Anti-medication

[Sarah Griffin]

When i started to get panic attacks the doctor put me on lexapro. I was never one for medication but i took them. Changed my mind after a few days and took myself off them. I decided to kick this myself. For a long time i done nothing and let the anxiety take over. I was very down a lot of the time. So i decided to take myself off the pill (which can increase depression), start taking a B vitamin complex and eat a healthy diet (i had an unhealthy diet before). I noticed over time my mood did improve. But the anxiety is worse than ever. I decided to start meditation and went to the first class last night. It was brilliant! It was so relaxing. When i got there the woman running the class picked an angel card for each of us. I was given the card of death and rebirth. It told me to stop worrying and realise that my path in life will lead to death ( i suffer from health anxiety and always worry about dying). I felt great after reading the things on the card that was picked for me. The session was great and the meditation really helped to escape from my panicking thoughts. Im going to go every tuesday. I really believe that i on a path to recovery now, and even better doing it without medicine.

I just wanted to know has anyone else tried meditation and what do they think?

Or any other things i can do to relax and relieve anxiety the natural way without medication?

Open to all suggestions! :)
Thanks everybody.

[Ahlstrom]

First things first: How long were you on the Lexapro? When you say "took myself off them" I get the feeling that you quit suddenly and didnt lower your dosage until it was safe to come off of them? Once I tried to go off my Lexapro without tapering off and quit for about 4 days. That was about 25 days ago and even now my body is mad at me for doing that. Your increase in anxiety could be because you quit immediately.

I've tried meditation before and didn't really grasp what I was supposed to do. I'm not the kind of person who likes to sit still or any other "calm activities". What I do to calm myself is just general positive thinking and rationalizing my ideas and facing my fear. Supposedly these kinds of methods are what completely cure anxiety. I find that they help me, but sometimes they are hard to think and perform in certain circumstances.

Anyways a quick question? Why don't you like medication? It can help you very much as a crutch while you organize yourself and find coping skills.

[becki]

I've been on lexapro since nov taking 15 mg just this week I'm going down to 12.5mg my plan is to Stay there for a few weeks maybe a month and then do 10mg. I need to see how I do at each level. I would love to go the no meds way but I've had anxiety 7 years and it sucks I love not having it like I did. I do do CBT and exposure therapy when time allows.

[Tova]

I've been on lexapro since nov taking 15 mg just this week I'm going down to 12.5mg my plan is to Stay there for a few weeks maybe a month and then do 10mg. I need to see how I do at each level. I would love to go the no meds way but I've had anxiety 7 years and it sucks I love not having it like I did. I do do CBT and exposure therapy when time allows.

Beckie
The problem with forever taking drugs it's taking away our "flight or fight" mode!
Try natural ways to cope!
We as a nation WILL become the zombie apocalypse if we don't start using our own judgment and stop believing that antidepressants and anti anxiety meds are a fix.
They make you far worse off than when you started.
I know .. I'm withdrawing as we speak from meds that I didn't need at all in the first place,the side effects alone put me into a horrible panic state,thing I was dying ( I kinda was from the meds)... It's far harder to get way from that then dealing with the anxiety itself.
Trust me I know...

[Ahlstrom]

Hmmm I'd ignore Tova... Looking at her other posts in threads she looks to be some sort of anti-medication therapist trying to make people invest in therapy alone instead. Bottom line is: if a medication helps you, take it. She's right in the fact that medication isn't a fix.

Tova, what are you supposed to do when you pretty much NEED medication? I take 40mg daily lexapro and I still have panic attacks. Without any form of medication my heart rate is 100+ for hours on end. Some of us got a really bad hand in life and I'm so grateful that I live in a society with medication. If I didn't have any I might be in the looney bin or dead.

Just because a couple of meds caused more anxiety for YOU, which can be a side effect, doesn't mean that meds are not a viable option for others.

[Tova]

I never said DONT take meds,if you HAVE to have them then so be it!
My point is to many people are being thrown into a world of quick fixes and actually making there bodies more toxic which in turn CAUSES anxiety!
I worked for a pharmaceutical company for years and I also know they keep their "books" and another set for the FDA!
So do not encourage people to take something that they may not need!
Face it,it's poison,and yes unfortunately some people must take it!
So shut you're pie hole doubting Thomas!

