Let’s talk about medicine. Medicine for mental illness sufferers is MUST-NEEDED, but so hard to stick with. If your anything like me you are trying everything not to be held down to medication, but unfortunately with my ailment medication will probably knock it right out the park..
So what’s my problem?
Let’s back up a little into the past and find out why I’m running like FLO-JO. My mother has a mental illness also, actually more than one, and she had to start taking a cocktail of medications (shaken, not stirred. I’m sorry, I had to) just so she could function normally. That was scary to watch because my mother came from strong, independent woman to dependent helpless woman. Meds for me were the enemy instead of the answer. My mother is MUCH MUCH better and doesn’t really need the cocktail anymore, but I’m scared that I’m next.
In my life I have taken (in this order):
PAXIL
SEROQUEL
WELLBUTRIN
PROZAC
These medications have changed my face when it comes to my mental illness. Paxil was the first of my four and definitely my yuckiest. It made me feel blah all the time. Also, my sex drive totally got into the RIGHT LANE and became non-existent.
Seroquel just made me go to sleep and not have much time for anger or depression…I was TOO TIRED to move! I love getting caught up on my sleep (My skin looked great because of the extra hours sleeping) but I also love to live my life!
Wellbutrin! THE BEST EVER for me! I felt so good, I was upbeat, I made schedules and STUCK TO THEM! I was happy and in a good mood every single second of the day. I didn’t feel depressed, heck, I didn’t even know what they was on this med. UNFORTUNATELY the best things for you are the worst in other ways. This medication made me have the worst headaches after a little while taken it, so I had to stop. BOOOOOOOOOOO to my head for having a mental illness and not liking good drugs!
Now, I am a Prozac girl. It helps me feel less depressed and clear headed. So why don’t I take it regularly?…because I’m stupid and can’t get my mother out of my head…
I went in such detail about my medications because I know there are people out there feeling the same as me. They don’t want to be dope up on anything, they want to live meds-free and just deal. My answer to that is UMMMM… do what you want, but just remember that there are things out there to back you up if you need them. Don’t take medication JUST BECAUSE. Research about the medications, get a doctor and talk to them, talk to someone who is taking them, troll the web about the medications and see what other say about it.
Remember:
- Medicines are NOT cures
- Every medicine has its risks and benefits
- It can take time to feel better
I can’t tell you how to live life, I can’t even follow my own advice, but I know for a fact that without medication my mother would not be here today. Medication will probably make a HUGE difference in my life and the lives of mental illness sufferers.
Taking it… now that’s a WHOLE another blog post.
Good luck to friends!
Visit The American Recall Center to learn more about medication recall updates within the medical community. They have built a comprehensive resource online for timely and trusted materials regarding healthcare topics. Also visit them THIS MONTH for more bloggers experiences about medication advice!
http://www.recallcenter.com/
Bipolar, Unemployed & Lost 