The Difficulties of Finding a Medication that Works for You

12 Jun

Posted by: admin in: Attitude, Emotional Health, Medication, Medication Management, Therapy/Counseling

by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

The Difficulties of Finding a Medication that Works for You

I had a comment from a reader who truly couldn’t understand my comment, “THE KEY IS TO NEVER GIVE UP!” And I never mind a challenge and the questioning as to what I mean by what I write in my articles. In fact, I welcome questions, comments, and/or concerns. I was referring to the testing out and trying of different medications until you find that right one that works for you, makes you feel whole and functional, and gives you the quality of life that you want and deserve!

At the same time, I completely understand doubting this process and almost feeling like a guinea pig trying all these medications and finding yourself nowhere except sick sick sick as you experience the side effects! This is not always how it works though!

I try not to think of trying new medications as “experimenting” on oneself, but in a way I can definitely see how it may seem like that. Furthermore, when a person experiences the side effects of a medication and they are rather severe, they will tend to discontinue use of the medication (sometimes prematurely because often the side effects are only for a short time and as a body gets used to the medication, the side effects fade or disappear), but the person still cannot wait that time (with good reason) and never finds a medication that does work for him/her. It’s important to know that when one tries different medications, he/she should be under the supervision of a psychiatrist who monitors closely, and when tapering them off a medication because it is not working, they do it slowly and carefully to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Doctors should taper slow enough and often add the help of another medication at times.

I know, it seems like medication overload, but most doctors (hopefully) know what they are doing and there is no reason why a consumer cannot education themselves as to the side effects of medications and the reason why sometimes combinations of different ones are used in treatment. An educated consumer is always the best one, they say.

One way I can think to relay what I meant by words “THE KEY IS TO NEVER GIVE UP” is to relate it to dating or eating. If you only went on one date and it was miserable, would you decide not to put yourself through the anguish again and never find your soul mate? If you only tried one kind of food (and it made you sick) would you never eat again? I’m not sure what good or bad kind of analogies those are, but it is not always a fiasco to find the correct medication. Some people get lucky on the first or second try, but others do have to hang in there and keep trying until something agrees with them and ultimately, changes their life. It’s like trying to see the light behind the clouds. With a positive mental attitude that you truly want to feel better and will do anything it takes, you’ll get yourself through it. It really and truly is worth the ride. And I’m not that I’m saying the process is easy in the least, but instead I do have the utmost empathy and compassion for someone going through it! I truly hope that my readers do understand that I DO understand the difficulties of finding a medication that works for you and can only hope the process is NOT a difficult one, but surprisingly a good one! Everyone deserves that!

Without a doubt, add psychotherapy to the mix and you’re well on your way to the proper treatment and hopefully successful results to get the root of your issues and perhaps even in time, be able to taper off the medication (very slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms) and live medication free. If not, and you have to be on medication for the rest of your life, that is nothing to be ashamed of either. Instead, one should be proud to live a life of quality and happiness.

Thank you my reader who inspired me to write this article. I hope that it was helpful.

Please visit me at DOCintheBiz for mental health self help links and the opportunity to email me for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may have about your process in finding the right medication for you OR anything you are wanting to share. You are never alone!

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
http://GLCzone.com

This article is copyrighted by DOCintheBiz.com and may be respectfully re-distributed for non-commercial educational purposes granted that website link and author credit remain intact.

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14 Responses

Laurie
12|Jun|2008 1

I was reluctant to get on antidepressants. I was miserable and had been for a long time. My circumstances were very difficult and I had been depressed for so long. I didn’t want to get on the meds because I thought I could get through this on my own. I also thought that it was the feelings, as bad as they were that were, motivating me to work hard in counseling so that I could be in a better place. But I got tired of feeling so bad so I caved (at least that was how I felt at the time) and took the pill.

After being on the meds, I felt so much better. It didn’t affect my motivation to work hard in counseling. To the contrary, I made more progress in less time, I think, because I was able to focus on the issues rather than on how bad I was feeling. I now had the courage to make some big changes in my life because the depression didn’t weigh me down. I was able to risk more in my relationship with the hub and now that is better than ever.

Since starting on the meds, I am enjoying life more than ever. I am not giving the meds that credit but they allowed me to get out of the place of depression where I was then able to move forward and to begin to experience what life was meant to be like. I have more passion now than ever before and I can’t wait to travel the adventure to see what great things are out there for me. I love living now where as before I was just riding the wave waiting for it all to end. I hope this helps someone out there who is where I was. It is worth trying to improve your quality of life.
Doc KC
12|Jun|2008 2

Dear Laurie,

Many people are very reluctant to get onto any psychotropic medication. You are certainly not alone there! I can’t tell you how uplifting this email is and how happy I am for you that you found a medication that works so well for you! Your attitude is incredible. I know it wasn’t easy, but you fought the good fight and look where you came out!

Thank you so much for this comment and for sharing your fantastically inspirational story!

Dr. KC
http://www.GLCzone.com
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Laurie
12|Jun|2008 3

I am just so blessed. God is so good.
Doc KC
12|Jun|2008 4

Dear Laurie,

Don’t ever let go of that attitude!

Dr. KC
http://www.GLCzone.com
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
axecity
13|Jun|2008 5

Thanks for your great article, it was more than helpful!

Let me ask, why would two different brands of a medication with the same active ingredient have different effects on a patient? I know patients should keep trying different medications under the supervision of their psychiatrist, however, I am wondering what’s the point of keeping trying just different brands but the same active ingredient, the logic says if this didn’t work then the other ones with the same ingredient wouldn’t work either.

And that’s what I meant, not to keep trying and make the patient feel the misery of trials and failures while I am just wasting time and giving him the same medication but with a different name, I think this attitude should be avoided for all therapies and not just the psychotherapy.

