I am currently on tape 9 of the program and am not feeling any better. I am on a low-dose of ativan on an as needed basis. My doctor wants me on an anti-depressant but I have had bad reactions to paxil and zoloft and am hesitant to try anything else. Has anyone overcome their anxiety & depression without medication?

Everything I've read has said that it is completely possible to overcome anxiety problems without medication. That being said, though, I think that the process of change is sometimes so painful and so slow and so frightening that med interventions can be extremely beneficial.

I attempted to do the program after tapering off of Zoloft on my own (first mistake). I also didn't expect that the symptoms would come back with the severity that they did (second mistake). And, I didn't take into account the fact that I have mitral valve prolapse, which is exacerbated in times of stress, and which then exacerbates the stress, and so on (third mistake). I also was attempting to make numerous life-style changes all at once (fourth mistake). And so, after two weeks of being virtually housebound, and then three days of near-constant heart palpitations followed by episodes of panic and high anxiety, I decided to get back on medication. At this point, I'm taking 1-2 mg of Xanax a day, to kind of tide me over until the Zoloft kicks in and to counteract the side-effects. I'm responded to 50 mg of Zoloft in the past, although I still had panic attacks (just less frequent and severe), so this time my pdoc said to increase the dosage to 75 mg, and, if that doesn't stop them, we can go to 100 mg. I used to like taking such a "low" dosage, because it somehow made me feel as if I was "less sick," but I've realized now that, if I'm going to take meds, I may as well get all the benefit I can.

Personally, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to work through my anxiety without medication. I'm not trying to be defeatist. But, considering that my MVP symptoms kick in when I'm anxious, causing a spiral of panic, and that I am *very* reluctant to enter feared situations without some kind of "safety net" (meds being a big one), and that I, in all honesty, don't handle pain and discomfort very well at all, and recovery without meds would require lots of both, I'm pretty much okay with the fact that I might need to take the Zoloft for quite some time.

However, if I were to go off of meds again, I'd definately do it differently. I'd make sure that I had a really large support system in place, who know what I was going through, so it wasn't just my husband or my parents dealing with it. I'd make sure that I was working with a supportive therapist. I'd make sure that I was feeling good before I went off. I'd make sure that things were pretty settled in my life (when I went off meds this time, I'd just graduated college andn gotten married--talk about major stresses!). And, I'd make sure that I'd already incorporated a lot of Lucinda's coping techniques--relaxation, affirmations, positive thinking, etc.--and regular exercise into my routine already. That way, I'd have the arsenal of skills there when the anxiety hit again, and be able to handle it, rather than trying to dig myself out of a huge hole without so much as a shovel.

Edited to say that, wow, reading over this, I feel like I *will* be able to go off of meds in the future, once I'm in a more secure and balanced and supportive place.

[This message has been edited by Lori (edited 03-08-2001).]

I'm medication phobic. I take St John's wort, and Rescue Remedy (if needed). I exercise 5 times per week.... and there is more.

Like you Lori, I think that by doing the herbal thing I'm less "sick." However, everytime I get an attack I want to go straight to my doctor and ask for something to keep me sane. I feel that I'm going to go crazy (literally crazy).

I know that meds and therapy are a good combination but I'm afraid of the side effects. I'm afraid of perhaps needing to try drug after drug, after drug to find one that agrees with me. I've heard that this is usually the case.

I'm afraid of being on a drug for a while and then have "it" not work for me and needing to find another one. Worse yet, getting addicted to a particular drug.

My worries go on. I would love to know also how to do it safely and be cured once and for all. I feel that everything I do now are just band aid solutions, as I'm now quite sure what my "real" issues are.

Sorry to ramble on...

I haven't bought the program because of the cost in Canadian dollars ($600). Does anyone know where I can get it used?

Hi! I've just been reading through these responses and feel compelled to reply to you also. I've been on med's for the last 15 years and am in the process of changing meds because the old ones are definitely not as effective as the new ones. I have done A LOT OF READING about depression & anxiety and have come to believe that some people have a chemical makeup that makes them more susceptible to anxiety and/or depression. I have also worked with many professionals who agree with this. While you may be able to learn some wonderful coping skills in this program, you may also need to be medicated and please believe me, there is ABSOLUTELY NO SHAME IN TAKING MEDS FOR ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION!

My doctor is absolutely convinced that for certain people, an anti-anxiety medication or an anti-depressant medication is no different than insulin to a diabetic or blood-pressure medication for someone who has problems with their blood pressure.

Again, please do not lose hope in the program or in yourself if you need to be medicated. As they say in the program "it's no big deal". Once you've come to terms with that, I believe that you'll be well on your way to recovery (with or without medication). Some people only need to take it for a limited time while others will need to be on meds for the rest of their life. Worrying about either case won't do anything else but cause you unnecessary grief. Good Luck to you!

quote:

Originally posted by cutufa:
I'm medication phobic. I take St John's wort, and Rescue Remedy (if needed). I exercise 5 times per week.... and there is more.

