[leomama]

I thought I'd do something different around here. I'm constantly thinking about my medication, the pros and cons of it, so I thought to provide a space for others to do the same.

The medication that gives me the most trouble and yet is so necessary is seroquel. I take 25mg at night so I can sleep through the night. It doesn't suppress dreams but it does keep me from waking up in the middle of the night. Right now my life is pretty much filled with anxiety and depression and I don't even get psychological relief in my sleep, but at least I do sleep.

The stress will still be there whether I take the seroquel or not, and at this point I can't tell if that's the medication (lamictal & seroquel ) making me tired, or the stress. I'm going to say the stress. In order for me to reduce my stress I'm going to have increase my income by at least 1/3rd, and that finishes this post.

[Skeezyks]

The Skeezyks sometimes thinks he should be on some kind of med's again. But then I think about the cost... & the side effects... & feeling medicated... etc., etc., etc. 'nough said...

[leomama]

Yep, I got a major lecture about side effects the other day. I personally don't care about side effects. It's worth it compared to the condition the drugs are treating. Thanks for the response.

[Anxietygirl74]

I agree. Side effects are definitely worth it compared to how I was before. I sometimes think about going off my meds after I've felt good for a while, then I remember what a nightmare it was and how I felt trapped in my own body.

[leomama]

Originally Posted by Anxietygirl74

I agree. Side effects are definitely worth it compared to how I was before. I sometimes think about going off my meds after I've felt good for a while, then I remember what a nightmare it was and how I felt trapped in my own body.

Thanks. One of the people who gave me a hard time fixed the relationship today however I need to pay closer attention to who I talk about medication to. I didn't even disclose I was on medication, we were just talking about the subject.

[ofthevalley]

For me the side effects are worth it. Aside from the psychosis my depression and anxiety are debilitating. Before the right meds I was an emotional, paranoid train wreck. I can't even describe what it was like. Needless to say I will be a medication junkie for life.

[*Laurie*]

I can withstand almost any side effect if the medication is helping my depression and anxiety. The only side effects that will really get me are a worsening of my depression/anxiety. I did have a constant rash on my face from Lamictal and since it wasn't noticeably helping me, I stopped taking it.

[leomama]

I think I had a rash when I first started taking lamictal, but that went away some time ago.

[xRavenx]

Currently taking:
Lamictal- I tolerate it well. Downside: sometimes I question how much help it is doing when it comes to stabilizing my mood....Usually I do well on it though in terms of symptoms, in adjunct with other meds.
Seroquel: Sedating, but less so with time. I'm on 200 mg, but it has to be adjusted here and there as far as the dose goes. If I take it too late, I end up going to work with a half-drunk feeling. Not good, but it works wonders with keeping my sleep in check and thought clarity....a drastic change from before.
Klonopin- Really helps as a PRN medication for when I'm having flare ups of anxiety, no side effects other than feeling a bit dopey at times

[chailatte16]

Originally Posted by leomama

Yep, I got a major lecture about side effects the other day. I personally don't care about side effects. It's worth it compared to the condition the drugs are treating. Thanks for the response.

I agree with this. I have learned to accept that medications that help me may have side effects. I have learned to live with the side effects of my medication combo. Some of the meds that have caused the most trouble are the most effective.

Lithium- feeling better since decreasing dose after toxic Lithium level (GI distress and confusion)
Klonopin-helping stabilize my mood and decrease anxiety
Wellbutrin XL- not a lot of depressive symptoms
Seroquel- feeling better back at 800

[leomama]

I only take 25mg of seroquel to help me sleep and I like not waking up in the middle of the night so if I have to wake myself up with caffeine the next day, so be it. My challenge is getting to bed early enough .

[Als1495]

I've been able to deal with most side effects of my medicine pretty good. I am on about 9 different medications (not all psychiatric) so I have a lot of health problems. The most irritating has been these painful lumps from my injection. When I was on Risperdal injections my symptoms were better but I slept 15 or so hours a day. Then my doc changed my prescription to Invega injections and now I don't sleep all day and I feel more alive!