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Does anyone want to be normal off of meds ?

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Posted 3/16/2011 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
I know meds work for many but I feel more depressed on the meds as they cause issues for me such as crash in my body image.  Effexor - gained 35 lbs.  Don't want to be seen in public.  Feeling very ashamed of myself.

Looking for energy and motivation to exercise as so many members state they continue to gain weight even without changing their exercise routine and eating patterns.

I want off these meds..........I take 5 mental health drugs.........what is working and what is not  ?

Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 3/16/2011 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

I know the feeling. I try not to think about haveing to be on meds the rest of my life. The thought alone is depressing. But I try to take it one day at a time. I take three for depression, well, one is for anxiety. I hope that you find what is right for you. Glad to see you post, I figure that you are probably feeling better.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/16/2011 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
slow and steady wins the race. cheers, jamie
Posted 3/16/2011 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
would love to be, but i just don't think its in my cards right now. Have to accept that. I have similar issues right now in trying to figure out what is working or if they will only work when combined with other meds etc......Hoave you thought of trying to get off some of them?
Posted 3/16/2011 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Kitt

I know what you mean with Effexor I put on loads of weight on that medication I craved sugar and was drinking an obscene amount of coca cola and going through 2 or 3 packets of biscuits a day. I take 4 mental health drugs and my aim is to start to wean off them but as you know now is not the time for me.

I am glad you are coming of the Effexor and you are following a nice slow reduction to minimize the withdrawal effects which can be horrible. I can recommend exercise as this does help control the weight gain and also helps to improve your mood with natural serotonin release. What I found with exercise is that it takes a while to get into and have the motivation to go and do some exercise but once you get into it, It does become addictive.

Kitt I know you are having a hard time at the moment and I just want you to know we are here for you and you can get through this, One step at a time and we are with you all the way.

Your Scottish Friend

Hibee
Posted 3/16/2011 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt. I know this is a question that you have struggled with for a long time now. And if I'm remembering correctly, haven't you tried to wean off some medications before?

Personally, I have struggled with this too. I look back to those days where I was less than 1/2 the person I am now. I was a size 6 and I looked great. The problem was that I didn't feel great inside. I didn't know what was wrong but I knew something definitely was wrong. I guess I have struggled with depression for most of my life. In the past I always wanted off my meds too. And I hope to be off of them eventually. But for me right now I know I need them. I have a family depending on me and I don't think I can do this on my own.

Exercise sounds like a wonderful idea. I've been trying to talk myself back into it forever now. What if you followed up on this idea and started slowly working out? Maybe as you start to feel better you could then decide to start cutting down on your medications. Probably should work with your doctor on that though.

I do have my own humble opinion right now for whatever it is worth. You have been through a lot of stress since your mini stroke. I can't even begin to imagine how this has effected you. It might be a good idea to take a few steps back for a little bit and not try to make any major decisions right now. You have been through so much. Maybe a little bit of healing time could be good for you. Don't be so hard on yourself. You are such a wonderful person on the inside and from the picture you posted (last year or 2 years ago?) you are just as beautiful on the outside too.

Much love.

Cass
Posted 3/16/2011 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kitt, I know I'm definetly the wrong person to be giving advice on anxiety or depression, seeing as though I'm always the one asking you for help :). But I really do believe that any of us who are dealing with anxiety/depression can get off meds. I believe that we all have it within us, as long as it's not a true chemical imbalance such as (bipolar or schizophrenia, which I always think I have lol), I believe we have the ability to be fine off of meds. As you know I've came off my medications about a month and a half, 2 months ago now. I'm doing pretty well for the most part, at first it was very hard though.

I don't know about your experience with coming off meds or not, but when I was on my zoloft or cymbalta I was very numb. I would just sit in a room and just waste the day away and do absolutely nothing. Nothing bothered me, affected me, anything. When I would wean off the meds, I would get VERY moody. The smallest little things that wouldn't even phase me when I was on the meds would now drive me nuts for like 5-10 minutes lol. It definetly was rough but these moments have now gotten better over the last month. I've gotten my varying mood swings under control and still am feeling like I can continue on with no meds.

