Feeling mortal - and scared

[One Confused Puppy]

Chris, bless your heart, I'm so sorry for what you went through! 

I don't think that "Adderol is the only drug for learning disabilities" - I think it is for ADD and it is one of many. JD would be the expert here.  From what I've read, most ADD drugs are stimulants, or "uppers," which somehow actually slow the brain down and allow people with ADD to focus.  Dexedrine worked a miracle with both my son and my stepson for ADD.

A while back I related a story similar to yours - I was going through a really horrible time with depression and a shrink that I go to for Xanax and Ambien wrote me a prescription for something called Lamictal.  It is primarily an anti-seizure medication but apparently has worked wonders for SOME people with depression.  Over the years, I've taken some anti-depressants that worked and then inexplicably stopped working; others that did nothing, and still others that did really bizarre things to my head.  Maybe I'm overly cautious now, but I've learned that if an anti-depressant makes me feel MASSIVELY worse, I quit taking it.  Period.  And I let the doctor know what it did. You have to look out for yourself because sometimes, even the best-trained doctors don't always look out for you.  Trust your instincts!

[ddg]

Funny you should say that tops because I have just finished reading an article in the New Yorker which blows the lid of prescription meds and shrinks.

You basically sumed up a 4 page article in 5 sentences.

[chris]

Chris, bless your heart, I'm so sorry for what you went through! 

I don't think that "Adderol is the only drug for learning disabilities" - I think it is for ADD and it is one of many. JD would be the expert here.  From what I've read, most ADD drugs are stimulants, or "uppers," which somehow actually slow the brain down and allow people with ADD to focus.  Dexedrine worked a miracle with both my son and my stepson for ADD.

A while back I related a story similar to yours - I was going through a really horrible time with depression and a shrink that I go to for Xanax and Ambien wrote me a prescription for something called Lamictal.  It is primarily an anti-seizure medication but apparently has worked wonders for SOME people with depression.  Over the years, I've taken some anti-depressants that worked and then inexplicably stopped working; others that did nothing, and still others that did really bizarre things to my head.  Maybe I'm overly cautious now, but I've learned that if an anti-depressant makes me feel MASSIVELY worse, I quit taking it.  Period.  And I let the doctor know what it did. You have to look out for yourself because sometimes, even the best-trained doctors don't always look out for you.  Trust your instincts!

Your right . I realized it after I hit post. Adderal is one of a bunch of stimulants for ADD. ADD where I am is usually written as learning issues because it effect the ability to concentrate. I don’t know that this was the drug I had heard of or not , but I met a guy many years ago at work that had been the victim of a robbery and was hit in the head with a bare. The incident created learning issues that he took medication for. He said he still couldn’t do math, but everything else was ok. Being young and wanting to curb my learning issue I wanted to try what he had but forgot the name by the time I went to the dr. the dr. prescribed Prozac that I was allergic to. Not fun times.

[Conrad]

Funny you should say that tops because I have just finished reading an article in the New Yorker which blows the lid of prescription meds and shrinks.

You basically sumed up a 4 page article in 5 sentences.

ddg,

It's part of the "quick-fix" element in our society.

Most people go to the "shrink" looking for medication.

A pill for every problem.

Wrong way to go.

JD

[ddg]

yeh, that was pretty much the gist of the article.

I was particularly surprised that shyness is now a disorder and there is a magic, happy pill for it.

Where can I score me some??

[chris]

yeh, that was pretty much the gist of the article.

I was particularly surprised that shyness is now a disorder and there is a magic, happy pill for it.

Where can I score me some??

No way. You’re so lying.

[One Confused Puppy]

JD - I have to take issue with your stand on our culture wanting a "quick fix."

I NEEDED a quick fix because I was on the verge of killing someone (if I could figure out a way to do it so it wouldn't look like suicide - I want my family to get the insurance) or maybe my SD just because she is getting on my nerves.  The rage was just so unlike me and barely containable.  I had to do something and I had to do it FAST.

And fortunately, it seems to have worked.

As a friend of mine, who is also in the pharmaceutical business says, somewhat cynically, "Better living through modern chemistry!"

[Apple]

So very glad you are feeling better.  Ocp. 
So genuinely happy for you.   Keep up those sewing classes.  I may be placing an
order with you soon. 

[Conrad]

JD - I have to take issue with your stand on our culture wanting a "quick fix."

I NEEDED a quick fix because I was on the verge of killing someone (if I could figure out a way to do it so it wouldn't look like suicide - I want my family to get the insurance) or maybe my SD just because she is getting on my nerves.  The rage was just so unlike me and barely containable.  I had to do something and I had to do it FAST.

And fortunately, it seems to have worked.

As a friend of mine, who is also in the pharmaceutical business says, somewhat cynically, "Better living through modern chemistry!"

Tops,

Medicine and mind work go together.

You're a great example of that.

JD

[feistymiss]

chris, I agree with your dad.  Add too many wildcards in for these 'learned people' and they tend to take the 'it isn't my problem' door if you give them an out.  PTSD is the biggest out EVER.  KISS (keep it simple stupid) is a great mantra to follow when dealing with doctors etc. 

i had to laugh out loud when i read this, im trying to get to know Puppy .. ah i was gonna put Puppy Love, its Controlled Puppy ?!? isnt it, as we share life similarities i believe - howdy .. hi Puppy Love !, i really like that, will carry on reading now

[feistymiss]

chris, I agree with your dad.  Add too many wildcards in for these 'learned people' and they tend to take the 'it isn't my problem' door if you give them an out.  PTSD is the biggest out EVER.  KISS (keep it simple stupid) is a great mantra to follow when dealing with doctors etc. 

i had to laugh out loud when i read this, im trying to get to know Puppy .. ah i was gonna put Puppy Love, its Controlled Puppy ?!? isnt it, as we share life similarities i believe - howdy .. hi Puppy Love !, i really like that, will carry on reading now

ahhhhhh its One Confused Puppy, duh doh, sorry, silly me.  and where Andi mentioned the 10 mins the doc gives you in assessment time, and believing in your own instincts, yep, really endorse that one.  sometimes we can pressure the dr for more time Haha, and ive changed more docs than i care to register, tho i know that "goes against me" in a sense.  but i wont put up with ... and if someone wants to label me, fine, anyway for hijacking this posting with my own input, that was prob totally off the wall, im saying hi too  and hope i can be forgiven !

[chris]

I felt like killing someone once but it was a person that was threatening. Yesterday I did really want to kick the crap out of someone and likely leave him in the hospital. I so didn’t want to do what I had to due by myself. By the time I got there I had it held together, but I amazed myself.  I thought of taking an anxiety pill, but didn’t.

[Apple]

You amazed yourself chris
but we always knew you could do it. 
Well done you for holding it all together. And without the anxiety pills too.  You should be proud !!

As a side. You know these anxiety pills.  Sometimes just knowing I have them with me is enough.  The " fear of fear" is then greatly diminished as I know if the stuff really hits the fan I can save myself.