Posted by Ritch on April 21, 2005, at 11:19:56
In reply to Your honest opinion am I on to much medication?, posted by BRC on April 21, 2005, at 9:54:32
> Hi,
>
> I currently take 60mg Lexapro, 1,800mg Trileptal, 4mg Klonopin, and 30mg of Remeron for Depression, OCD, and Bipolar II.
>
> I have been on these meds for a couple of years now. I have never been a fan of medication. But they actually do help. Is this considered alot? Do any of these meds have adverse effects on things such as liver, kidneys, etc. if taken for long periods of time?
>
> Just wondering b/c don't want to take something that could cause health problems. Especially after all of the bad press about recent prescription meds.
>
> I wrote this post b/c wanted to get people who actually take these meds. feel. Not just doctors opinions.
>
> Your opinions would mean a great deal to me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> BRCHi, if they are working for you as you say, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Of course, that's easy to say. I don't like taking a lot of meds either, but it is hard at times to accept the fact that I'm dependent on medication. The number of meds can complicate things if they interact with each other or other non-psych meds, but the ones you are on don't look like potential big problems for interactions. Dosages can be deceiving because some people are super med-sensitive (like me), but others seem to need really high doses to get the desired effects. There are people with epilepsy who have to take very high doses for many years to control their seizures. I think that many doctors want to limit the total exposure to a given medication over time, however. The good part is there are usually alternative treatments that come about every few years that generally tend to be safer. That's what I count on. I was on lithium for many years, now on Depakote, probably something else in the next year or two or three. What looks really intriguing are the non-invasive treatments like rTMS, MRI, etc., and biological agents that target totally different systems to control something. Lithium probably contributed to my thyroid problems I've had and hypercalcemia. But, that's all settled down now. An important thing is whether you are tolerating your meds.. it appears that you are and that's a big deal. Just being able to take the stuff every day and to have it work is a major hurdle that a lot of people can't quite get to. My troubles are controlled, but just partially -probably due to my med intolerances. I hope this helps some.---- Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:487403
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050418/msgs/487447.html