My experience with anti-depressants/benzodiazepines.

[Fascinate]

This all started in 1990 when my dad had a heart attack, he was 40 years old and i was 9. Long story short i developed some kind of hypochondria/general health concerns as i aged, naturally.

About a year ago i had an increased heart rate with other symptoms that could have been attributed to a heart attack. I was very worried and decided to go to the ER. After about two hours of tests coming back normal they concluded i was having a panic attack, it wasn't until i got home later that day and did research on the matter did i agree with the diagnosis. While in the ER they had given me a pill, a pill called ativan. At the time it really had no effect, it was either due to me being so worried about my health situation or too low of a dose. Over the next few weeks i had 3 repeat visits to the ER with resting heartrate peaking at 190 BPM, triggered by the weirdest things like cooking a meal for myself. Ativan was administered at all 3 of these visits with results that were more in line with the drugs intention, a calming/sedating effect (much like being drunk). After the third ER visist i was prescribed ativan on a daily schedule, i went with it as it was seeming to work. Three months later the doctor refused to give me ativan, as it is supposed to be a short term drug.

Enter, anti-depressants. First off I AM NOT DEPRESSED I was never diagnosed with it. I had no psychiatrist near me so i had to drive around 40 mins to find one in my insurance program. The goal as proposed to me by my family doctor was to get off ativan and get on something "safer". (oh btw my diagnosis was anxiety with tachacardia-ie high heartrate). I finally gave in an took the drive. Nothing this doctor was saying made sense in my head, but i went along with it anyways. Her logic was these drugs would cull my anxiety while being "safer" than ativan. (which was never anxiety btw, just a normal human reaction to being susceptible to heart disease given your dad had a heart attack at 40).

Fast forward a few months, i was on the second anti-depressant (first one i was taken off of due to intestinal problems). Neither were working to cure my "anxiety". Around this time i started developing sleeping problems which i have never had, and she prescribed me seroquel. I refused to take that drug, it did not seem to be for me at all after reading about it. I decided to end my contact with that doctor at this point, seemed she was just handing out drugs willy nilly without thinking about the consequences for the patients condition.

If you are still with me, the only reason i listed any of the above is i had to have some groundwork laid down to explain my experiences with said drugs. (there was much more to it, but this was the gist). About two weeks after i ended contact with my psychiatrist i decided i was going to stop taking the anti-depressant, as it was truly giving no benefit to my condition (the fake anxiety i mentioned earlier).

Fast forward another month, this is when things started to get really bad. It started with not being able to sleep.....at all. I eventually turned to alcohol to sleep, it worked but it wasn't real sleep and my life suffered as a result. Then came the "brain zaps". You can look these up if you want, but basically what they are is what they sound like, you feel random shocks to your brain that are very jarring. They come on at unexpected times, and just moving your head can trigger them. (depends on the person, but mostly its a change of head angle that causes them). At this point im having these insane shocks to my brain and i cannot sleep without alcohol, fun right? (all because of a misdiagnosis and doctors far too willing to hand out drugs). This wasnt my rock bottom sadly, about a month ago i had a psychotic break which truly can only be understood by someone who has gone through one themselves.

Now, to present day. I am about 2 months past my psychotic break, and doing better than when all of this started. Brain zaps are almost gone (but sadly, some people experience these their ENTIRE lives after coming off of anti depressants), i can sleep without the aid of anything, but the BEST part is i realized drugs were not the answer for me. As referenced many times in this post, i simply was just worried about dying early because my dad did.....THATS IT. I have not had a high heart rate since, i know im fine it just took hell on earth to realize it. Of course all could have been avoided was i given a proper diagnoses and if the medical industry was not so willing to pass out drugs at the drop of a hat, but thats how it works sadly.

Like i said in my first sentence i am NOT trying to tell someone to take drugs or not, just giving my experiences with these drugs and the industry as a whole. I cannot put my finger on which drug messed me up more ativan or the anti-depressants, but my gut tells me it was the anti-depressants (which is the opposite of what the experts will tell you). All i KNOW is you will never see me within 100 feet to a psychiatrists office. I can joke about this now because i am better, but trust me it was hell on earth and could never wish that experience on the worst person on earth.

