To medicate, or not to medicate

[Firefly]

I am posting this and wondering what other people’s thoughts are about basic PTSD meditations and whether or not it’s best to be medicated. For the sake of those around us...

My for instance is... I have PTSD. I have been off of heavy meditations for about 3 years now. And I love the depth of emotions I feel now. I have a zest for life again. BUT, I also have mood swings and random outbursts of anger. I find it difficult to manage my feelings sometimes. And I seem to cause unwanted disruptions in my family life. This makes me wonder if my own life would be better served as being blurred by medications, for the sake of others.

My question is, do you folks think your own life is better lived on PTSD medications or off?

 

[Kubash16]

For me, I am doing far better on medication rather than off. I don’t get the blurred feeling you are referring to though I’ve heard of it. I have an easier time thinking straight, more patience, more willing and able to take care of myself and others while on meds. I’m definitely struggling with it though. I go through periods of unintentionally stopping the meds suddenly. I say unintentionally because there isn’t a conscious decision beyond gagging at the thought of swallowing more pills, then avoiding, which makes me feel like absolute shit and I avoid even more because I have zero energy or motivation to care for myself at all, and the cycle goes on and on.

 

[piratelady]

I prefer not to be on medications. I dislike all medications, PTSD-related or not. I just want to learn to manage my emotions on my own. It is personal preference though.

 

[Mach123]

I need to be on something. For me pot has been the lesser of all evils. Not perfect but like you said, it makes me easier on the people around me and on myself. It lets me see I need to clam down. It's the change in perspective.

Otherwise my behaviour becomes episodic. Outbursts and rude behavior and thinking everyone is attacking me always. IDK why I can't do this on my own. It just swallows me and I run the gamut and then I sort of come to my senses and I'm like "oh I just did it again."

I like pills. I just don't like running out. Pain killers work best but they don't prescribe them for PTSD lol.

I remember back in the day the first time I took some Vicodin after an extended period of "sobriety" during which no one could stand me as usual.

My wife says "can you get some more of those?" Lol

 

[Keming]

Strongly pro-medicate. I reached a point last year where I decided that my personal preferences weren't as important as lessening the burden on people close to me.

Perhaps work with the psychiatrist to try different medications. I'm not blurred, fuzzy, or hindered by my current combination - in all respects I am greatly improved over my 'normal.' More stability, more relaxed, more of the "me" I want to express and experience. Has taken... six years? Six, conservatively, and worth the time and effort.

 

[Firefly]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your beliefs.

 

[Kubash16]

It’s such an individual thing @Firefly, you’ve got to find what’s right for you. Some people absolutely need medication, some people can’t or don’t want any of it, and then if you choose to it can take awhile to find the right type/dosage/combo. Like what I’m taking probably won’t work for you, and vice verse. But I would encourage you, if you choose meds, to give your body a chance and try out different things.

 

[Firefly]

Thanks @Kubash16

 

[EveHarrington]

I think you’re making the assumption that all medications “blur” you....

They do not.

It’s not as simple as asking if ptsd should be medicated as we are all so very different. Meds work on us all differently. Ptsd presents in an infinite number of ways, so it’s impossible to give a yay/nay answer to a question like this.

 

[HealingInProcess]

I think you’re making the assumption that all medications “blur” you....

They do not.

It’s not as simple as asking if ptsd should be medicated as we are all so very different. Meds work on us all differently. Ptsd presents in an infinite number of ways, so it’s impossible to give a yay/nay answer to a question like this.

I've tried like everything without much success. I think for me for its more a nutritional solution. I think I'm better served first addressing nutritional deficiencies and then seeing what the situation is once that's addressed and also environmental changes.

I'm supplementing right now with a bunch of stuff but I've heard traditionally its important to get your B vitamins and people mention GABA. I'm on APA, L Carnitine, Glycine and NAC for nervous system stuff and neuro support. Some of them also help lower blood sugar and I believe suppress appetite. I'm also just trying to "eat right" with varied success.

I will have more to say on supplements after 2-3 months as I've started with these recently but so far they help me feel more alert, more balanced, help the brain fog, help the sleep,and have many non-PTSD benefits. I'm honestly surprised I don't read about more people using them. Some of them are relatively inexpensive.

 

[Firefly]

I think you’re making the assumption that all medications “blur” you....

They do not.

It’s not as simple as asking if ptsd should be medicated as we are all so very different. Meds work on us all differently. Ptsd presents in an infinite number of ways, so it’s impossible to give a yay/nay answer to a question like this.

Did I ask if PTSD should be medicated? I should clarify. Thanks for sharing @EveHarrington

My post may have been confusing. I’m just wondering how each person feels about their own specific situation. Not about my situation or PTSD in general.

Just how you feel about yourself.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

This makes me wonder if my own life would be better served as being blurred by medic

Medications don't necessarily "blur" you but they can dim the emotions a bit and bring them to a more normalized area. So rage and outbursts become just anger again. Severe suicidal ideations become sadness again. I don't have those huge rollercoaster of emotions anymore. I am much more stablized.

For me, an anti-psychotic (much lower doses then a pschotic would need) worked. But that was after going through every single SSRI and SSNI out there. Everyone has different meds that work for them. And some have a tad of this and a tad of that, that works. I would ask your PDoc and see what they would recommend for you.