[Tova]

FYI
Nor am I promoting therapy,I think that's a fat joke for most also.
It's a money maker too.

[jpriest415]

So Tova what is your solution then?

[jpriest415]

So what is your recommendation then?

[Tova]

So what is your recommendation then?

Try diet change,we have such a serge in "illness" due to poor diet ( to no fault of anyone's ) even the health conscience eaters are becoming sick,most of it due to lack of minerals in the agriculture soils these days.
Just in the past 80 years there is only 20% viable minerals left in our dirt!
Why ? It keeps getting worked year after year after year without it too getting a "proper diet"!
So no matter how much salad or any things that are grown,if they can't absorb it then nether can you!
I am fortunate enough to be able to control the soil in my small garden but even that's not quite enough,unfortunately supplements have to be a key part in our diets now!
I recommend to NOT drink tap water(contains chlorine & other chemicals)
Drink spring bottled water with minerals.
Cut Bach if not totally out any foods that contain yeast !(candida poisoning is on the rise) - No Pun intended ! LOL
Again unfortunately that's usually found post Mortum .
Eat as much alkaline foods as you can stand like fruits and vegetables,certain meats.
There are many great sites out there to help you with that.
By no means go full force into a radical change because that in itself will keep you in a tizzy,just try the best you can to detox the poisons in you're system and find cleaner ways to eat,I'm doing that now,it's a slow process but well worth the end results.
Remember though you may feel a little off for a bit,that's because the toxins are leaving you're body.
Always check with your Dr before you try the change though,just to be sure you e got nothing else going on.
(Everything I just wrote is worth doing some research on.)
Hope this helps.

[becki]

Beckie
The problem with forever taking drugs it's taking away our "flight or fight" mode!
Try natural ways to cope!
We as a nation WILL become the zombie apocalypse if we don't start using our own judgment and stop believing that antidepressants and anti anxiety meds are a fix.
They make you far worse off than when you started.
I know .. I'm withdrawing as we speak from meds that I didn't need at all in the first place,the side effects alone put me into a horrible panic state,thing I was dying ( I kinda was from the meds)... It's far harder to get way from that then dealing with the anxiety itself.
Trust me I know...

I'm sorry but I disagree with you saying I'm worse off now then before. That couldn't be further from the truth!

[Tova]

I'm sorry but I disagree with you saying I'm worse off now then before. That couldn't be further from the truth!

It's a slow painful process but in the long run you're health will be much better.
To each his own!

[Lin]

Taking tablets or not taking tablets is such an individual's decision.
I have tried both during depression and it depends on if you can cope without tablets and get through the depression with other means of helping like meditation or reflexology or herbal remedies.
But if your Dr is able to find the right tablet for you with the least side effects for you then they can give you a lift which really helps you to get through the depression and anxiety.
So really depends on whether you find the right tablets for you or whether you would prefer natural remedies.

[Tova]

When i started to get panic attacks the doctor put me on lexapro. I was never one for medication but i took them. Changed my mind after a few days and took myself off them. I decided to kick this myself. For a long time i done nothing and let the anxiety take over. I was very down a lot of the time. So i decided to take myself off the pill (which can increase depression), start taking a B vitamin complex and eat a healthy diet (i had an unhealthy diet before). I noticed over time my mood did improve. But the anxiety is worse than ever. I decided to start meditation and went to the first class last night. It was brilliant! It was so relaxing. When i got there the woman running the class picked an angel card for each of us. I was given the card of death and rebirth. It told me to stop worrying and realise that my path in life will lead to death ( i suffer from health anxiety and always worry about dying). I felt great after reading the things on the card that was picked for me. The session was great and the meditation really helped to escape from my panicking thoughts. Im going to go every tuesday. I really believe that i on a path to recovery now, and even better doing it without medicine.

I just wanted to know has anyone else tried meditation and what do they think?

Or any other things i can do to relax and relieve anxiety the natural way without medication?

Open to all suggestions! :)
Thanks everybody.
Meditation and a clean diet,healthy choices,lots of support from loved ones!
Works wonders!