[tehealadin]

I used to take seroquel. I had really bad depression and anxiety/paranoia, for years. I was initially on prozac, it took the edge of the depression a little, but did little for the anxiety. I was on some other drug first, bit I got hit with a tonne of side effects and came off them after a week, I couldn't take the side effects, and got seroquel instead. Helped me loads. I was finally able to sleep, my insomnia was really bad, I was starting to hallucinate. The drug helped me a lot, however I went through a bad patch, and tried to kill myself, part of my plan involved taking as much seroquel as I had. Needless to say, it failed, I got myself to the doctors before I passed out and spent some time in hospital. I came off those, and the prozac too, if I remember correctly. I had been to psychiatrists, mental health professionals etc. They all did help. I am much better now, I preferred the talking therapies, sadly the system where I am is very underfunded, and my little stint in the hospital put me up the pecking order for talking therapies. Really enjoyed CBT, felt it helped me a lot. Though, my sleep is a mess since coming off seroquel, I piss 3-7 times a night since coming off of them, haven't had a proper nights sleep in 3 and a half years. Still, the drug did help me, along with talking therapies.

Everyone is different, drugs and talking therapies have their place, for some people they might need more of one, less of the other. The individual, with their doctor, need to work out what is best. Sometimes some trial and error is involved, especially with drugs.

[Deleted]

TL;DR

I use antidepressants, no issue. People react to drugs differently NEWS AT 10

[Deleted]

Good for you?

[Fascinate]

I never said to take the drugs or not, only gave my story. If anything my post is more about incorrect diagnoses and having the ability to SELF diagnose (sooner than later is better, clearly) being so important.

The tests i took to clear my health (overnight heartrate tests, as well as looking inside my heart like they do with ultrasounds on baby's) were very important and showed me that i shouldn't worry, but at that point it was too late because i was already on the drugs and was blinded by their effects and relied on them.

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Good for you?

Thanks

While what i posted isn't a pat myself on the back thread, ill take it given what i have been through this past year.

[Deleted]

Self Diagnosis or Self Medication should absolutely not be promoted

[Fascinate]

Self Diagnosis or Self Medication should absolutely not be promoted

You are probably correct in a general sense, but given enough common sense i think self diagnosis can be a life saver compared to the alternatives.

[Aori]

You're your own best advocate. Make informed decisions, if you disagree or clearly don't trust your doctor get another opinion. Drugs react differently for everyone, it can be awhile before you find the one that works right for you. That is just how it is.

Stress, anxiety and depression can physically kill your body. My father was having severe pains of what replicated a heart attack but nothing could be found. I told him what to tell the doctor and what to try. He is now on anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication or as I tell him mood stabilizers. The majority of his pains are gone, he still has days but hes not crippled anymore at the least.

Sometimes people can pick themselves up but honestly its all a chemical imbalance and most of it goes untreated, particularly in males.

Either way, sounds like your angry about something. The meds weren't forced on you, it was recommended you try them and see how it works. That is medicine, you keep trying shit until you find an answer. (with professional guidance of course) gotta remember those freaking disclaimers.

[Deleted]

You are probably correct in a general sense, but given enough common sense i think self diagnosis can be a life saver compared to the alternatives.

What alternatives? If your issue continues return to the doctor, if still unsatisfied request a different doctor

[Fascinate]

You're your own best advocate. Make informed decisions, if you disagree or clearly don't trust your doctor get another opinion. Drugs react differently for everyone, it can be awhile before you find the one that works right for you. That is just how it is.

Stress, anxiety and depression can physically kill your body. My father was having severe pains of what replicated a heart attack but nothing could be found. I told him what to tell the doctor and what to try. He is now on anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication or as I tell him mood stabilizers. The majority of his pains are gone, he still has days but hes not crippled anymore at the least.

Sometimes people can pick themselves up but honestly its all a chemical imbalance and most of it goes untreated, particularly in males.

Either way, sounds like your angry about something. The meds weren't forced on you, it was recommended you try them and see how it works. That is medicine, you keep trying shit until you find an answer. (with professional guidance of course) gotta remember those freaking disclaimers.