I just want to stress on the point that humans self confidence is hurt upon any failure, so we can imagine how someone who is suffering from a mental or emotional disorder can feel when he/she keeps trying and all what he/she is receiving is failure, if doctors might feel there is enough time for that then they should talk to the patient’s family members who might inform them how much they are suffering and that even one second or minute can count highly for them.

Thanks again for the useful resources and effort you bring right here!
Doc KC
13|Jun|2008 6

Dear Axecity,

You are so compassionate and sympathetic to people trying different medications, as I am, and it’s really nice to read your concern in this comment.

There are many medications out there on the market and I have not read the ingredients on each one (I’m not an MD psychiatrist), so I couldn’t say that certain medications have the EXACT same ingredients in them. There could actually be one small ingredient that is in one and not the other that can make all the difference. On the other hand, usually psychiatrists will try different classes of medications that have been shown to work on different neurotransmitters in the brain. That is the most difficult thing right there. Neither doctors nor scientists to date have been able to truly know which neurotransmitters are needing the adjusting. It’s not a perfect science and yes, causes a lot of heartache and pain for the person who struggles to find the right medication. And if we flip that one more time, the person who does stick with it and finds the right one, is the one whose life changes dramatically for the better!!!

Thank you again for your insightful question and thoughts.

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
http://www.GLCzone.com
Maggie May
09|Jul|2008 7

I won’t give up. I will try everything on the market until I find my answer.
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement.
MM
Dr. KC
10|Jul|2008 8

Dear Maggie,

I commend you on your strength and courage to continue to find a medication that works for you. Please make sure you are monitored closely by a psychiatrist and keep hope that the right medication or combination of medications will allow you to the life the quality of life you deserve!

Thank you for your comment.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
http://www.GLCzone.com
Maggie May
11|Jul|2008 9

Thank you Dr. I appreciate your words. Yes, I will keep monitored and hopefully find the right fit.
Keep helping people, and I will definitely keep reading you posts!!
Maggie May
Dr. KC
12|Jul|2008 10

Dear Maggie May,

Thank you for your very encouraging comment! My intentions are to always continue to help others! I truly believe that those who make the commitment and are dedicated to finding the proper medication and therapy combination for themselves will eventually find what works for them and be on their way to making great changes and feeling better.

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
http://www.GLCzone.com
Jodi Raven Hawk
13|Jul|2008 11

I have been on medications now for 20 years. It was very hard for me to a social worker then not due to my mental status. It was NOT an easy process going through to find what worked, what did not. Everyone’s brain chemistry is different. We react to medications differently. I researched my drugs for some of the side affects I REFUSED TO LIVE with and that IS YOUR CHOICE. At first one drug not only medicated me, I totally lost my libedo. That was not acceptable. The doctor would not listen so I took myself off the drug as it did end up affecting my relationship. I was almost kicked out of the mental health system for doing that. I was a bit stubborn back then, however, I have learned that you WORK WITH your doctor. If you know of a drug you have heard of discuss it with him/her. You will be surprised what will happen.

When I volunteered at a homeless shelter it was for the mentally challenged. I had an education class on medications. It help those who could understand and some of them went to their doctors and discussed different medication options. The results were great for the doctors did not brush them off.

Unfortunately I am going through medication changes again due to the drug I took, Chantix, as it did not mix with my medications well. The drug company FINALLY CAME OUT with the notice that those who are taking anti-depressive medications, or have a history of depression should not take this drug. So I am being patient. My doctor and I are looking for ways to increase my dopamine levels as Chantix blocks that and it changed my chemistry for the nuero path ways.

What I guess I am trying to say, is that I totally agree with KC. DO NOT give up. The side affects suck, however, you will get to a place of balance again. Once balanced you can deal with life. Medication is just that, medication. It does not define you. You can do it.

I am much better now. Still working on levels and cognitive processes, however, compared to before, WOW, what a difference.

KC. as always, I commend your heart, your compassion, and your knowledge. You encourage those that need it, INCLUDING ME, give information without judgement. It is people like you that help in situations like this. It was a good reminder for myself and I am not a novice at medications. At first I did not want to “put on the suit” of mental illness, however, I learned it does not define who you are, neither do the medications you take to balance you out.

KC. thank you so much for having a site like this. It is important. A place of NON JUDGEMENT in a world where mental “disease” is so judge. I can not impress on others how your words ring so true, how you doing this can help so many.

You can live your dream. You can fly with the eagles. Medication can help balance you so that you can be all you can be.
Dr. KC
13|Jul|2008 12

Dear Jodi Raven,

You are absolutely correct when you say that every person’s chemistry is different and hence, why it is often difficult to find medications specific for individual needs. Getting past side effects can often be a huge challenge and the reason why so many people give up on finding the right medication which might have (given more time) eventually changed their lives. You are not alone. Many medications effect libido and ultimately relationships, but we have to make decisions in life that will be most beneficial for us. If we are not feeling mentally or emotionally right, how can we maintain a healthy relationship anyway? Just food for thought.

Thank you for all your inspirational words that you have shared here. No, medication does not define who a person is. It is just medication as if you needed to take it for a heart condition or other physical condition. People often overlook emotional conditions because they are more covert than physical ones. That’s just not fair.

Thank you for being gentle and kind to yourself. As you may notice, I use the words emotional condition (sometimes mental condition) rather than mental illness as I find it softer and less harsh sounding. That is just one doctor’s opinion. Experiencing anxiety or depression for instance, does not make a person “sick” or “diseased”. Only in need of help to treat the symptoms and come out on the other end a happy and healthier person all around.

I’m so glad to have you here! Your words are eloquent and give readers hope and encouragement!! What you have written about me is most appreciated as well!!

Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
http://www.GLCzone.com
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