I feel that I am overmedicated? How do I outweigh the benefits to the risks.

I have a diagnoses of C-PTSD and Narcolepsy.

My medications, which I have kept woven around a tight spool as is, consists of.

Effexor 450mg- for depressive symptoms and it supposedly helps with the cataplexy attacks which are from the narcolepsy.

Lithium 900- for treatment resistant depression related to the PTSD. Which in fact does help. A great difference is known when Lithium is low/therapeutic. However it may only be needed because my high effexor levels causes small amounts of Mania, in a person who normally doesn't have Mania.

Concerta 75 mg- For keeping me awake throughout the day.

Topamax 100mg- To allow me to sleep through the night. Although it was originally used for my bulimia, which no long is a problem. (despite dropping the dose 100mg) However we discovered it helped me to sleep.

Spironolactone- Which helps me which my mood disturbances attributed to hormonal problems.

Prazosin 3mg- Which supposedly helps nightmares from the PTSD, however it doesn't work till it's at 6mg, and nobody likes my blood pressure being that low. Not to mention it's incredibly hard to tell the difference between nightmares from PTSD and nightmares from my Narcolepsy.

I always cut out anything unnecessary. But I'm finding it difficult to get much else cut, because of the resistance from my doctors. I worry about my body having long term health consequences. Like for example I know that Lithium can cause some serious problems. However Lamictal causes much weight gain for me and I have heard the same of depakote. And that it's the only drug that fits the "100% of the time" when speaking of weight gain. Is tegratol even worth it?

I feel that I want to titrate from the Effexor, however at one point, I got very ill and spent some time in the medical hospital from withdrawal of effexor.

Of course I would talk to my doctors about this, but would it be a stupid question to ask them if I could come off at least some of them and replace what's needed by seeing a homeopathic physician? Will they get upset?

O gosh I was getting really sleepy when writing that, I am so terribly sorry about all the grammar and spelling errors.

[Gently1]

(LydiaB)
I do not know anything about over/under medication.

But I want to thank you for sharing your Effexor experience. I am on Pristq( effexor) and my Pdoc is changing me to Celexa. Following the plan I spent yesterday in bed, due to vertigo like dizzyness, cranky mood, and nausea.
Waiting for my Pdoc to call back with another plan.
When she said possibiltiy of flu like symptons, I was not expecting to be stuck in bed.

As for homepathic path, there can be many complimentary treatments, that can help. Add to your overall health, nutrition and focus on the moments when you feel well.
It is your right to explore other options, there may or may not be a benefit, and it you think there is then you can explore these options with your doctor.

I am using therapy, massage, shamanic healing, crainoSacral Therapy, to facilitate my healing from Depression/Anxiety.
Just like all doctors are not created the same, when seeking other practitioners a good place to start is with referals from friends.

take care
G1

[venusss]

Also... if your doctor is unwilling to consider homeopathy as additional treatment, do not take his word that "it doesn't work" and try to find somebody who does it.

Sadly many in the medical profession are terribly closeminded. These things to do work and helped many.

G1- Yes effexor withdrawal is very awful. Can be very awful. When I showed up at my local ER with a bp of 200/120 and I swore bugs were crawling all over me (plus the "whoosh sound" and stomach upset, and dizziness and everything else) They swore I was withdrawing from opiates and searched my whole body (including between my toes) for needle marks. I've heard that people titrate from it, by going to the lowest dose possible without side effects, and then opening up the pill and taking out granules. One less every 3 days. It's sick to think it has to be that serious. But I unfortunately will have to do that. There are a good bit of stories pertaining to effexor withdrawal, good and bad on depressionforums.org the boards are moderated, so it's not a free for all, bash medications. http://www.depressionforums.org/foru...esvenlafaxine/

VenusHalley- I'm glad you have reminded me of this. I agree that through their studies, what they're taught is what they know. But I'm glad you mentioned that, because ultimately it's up to me and that in the end they have to support what the client wants to do.

[Skully]

Homepathic treatment is a personal one. It works for some, not so well for others. It is something I would discuss with my pdoc and my therapist before making any decisions. It didnt' do much for me.

As far as over/under medicated, it is hard to say. There are many schools of thought out there on the subject. If you feel good on current medications then I would say no, you are not over medicated and are on just the right mix.

[Gently1]

LydiaB- thanks I will follow the link.

Pristiq does not come smaller than 50mg, and not sure what is inside.
I will make sure to use my essential oils that traditionally help with my symptons of the withdrawal.

I know why drug companies, so not like the word addiction with AD's but I would steal if I could not get Pristiq any other way. Next week I will be trying again to switch (diferent plan), so I have some time to build up my nerve.
I am glad not everyone has these effects.

[Eleora]

It's really hard to gauge if you are being overmedicated; I know when I was on 6 or 7 medications for varying things I was extremely concerned that I was overmedicated and yet I still felt like my symptoms were not improving (even with therapy). I think the important thing is to express concerns with the doctor prescribing the medication, discuss if alternatives are available, and if you do decide to try some homeopathic routes to inform your doctor of them, (some interact with medication).

I am not very familiar with the homoepathic therapies available but they are worth investigating if you think they could help. Try consulting someone that specializes in it and also with your regular doctor. Weigh your options. Some people are not believers in medication while some are not believers in homeopathic remedies, so as Skully said, it's a personal decision.

Hope you find the help/answers you need. All the best.

[sane1logic1]

You may have improved because of your medication and will get worse if you come off.

In regard to homeopathy I would only take if prescribed by a well qualified psychiatrist.

[london2z]

In certain cases, like my sister's, combining natural therapies with the drugs may be the answer. Several months ago, my sister went into another of her schizoaffective disorder-related relapses. Deciding that this would be a good opportunity to try something different, and wanting to grant her wishes to get off the drugs, I began tapering her off her anti-psych meds, that were giving her negative side-effects, and at the same time, started her on herbal therapies. After the tapering was over, I began with the detox vitamins and Omega-3. She improved every day for about 6 weeks, and then crashed. The anti-psych meds had finally left her system. She was admitted to the hospital, and two weeks later, stabilized on her old anti-psych's, she left the hospital. Well, now she has a naturopath, and it was found that she is gluten-intolerant and dairy-sensitive. So all these years she has been eating foods she's allergic to! She's feeling much better, now, with the new diet, and vitamin/herb therapies. Combined with the pharmaceuticals, (the side-effects from which have subsided). This is the way I should have done it from the beginning. So in this situation, I believe there is a place for prescription drugs. There are even pharmacies, now, that sell combination-therapy products