Not sure how that is what you took away from it, up until two weeks ago i had considered myself a dead man walking. The mere fact i can post something like this boggles my mind given my state only days ago.

TBH this wasn't even a choice, if you read the post i HAD to take something or risk major damage to my heart (my heartrate would not come down from a resting 190 this is what athletes peak at or at least in the ballpark, i waited 3 hours before i went to the ER).

[Vayshan]

You are probably correct in a general sense, but given enough common sense i think self diagnosis can be a life saver compared to the alternatives.

Because your own uneducated guess is much better than that of an educated professional? Yh, that is some awesome common sense :/

Fast forward a few months, i was on the second anti-depressant (first one i was taken off of due to intestinal problems). Neither were working to cure my "anxiety". Around this time i started developing sleeping problems which i have never had, and she prescribed me seroquel. I refused to take that drug, it did not seem to be for me at all after reading about it. I decided to end my contact with that doctor at this point, seemed she was just handing out drugs willy nilly without thinking about the consequences for the patients condition.

Sorry, but what makes you think you know better than a doctor? After reading about it? Reading what exactly?

[Gheld]

Because your own uneducated guess is much better than that of an educated professional? Yh, that is some awesome common sense :/


Sorry, but what makes you think you know better than a doctor? After reading about it? Reading what exactly?

Typically a GP doesn't have any more knowledge about a medical specialization than a member of the general public does. That's why medical specialists exist.

Either way, OP should have sought advice on going off the medication, since most psychiatric meds have very severe withdrawal.

[Alydael]

I wish you the best of luck and definitely stay off those prescribed drugs, they are worse than what is on the street.....

About anxiety and the fear of dying. I imagine everyone experiences this at times. You just have to remember that most human beings throughout all of history (billions and billions of people) have had to deal with this same issue. They managed and so can you! Don't waste your time here worrying about what is next....

I commend your bravery about talking about this issue, I am sure it could not have been easy.

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What alternatives? If your issue continues return to the doctor, if still unsatisfied request a different doctor

I agree. Doctors just try to treat you with what has worked for them in the past with other patients. It might not work for you.

[Vayshan]

Typically a GP doesn't have any more knowledge about a medical specialization than a member of the general public does. That's why medical specialists exist.

Either way, OP should have sought advice on going off the medication, since most psychiatric meds have very severe withdrawal.

While that is true for the most part, there will be the odd GP who does know about psychiatry and its meds. In any case, it's better to hear from a GP than from the general public when it comes to such things. Whether the GP knows anything about it or not.

About the bolded part. I can absolutely agree with that. First off, it can take a few weeks before the effects of an AD kick in and become fully effective and noticable. The same holds true for when you stop taking them. The effects don't just ware off from one day to the next, all the medication has to be "washed" out of your blood which can take just as long as it took to build up in your blood in the first place.

[Aori]

I wish you the best of luck and definitely stay off those prescribed drugs, they are worse than what is on the street.....

About anxiety and the fear of dying. I imagine everyone experiences this at times. You just have to remember that most human beings throughout all of history (billions and billions of people) have had to deal with this same issue. They managed and so can you! Don't waste your time here worrying about what is next....

I commend your bravery about talking about this issue, I am sure it could not have been easy.

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You one of them anti-vaxxers too?

Telling someone to stay off prescribed medicines is absurdity.

[Alydael]

You one of them anti-vaxxers too?

Telling someone to stay off prescribed medicines is absurdity.

How does telling someone not to take anti-depressants akin to anti-vaxxing? You are really stretching there, you must be plasticman.

I have all may vaccinations and so do my children. Vaccinations and anti-depressants do not equate, sorry.

I just know a lot of people that have had really bad experiences with the anti-depressants (because, guess what?- There is no "happy pill").

After my first daughter was born, I used to get severe migraines (sometimes I couldn't even see because of sensitivity to light). I went to different doctors. They all tried to give me these anti- depressants because they "treat migraines too." But when I read the side effects, I refused to take them. So I struggled on my own until I figured out that the migraines were caused because of my fear that something might happen to my daughter. I had a heart to heart with myself and struggled to come to grips with this fear. I eventually did and haven't had a migraine since.