As far as the weight gain? That's honestly what I hated most about the medications. That and the sexual side effects were too much for me to handle. I put on 65 lbs on cymbalta and zoloft combined. I was 180 when I went on them and I was 245 when I decided to stop. Now I'm weighing in at 235 a month later, and with minimal exercise. I have been watching my diet but nothing really that strict, and working out with circuit training about 3-4 times a week. I'm committed to being a healthier/better me. I think that's where it all starts. I'm sure you can work out and lose weight on the meds, but from my personal experience I never felt good about myself wheN I was on them. I needed that confidence and feeling of me being ok off of them to get me back into gear. And I think I'm starting to turn the corner and get there. It's goin to be a tough road but it's one I'm willin to ride out :). Best of luck to ya Kitt, at the very least I would look into just elminating some of those meds to help you feel better about yourself. 5 medications seems like a lot, but I don't know. I've only been dealing with this for 2 years and don't know all that much from experience, only really was on cymbalta/zoloft and ativan/klonopin as needed.
Posted 3/16/2011 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone... I know the feeling. meds, weight, I am twice the person my hubby married 19 years ago and he has gained 10lbs. a lot due to depression and a lot due to prendisone.

Kitt..I have been sick for most of my marriage. I got sick serving in the military in the persian gulf in 1991 and it has been a hell of a ride down.

you are a normal person, on or off meds. There may be people out there that don't need meds but everyone has something. Some kind of problem. You are more than normal you are still rising to a challenge that on some days you win... you make it out of bed... that is great.

Have you ever journaled, talked with a phychologist or trist? I know it is a chemical imbalance. but i also know I have been through three different types of ptsd, i was hurt by a step grapndpa for a year when i was 5-6 and blocked it. then as an adult by 2 people and i was cold about it like it was a statistic. and then war. i wasn't on front lines but i could here things and certain cultures affected me... probably due to my past. when i was 27 i started having terrible night terrors... that is when i remembered my step grandpa. I have forgiven, but it is something that creeps up on me sometimes. triggers. I am not saying this has happened to you. But i am saying it can be as simple as parents divorcing, or anything that was tragic to you. I learned actually at a pain clinic that i went to for migraines... biofeedback, and different relaxation techniques, which is funny because i am a total type A personality and the word relax makes me anxious. lol I learned more there about how to handle my anxiety about pain whether physical or mental and depression.

Things that have helped me is massage once a week, i have ins that fortunately covers it, or even every other week, i don't like to leave my house i worry about being agoraphobic. because of my weight i am 250. i started the south beach diet modified for my income, i just went through and took 10 simple things i would eat, apple, red peppers mozzerrela cheese, very basic and easy to grab. i lost 20 since jan 1. well 25 but i put five back on because of health issues.

it was actually my lung dr. that suggested. I noticed heart condition. journal... write 5 things every day that bring you joy or that you are looking forward to or even something so simple like i got up today. so on bad days you can read it. Maybe your meds are not melding with you well, i use to cry when i went to dr appts so i write things down. so i know it all gets covered. it is very helpful. write down your concerns about meds. tell them you don't want to keep adding, you want to wean off slow before adding a new one. or whatever your thought is... be totally honest. and that is hard. not just with the dr. but with yourself.

I know where you are with your pain, but when it comes to brass tacks you are here for a reason, your life affects so many. You are loved. You are beautiful because it isn't our shell it is what is inside. that is what shines through. There are some really grand looking people with very dark souls...and they are in prison with life sentences. and they are ugly and in shape. not all i am sure some are somewhat rehabilitated.

my point is you are worth it. May you find joy in simple things. baby steps.
Posted 3/16/2011 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,
I feel for you. I hate meds. But sometimes they are just necessary. Why not give yourself a couple months to let things settle down a bit & then bring this up with your doctor?

Some people can manage without meds, other can't. But it might be realistic for you to try to go from 5 slowly down to 2-3. The key is to go slow. Getting off meds is a miserable process. You feel so horrible when you are withdrawing from a/d's or a/a meds. Make sure you're in a good place before you start to cut down. That's coming from experience.

Are you still sub nursing at school? If so, maybe one option to get in a little exercise is to volunteer with a before-school or after-school activity with the kids. Spring is coming & children love gardening. It burns calories and is relaxing (as long as you don't mind jumping 5yo's shaking seed packets in your ear and excitedly asking "What's THIS?! What's THIS?!" lol).

Anyways, you'll get there. I believe that. Just have to wait a little bit longer.
We're here for you always. And you're beautiful just the way you are. :)

peace,
Tirzah
Posted 3/17/2011 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Skitt,

Hope you're feeling stronger after the mild stroke.

