[krisakira]

Was wondering if I could get some opinions... I am currently on 6 different psych meds. For depression and panic disorder, I take citalopram (celexa). For anxiety/panic I take vistaril (as needed, perhaps once a week). I take tenex and lamictal for my tourette's syndrome (which is technically a neurological disorder but still treated with psych meds i guess). I started taking trazodone to help me sleep but it stopped working, however if I go off it i get really depressed. My pdoc told me that it must be helping with my depression and to stay on it. I just got put on Saphris for bipolar. That's my cocktail... I feel like it shouldn't be that many. I think if I were to go off one, it would be the trazodone, because I haven't been real depressed lately, and I am sleeping better due to the saphris... I've also gone down on the tenex, but if i go off completely my tourette's gets worse. I told my pdoc, I am tired of taking so many pills, but she said if they work then why not take them. Which is true, they do work. What do you guys think? Anyone else on this many, or more, meds?

[likewater]

It depends. I thought i was on too many, but when i tried to taper off against mefical advice my headaches
Got a lot worse. So talk to dr about your concerns and see if he/ she can work.with ypu to make changes if necessary.

[Elana05]

Hi Krisakira,

It sounds like you are feeling a bit better. That's the most important thing. I don't think there is a number of meds that are too many. Whatever helps. Some people have to take a lot of meds for other things like heart problems or MS. They are simply there to help. It might be an issue if you are having a side effect or side effects that are too bothersome. Then it might be time to see the doc and say, "the negatives of this med outweigh the positives." But if the positives outweigh the negatives than I don't think it is "too many." If you don't think the trazadone is helping anymore you might talk to your doc about discontinuing it. Maybe the saphris has replaced your need for it? That might be a good question for the doc...

Elana

[autumnevening]

I completely understand how you feel, I take several meds daily myself and it can be overwhelming. At the same time I realize that these medications make a HUGE difference in the way I feel and how I am able to function. Try not to worry about the quantity, and just focus on how the medications help you live better. If it helps at all, I'll share my list : 2 meds for MDD daily, 1 for chronic migraine daily, 1 for low thyroid function daily, 2 for insomnia daily, and 2 as needed for severe migraine. Let's just say my pharmacist knows me really well.. but that's ok

[AniManiac]

I know how you feel.

I went from taking just one pill a day (well, 3, but all of the same rx) last month, to taking 3 a day, plus supplements, and one as needed. I've got Lamictal for bipolar, Wellbutrin for depression, Concerta for ADHD, and Hydroxyzine hcl for anxiety. I realize each one is treating a different set of symptoms, but it's overwhelming to suddenly go from trying to manage just one diagnosis and one rx to juggling several. The change of diagnosis from depression to bipolar realistically means 2-3 drugs just for that, rather than one.

I've seen other people mention taking more meds than yours. If I get into the realm of having to take meds to counteract side effects, that's where it crosses the line into "too many" in my mind.

[~Christina]

Of course everyone is differant ..
I do agree with what Animaniac said when your taking meds to counteract the ones your already taking its too many ..

Im really feeling the same way .. but currently I take 4 meds daily and I have 3 others I use as needed ..
Yes most days I get tired of being on " so many meds " but for now its what I need to do.

Good Luck !