I actually don't know if I believe in the full on conspiracy theory of Big Pharm, but my personal experiences lead me to think there is at least some merit to the accusations made.
I developed panic attacks in my early 20's. My doctor asked me a few questions, and diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 20 years later, that diagnosis is still the one on my chart, and no doctor has even attempted to look at another diagnosis, even though I've got a slew of other symptoms. Migraines, insomnia, extremely severe mood swings (Like, I cry for days, but my mood can switch quickly to laughter or anger, like a light switch). I also have sleep paralysis and excessive daytime sleepiness, to the point I nap at least once a day, I can't help it. My docs know these symptoms, they just ignore them and focus on the anxiety and depression.
My fist doc just gave me Ativan. He did not tell me it was addictive, so 20 years later, I'm still taking a benzo. Not sure I'll ever be able to get off that now, though it's a tiny dose, so I'm not too concerned. Doctors always are though.
I've been on just about every SSRI in existence, and all of them made me worse, not better, yet to THIS DAY doctors are still trying to push that shit on me. They all have horrendous side effects, as well as not helping so why would I try them again? I've been on 6 that I can remember, all of them sucked for me.
After I had my daughter 8 years ago, my symptoms all got a lot worse. The doc I had at that time was more willing to try different things to see what worked (including bi-polar meds, that was not fun), and when none of the recommended medications worked, he suggested I try a low daily dose of progesterone. Bam....I felt normal. No more migraines, no more crazy ass mood swings, anxiety 90% gone, tiredness still there but I can deal with it when all the other stuff is gone. And no side effects at all! My libido is still working great
, I don't feel zombie-like or not myself or anything at all.
Fast forward 7 years, and that doc retired and the new doc immediately wants to take me off the current meds and put me back on SSRI's. I told her no, I need to be stable to take care of my child and cope with the stress of my husband (long story), so I asked her if it's working, why change it? Well, progesterone isn't recommended to treat anxiety, or PPMD, or anything I might have instead. she tells me, SSRI's are.
She went with me and let me keep taking the progesterone for a while, but a few months ago, I turned 40 and my doc really got on my case, saying progesterone has cardiovascular risks and bone loss issues and so forth.
I agreed to try not taking it, but still refused a new SSRI because...screw all of those things. Been there, don't feel like being a sexless zombie on top of continued depression and anxiety.
So now I'm right back on the effing crazy train. I am sane for about 7 days a month, the rest of the time I'm raging or crying or tying NOT to rage or cry. The migraines came right back full force (After not having a single one for 7 years, I almost forgot how bad they are!). The anxiety is now constant. I can't find the energy to clean my house or cook a meal most days. I feel like I should be committed.
I home school my daughter. This is really not acceptable. I need to be able to make lesson plans and be active with her every day.
But my doctor is not really willing to open a dialog about getting back on the progesterone. I did some of my own research and I don't see ANY studies that show low dose progesterone alone to have the side effects she claimed. Only high dose Deproprevara. Of course, she also once told me that marijuana causes schizophrenia, so I'm not sure I even trust her as a doctor right now, but I'm on Medicare and she's the only doc in town that takes it, so I'm stuck.
Note, the progesterone cost me less than $1 a month, it's super cheap. Any SSRI will be $200 and up. This in itself makes me suspicious.
So, is big pharm pushing these drugs on everyone for every issue? Why are SSRI's the top recommendation for women with PPMD instead of hormone therapy? Hormones are the CAUSE of PPMD. That makes no sense. It seems a lot like treating a tumor by giving you drugs so you won't be upset that you have a tumor, instead of removing the tumor.
I'm sorry if this is TLR, or TMI, but I'm at my wits end. I cannot live my life being crazy 3/4 of the time! I want to go back to being stable. I need advice or help, and I don't know what to do or say with my doctor anymore.
I developed panic attacks in my early 20's. My doctor asked me a few questions, and diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. 20 years later, that diagnosis is still the one on my chart, and no doctor has even attempted to look at another diagnosis, even though I've got a slew of other symptoms. Migraines, insomnia, extremely severe mood swings (Like, I cry for days, but my mood can switch quickly to laughter or anger, like a light switch). I also have sleep paralysis and excessive daytime sleepiness, to the point I nap at least once a day, I can't help it. My docs know these symptoms, they just ignore them and focus on the anxiety and depression.
My fist doc just gave me Ativan. He did not tell me it was addictive, so 20 years later, I'm still taking a benzo. Not sure I'll ever be able to get off that now, though it's a tiny dose, so I'm not too concerned. Doctors always are though.
I've been on just about every SSRI in existence, and all of them made me worse, not better, yet to THIS DAY doctors are still trying to push that shit on me. They all have horrendous side effects, as well as not helping so why would I try them again? I've been on 6 that I can remember, all of them sucked for me.
After I had my daughter 8 years ago, my symptoms all got a lot worse. The doc I had at that time was more willing to try different things to see what worked (including bi-polar meds, that was not fun), and when none of the recommended medications worked, he suggested I try a low daily dose of progesterone. Bam....I felt normal. No more migraines, no more crazy ass mood swings, anxiety 90% gone, tiredness still there but I can deal with it when all the other stuff is gone. And no side effects at all! My libido is still working great
, I don't feel zombie-like or not myself or anything at all. Fast forward 7 years, and that doc retired and the new doc immediately wants to take me off the current meds and put me back on SSRI's. I told her no, I need to be stable to take care of my child and cope with the stress of my husband (long story), so I asked her if it's working, why change it? Well, progesterone isn't recommended to treat anxiety, or PPMD, or anything I might have instead. she tells me, SSRI's are.
She went with me and let me keep taking the progesterone for a while, but a few months ago, I turned 40 and my doc really got on my case, saying progesterone has cardiovascular risks and bone loss issues and so forth.
I agreed to try not taking it, but still refused a new SSRI because...screw all of those things. Been there, don't feel like being a sexless zombie on top of continued depression and anxiety.
So now I'm right back on the effing crazy train. I am sane for about 7 days a month, the rest of the time I'm raging or crying or tying NOT to rage or cry. The migraines came right back full force (After not having a single one for 7 years, I almost forgot how bad they are!). The anxiety is now constant. I can't find the energy to clean my house or cook a meal most days. I feel like I should be committed.
I home school my daughter. This is really not acceptable. I need to be able to make lesson plans and be active with her every day.
But my doctor is not really willing to open a dialog about getting back on the progesterone. I did some of my own research and I don't see ANY studies that show low dose progesterone alone to have the side effects she claimed. Only high dose Deproprevara. Of course, she also once told me that marijuana causes schizophrenia, so I'm not sure I even trust her as a doctor right now, but I'm on Medicare and she's the only doc in town that takes it, so I'm stuck.
Note, the progesterone cost me less than $1 a month, it's super cheap. Any SSRI will be $200 and up. This in itself makes me suspicious.
So, is big pharm pushing these drugs on everyone for every issue? Why are SSRI's the top recommendation for women with PPMD instead of hormone therapy? Hormones are the CAUSE of PPMD. That makes no sense. It seems a lot like treating a tumor by giving you drugs so you won't be upset that you have a tumor, instead of removing the tumor.
I'm sorry if this is TL
R, or TMI, but I'm at my wits end. I cannot live my life being crazy 3/4 of the time! I want to go back to being stable. I need advice or help, and I don't know what to do or say with my doctor anymore.
“Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?”
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
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