When you're ready to lose weight, I'd suggest buying a good quality
juicer and juice the weight away. One person got control of her life
using a vegetable and fruit juicer and was able to eliminate all medications by adding just high quality vitamins and mineral supplements to her juicing regimen. I'm going to get the best one I can afford and start it in a month or so. As serious as I am about
diets, the old desires for the sweets and breads defeat my best
efforts after a couple of years of it.

Please go to Doctor Yourself.com and go down the column on the
left side to weight loss. I think there are two articles on that and
both of them are probably as helpful as anything I've ever read
regarding healthy problems and dieting effectively. There are no
efforts to sell anything. The data are personal experiences with
what works for people.

One point that interested me was that if we drink two 8-ounce glasses of ice water each day, it causes us to lose 60 calories just bringing the
body temperature back up to 98.6 degress--or a loss of several pounds every two months. (In ten years it amounts to 60 pounds of weight loss by just switching to ice water.)

Everyone is advising you to wait until you feel up to it. That's a good idea, Skitt, since your body is recovering from the mini-stroke.

Take care.

I.G.

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/17/2011 8:18:38 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/17/2011 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
IG-
Juice actually has a LOT of calories in it. Beyond that, it has a lot of sugar. My endocrinologist made me quit daily juice drinks b/c I developed pre-diabetes, began putting on weight after a time of losing it, and had really messed up hormones that were causing me to feel more depressed.

Juice diets can cause short-term weight loss, but they also really mess up your insulin levels and in the long run make it much more difficult to lose weight. A glass of juice has just as many calories and as much or more sugar than a glass of Coke. Yes, it does have some nutrients, but that just makes it comparable to Coke + a multivitamin. Still not great for lasting weight loss.

Every person needs to make his/her own decisions. I just wanted to encourage you to really consider the disadvantages of these "get thin quick" schemes. The best bet is to develop a permanent lifestyle of healthy eating & exercise. Barring that, sometimes the best choice is just to do nothing. Yo-yo dieting usually does more harm than anything. Oh, how I wish that weren't so. Anyways, your choice but just wanted to share with you what I learned the hard way -- those little juice drinks may not be as innocent as they seem.

My new favorite treat is 2 leveled Tablespoons of full-fat ice cream (any flavor). I buy the tiny containers. I read somewhere that our brains are only able to actually get pleasure from the first 2 bites of dessert. I've overindulged a few times, but most of the time this seems to do the trick. ;)

Wishing you luck with your decision,
Tirzah
Posted 3/17/2011 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
What about vege juice, does that have a lot of sugar in it???

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/17/2011 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
That's what the article I was reading stressed: vegetable juicing.
Orange juice, for example, is about 90% sugar, so that one would
be out. It's the enzymes in juicing vegetables, I think, that are so helpful. I've been reading a book called "The Sacred Art of Fasting, Preparing to Practice" by Thomas Ryan,CSP, which is an excellent resource for fasting (a good way to bring the body back into balance.)

I couldn't eat just two tablespoons of ice cream; I'm better off not to
touch it at all. A bariatrician put me on a fast for 7 days to
remove all sucrose from the body. After that, I had no desire whatsoever for sugar and began to lose weight at the rate of one pound per day for seven days. You can't keep that up, however; that one will really affect your system negatively. It was just an initial effort to prepare for instituting a strong dysglycemic diet. Seeing a bariatrician is the best way to go, frankly, but I've always had to do it myself, ultimately. His support helped.

A dysglycemic diet is the best way to manage weight loss, but I've
never tried a juicer for vegetable juicing; however, in the bariatric
diet, vegetables (the slower-acting ones for digestion) are one of the
major forms of edible foods while under medical care for weight loss.
You begin to feel, however, somewhat like a rabbit on a diet like that.

Anyway, I'm going to try vegetable juicing for its enzymatic benefits.

Thanks for the input on another view of the juicer, Tirzah.

I've found a third view by reading the articles on Doctor Yourself about people who manage it differently in an effort to reduce medications
which are bothersome to their feeling tones.

The major problem with medications is that they leave an acidic residue in the digestive process, and that's part of what makes them so bothersome to peoples' feeling tones.  I dislike that intensely, too, and

have found that drinking purified water is one way to help reduce their effects.  I'm hoping that enzymatic supplementation by vegetable juicing will replace some of the lost minerals caused by  metabolizing medications.  On a positive note, some people have been able to reduce the amount of the medications they must take by careful monitoring of their diets.

