I hope you haven't let some people push you away from posting on these boards. I like to hear both sides of an issue and I appreciate your contributions.

:wave:

I don't mind Spin444 messages..however like you, I am a pretty experienced on the message boards and have heard all the sides and appreciate all input. The only thing that concerns me is that there are many new people who come on here..and many might be suicidal/severely depressed and where message boards are their last resort. Antidepressants might be their last resport or only hope that they have. When they see anti-med talk, they may take it to heart and not try something that may save their lives. Nothing against Spin444 or what she has to say. It's just that I worry about people who have lost all hope and are at the brink..and when they come on here and see horror stories or "don't go on meds, watch out for meds" that they lose all hope, and any chance of it.

That is very true what you're saying Rianna. Some people have been helped a lot by ADs, and when someone is feeling the darkest depths of depression for more than just a couple of weeks or so, something HAS to be done. On the other hand, I believe that far too many people are taking ADs that don't really need them, or could benefit by alternative methods. And many others have evidently been greatly hurt by ADs.

Anyone who is considering taking ADs should do a lot of research before making a decision. (But for those who are just too depressed to do ANYTHING, then of course they need to see a doctor as soon as possible.)

And many others have evidently been greatly hurt by ADs.



That was me. ADs did far more damage to me than if I had never taken them. That's why I feel strongly that people need to hear both sides.

I just hate to see someone alienated because they have a different opinion than the current majority.

Did I miss something??? Is she missing in action???

Sick of Effexor, I understand and respect your opinion..but unfortunately, there are sadly too many people who are most likely alienated from these boards because of anti-med talk and negative horror stories. Sadly, these people may fall through the cracks. I doubt Spin444 is any way alienated. No one has been rude or offensive to her. I know I haven't been and have been respectful of her opinion, although I don't agree with her..I know she means well. Sometimes it justs gets a little old seeing the doom and gloom and same repetitive post again and again about anti-med. Just my opinion. :-)

I forgot to mention, that I too have been damaged by medication..the first was Lexapro which I took three years ago...and it gave me ringing in the ears shortly after I started to take it. To this day, I still have the ringing in my ears..it is permanent now..called Tinnitus. Not very fun to live with..it is there 24/7 and there is no cure. I was also put in the hospital back in September due to a horrible rash and suicidal thoughts from Cymbalta. However, I try not to use scare tactics on people who might have their lives saved by meds that might work for them. If someone posts about trying a new med such as Lexapro or Cymbalta, I don't try to scare them off by what happened to me...because everyone is different. Just because Lexapro gave me permanent Tinnitus, and Cymbalta put me in the hospital does not mean that I should go post negative replies and horror stories on people who are trying medication and have no where else to turn. I am now on Remeron and have had no side effects of any damage, thank goodness. I do believe research is valuable..but even the natural alternative can be damaging as well. There are no gaurantees with anything whether it be chemical antidepressant or natural/homeopathic remedies. There are times when I am trying a new med, where I do not read the prescribing insert that comes with it, as I would be so scared off by all the possible side effects and end up too scared to take the med. Side effects are just that..perhaps possible..perhaps not. A life saved is more precious than anything.

Rianna & everyone else too,

Thank you for your comments regarding this topic. I don't post much but I have been reading many of the threads here. I agree it's good to hear different opinions and these boards have really helped me. I don't have any friends so I really looked forward to getting to know the folks here. But I was almost scared away. It's hard enough trying to maintain a positive outlook, and you're so right, the last thing I need to hear when I'm trying to pull myself out of a depressive episode is one horror story after another.

kalimba

I don't really mind her posts, but they are all alike and so long. I think a lot of what she posts with her "no meds" routine, is because of what happened to her and her sister. While that is a tragic, they do help a lot of people.

When my depression hit I was 19 I stayed in bed. I couldn't force myself to move. Showering is about all I did, and that was hard. I went three weeks without eating because if I did I couldn't keep it down. I got down to 89 pounds. I didn't want to talk to anyone except my dad. No sleep at night unless I got so exhausted that I couldn't fight it anymore. Then for two or three hours at the most. I had two daughter's at that age, but my parents let me come home, and my mom looked after the kids for me. I couldn't read because I couldn't concentrate. Things were looking bad.

My family dr. sent me to a psychiatrist and he explained what was happening to me. My anxiety started about the same time.

