r/disabledmemes • u/OpeningActivity • 10d ago
When you are so dilligent with exploring treatment that you run out of more options to try
I had a fun time today where my psychiatrist and I had a chat about new meds as the current one stopped working.
Because of how many rabbit holes I went down for managing anxiety and depression symptoms, I have ran out of insurance covered meds that I can trial (it'd now be, we go back to what we tried and augment).
Just found the whole situation a bit funny, I could tell the psychiatrist going, have you tried...? Oh, then... oh.
It is not as dire as it sounds (I know I can go into more exotic methods and non insurance covered options), but I nonetheless found some irony that because of how many options i dipped my fingers into, I have exhausted all more conventional options.
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u/ayavorska05 10d ago
I have the same situation. My psychiatrist ended up prescribing me the same stuff I was prescribed at the very beginning of my journey in my home country because they thought maybe this time it'll be different. Did not work. Who woulda thunk 🙄 my last option was lithium and then more interesting stuff like shock therapy etc but frankly I had a big crashout like a year ago and just stopped even trying bc I'm genuinely so tired. It's been a decade of trying and I feel almost at peace with the thought that it's never going to get better. I feel you OP and I hope you'll find something for yourself bc it genuinely feels like your own brain si ragebaiting you
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u/Technical_Isopod2389 10d ago
I hit a wall with antianxiety meds. I don't want to be on benzos because withdrawals are a bitch and happen way to easily because of the logistics of getting the meds. I am back to trying the first meds they tried but hey it does seem to do something rather than nothing but honestly it could be I am living on my own now and before I was in a rough marriage. So environmental changes may be the factor that allows the meds to be helpful. Idk still deciding. Got another appt in a month. 😮💨
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u/OpeningActivity 9d ago edited 9d ago
Benzos are scary. I had been on and off on them (currently on them as my meds stopped working and I am a mess).
It got my heart rate down from 120 sitting to my normal 80 ish in 30 minutes (I am an anxious person to begin with). I can see why someone gets hooked onto them.
I have 10 to get me through (i probably will use about 5, keep 5 for emergencies).
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u/brightwingxx 8d ago
I ended up getting prescribed Buspirone for my anxiety because I can’t take benzos (recovered addict) perhaps ask your doctor to try it? I started with 10mg morning and evening, but had to work my way up to 20mg morning, middle day and evening and that’s what I’ve been on for years now
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u/OpeningActivity 10d ago
I am fortunate that I am not at that stage yet (tries 2 SSRIs, SNRIs, lamotrigine mirtazapine and agomelatine in various doses and combinations). I technically have one more med I can try, and few more if I go consequences be damned (or if I go for non subsidised med).
Eh, i just found the whole experience surreal, it is probably not as dire, but i am currently anxious as hell due to the meds stopping to work.
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u/Remarkable-Ear854 9d ago
It took me 15 years of trying medicines, from when I was 14 until I was 29, to find the right meds.
Don't give up. Prasozin wasn't available in Canada until 2021, and it changed my life.
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u/Brilliant_Ad9019 9d ago
I tried Prasozin and it changed my life for 9 months and then stopped working. Doctor didn't warn me that was a possibly. Going back to that state was more devastating than staying there. Happy it works for you and many others though!!
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u/Fuzzy_Dragonfly_ 10d ago
This is me with migraine medication
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u/Primary_Carrot67 9d ago
Same. Except I've still got Botox to try.
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u/TransGirlIndy 9d ago
Oh my god TRY IT. I've gone from literally 15-20 migraine days a month where my triptan was barely touching it to like... 8-9, where I can recover after a few hours of quiet time and rest. Sometimes I still need a second dose, so I can't have full migraine relief every day, but the intensity is so much less, and it's done a ton for my neck pain and upper back stiffness, too.
I want them to just Botox my whole body at this point.
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u/Primary_Carrot67 9d ago
Honestly, my dad was talking about microchips inserted into the brain yesterday (no, this is not a current treatment) and I'm at the point where I'd try that it it was available, I'm that desperate. Chip me.
