(bonus points for whoever can tell me who sings the song with the title of this post as one of the lyrics – no googling!)
a couple of months ago, i wrote about my gradual weaning off my sleep/anxiety medication (it’s one pill – a really strong sedative). i was a little nervous. one, i didn’t know what kind of withdrawal symptoms i’d have and two, i didn’t know who the person on the other side of this journey would be.
i’m still not completely finished with the withdrawal, but by this time next week i will be. i am so very happy to report i’ve only had some minor symptoms (mainly headaches).
i think that probably the biggest surprise is the fact the non-medicated version of me is SO MUCH DORKIER than the medicated version. i say that with as much emphasis as possible.
anyway, just wanted to update you all. if you want to read a little bit more of the journey over the last year, you can here.
thanks for your prayers & support!!
if you are on medication for anything, don’t make up your own plan for getting off of them. talk to your doctor. work out a plan. don’t just stop. my doctor has been great at helping me through this, as well as talking to friends and a counselor. disclaimer over.
Comments
15 responses to “we’ve taken…medication”
That is great, Anne!
And, though I currently know you only via FB and this blog, a “dorkier” you sounds very fun! :)
This speaks to my theory that everyone has a huge inner-dork.
We just suppress it trying to be so cool. Congratulations on getting off the meds.
that is awesome!
ya, when i got off my meds i became more cheesy. i say rediculous things now that i would not have said before. my boyfriend thinks they are hilarious….so that is good. i find that i am more fun now. i dont get down or get stuck in anxious thoughts.
i am super proud of you! you rock!!
…just when i thought none could be added to the third floor’s supreme dorkiness.
ours.
and i got back on meds…. about 2 months ago. but with the very strict intent of only being on them for a season. God knows i couldn’t get through what i am getting through without a little extra assistance.
Yay! And dorky is good! I’m married to him! It’s a lot of fun.
I have been in a similar process (sleep and anxiety). Only my time on meds was significantly longer (a decade), and on a wide variety of meds. I am down to one med and have been reducing it, too. I feel a bit like an alien to myself, having a broader range of emotions and reactions to life than I am use to. Headaches are definitely part of the process. It is scary and exciting at the same time. Nice to know of someone else on a similar journey.
Two things real quick:
1) I think many Christians have a stigma against taking medications for anxiety/depression. It’s almost as if they feel like they’re less of a believer and I think that’s a lie from the pit of hell.
2) Stress changes the way our bodies were meant to operate. There’s a great book out there entitled “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” that illustrates this very fact. If you can take steps to manage the stressors in your life via diet, exercise, prayer, counseling (if necessary), or anything that relaxes you it will go a long way towards keeping you healthy.
Anne, I applaud the steps you have taken. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy. Keep it up!
my husband’s reall dorky – and he rarely takes medication! what does that mean??? :)
(warning: i think his dorkiness is contagious!)
Crystal is right on the band :) Here are you bonus points:
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And I definitely agree that some people in Christian circles have assumptions made about medication. Your chemicals can change. I have gone through seasons like this before and been fine for a few years and then had a bad spell, then good time again…the meds help me stay as balanced as possible while I work on addressing the deeper rooted issues.
Bring it on! I’m much better at handling dork than cool. I’m afraid of cool.
Anne,
I am curious- when you found out about your depression, did you take blood tests and such? You could reply via email if you’d like.
I was depressed probably about 10 years ago and after my blood test came back negative (for chemical imbalance)…I kicked off my two week anti-depressant trial and that was the end of it (plus it made me feel horrible, and woozy all the time..I’d rather substitute that with a nice glass of cab instead).
Hi Anne
First of all, I’m a newer reader, so I’m catching up with your story. Thank you for your honesty. I know from my own journey that being emotionally naked with people is not easy, especially when you’re in ministry. There is a tendency to want to run and hide at times, but a wise pastor once urged me to simply “lead out of the pain”. That is what I’ve tried to do without being morbid! And I have learned a lot while doing so. I pray that your ending your meds will continue to go smoothly and that you will have peace, stability and NO ANXIETY! (I’ve fought that demon before!) I’ve had a tough couple of years and one of the best books I’ve read walking through it has been “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazzero. You may find it helpful – for me it was nothing short of brilliant. I recommend it to everyone now. Continue to be honest and open and real – God will use all of you, as you well know – even or maybe especially the pain. Drop by my site if you get a chance: http://www.aworshipfulheart.typepad.com. BTW, can’t wait for the book!
I have enjoyed reading your blog….i just found it….Daley has always had such great things to say about you….praying for your adjustment off meds…..:) And I can relate to your post on being distracted….I just blame in on six boyz….smile…
Excellent defining post. Thank you for illuminating this publicly.
What a difference support can make. My daughter spiralled downward a decade ago (anxiety) and faced all of the ugly myths that you mentioned. She was a total outcast at church, school and in the community. This compounded the difficulty of healing. She spiraled again this year and is quite publicly open about it. This time though, her body can not metabolize the meds, so she is struggling to address this in other ways. It is staggeringly hard. This time, her hope has been far more readily available to her because she has found enormous support and rallying around her, by friends at church. What a magnificent difference that makes!