I was hospitalized and put on amiltriptyline while I was there. I had no side effects. It held me for 20 years. I had a life again. Only recently was lexapro added and I'm not sure if I'm going to stay on it or not. So, they do help people and many are saved by them.

I do understand why they aren't for every one. It seems they are giving them to people who don't have chemical depression. But if it works, that's great. Take Care All.........Connie

No one has been rude or offensive to her.

Actually I have read a couple of rude posts to her.

I don't know if she is out of town, or just too busy to come by, and I'm certainly not trying to start an argument with anyone. I just wanted to let her know that I appreciate where her posts are coming from and I hope she hasn't decided to leave.

When I first came to these boards, it's because I was struggling with the medications and I was looking for support and help in getting off. If that had been today instead of 2 years ago, I would have been scared off by the people who seem to be opposed to the anti-med perspective.

Maybe Spin comes on strong at times, but I don't think we should fault her for her passion.

Thanks for sharing your opinions. I like it much better when we listen to each other. :wave:

Amen to that .Listening to each other is what helps the most and personal attacks do nothing.Being negative either way is certainly no help.Sharing experiences is a good thing .It tells of all the possibilities.The best advice any of us can give is to see a doctor and research everything you put in your body. Im so glad you started this thread sickofeffexor
take care Mizzy

Maybe Spin comes on strong at times, but I don't think we should fault her for her passion.


Agreed. On an unrelated note I respect Tom Cruise (who is highly qualified to speak about the nature of mental illness and psychiatric treatments), Dr. Peter Breggin (http://www.breggin.com), Dr. Thomas Szasz, and L. Ron Hubbard for their persistence in challenging the conventional wisdom surrounding the nature of affective disorders.

Spin has as much right to post as any of us, and that's how it should be. It's kind of what America is based on.

I have seen her type to people that drs don't know what they are handing out. That's very untrue in my case. Over the 20 years I have been on 200 mg of amiltriptyline, I have had blood work done every three months. My dr. and psychaitrist both work together. The also include me. I'm very aware of my problem and where I stand with depression. You can learn a lot in 20 years. I'm sure there are bad dr's and bad psychiatrits, but I'm also sure the good out number the bad.

Like I said before, what happened to her and her sister is truy a tragedy, but the same thing has happened to people taking antibiotics, cold meds, and a host of others. I like Spin. I do wish she would tone it down a bit, but since she won't I just don't read the long posts since they are so alike.

Remember.....God loves us all..everyone of us! Connie

While I appreciate both sides of the story, I do think when people specifically ask for postive experiences then that should be honored. We don't know where someone on here is mentally or emotionally, and this board could be a near-last resort.

If it's taken them months to finally ask their doctor for "something" or if they are about to finally ask her/him because they've spent too much time already either denying they need help or avoiding seeking treatment because of some stigma or a past experience, (phew, talk about a run-on sentence!!) that IMHO is not the time to heap on the horror stories.

Personally, with a little depression going on, no meds, and a new board, I don't know about anyone else out there, but I feel a bit paranoid already if I'm in that situation. It took me MONTHS to get courage to start posting on a board about postpartum depression. I analyzed every little thing I said, and worried SO much about how long it took for people to respond, how many ways could they have meant something, OMG if someone had corrected me for not following an agreement it would have set me off for ages....and those things are all pretty mild. AND, I was not at my extreme point at that time.

I understand being harmed by a med (or...the harm from never being given information about postpartum depression, for instance ;) )and how one's passion can be ignited by that experience. I don't know where I'm going with this. SOE, I popped on here maybe a year, year and a half ago and remember your posts...it seems all the posting you've done over that time period has brought you some peace, or understanding, or.....something. You're kind of a pivotal person here as you once may have stood on a foot similar to Spin's, and have shifted some of the weigh off that one foot, perhaps to an equalibrium. I think you really do see both sides very well.

I have to apologise spin for getting rather two cross with you. I do know what the drugs can do to people so I guess i'm the last person who should have forced a viewpoint. The mods told me to watch it so I know I was in the wrong. Please come back.

Did I miss something??? Is she missing in action???

I hope not. I do feel that Spin is providing a service by warning others of the possible, very real dangers in taking any kind of drug. Doctors are just prescribing these powerful drugs too flippantly, IMHO.

I think you really do see both sides very well.

Thanks.

