people helped, and I think one of these recent studies was showing that some SSRIs aren't necessarily doing a certain thing with serotonin that was expected. It didn't show that the SSRIs do nothing. (2012 stand-up act)

That study also didn't actually show that it wouldn't work for PTSD. Different question completely, since the relationship of serotonin to PTSD isn't that well understood either. Serotonin and other neurotransmitters are present in loads of brain areas in different combinations; each SSRI affects serotonin PLUS some other brain things too... Paxil binds some histamine receptors, for instance. It may be that the specific combinations of certain effects help some of us... other folks could really use something different to help...

Here are some of the SSRI differences -- see about 1/3 of the way down the page, a couple of charts...
http://www.emedexpert.com/compare/ssris.shtml

 

[Tia72]

I thank you all SO much for the responses.

I am still waiting to see the new doctor. It has been 6 weeks since I began the Pristiq ... No improvements what so ever.

I will absolutely be getting back on the Paxil.
I too read a great deal about Pristiq and how it's just a different form of Effexor which I do not do well on. Even telling the doctor this... He did not care apparently.

Hoping
Praying

I will get be approved and get in to the doctor this week

 

[Tia72]

Met the new doctor yesterday.

Whoa ... Huge difference.

Dr. M. Immediately put a plan together to get me off this awful medication with the goal of minimal side effects.

I feel encouraged.
I see the new therapist tomorrow. Hoping for a good connection.

 

[Tia72]

The Beginning of the End of this Medication

Day three of taper process.

A valuable lesson learned with this most recent medication change.
Grateful I have such a supportive husband and mother.

I do hope to be medicinally managed by the end of the month. Keeping a positive outlook.

Met with the therapist today for the first time. Since my pysch injury I have not had focused therapy ... A bit scared, ((ok terrified is more the word....)) To face the trauma.
Glad I have found this safe place to post my thoughts.

 

[joeylittle]

That's really great news, @Tia72. And a positive outlook makes sense - are you going back to the Paxil? I don't think that's one that won't work the second time around. And therapy: awesome. Come on over to the Therapy sub-forum if you want some more targeted support there!

 

[Tia72]

Yes.
I am reintroducing the Paxil.

I am terrified of therapy. I have not had targeted therapy...

With each step forward, I seem to acquire a great deal of fear. I have survived the past three years in the safety of my home.

I will be visiting the other thread too.