Xannax and my frustrations

[Nina000]

I'm not sure how many people will really  understand me on this but here it goes.

I'm a mother of three little ones. I am 28 years old, and I go to college. I am not the smallest person in the world but after my twins, I gained some weight. I went through more than enough crap in my younger years that I could be a bonafied drug addict (not kidding) but I sit here as a confident and intelligent woman that has never touched a single drug. I dont even drink for god sakes! Anyway, my issues are as follows. I have been on and off of so many different MAOI's and crazy amounts of therapy that noting really helps me. I am so sick of people trying to shove medication down my throat to be quite honest. This coming from a Psychiatry major LOL. But, I honestly HATE taking these meds that make me feel completely disoriented, makes me fat, makes me not want to have sex with my husband and all of the glorious side effects that come along with it. I personally take pride in having Xannax by my side if I ever need it. I have had benadryl every once in a while in the place of the Xannax because I was never given this medication in the first place for my anxiety. This is my argument. If I only take Xannax once a week (if that) why should I take anything else? I would be taking a regular medication (MAOI) every single day which if I come off of it, I will get brain zapps and be right back to where I started. SO why is it not OK for me to take Xannax once a week if needed? I DON"T want to take these medications that these people are giving me. I dont see myself getting any better, and I sure as heck know for a FACT that I need to talk to someone about my issues. Then why is it so bad? Am I making any sense? I Just know what will help me and I don't see why this is such an issue.

[Door]

I feel the same way! 

I am tired of "finding the right mix of medications".  Sexual side effects and weight gain are awful.  They hurt your personal life in a very deep way.  They make me more depressed!  Then there are the antidepressants that slow me down.  It's impossible to work and I don't feel human.

I want to give up on looking for medication.  I think I have already.  I have a therapist.  We are making progress.  I don't hallucinate.  I am not a danger to anyone.  Is medication really necessary?  I think trying one after another after another after another after another is worse than the depression and anxiety I feel, and they are pretty bad.
   
I am not against trying medication.  If a person finds one that works, great!  But, I think at some point, somewhere after the 100th medication attempt, you gotta take them off the table and work through your issues solo.

[Bama21]

Makes sense to me...especially if you're only talking every now and then. 

I've taken a small benzo dose for 95% of the days for the last few months.  I went for 5 days or so without taking them last week and didn't notice any problem at all.  I started getting worried about side effects of my SSRI, and began taking the same small dose each day for the last few days, again.

I can't see anything wrong with your logic.  Maybe I would disagree had I experienced enough battles to get into an addiction/heavy dosage situation, but as of right now, I think a good benzodiazepine is a great ally. 

[Nina000]

Exactly my point. I too can get a bout of bad anxiety and wind up taking a Xanax once or twice in a week or maybe more, even if thats the case. I do ahve bouts of complete serinity and have no need for medication. Maybe the individuals who are attached to the medication have the issue. I just don't see why I have to suffer the consequences of others actions. Not saying your a bad person, I mean, if you need it, you need it. Simple as that. I just feel judged by the actions of others who might abuse the drugs. I feel for them because yes they have the need to feel normal, and I do understand that. I'm hoping after my move I will be able to find a therapist that will see eye to eye with me. Thanks for your feedback guys :)

[CVR]

Think meds only address your symptoms and not the cause, unless you have a chemical imbalance. Doing CBT with a therapist that knows what he/she is doing is the answer. CBT have a 85% cure rate. I will go with natural herbs and see if they will work for you, almost no side effects and addictave properties.

 

[Door]

Think meds only address your symptoms and not the cause, unless you have a chemical imbalance. Doing CBT with a therapist that knows what he/she is doing is the answer. CBT have a 85% cure rate. I will go with natural herbs and see if they will work for you, almost no side effects and addictave properties.

 

The success of CBT depends on the quality of the therapist.

"Natural" herbs are not regulated.  We have no idea what is in them.  In many studies, St John's Wort performed no better than placebo.  I remember when Kava Kava was yanked off the shelves.  If they work, they too mask the symptoms, right?

If we are writing on this board, it is safe to assume that our symptoms are overwhelming, treatment resistant, or complicated.  It is okay for us to consider medication.  It is okay for us to take it in order for us to function.