Like you Lori, I think that by doing the herbal thing I'm less "sick." However, everytime I get an attack I want to go straight to my doctor and ask for something to keep me sane. I feel that I'm going to go crazy (literally crazy).

I know that meds and therapy are a good combination but I'm afraid of the side effects. I'm afraid of perhaps needing to try drug after drug, after drug to find one that agrees with me. I've heard that this is usually the case.

I'm afraid of being on a drug for a while and then have "it" not work for me and needing to find another one. Worse yet, getting addicted to a particular drug.

My worries go on. I would love to know also how to do it safely and be cured once and for all. I feel that everything I do now are just band aid solutions, as I'm now quite sure what my "real" issues are.

Sorry to ramble on...

I haven't bought the program because of the cost in Canadian dollars ($600). Does anyone know where I can get it used?

I have been on clonazepam for almost 20 yrs. I don't take it on any regular basis just when I need it, so I may go days without taking any pills then some days it just hits me and I'll take one. I don't feel guilty about it. Like you though I was terrified of trying something the first time as I didn't know what my reaction would be. But all I feel is calm. So to me it works great. I'm hoping with the program eventually I won't need the medication but I have a feeling I'll always have some around like a safety net.

I know Lucinda keeps saying to float through but that can be dangerous when driving and I also feel I can't always do my job properly in those instances although I try anyway.

Don't feel guilty if you need to use meds.

Like you I could'nt afford the program (Ottawa here) and actually had never heard of it until talking to my sons babysitter one day and she told me about it and offered to lend it to me.

Good luck, Kim

Dear Cutufa,

Have you written to me regarding your finacial concerns? Carolyn

quote:

Originally posted by Midwest Center Staff:
Dear Cutufa,

Have you written to me regarding your finacial concerns? Carolyn

No, I didn't even know I could do that. Let me know how and I will.

Have you been

-staying away from high sugar foods and caffeine;
--exercising;
---gettting good sleep;
----doing your tape every day?

Those are the biggies for me.

------------------
Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)

Can anyone give me any info on Buspar also? I, too am a "medaphobe". I've tried Zoloft, with horrible results...made me feel worse & no sleep for 7 days straight! I switched to Paxil which made me feel calmer but had an allergic reation to it & would up in the hospital overnight & put on steroids for a month! So needless to say I am terrified of meds! I do pretty well on my own, no P.A's in 6 months! (YEAH!) But there are times when I'm crawling outta my skin!!!! I have 2 kids ages 4 & 5, a full time job, a 40 minute commute to & from work everyday & a not very understanding or supportive husband. I'm trying so hard to calm down & relax. I hear Xanax is very addictive but so is going home & self medicating yourself w/ alcohol, which seems to be the drug of choice for alot of us w/ this condition. I've been dealing w/ this for exactly 1 yr now. This has been the longest year of my Life. I'm not depressed, I love my job, kids, home, etc......I feel great except for this constant "edginess". Any suggestions?! Also, anyone out there from the central Florida area?

Hi Susan!
I know that "crawling out of your skin" feeling. I live with it every day. I make the mistake that alot of us do with alcohol. I'm trying to get away from that. I don't feel that I'm an alcoholic, but I feel ashamed of myself when I think I need to have a beer when I know someone is coming over. To "calm" myself. Maybe I won't be all weird and shaky and I can actually seem like a normal human being-at least on the outside. Anyway, I wouldn't take any of those tranqulizing drugs if I were you. They will only hinder your progress. I take Trazadone at night, but during the day it's up to me to be aware and heal myself. Don't know if I've been any help. We're all just doing the best we can. I'm here for support. Ing

quote:

Originally posted by Ing:
Hi Susan!
I know that "crawling out of your skin" feeling. I live with it every day. I make the mistake that alot of us do with alcohol. I'm trying to get away from that. I don't feel that I'm an alcoholic, but I feel ashamed of myself when I think I need to have a beer when I know someone is coming over. To "calm" myself. Maybe I won't be all weird and shaky and I can actually seem like a normal human being-at least on the outside. Anyway, I wouldn't take any of those tranqulizing drugs if I were you. They will only hinder your progress. I take Trazadone at night, but during the day it's up to me to be aware and heal myself. Don't know if I've been any help. We're all just doing the best we can. I'm here for support. Ing

I'm also afraid of meds. I have a whole bottle of Xanax that I got last year and I haven't touched them. I have gone through some really difficult and painful times without medication though, and I also felt at times that I wanted to run to my therapist and scream, give me something! But I hung in. I've decided to go the natural route. I really believe it has helped me. I also take St. John's Wort every day, I also take a Calcium/Mag capsule and B complex before bed. Also took Kava Kava on occasion which does relax me. I also just started on Omega 3 this week. My period is coming, and I'm not flipping out, so that's a good sign. Walking 4 days a week really helps too. Gave up caffience and sugar. Everyone has their own "feel like crap" tolerance, so if medication is needed, I feel it's no biggy for others.