Medications for depression and anxiety

Hi, @ainsleigh -- It sounds like you've found that trying to go without the fluoxetine (Prozac), lorazepam (Ativan) and clonazepam (Klonopin) has resulted in a return of symptoms and you and your doctor have found it best to stay on them. We have members in the Connect community who have experience with the medications you mentioned and who may have some input related to your question on how others have found these medications, like @jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @blindeyepug, @contentandwell, @cdcc, @enggal66 and @peach414144.

@ainsleigh -- have you found the side effects tolerable for you with these medications?

@ainsleigh @lisalucier I have used lorazepam occasionally, literally an average of one a month, to help me relax so I can sleep. When I am at time when my brain won't shut down it helps. I generally will take it after a couple of bad nights so I can get at least one good night of sleep. I also sometimes take it before we are about to fly somewhere on vacation because my mind is racing then, trying to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I read somewhere that going on a vacation is often traumatic and I believe that it can be.
That is the extent of my experience with any of those pharmaceuticals. Since I take lorazepam in such a limited amount there would not be any withdrawal.
JK

Thanks -I will read their posts. I do not have any side effects.
Ainsleigh

I take Melatonin 3 mg - 10 mg for a sleep aid, it's natural, from the pineal gland. Check with your doctor for possible interactions though!

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview#1

Yes, written info will tell you not to take melatonin while on antidepressants - so did my doc.

@stressedmesseddepressed I too use melatonin 3 mg sometimes. I have read that in a greater dose it is very apt to cause nightmares and I have known people who stopped taking it because that was happening to them. They were taking a higher dose.
JK

@ainsleigh

I'm glad to have the medications I have, and it's possible I'll need to take them indefinitely. I've taken Clonazepam for 12 years at 1mg, and I don't feel addicted to it or to the Wellbutrin I've been taking the same number of years. My take on it is that taking a medication long term doesn't necessarily equate to addiction. I have another med that I've had to increase the dosage over time, but part of that is the progression of the disease. I don't think it's because my body has gotten used to it and needs more. My doctor keeps a close eye on my meds.

I believe that as long as my meds are doing the job, and I don't have side effects, I'll stick with them.

Jim

12 years!? (That sounds like me and why I'm safely tapering off 4mg! over 6 months.) That would be all well and good, Jim, and you're wise to follow your Doctor's advice, but know that Clonazepam - benzos - are intended for use short-term only and if you want to see side effects, try tapering off the clonazepam - only under a Doctor's supervision!!!; it's a living hell I wouldn't wish on anyone. Even missing a dose; you can't/shouldn't. Doctors go along with what they've learned - "Give your patients a pill and never take them off."

And meds and therapy go together. One needs to do CBT / therapy, too.

But the prices we pay are we ARE habituated and physically-dependent on a benzo - clonazepam - and it is said to damage your GABA receptors. After 12 years, it will be almost impossible for you to get off the clonazepam without terrible withdrawal symptoms even with your Doctor's help, and it's dangerously re-wiring your GABA receptors (all 50 million or so) by staying on for 12 yrs.! and ARE physically dependent by staying on them too long and damaging - arguably - your brain staying on it long-term. If you attempt to get off the 1 mg. even, you will know the hell of physical dependence, unfortunately! And you can't stay on a benzo for the rest of your life unless you don't mind re-wiring dangerously your brain, imo, NOT a doctor but a good researcher.

The lion (benzo) will not sleep quietly forever when you're on a benzo.

Wishing us all good health!

@jimhd Hi Jim:

I always appreciate the balanced, reasonable approach you take! Thanks for sharing these thoughts about meds.

Teresa

@jimhd

Yes Jim, I'm in the same boat as you. Once I began taking Citalopram my mood improved so much that I realized I would be taking it for the rest of my life. I'm sure I needed it long before I began taking it 6 years ago. I also take Diovan for blood pressure, although I'm only taking 20 mg now, and I take Levothyroxin for thyroid and insulin for T2 diabetes. I don't think I should try to get off these medications. I'm taking the lowest doses possible and they all increase my health and well being.

I have been taking Tramadol for the past 1+ year, and I have withdrawn from taking it 4 times a day. I never increased my dosage while I was taking it, but when the majority of my pain was reduced, I decided I wanted to stop taking it. I have found that I still need to take 1/2 a pill occasionally for pain, and yesterday my TMJ was so painful, I actually took a whole pill. That's the first time since my withdrawal that I have taken an entire pill. I also went to my chiropractor and he worked on my TMJ. I'll see him again next Wednesday.

My point is, I don't think I need to, or should stop taking all drugs that are working to keep me healthier and to relieve pain or anxiety (when I need it). I don't want to become addicted, because that will not assist my long term health, but will instead be harmful. I eat a healthy diet due to my diabetes and my weight concerns, but I also stray from it occasionally. I had bariatric surgery (RnY) 4+ years ago for my health. I have been able to reduce, but not stop taking blood pressure meds and insulin. My goal was to stop taking them, but according to my PCP, my genetics predispose me to both problems. So, to be healthy I must still take minimal amounts of drugs for both.

I think that medical research has resulted in many new ways to make/keep us healthier. That is wonderful. There are also many drugs and many surgeries that can result in harm to us. A lot of the difference between help and harm can be in the doctors we choose and in our own knowledge about our bodies. I speak up and ask questions of my doctors when I don't understand why they are doing something. Sometimes I forget to ask until I get home, but then I call and ask my questions, or I can send them messages now. I don't think that stopping all medicines is a good idea. I think taking the least number of medications needed to stay healthy and to reduce pain to tolerable levels is good.

Gailb
Volunteer Mentor