Yea Or Nay?

[Inwardly_Broken]

Hey yall! So, yesterday I sucked it up and went to a shrink. I was officially diagnosed with severe PTSD with OCD tendencies. My appointment was not to talk about medications or anything like that, I just wanted the diagnosis.

After talking to one of my good friends, who is on medication for depression, she got me thinking if I should consider meds. I am torn between the decision. I can see the good in medication but I am not sure I can get myself to take meds daily.

I deal with constant anxiety and nightmares. If medication would actually help with those two things then I would be more willing to take them. I am going to email the shrink and see what she suggests.

But I wanted to get yall's personal opinion because I am sure I am not the only one that has debated about taking medication. So, what do you think about taking meds... yea or nay?

 

[LisawithPTSD]

Its what is best for you but I wouldn't be here today without the meds. They help keep me sane and able to work--especially when I'm anxius. Not all meds work equally well with all people so trying it for a while to see if you have any side effects is important. You may have to go thru a few different types to find something that works for you.

 

[Inwardly_Broken]

Thanks Lisa. I just wanted to see how medication has helped or not helped others dealing with PTSD. Thank you for your opinion :)

 

[DMerish]

I'm not clear about some thing you said: "I am not sure I can get myself to take meds daily."

Would you mind clarifying whether your uncertainty about taking a med is due to being adverse to taking medications in general, or is more of not being able to get into the habit kind of thing due to being disorganized?

I think whether or not one decides to take meds should be based on what they feel comfortable doing it. For instance, I have moderate PTSD which has gone into remission a few times for several years. I have taken meds for short periods until things got better; overall, I lean towards alternative health care. My daughter has severe PTSD; she wants to take medication but her father is strongly against meds and regular doctors, in general. He's also the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" kind of person. Although she wants meds, she won't do it (at least not yet) because her father is so against it.

 

[Inwardly_Broken]

DMerish... sorry that wasn't clear. I have a habit of not clarifying myself at times. What I meant by, "I am not sure I can get myself to take meds daily." is that I know I will have issues depending on the meds.

I can get in the habit just fine but I am an extremely independent person. I am so independent that it is really hard for me to rely on other people and things. So taking meds means that I have to rely on the medication to help with my anxiety and/or nightmares. I like to do things myself, prove that I am not weak.

I do not think that taking medication is a weakness for others, but when it comes to me I think it is... I hold myself to different standards and that is not right, I know that. Does that make it more clear or did I just confuse you more?

 

[DMerish]

Confusing? Heck, no! I "got that" entirely. What you wrote sounded like something I would write!!! :p

Like I said before, I believe how one choses to deal with their PTSD should be based on what they want to do, what they're comfortable with doing. It took my doctor several gentle suggestions to try meds before I finally reluctantly said, "Well, okay."

I was lucky. They had a positive effect in less than two weeks with very little side effects. I was very thankful.

I think other factors have to be taken in to account when making your decision, like the severity of symptoms, the type of trauma, whether it was/is due to one or a few isolated events and/or chronic abuse, one's support system, and the rigors of one's day-to-day life (job, school, family responsibilities) etc. also need to be considered.

My most recent retraumatization occurred late last Fall. I'm like you - "independent" - Nine-ten months later, I'm beginning to "normalize" again. Things probably would have progressed more smoothly and more quickly if I had started them again last Winter.

Meds helped me when things were really bad, but what has personally helped me the most overall was CBT therapy, listening to relaxing tapes and music, Pema Chodron (self-acceptance) and meditation.

Don't let false pride get in the way of doing what you need to do to heal.

No one with PTSD is weak. Ever.

Drew :hug:

 

[rightkindofme]

I have tried every western med and none of them helped me and instead caused horrifying side effects. Wheeeee. At 27 someone suggested I try pot. (I have a medical card.) I feel like I was given a new lease on life. I am more productive than I have ever been . I am more calm. I am more happy. It's kind of weird.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. White knuckling through issues because you don't want to appear week is in my opinion foolish.

Meds have greatly helped me. I'm down to just one right now. The only anxiety meds that you take as needed are benzodiazepines and if you go to a doctor asking for a drug of this type, you risk being denied and be labeled as drug seeking. I suggest seeing a psychiatrist who is open and willing to listen to you. Prasosin is known to help with nightmares but I've never taken it. I'm sure others will tell you more about their experience with it.

 

[Chincho]

I tried several meds and suffered from extreme side effects, but when we finally found the meds that were right for me they were life-saving.

I'm slowly tapering down on my doses now, but I believe I couldn't have worked as well as I did in therapy without taking them.

 

[a3a2]

Dear Inward,

Part of my ptsd stems from my parents demonizing medical intervention and doctors, so I completely understand having difficulty submitting to taking meds. It took me a very long time to get to the point where I could take meds without feeling sheer terror.

That being said, I must say that I am very grateful for the ssri I take. My anxiety is kept to a far more "normal" level. Now I can function. I can drive. I can parent. I can enjoy life. All this was not just the result of the meds, but also hard work in therapy. I don't believe, however, that I could have come this far without the meds.

I did try a couple of meds before I found what worked best for me.

 

[bell]

Meds have been lifesaving for me. I've tried loads over the years. Although there are drawbacks, I say try them, because you may be able to be a new better you than who you are now. (Although I'm sure who you are now is quite lovely!)

Before I started meds 20 years ago, I thought that I was just doomed to feel like crap all the time. I was overjoyed to find out that that was not the case.

Your mileage may vary, but if a psychiatrist (I don't necessarily trust a general doctor to prescribe them because they don't talk to you as long and don't have the same specialized background) is saying that they would be a good choice, I say go for it. Taking meds doesn't mean a life sentence, some of them you may just need to be on for a little bit and can be later taken off of. You owe it to yourself to be the best and healthiest you can be, and this may be the best way forward.

(Although I realize I am biased in this department, but that's just because they have helped improve my quality of life so much!)

Good luck!

 

[cherryblossom]

It's kind of tricky to say whether someone should take meds or not. The most important factor being what type of meds you are talking about? Antidepressants, anxiolytics, sleeping medication?