Hi Ocean Dreams..I respect your opinion and agree..however..I think "warning" others should be more like "make sure to read the side effects that comes with your medication..or ask your Doctor or Pharmacist about possible side effects". I don't think scare tactics, anti-med preaching and horror stories are appropriate warning signals to give to someone who is new on here..new to depression and medication. I don't feel any of us are experts and should not send this kind of information to people who come on here and are feeling very vulnerable..then they read horror stories and what looks like scare tactics..it may scare them off and they may fall through the cracks..and I am sure that none of us would want that to happen. Just my opinion. :-)

I hope not. I do feel that Spin is providing a service by warning others of the possible, very real dangers in taking any kind of drug. Doctors are just prescribing these powerful drugs too flippantly, IMHO.

I agree. My doctors always waived off any discussion of side effects and in fact often denied that what I was suffering was related to the medication -- especially in cases of withdrawal.

I wouldn't want Spinn to leave this board, but I do feel she intimidates people. Maybe if she posted a little variety it would help. We are here to share our illness, and get suggests from other people on the board. I would love to have her talk about herself sometime. How she feels and how we can help her. No person is bad. I just can't believe that. However, she replies with long rants.

I know for a fact, I'm on the right AD's. I have been on amiltriptyline for two decades. I explained all of this in a previous post so I won't repeat here.

I think it's wonderful when my psychairtrist and family dr and myself sit down and talk about my treatment. I have blood work done (also, mentioned before. sorry)

If you want a sample of her rants look at the thread "Starting lexapro" by Johndg2. He's was waiting for his AD to work and the last I heard it was, but a weaker person might have stopped the AD after reading what she replied.

Riana is right, in my opinion..Connie

does spin have depression?

If you want a sample of her rants look at the thread "Starting lexapro" by Johndg2.

I started this thread because I was concerned Spin was chased away. I don't think calling her posts "rants" helps.

Maybe she comes on too strong for you, but that is because she is passionate about what she believes in. There's nothing wrong with that.

Isn't there room for everyone here?

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I think "warning" others should be more like "make sure to read the side effects that comes with your medication..or ask your Doctor or Pharmacist about possible side effects". I don't think scare tactics, anti-med preaching and horror stories are appropriate warning signals to give to someone who is new on here..new to depression and medication. I don't feel any of us are experts and should not send this kind of information to people who come on here and are feeling very vulnerable..then they read horror stories and what looks like scare tactics..:-)

I'm sure this isn't a surprise--I agree. (doesn't mean I'm "right")

There are boards on similar/same subjects that don't allow posts which deter a person from following their doctors' treatment plan, and some won't allow dose discussion--saying that that kind of thing needs to be handled by medical professionals, not a board where anyone could be just making up stuff or posing as a professional when they aren't etc. I guess it's a choice each poster makes, to stay or not, based on their preferences (I'm not referring to anyone here) as to content. In other words, each board, probably even within HealthBoards, has it's own unique personality based on the people who chose to post.

Well, again, I just started this to show some support for someone that I believe has been treated a little harshly at times.

And I'm holding my tongue at some of the replies I've seen in this thread.

Things have changed quite a bit since I first came here and was welcomed for trying it without meds. I go through periods where I hardly post, and other periods where I'm here more frequently. I try to be supportive, and if someone asks for opinions, I share mine. If they specifically ask for "good" comments, only (which is rare), then I stay silent. But I do speak up when I see absolutes spoken, when I know for a fact through personal experience that they are wrong. So shoot me.

Fortunately, I have made some very dear friends here who don't fault me for my opinions.

A lot of times I don't post things about myself that I would like to because I don't want the reply I know I will get. We can't all throw away our medicine to make someone feel better. I am aware of my meds, side effects, reasons for taking them. After two decades on amiltriptyline, and with a family dr. and a great psychiatrists, I feel it's them I should trust.

I'm on fentanyl pain patches from when I had the bone taken out of my arm and replaced with a titanium rod. I have no shoulder on that side. I would never mention that to her because it's stonger than morphine and I would be too afraid of the response, so I never say anything.

I feel I have helped people here, also. At least a few. BTW everyone is thinking spin isn't here because we are tired of her rants. I'm am afraid she is sick or maybe even the hospital. I think that has passed on by many here. but I pray for her. I don't dislike her. She has said some very harsh things to me, also. I'm just all mixed up here. I was wrong to say anything about her. I do get tired of reading her same long replies, but I don't think it's against the rules to ignore them.

but I don't think it's against the rules to ignore them.

Nobody said it was.