[kelliesean]

Taking tablets or not taking tablets is such an individual's decision.
I have tried both during depression and it depends on if you can cope without tablets and get through the depression with other means of helping like meditation or reflexology or herbal remedies.
But if your Dr is able to find the right tablet for you with the least side effects for you then they can give you a lift which really helps you to get through the depression and anxiety.
So really depends on whether you find the right tablets for you or whether you would prefer natural remedies.

I agree 100% Lin!!!

[Surfside]

While I agree that Meditation and clean diet can do wonders on improving your overall existence and outlook, I feel some do require medication, and I've seen it do wonders for folks. I've also seen it make the problem worse and add more side effects beyond the problem it was intended to fix. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm "Anti-Medication", I just feel its prescribed all to quickly these days. I'll only speak for myself in saying, antidepressants clouded my judgement to much so they were history. This was many years ago and I realize medication has changed a lot since I took them. I do Meditate daily as its become a part of my daily routine (routine=another story ha'). I was lucky to have been taught to meditate by a lady that took classes on Reiki. I hope its ok to say that???

I suppose its certainly worth trying an alternative to meds to see how it could work for you depending on your condition of course. If meds are needed and prescribed by you doctor though, one should at the point be sure you have a good trusting relationship with him/her.

[alankay]

Yes each patient will find what works best for him/her. There is no universal treatment(s). None. Alankay

[kelliesean]

Yes each patient will find what works best for him/her. There is no universal treatment(s). None. Alankay

Very true alankay..

[jessed03]

Non-med is a nice way to go, but a very long way too, for a lot of average Western people. It can take months to correct imbalances, and several months to remove toxins. It often takes anywhere upto a year plus for CBT to be really effective, for thinking patterns to have almost fully changed, and it can take years to feel the full benefit from meditation.

So what do you do in the meantime? Write off a year or two of life? Reduce social contact, and suffer lower employment efficiency, whilst you go through this period of limbo? Allow frustrations to build to peak levels, as life, love and inspiration don't quite seem within your reach? That doesn't sound much healthier than taking a little white tablet every morning.

Even natural anti-depressants such as 5-htp can often take longer to work than pharmaceutical ones, and the efficiency of herbs are useful, but limited for many.

The secret to curing anxiety naturally? Catch it early. Catch it ASAP. Catch it within days of it becoming problematic and you can usually get on top of it. For those who are like me, and left it a long, long time before seeking help, the damage runs deeply. The well is dry, and the land is tired. A band aid in this case is usually needed. (I was on anti-depressants for a year.)

The natural path is one I've persisted upon, but I always find it hard to recommend to others. I did meditate to remove my anxiety problem, but it took extreme discipline and patience. My life for the period of my natural route recovery was very limited, and unbelievably frustrating. Mild anxiety sufferers will be able to manage this. Moderate to severe may not.

My advice, when choosing a natural route, be time concious. Be aware that it's a long road. Don't waste your life by going 4 months into it, losing patience and giving up or burning out. Make sure you believe you can commit to it, regardless. Sure, you won't do any damage, that's a certainty, you can only do good, but time is a valuable commodity and not something that should just be given up. Opportunities to experience life don't last forever. If you can accept life in a somewhat or very limited state, you'll be thankful you took a natural route.

Otherwise, be thankful we have band aids that can be swallowed with a glass of water.

[kelliesean]

I agree.. I need medications.. However I have to take care of myself still.. And I have to push obsessions away.. But the medications make it possible for me to push obsessions away successfully.

Additionally even while I'm on meds, if I stay up too late.. Eat poorly and or drink excessive amounts of alcohol, I will still suffer.

Ultimately for me tho... I just need meds.. I have pretty severe and debilitating anxieties and depression .. Yes thank goodness for band aides lol

[Lin]

I agree 100% Lin!!!