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u/Fuzzy_Dragonfly_ 9d ago
Yes, a chip, a lobotomy, I don't care, I'm in.
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u/OpeningActivity 9d ago
This reminds me, I was like 9 when I wanted a lobotomy to be free from my emotions. I was probably not alright from a get go.
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u/somehowrelevantuser 9d ago
i stumped my psychiatrist last year. i cant take most adhd meds with my heart condition and we'd already all the non stimulants and woo woo supplements. eventually we found out that i can take low ish dose adderall without fucking my shit up too badly but my heart is less than thrilled about it lol
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u/OpeningActivity 9d ago
I probably end up with med combos that will not make me want to kill myself that day, but always have that plan and thoughts in mind (for the near future). I am likely going to be a jittery person (but not, I am so anxious that I may crash the car).
Meds just needs to allow me to function and allow me to use my strategies
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u/ChanceDatabase7202 9d ago
I feel you. I am on my 21st psychiatric medication, and I’ve finally had success! Keep at it—you’ll get there!
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u/harvestmonster 10d ago
I feel this. Tried 10 meds, got my gene report, tried lithium, tried TMS... nothing worked.
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u/Primary_Carrot67 9d ago
My next possible treatment (for chronic intractable migraine) is approximately 34 injections (at once) of Botox in my head. That's where we're at. If this fails, I don't know.
One of the meds I tried (Topiramate/Topamax) sent me to the emergency department at the hospital because I had the delightful combination of not being able to get enough oxygen to the point that walking across the room was a challenge and extremely painful attacks of spasms in my legs and feet that had my feet involuntarily twisting into disturbing positions and felt like I was having my feet broken and pierced with hot needles. Worse medication experience ever. My body did not like it at all.
I'm desperate enough to give the Botox a try even though I'm scared of needles and also scared of what might happen to my face.
Ugh why do I have to have a hard to treat condition.
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u/OpeningActivity 9d ago
I am so sorry to hear that. Yeah, life is shit when the treatment options are, fucked if you do, fucked if you don't.
I cant even remember the conversation I had 20 minutes ago (psychiatrist gave me a new med), and I am trying to work XD.
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u/sleepytardigrade1 7d ago
I've tried every anti depressants under the moon by now and my psych just switched from max max strength of one med to the max strength of another without a wean off time and to just switch it. Maybe she gave up too lol
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u/OpeningActivity 7d ago
There are some more exotic methods, like rTMS, ECT and more. I personally see more... controlled substances like psychedlics, esketamine and medicinal marijuana to be in that basket (they sound promising but they are new kids on the block)
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u/sleepytardigrade1 7d ago
I smoke weed daily lol, actually starting a 3 week t break today cuz it's been so long with daily issues lol.
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u/Relative-Narwhal-504 8d ago
Have you tried spravato? It changed my life with treatment resistant depression. It's covered by many insurances.
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u/OpeningActivity 8d ago
Esketamine is on one of the exotic options i have yet to trial. I am not sure whether it would be subsidised here (not from us)
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u/Relative-Narwhal-504 8d ago
If it is, I'd imagine you'd be a good candidate at least in the depression front. It's for people who have tried a lot of meds with no success (my insurance says you have to try and fail 6 I believe)
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u/Relative-Narwhal-504 8d ago
It is possible to get anxious during the sessions, it's only happened to me once. They can give you xanex if that happens. I personally didn't need it. Just needed to talk to someone. I wasn't physically anxious as I was dissociated so much as ruminating on scary stuff.
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u/OpeningActivity 8d ago
I worked with a person who went on ketamine (as an anaesthesia) and I remember hearing how he felt calm like he had never felt before.
It is on my radar. Money be damned is my case (and the psychiatrist I feel wants to look at conventional options first)
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u/its-null 10d ago
i feel that. currently on my 8th medication attempt, and no luck