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Are people taking too many drugs
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Dec 10, 2023 | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
@dfb @marilynb @poon and others here.
I have been on a mild depression medication for several years now, Celexa 10mg once a day. It keeps my valleys from becoming too deep, and those mountains too high. Fortunately I do not deal with the side effects that some people have with this medication. And, then there are the 10+ [yep, you read correctly!] other prescription meds that I work with to attempt a healthy as can be attained life, given end stage renal disease and incurable blood cancer concerns plus a couple of others.
Would I love fewer meds? Definitely. Do I grieve those days of no meds? Definitely. I am grateful to have a stellar medical team, who works together. Along with my nephrologist, oncologist, general practitioner, and therapist, I am part and parcel of that team. We work hard to keep me at as few meds as possible, and carefully vet each one. We as patients have a real interest in being our own best advocate, sometimes going against the flow.
Lifestyle changes can contribute to the well-being of physical, mental and emotional health. Sometimes we need a gentle push, using medications, in the right direction. And then, we need to understand when to back off those again. Just my humble opinion, your mileage mary vary....
Ginger
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I am happy to know you have a wonderful team of providers helping you!
I have nothing against medication or medical treatments. Modern medicine relieves the suffering of millions of people everyday.
I have received wonderful support from my team of providers, sometimes begrudgingly, but nonetheless vital, throughout my recent titration. I’ll post on a few setbacks shortly.
I speak out against the quick fix culture of the, medication first approach to wellness, especially mental (and dare I say spiritual) wellbeing because it is what I know.
Negligent decision making on my part and on the part of more providers then I can remember, brought me to depths of misery that no person should ever have to suffer.
I believe the mistakes made by me and my providers are somewhat unique to mental health care. Lack of knowledge, societies and provider’s judgment of the afflicted and a focus on ephemeral reasons as the cause of mental illness all contribute to what will become to be known as malpractice.
Physical illness has long been accepted as a biological disorder of one type or another. Doctors no longer “bleed” patients to rid the body of evil humors.
I believe mental wellness is still stuck in the dark ages. Until the science catches up with the intention, I believe I have to beware of those who would sell me “snake oil” disguised as medicine.
I fully and completely embrace medical science and all of its wonders. I also recognize that all humans are fallible and make mistakes. No amount of “I’m sorry” will give back the ten years my children lived with out their father or my wife without her husband.
Whatever my illness might be I now ask two questions that no doctor likes to answer but I believe are my sacred duty to ask:
“Are you sure?”
‘’What if you are wrong?”
How my provider answers those two questions guide the rest of my actions.
My most fervent desire is that everyone finds peace. The path one takes doesn’t really matter. Like you I do what I can to light the way, especially for those closest to me. I can’t really think of anything else todo.
Thank you for your post. You have reminded me to consider my words more carefully.
I wish you peace.