Thank you, cheered me up so much getting your response. Lin

[em1]

I am the same I've never been on anything be4 apart from beta blockers And now I'm on something for the very first time in 20 years,sometimes in life we need a little bit of help and it's not weak to take it,you have to make the best Decision for yourself x

[nf1234]

When i started to get panic attacks the doctor put me on lexapro. I was never one for medication but i took them. Changed my mind after a few days and took myself off them. I decided to kick this myself. For a long time i done nothing and let the anxiety take over. I was very down a lot of the time. So i decided to take myself off the pill (which can increase depression), start taking a B vitamin complex and eat a healthy diet (i had an unhealthy diet before). I noticed over time my mood did improve. But the anxiety is worse than ever. I decided to start meditation and went to the first class last night. It was brilliant! It was so relaxing. When i got there the woman running the class picked an angel card for each of us. I was given the card of death and rebirth. It told me to stop worrying and realise that my path in life will lead to death ( i suffer from health anxiety and always worry about dying). I felt great after reading the things on the card that was picked for me. The session was great and the meditation really helped to escape from my panicking thoughts. Im going to go every tuesday. I really believe that i on a path to recovery now, and even better doing it without medicine.

I just wanted to know has anyone else tried meditation and what do they think?

Or any other things i can do to relax and relieve anxiety the natural way without medication?

Open to all suggestions! :)
Thanks everybody.


I think that if you are suffering and need to take meds than go for it. That is if they help. I personally have taken the natural route and have had much success. I did take Klonapin as needed for several months. I took it at night to sleep and it really saved me. But I was smart about it and did not abuse it or allow myself to get addicted. I still have them on hand but havent taken one in months. It is nice to know they are there.

Now as far as the natural route goes the possibilities are endless. I recommend a book called "The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross. It is really awesome and has helped me greatly. I would get your vitamin d, b12, and tyroid checked at a minimum. Most of our society, myself included, has a vitamin d deficiency. Boosting my levels had made me feel way better. Magnesium is great for anxiety. A good multi vitamin is a must. Fish oil and b complex work good for some.

Taurine, glycine, gaba, and holy basil are among some natural supplements great for anxiety. Sunshine and exercise are essential as well. Diet may be the most important. Make sure you cut out sugar and caffeine. Try to eat low glycemic foods. Lots of protein, good fats, and veggies.

My best recommendation is the Mood Cure book. Its got all the info I mentioned and more. Check out the reviews on amazon and decide for yourself. I suggest it to mot people on here but not many have taken my advice. Maybe they think I am some kind of company rep but im just a normal college kid trying to share whats helped me. I hope that helps and feel free to PM me if you want more info.

[Applecherry]

When i started to get panic attacks the doctor put me on lexapro. I was never one for medication but i took them. Changed my mind after a few days and took myself off them. I decided to kick this myself. For a long time i done nothing and let the anxiety take over. I was very down a lot of the time. So i decided to take myself off the pill (which can increase depression), start taking a B vitamin complex and eat a healthy diet (i had an unhealthy diet before). I noticed over time my mood did improve. But the anxiety is worse than ever. I decided to start meditation and went to the first class last night. It was brilliant! It was so relaxing. When i got there the woman running the class picked an angel card for each of us. I was given the card of death and rebirth. It told me to stop worrying and realise that my path in life will lead to death ( i suffer from health anxiety and always worry about dying). I felt great after reading the things on the card that was picked for me. The session was great and the meditation really helped to escape from my panicking thoughts. Im going to go every tuesday. I really believe that i on a path to recovery now, and even better doing it without medicine.

I just wanted to know has anyone else tried meditation and what do they think?

Or any other things i can do to relax and relieve anxiety the natural way without medication?

Open to all suggestions! :)
Thanks everybody.

Medication takes a month to kick into effect, not just a few days. One way I knew (not to sound inappropriate) but you have less sexual pleasure "orgasm", you cannot have a full blown bodily reaction, so that is when you will know it's set in.

I feel my medication works pretty good most of the time other than when I have full blown panic attacks (while on Zoloft).

I've never bothered trying meditation, I feel my hobbies work much better to help relax me. It's the worries and unhappiness I am currently experiencing that are causing my constant attacks. Zoloft is nothing more than just an aid for that really. it's not a happy pill, it'll just stop that adrenalin from being in your system for hours on end. but I do wish it would work a bit better in preventing me from having full blown attacks, that is my main beef with it.