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Anti-depressants

JazzysMom

New member
I am not currently taking anything, but at my last checkup it was brought up. I cant answer your actual question, but I do have one for you & others that are taking anti-depressants. My doctor explained it to be that it doesnt make you "less" depressed, but it helps you "cope" with everything better. I havent made an appointment with anyone yet because I'm scared I think. My CF doctor doesnt feel comfortable prescribing anything because I also have Epilepsy and she doesnt want to screw anything up. She also noted that I might not actually need meds, but just counseling. I personally think I need meds just from what I've learned. I am not the happy, go lucky person I use to be. I exist in my life instead of living like I use to. I dont appreciate my husband, daughter, friends & family the way I should or I use to. I am overwhelmed if I am true to my feelings. My biggest fear is "losing" control. If I put on the front (happy, doing fine) I dont have to face the reality & no one knows different. This came right out of my doctors mouth & she hit it on the nail. My neighbor encourages it. She recently went on Prozac after dealing with a lot of things & felt the same way prior. Now she is "coping" soooooooo much better. She is hoping maybe someday she can do it without meds, but for now she is "living" again. By the way, I apologize for all the " " " I use. I just try to get the point across as if I was speaking to you in person. Anyone notice that on my other postings!
 

anonymous

New member
i have tried Paxil but it took away my sex drive, I have also been on Welbutrin but that caused me to have migranes, so i am now on Zanax only .25mg, 3xdaily. I usually only take 2 a day and sometimes only 1. I do think that if you take them the way that they are prescribed the meds do work better, since being on them i seem to not have the same amount of energy and tend to get a little lazy at times. I am not the one with CF, i have a child with CF.
 

stevehof

New member
FYI, Xanax is not an antidepressant. It is not the same class of drug as Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin etc. This drug is more commonly used to control anxiety and anxiety attacks. The following quote is from a Google search; "Xanax is used to relieve anxiety, nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety disorders. Xanax is also used to treat panic disorders. Xanax may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide."

Cheers,
 

anonymous

New member
Thanks Steve. I was aware that it is an anti-anxiety med, just wrote anti-D for simplicity. Figured more people would look. You are 100% right though. Thanks.
 

ClashPunk82

New member
Thanks steve for the info. I am having issues with anxiety lately so I was hoping my doc would put me on something to calm me down. I will bring up Xanax at the next appt!
 

farbeyond1

New member
Hello, Effexor also works for me. I am currently hospitalized for 2-3 weeks and am in the process of trying to change the way we are dealt with as CF patients. Throughout my life doctors have been very helpful with trying to keep me as healthy as possible. They've done a great job with keeping me informed with nutrition to allow me to sustain an adequate weight... however, they have neglected to offer any psychological counseling with this disease. My hopes is to some day have more resources available for parents of CF children, patients young and old with CF to help them understand how life can be with this illness. My hopes with this is to allow future CF patients to live a more productive, mentally healthy life.

If you ever need someone to talk to, someone that could relate to what you are going through, please feel free to email me. My address is "farbeyond1@cox.net." I'm also currently on the lung transplant list and could use a friend or two to talk with as well.

Take care,
Mike
 

anonymous

New member
i urge everyone who posted here to read this book. i guarantee that at the very least you'll give a lot more thought to deciding whether or not to take these drugs. that's not to say that they aren't necessary for some, but they cause more problems then they solve for many, many people.

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.allenandunwin.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ISBN=1741145791">http://www.allenandunwin.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?ISBN=1741145791</a>
 

anonymous

New member
Three decades ago, the head of one of the world's leading drug companies made some remarkably candid comments. Wishing his company was more like the chewing gum maker Wrigley's, the chief executive of Merck said it had long been his dream to make drugs for healthy people, and 'sell to everyone'. That dream now drives the marketing machinery of one of the most profitable industries on the planet.

Using their dominating influence in medical science, drug companies are marketing fear in order to re-define human illness. In alliance with company-friendly doctors and sponsored patient groups, the all-powerful pharmaceutical industry is helping to widen the very definitions of disease, in order to expand markets for its drugs.

With compelling clarity, Selling Sickness reveals how the ups and downs of daily life are becoming mental disorders, and common complaints are being transformed into frightening conditions. Shyness is Social Anxiety Disorder, PMS is a psychiatric illness called PMDD, and active children now have ADHD. As more and more ordinary people are turned into patients, drug companies move ever closer to that dream of selling to everyone.
 

anonymous

New member
I started Xanax a week ago because of my anxiety about coughing up blood. The only thing I have noticed so far is being tired. Very tired! I have an 8 month old and I am a teacher so those add to my level of tiredness. Hopefully it will work. Good luck to you!
 
S

SeasonsOfLove

Guest
Mike,

Your goal regarding that aspect of CF care (emotional health as opposed to physical) is a terrific one!

Best of luck and thanks, Kathy
 

anonymous

New member
<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br>Three decades ago, the head of one of the world's leading drug companies made some remarkably candid comments. Wishing his company was more like the chewing gum maker Wrigley's, the chief executive of Merck said it had long been his dream to make drugs for healthy people, and 'sell to everyone'. That dream now drives the marketing machinery of one of the most profitable industries on the planet.



Using their dominating influence in medical science, drug companies are marketing fear in order to re-define human illness. In alliance with company-friendly doctors and sponsored patient groups, the all-powerful pharmaceutical industry is helping to widen the very definitions of disease, in order to expand markets for its drugs.



With compelling clarity, Selling Sickness reveals how the ups and downs of daily life are becoming mental disorders, and common complaints are being transformed into frightening conditions. Shyness is Social Anxiety Disorder, PMS is a psychiatric illness called PMDD, and active children now have ADHD. As more and more ordinary people are turned into patients, drug companies move ever closer to that dream of selling to everyone.<hr></blockquote>

Although I agree that many times, plain things such as active children combined with parents who don't spank or disipline are said to be ADHD, there are instances where medication is nessesary. Now as far as what this post has to do with CF patients, who deal with the thought of fatality due to disease, I don't know. I suggest you push your views on a board where you may know a thing or two about what is going on. I didn't see anyone complain of PMS or the "ups and downs" of life and want medication. I am the original poster and I was simply asking because I started taking Zanax and was curious as to what other doses were. Although I feel no need to explain myself to you, I will to make my point. I also go to therapy along with speak to my minister, and combined with medicine, I can handle things that torment me. Thoughts of death, sickness, problems I burden on others, anxiety of having an emergency due to my illness, ect. Walk a mile in our shoes before throwing around bias comments about medication that helps many people.
 
S

SeasonsOfLove

Guest
With compelling clarity, Selling Sickness reveals how the ups and downs of daily life are becoming mental disorders, and common complaints are being transformed into frightening conditions. Shyness is Social Anxiety Disorder, PMS is a psychiatric illness called PMDD, and active children now have ADHD. As more and more ordinary people are turned into patients, drug companies move ever closer to that dream of selling to everyone.<hr></blockquote>


While I'm not posting to defend drug companies (whose motives/goals cannot be considered altruistic since they are for-profit firms), I do NOT think the Selling Sickness contention regarding the possible over-prescribing of psychiatric drugs really applies to this thread.

This thread is about people with a serious, life threatening disease with no cure sometimes needing (and comparing the efficacy of) anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs. It may also apply to loved ones of people with this disease.

While some of your contention may have merit, in my opinion, it really doesn't apply to this group.

Have a good day everyone,
 
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