Posted by Susan J on August 13, 2003, at 13:50:55
In reply to Afraid of the cure, posted by Ima on August 13, 2003, at 12:55:47
I totally understand your fear of the meds, their side effects, and the "unknown" factor of what they can do.
When I got depressed, it was so awful, I did anything and everything my therapist and doc told me to do, so it would just go away. They gave me Paxil, which ended up being HORRIBLE for me.
I think the only way to competent health care these days is to become a subject matter expert on this issue you care about -- which it sounds like you are doing.
It is a cost-benefit issue. Are the costs of the drugs worth the benefits they give you? What side-effects will you NOT tolerate just to feel better?
Are you OK with not always feeling well mentally if it saves you from bad side-effects of certain drugs? Is your misery unbearable?Yes, docs are overprescribing SSRI's. They have experience with other, older drugs, and rightly see the benefits to these newer classes of drugs. However, I don't think they are always sensitive to how people react to them, etc. In addition, drug manufacturers push samples on the docs, the docs get perks (like trips and stuff) from the companies in an effort to increase their prescription sales. AND, docs are human, and they get really tired of some people who just won't try therapy, just won't try exercise, just won't try anything that takes a lot of effort when they can have a HAPPY PILL instead.
I personally seem to get EVERY side effect of every drug I've ever taken, from antibiotics, to Accutane, to Paxil, to Wellbutrin.
My advice is probably old hat to you, but:
Try to eat properly, get regular exercise (I swear by yoga for both mental and physical health), surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, know yourself well enough to know the types of things you do NOT want to tolerate (fussy mother, etc.), cherish yourself, pamper yourself, and try meds carefully. There are some great Rx books out there with possible interactions/side effects.
Good luck!
poster:Susan J
thread:250558
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250569.html