Personally I think your statement "telling someone to stay off prescribed meds is absurdity" is absurdity. Rise up! Don't let them drug you down. All these issues are not new. It is what people have been dealing with since the dawn of time.

[Deleted]

How does telling someone not to take anti-depressants akin to anti-vaxxing? You are really stretching there, you must be plasticman.

I have all may vaccinations and so do my children. Vaccinations and anti-depressants do not equate, sorry.

I just know a lot of people that have had really bad experiences with the anti-depressants (because, guess what?- There is no "happy pill").

After my first daughter was born, I used to get severe migraines (sometimes I couldn't even see because of sensitivity to light). I went to different doctors. They all tried to give me these anti- depressants because they "treat migraines too." But when I read the side effects, I refused to take them. So I struggled on my own until I figured out that the migraines were caused because of my fear that something might happen to my daughter. I had a heart to heart with myself and struggled to come to grips with this fear. I eventually did and haven't had a migraine since.

Personally I think your statement "telling someone to stay off prescribed meds is absurdity" is absurdity. Rise up! Don't let them drug you down. All these issues are not new. It is what people have been dealing with since the dawn of time.

Your stance is fundamentally flawed. Antidepressants DO work, saying otherwise is just wrong!

[Aori]

How does telling someone not to take anti-depressants akin to anti-vaxxing? You are really stretching there, you must be plasticman.

I have all may vaccinations and so do my children. Vaccinations and anti-depressants do not equate, sorry.

I just know a lot of people that have had really bad experiences with the anti-depressants (because, guess what?- There is no "happy pill").

After my first daughter was born, I used to get severe migraines (sometimes I couldn't even see because of sensitivity to light). I went to different doctors. They all tried to give me these anti- depressants because they "treat migraines too." But when I read the side effects, I refused to take them. So I struggled on my own until I figured out that the migraines were caused because of my fear that something might happen to my daughter. I had a heart to heart with myself and struggled to come to grips with this fear. I eventually did and haven't had a migraine since.

Personally I think your statement "telling someone to stay off prescribed meds is absurdity" is absurdity. Rise up! Don't let them drug you down. All these issues are not new. It is what people have been dealing with since the dawn of time.

You just said prescribed drugs are worse than the shit on the street, what else should I think? Vaccines are a prescribed medication. If you have a problem you go to a doctor, if you don't like the effects of medication you tell the doctor, if doctor doesn't change anything you get another doctor.

Everything has side effects, 1 subject out of thousands could have a possible issue even if the medication wasn't entirely at fault but legally they still have to list it as a side effect.

You still sound like an anti-vaxxer, pardon my quick judgement.

[Alydael]

You just said prescribed drugs are worse than the shit on the street, what else should I think? Vaccines are a prescribed medication. If you have a problem you go to a doctor, if you don't like the effects of medication you tell the doctor, if doctor doesn't change anything you get another doctor.

Everything has side effects, 1 subject out of thousands could have a possible issue even if the medication wasn't entirely at fault but legally they still have to list it as a side effect.

You still sound like an anti-vaxxer, pardon my quick judgement.

Really, so you think an anti vaxxer would have all his vaccinations and have all his children up to date on theirs? How does that make any sense.....

Also, many anti depressant readily admit that they can cause increased depression (in some) and even thoughts of suicide.... You don't consider that worst than drugs like weed? Seriously?

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Your stance is fundamentally flawed. Antidepressants DO work, saying otherwise is just wrong!

They work for some, not all. You have to find what works for you.

[Deleted]

Really, so you think an anti vaxxer would have all his vaccinations and have all his children up to date on theirs? How does that make any sense.....

Also, many anti depressant readily admit that they can cause increased depression (in some) and even thoughts of suicide.... You don't consider that worst than drugs like weed? Seriously?

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They work for some, not all. You have to find what works for you.

Weed can cause psychological issues too. It's why most doctors advise therapy alongside antidepressants so it can be monitored