Mmmm, CHEMICALS!

[logansrogue]

You know, certain bunches of people might knock phyciatric medicine (anti-pharm folks, Scientologists, health nuts) but you know what?

Thanks to those meds I wake up in the morning with a smile. I actually *enjoy* life, love every minute and feel content. I feel like dancing and singing. And I feel like that because I'm gleefully happy that I'm not waking up and feeling like I want to die.

So a big *FUCK YOU* to the jerks that would have these wonderful drugs taken away from me.

Oh, and progress report: Dresses going well. Art being done. YAY!

Comments

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

The problem there is the failure of the mental health system, not the drugs themselves. I've had withdrawal symptoms from a range of drugs (paroxetine, codeine, ativan, and recently tramadol) and they're all ridiculously sucky. Not. Fun. But the doctor put me on fluoxetine (prozac) and I demanded that I get seen by a trained mental health professional. And I got eight weeks of intense therapy. I often left the office in tears, but it was kind of like going for an operation. You're a bit tender and sore but you soon begin to notice the difference. By the end of that eight weeks, I felt like I was fresh from high school. Optimistic, happy with myself, the whole nine yards.

Long story short - the psychiatric care is VITAL for recovery or management of mental illness. The pills are the bandaid. The therapy is the disinfectant to get rid of the shit. It's needed or the person is just patching over a worsening problem.

I hope your friend gets the help they need. Do stress to them the importance of getting professional help (I don't know what the public mental health system is like in the US). But I don't blame her for trying to find the pills if they help her cope. I'd probably do the same for Lovan if I was suddenly told that I couldn't get prescriptions for it anymore.

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Heh, well I'm a regular Judy Garland, but my GP knows each and every pill I take, as does my pharmacist. All the exact amounts I'm taking. I might take less than needed but *never* more. I ask the doctor before I take anything with my current combination of drugs to make sure it doesn't have any contraindications. And should this IUD I'm getting at the end of March work, then I can slowly come off the tramadol, which will be sucky, but essentially good in the long run. :D

[http://users.livejournal.com/lothar_/]

Did somebody say Scientology?!

[sir-devans.livejournal.com]

I might not wake up with a smile every morning but as long as I still wake up with an erection I know my life isn't going too badly. :P

[nephron.livejournal.com]

Benzodiazepines are horrible things to withdraw from, and unlike antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilisers, they are actually addicting (so not only do you have physical withdrawals, you actually crave more).

They're fine for a short term or occasional remedy, but they're not suitable for everyday use.

[xedra.livejournal.com]

*hug*

Just cuz. :)

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Man, that would be SO WEIRD to wake up with a part of your body engorged. LOL!

[sir-devans.livejournal.com]

You know, now that I think about it the first time it happened it weirded me out a bit as well.

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Oh sure, hon, no problems. I'm honoured that you'd share your problems with me. They're incredibly sensitive and the fact you trust me makes me smile.

*big hugs* I kept having depressive dips last night. I badly needed sleep and I couldn't sleep cause of the rushes of adrenaline and fear that kept jerking me awake. I fucking HATE that. And I'm medicated up to my eyeballs at the moment, I don't know WHY I'd be feeling that. Maybe it's the wonky amounts of Tramal I've been having this week. *shrugs*

All my love to you, darling.

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

[girl-undone.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* Thank you for your sentiment. I really appreciate it. :)

Ugh, that's what happens when I try to sleep! I've been suffering from insomnia since I went off my last major drug (the MAOI patch). I can't get more than four hours. I jerk awake, literally. I feel like someone is tearing me up by my upper body from a hot, dark, wet place. It's really weird. The only useful thing Ativan does for me is mostly block out panic nightmares. I don't have them as often as I used to.

[greenforest-elf.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I think I need to pick your brains re drugs, Ive fought my doc for yrs as Ive not wanted them, now Im thinking they may be a matter of life or death at this point in time :( can i email u sweets?

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Sure hon! nacey (a) iinet dot net dot au