How Many Medications Do You Take?

[nic]

I am wondering how many medications everyone takes for PTSD. (I'm mostly interested in the number of meds, not so much in which specific ones you're on.) In the past, I have been on up six or seven at one time--(that includes medication anxiety, depression, panic, as well as stomach issues and headaches relating to the PTSD). I'm currently trying to reduce my meds because I just have an issue with being on so many, but I don't know if reduction is such a good idea either. Please do not include medications you are taking for reasons other than PTSD.

nic

P.S. I'm not too good with computers, so if I don't set up this poll correctly, could someone please help? Thanks.

Answers:
none
1-2
3-4
4-5
more than 5

[morgan]

I take four for the mental aspect. I only take pain meds. prn and not very often. So I didn't count the physical ones.

[2quilt]

one specifically for depression, 3 for pain control, one for reflux prevention. It depends on whether you believe that the pain and reflux are PTSD-related or -caused.

[upstream]

I was pressured into taking meds for depression for a few weeks, then decided to go off them. I'm so glad I didn't sink any more money into them as a study just came out that says SSRI's don't work any better than a sugar pill except in the most severe cases.

http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050045

The other stuff I was doing in my life was more effective than the SSRI's

[linasmom]

Upstream,

That's an interesting study. I wouldn't put all of my eggs in one basket though, so to speak.

A few weeks is not enough for any anti-depressant to be effective. Also, I've tried 4 anti-depressants so far and several different combinations of them and I haven't had much luck...but I press on because the stories about those people whose lives have changed dramatically because of SSRI's gives me some sense of hope that eventually, my doctors will find the right combination for me.

The entire thing is a process and not an easy one. What works for some does not work for others.

Best,
Rachel

[upstream]

There are more than one study on SSRI's out there that have me concerned. Also it is not my first experience with them... definitely not one basket for me.

The studies I like are the ones that show how much more effective exercise is over pills.

To each their own...

[nor]

I voted 1-2 at present.

There was a time that I was taking 5 different antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti anxiety, and sleeping medications. I finally got myself off of everything except one antidepressant and sleeping aid.

When I was on all the meds before, there were frequent times when I would feel completely numb-when I KNEW that I SHOULD be feeling something!

They neutralized me way too much.

[hodge]

I'm on two anti-depressants, one anti-anxiety, Motrin for headaches, and as of last week, Lamictal for mood stabilizing, depression and irritability. I haven't found the combination to be numbing or anything that negative so far. I've actually seen improvement in myself and so has my psychologist. I also love exercise for its good affects, but it only works for me if I could do it all day long, which I can't :)

[Lucky Laser]

I take birth control mainly for pain control and mood stabilization. It has worked better than any of the SSRI's I've tried which have either done nothing for depression or made me more depressed, and one even earned me a trip to urgent care for a skyrocketing blood pressure and tachycardia!

I had one doctor prescribe Abilify but I never got it filled because for one, it was $400 WITH insurance and two, the pharmacist red flagged it because she thought it was too serious of a medication for me.

[JustJane]

I wasn't sure if I should vote on this one. I was only recently diagnosed and have yet to see the psychiatrist or hear any treatment recommendations.

[nightowl52]

Expense, 3 years & having to get a lawyer for disability & still don't have it. I must go the cheepest route, alternative & relaxation. Grin & bear it?

[Cindy]

I've been on all kinds of psych drugs over the past 20 years. A lot of the ssri's have not worked with me until 6 years ago I went on Effexor - 300mg daily. Huge difference for me.

That is the one drug I think that has made a huge difference. Trazadone has been good also but I don't take it regularly. However, you can take when you need it and it does have an effect - not requiring six weeks or a build up to a certian level.

[lrs]

Only 1, for restless leg syndrome.