I.G.

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/17/2011 8:08:01 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/17/2011 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
What a great forum.  I called my daughter in tears this morning and she is the first person I admitted to how much weight I have gained.  She let me cry and then told me she would help me as I am so ashamed to be seen in public as well as I have worked so hard all my life to keep weight off and whamo ! She also offered to take me shopping for new clothes but I refused as I don't want to buy anymore fat clothes but get back into my not so fat clothes.  It sucks to weigh 30 lbs moe then your husband.    I know he supports me but I do not want to be this heavy.

My stepmother called me fatty when I was in grade school so I came away feeling I was a failure if I could not lose weight.  It has followed me all of my life.  I know that is stupid thinking but I do not seem to get past it. She would put me down in front of relatives telling them she had to hide the cookies or I would eat them all.

If there is a diet out there I have tried it.  My daughter is going to the store to pick up healthy foods for me today to get me back on healthy eating plan.

I am also back on the treadmill and yesterday did 12 minutes - does not sound like  much to some, but for me it was a huge goal.

I am taking this one day at a time and it is heart warming to read each of your posts.

You are the best and never stop supporting each other as we are all humans and need love and support.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

 

Posted 3/17/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
my thoughts are with you; it is so wonderful you have a supportive daughter. and 12 minutes is huge... and beats zero minutes to pieces. baby steps.
Posted 3/17/2011 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt,

I am so happy that your daughter was such a comfort. I started drinking lemon water and it has helped me. It is hard for me to drink just plain water all the time, even though we have really good water. We have a deep well and it is so good. But has a lot of calcium so we do filter it.

I know the struggle. I am about 40 pounds over weight right now. I am losing really slowly right now, and I guess it is the best way. Not that I wouldn't go faster than I am.

Hooray for the treadmill. I can't even get myself to go on mine. I keep using the snow as an excuse too. Because I should be out walking. I thought about it today but that is as far as I got.

Keep on trying, but pace yourself. Go slowly with the changes. I have faith in your success. I am happy to see you posting, I can see you are writing more and I figure that you are feeling better. I really hope that you are. I know we have our emotional setbacks, but I am speaking about your physical health. I hope that this is coming out right. Feels like I am going all the way around to get to the middle. The point of what I am trying to say. Somedays my mind is like that. Nothing comes out easy. I hope that you understand.

I am sorry for the way that your stepmother use to treat you. I can't say what I want to about her. But I know how it is when an adult is mean to you when you are a child. It is scarey. It was for me. Especially when you are at the age where all your self esteem is growing and you are developing your personality. It really isn't fair to the child. And it can take a lifetime to get to where you feel you should be. And to get over it. But know how much we love you here and know that we are here for you. You are a wonderful person. I hope that you know that.

Take care Kitt. Sending many hugs your way.

Karen
Posted 3/17/2011 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

You have been through a lot lately.  Take a deep breath and make a vow to yourself that you will make changes in your diet and lifestyle at a steady yet manageable pace.  There, first step behind you.

You will have to work with your Dr.s because of all the meds but in answer to your question, yes, you can be happy (what the heck is normal?) off meds.  It is not easy, it is alot of work, but the rewards are worth it.  It's Genetic is right about the Doctor Yourself website.  Lots of good reading material, not selling anything, but you just have to realize that you cannot do this all overnight, but you can do it.  There are some days I would welcome the blessed relief of a big fat dose of Xanax or whatever but  just am not willing to go back to the way I was living.

I have been med free for a while, I have lost 22 pounds.  I do not drink caffeine anymore and anxiety is minimal as well as insommnia, I quit drinking alcohol, so depression is minimal.  I am addicted to exercising.  I cannot wait to get home some days to work out because when it is over I feel so good.  Start small, just stretching and toning (leg lifts) anything you can think of to do, just do it.  Do the hooky pooky, who cares what it is but you have to be consistant, atleast every other day.  Start walking alot.  Don't get me wrong, I still have bad days, I can just handle them better now because I could not handle the drugs for very long and tried almost everything.  i finally decided that it was up to me.

You will find your way honey and such a sweet person, you are always so caring and giving to others.  Just take some time to think about what you want and then go for it girl.  Nothing is impossible!

