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Browse through 411.742 posts in 47.053 threads.

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13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Question about side effects of SSRI´s

Hi Queens... I've been on meds for so long, I've forgotten what side effects I used to have.  I feel no bad effects from taking them now.  After many years of trial and error, my pdoc and I finally found a combination that seems to work well .  I take 300 mg Wellbutrin (for depression), 40 mg Prozac (for anxiety), and 50 mg Seroquel (to help sleep at night). 
 
The most important thing I can share with you about taking psychotropics is that once you find something that works... stick with it until advised by your doctor to do otherwise.  It is really worth the initial period of adjustment.  I finally accepted that, for me... it's best to stay on them.  For the longest time I would get to feeling good and go off of everything and by the time the effects wore off, I would be wondering why I felt so bad again.  I would forget that I it was because I decided (on my own) to quit taking them.  I'm not ashamed of taking meds anymore. (Although I do vividly remember the initial fear and loathing of being on any type of mood medications).  I am grateful they have kept me pretty steady for nearly a decade. 
 
I have been able to cut back on the amount of Seroquel I take at night to sleep.  I used to have screaming-meemie nightmares.  Really bad ones night after night after night. Since I've started this CBT work... I have started having dreams where I use the 10 Questions to fight negative thoughts and end up controlling my dreams and not waking in terror.  This is a cool side effect of doing this work :)  I also use the relaxation techniques and box breathing to get myself to sleep in the first place.  I've cut the Seroquel in half and am hopeful for further reduction.
 
I hope this helps a little. Probably TMI...and not what you wanted to know but, having been there/done that with regard to psychotropic medications it sure seems to me that you are on the right track... asking a lot of good questions, seeking information, and working closely with your doctor to find what works best for you.  I'm all for taking advantage of every possible tool on this journey toward health.
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
lots of progress to report!

Davit, I am sorry you are feeling so badly right now.  Physical pain is a terrible drain on everything.   I hope it improves for you soon.  Thank you so much for all you bring to this forum.  I am so grateful for your wisdom and generosity in sharing what you know and have experienced.  I've learned so much from your posts. 
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello!

Indeed, you have come to the right place!  Welcome Addie.
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
A couple of questions.

Wow!  I'm blown away by this dialog.  Good questions jSquared.  Thank you Davit for this clarification of the process.  I've spent a lifetime in therapy trying to tolerate or manage my fears.... now I'm learning to change them... see them differently.  I love the mirror image idea.  This is where I am right now and it is a struggle trying to understand everything. I find this thread very helpful.  Thanks guys!
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Question about advancement in CBT

The thing I like about this program is that each session is all written out and available to access at anytime.  When I started with session 1, I also thought... "Oh, I already know all this."  But as I have continued, I find I need to go back and re-read parts as I gain new understanding (or find myself confused).  I've read session 1 about 10 times and find something new each time.  Sometimes my brain just can't process new information the first few times so it helps to move on and then come back.  I'm glad the sessions are there for us to use anyway that fits our own learning style.
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
hi, im summer

Great tips!  Thank you for sharing these.  I automatically make things more complicated... trying to use every suggestion and do them "perfectly" ... sheesh! talk about paralyzing!  I'm sitting here scrunching my shoulders and dropping and feel better already.  So simple!
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Anxiety Disorders

Hi everybody... my computer has been in for repairs so I have not been able to check in.  This is such an active forum, it is going to take some time to catch up.  I'll be doing quite a bit of reading!  This particular thread caught my eye as I am just now starting to understand the power of "really believing it" or, more importantly... the effects of not really believing it.
 
The majority of my negative thoughts are fear based "I CAN'T" thoughts.  For example:  I can't go out of the house with my grandbaby (who I take care of during the workday).   I did the 10 questions about this and realized that this statement not only isn't true, but it has been an excuse to avoid the outside world.  So, then I tell myself to quit making excuses and go out because staying home all the time is not good for me or the baby.  I believe this.
 
Ok, so today I tell myself I CAN go grocery shopping with the baby.  I used to go out and about with my own children all the time when they were little (before I became agoraphobic).  I get ready to go, packing up the diaper bag with all the required baby accoutrement, get the car seat properly installed, put the trash up so the dogs can't get into it, make sure I have my wallet, my list, and my keys ... but before I can put them in the ignition I am a blubbering wreck because I don't really believe I CAN do this and can't remember WHY I'm trying to do it in the first place.
 
In this case, I was trying to use the far past as a ... i don't know, model ... of what I am capable of doing.... proof that I did it once I can do it again.  But that didn't work out so well.  I guess I'm still pulling on the more recent past which indicates I can't go grocery shopping by myself without freaking out.... much less with a baby along to watch out for. 
 
I don't know.  I'm getting lost in this.  I do recognize that I tried to do too much too fast.  I  need to break this whole thing down into smaller steps and try again. or not?  I'm lost. :/ this is embarrassing.

13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Anxiety Disorders

Thank you Davit & Debi... this helps a lot.  So great to have access to different perspectives!
 
On the issue of no control? No wonder childcare is tricky ground... it surely is not ME who is in control here *sigh* . Actually, I think realizing the anxiety is about lack of control will really help in this situation.  Just knowing this... I mean, parts I can control and parts I can't so I need to learn to laugh about it and not feel so ... feel like such a failure when things don't go perfectly.
 
I know it's not the car anymore.  I used to be afraid to drive but have gotten much better.  I used to have the kids brought here to me, but now I go to my daughter's house to pick them up.  It helps me with getting out of the house and getting more comfortable with the whole loading and unloading the car with kids and their stuff.  It also helps my daughter's family have a calmer morning if I go up there and get the kids ready at our leisure after the parents leave.
 
I love the idea of walking to the corner store!  In fact, your suggestion helps me take a look at and appreciate the steps I have already taken here.  I did start taking the bb for walks around the neighborhood ... started by just going to the mailbox and now make it a point to walk for at least 10 min., sometimes do 20.  AND, last week I was without car and diapers and had to walk to that store to get some.  It was nerve wracking, but on the walk home I felt really proud of myself and energized.  I forgot that.

Why is it so easy to dwell upon the failures and so very hard to recognize & remember the successes?! Sheeeeesh!
 
Thank you for helping me see this in a positive light!  I guess it CAN be done. 
13 years ago 0 376 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
no time to plan for this exposure

yes! congratulations for getting through! congratulations.