Love,

Gem

Posted 3/17/2011 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Inspiring stuff Gem :) I'm lookin to join you with being med free and feeling good. I'm med free right now but struggling a bit. Really inspiring hearing how someone can do it though, love reading positive posts. I'll keep at this and maybe I'll be able to snap outta this one of these days :)
Posted 3/17/2011 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, the treadmill is great, Kit!

I'm back on mine again and listening to the Bee Gees' Saturday Night
Live music; my grandson and I alternate for virtually the right to dance on the treadmill to the Bee Gees' music. (I also keep a record
of each day of how many minutes I could stay on the machine, and
it's gradually building as I continue to walk on it. It becomes entertainment at that point. I can't do it without music; but with
music I enjoy, the time just flies by on a treadmill. Are you old
enough to even remember the music of Stan Kenton, Jimmy Dorsey,
and many others of the 1950's (and, ahem, the 40's?) No need
to answer, but their cds are delightful to listen to also when you're
struggling to make yourself stay on the treadmill.

And Gem is so right; you'll feel great after a treadmill walk and then a hot shower. I guarantee that you'll want to go out with your husband for a meal! (And keep a hawk's eye on the menu.)

I will never forget my brother-in-law's saying to me once (he was

on a diet to lose weight), "there isn't anything in any zoo that has

eaten more lettuce than I have in this weight loss thing."

Let's all have fun getting the weight down.

I.G.

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/17/2011 2:02:26 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/17/2011 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Well I must admit that getting off meds was pretty easy as far as weening off, I could never (would never) tolerate anything long enough to really have it built up in my system.  All the other stuff was not easy, do not want to glamorize this to anyone and I know that there are people who have to have  meds and I am respectful of that.  It just was not for me.  I still have some days that I think what in the heck am I doing!  But they are getting further and further apart.  This whole process took me about a year, maybe a little less, but by far the best thing I ever did was clean up my diet.  I do miss Coke and doughnuts and all the regular stuff people eat.  Caffeine was really the turning point in how my body felt, how much calmer my mind was and how much better I slept when I quit it completely.  I may have been one of these people that was really sensitive to caffeine, who knows, does not matter now.

Good luck.

Gem

 

Posted 3/17/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
One more tid bit, water is so good for you but can be boring, Karen mentioned adding lemon and that is awesome.  You can also try mineral water, lots on the market now with different flavors.  We have a healthy grocery store where I live called Earth Fare and they have their own brand of mineral waters, not really that expensive either.

Good vibes to all, home to put on my favorite tennis shoes and get outside!

Gem

Posted 3/17/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I think it does matter, Gem, and I applaud you for being willing
to bring your story to the forum. It may very well be the inspiration that some need to realize the benefits of dropping caffeine in any and all forms from the diet.

Repeat it at every opportune moment you get, please. I've written so much on forums about the diet in depression and bipolar illness; you are the only person who has successfully managed to change the diet so adequately that medications no longer are the primary chemical stabilizer for healthy functioning. Do you know how many people need to know about these things? They are huge steps toward at least the ability to reduce the amount of medications required--which is also a great step toward balancing the brain chemistry.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. It is very important.

It's Genetic
Posted 3/17/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you I.G.!  Your comment made me feel so good.  I am a bit off the beaten path kind of person.  When I talk about diet, stuff like that to people, most of the time I get told how weird I am.  So I pretty much keep it to myself, but lately on the forums I just had to get it out there.  Maybe I am an oddball, but what I have done works 95% of the time for me.  Just maybe alot of anxiety, depression, etc. are heightened by the fact that we just care too much about what other people think, people who really do not matter that much to us.  Maybe alot of the healing process hinges on trusting ourselves.

Thanks again! turn

Gem

Posted 3/17/2011 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Very admirably said, Gem,

I think most of us on the forum are just "natural- born-care-for-others"
kinds of people. That's why it's so painful when we're put down. I
rather avoid that subject when possible.

Did you know that only 5% of Americans who are bipolar ever seek

treatment for their illness?  That means that 95% of the folks in our

country who are bipolar could benefit from knowledge about diet for

help.  I would imagine that the figures are  comparable for people who have depression, as well.


Be good to yourselves, everyone,


I.G.

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/17/2011 3:32:24 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/19/2011 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
and to you as well. cheers, jamie. :-)
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