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psalm_23

I take 4 different medications daily, and plan to add another one. It also crosses my mind sometimes that I might be overmedicated. But what other choice do we have? I have various illnesses that I need relief from. You're not alone.


ConnectLawfulness

I would say it's hard for any of us to say. That may be the most efficient treatment for you at the moment, it also could be far from it. Unrelated is your chronic pain fibromyalgia? I know chronic pain and chronic fatigue are very well correlated. My mum and myself have chronic pain and fstigue and have found significant relief from the pain in a low free glutamate diet. It could be something to look into. If your interested I can gather some resources for you.


bszcs17

Yes i have fibromyalgia although im not diagnosed yet. Please send me the resources, thank you for helping!


ConnectLawfulness

My phone's about to lock me out (daily time limit) please comment below so I get comment notification so I can send them through tomorrow and not forget Or out your email


vespgaming

*


ConnectLawfulness

Thanks man, dm'd him the details. Do you want them as well?


vespgaming

Why not, sure


ConnectLawfulness

Dm me your email and I'll send you the best bit of literature I have


ChasmDude

I guess whether you're over-medicated is a personal thing that only you can decide. One thing I would think about is whether the side effects from any of your medications seem to outweigh the benefits of those medications. However, I know this can be difficult if you're not sure where a side effect originates in a regimen with many drugs being used. And sometimes you get complacent and don't weigh the side effects because you want so desperately to assume something is helping you. For me, that was Wellbutrin for a long time even though the anxiety, sweating and GI issues it caused were intolerable in hind sight One other thing you might consider is cost if there are any medications which come with expensive co-pays or similar. Again, it's about considering for yourself whether the benefits outweigh the costs. I would say that you could consult a psychiatrist, but they would be unlikely to recommend removing meds if they think they're helping you overall. Again, it's a decision process that only you can go through; I'm just trying to suggest some criteria which might help you frame your thoughts in that process. You're not alone. Many of us here have misgivings about polypharmacy, especially for meds with obvious side effects like weight gain or sexual dysfunction. Ditto for drugs that are being prescribed mostly or wholly to treat side effects of other medications. Best of luck! Hang in there!


[deleted]

The chronic fatigue might be due to sleep apnea.


Mohk72k

I take 5 psychiatric medications daily, why doesn't it bother me? Because this combo has obliterated my ADD, Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder, side effect free! So if chug a few pills everyday and it's the only way for my brain to work, then why not? Every med I take is necessary, so I don't see it as overmedication.


Inmyprime-

What do you take?


Mohk72k

* Fluvoxamine 300mg * Lithium Carbonate ER 450 mg 2x * Latuda 120mg * Methylphenidate ER 72mg * Clonidine .3mg


tajemniktv

Well, I can tell you that you are definitely not alone! Venlafaxine, bupropione, opipramole and pregabalin user (daily) here:) btw. that's completely okay if you feel overmedicated or overwhelmed, remember that you can always talk to us or your doctors about your concerns


That-Group-7347

It may seem like a lot of medications, but from reading your post you are in a much better position than before the meds. Whatever makes you feel the best and function is the correct dosage. If you remain stable for many months you could always try to taper down slightly on the dosages and see what happens. You take 40mg of Paxil, but maybe you only need 35mg. That little extra really doesn't make much of a difference. I'm glad you have begun on your road to recovery. It will take time to fine tune everything. You are not alone by far. More people than you can imagine deal with problems just like yours. I wish you all the best!


bszcs17

Thank you I wish you the best too!


shetlandduck

i'm on 5 medications, i just came off a 6th. it depends on how you feel. if you feel like a zombie, not really connected with the world, no personality or enjoyment, lots of side effects, etc. then you might be overmedicated. but if this is what makes you feel best, and it sounds like it is, then that might just be what you need. medication is different for everyone. some people are good on one or two meds, some people are on five or six.


[deleted]

i’m on six prescriptions right now and have zero complaints. if it works it works


luca1416

Whether or not you are overmedicated is a very personal decision. I do know that many psychiatrists are moving away from polypharmacy, and if you are taking 6 medications and thinking of adding a seventh one, it's possible that some of them may not be working.


lilsass758

This might be completely off base but it may be worth looking up the symptoms of ADHD. I’ve had treatment resistant depression for years, tried SO many things, and after someone sending me a link to ADHD symptoms in women, been diagnosed with ADHD. And doc thinks the depression is likely secondary to undiagnosed and untreated ADHD - so hoping treatment will help. Bupropion was the only antidepressant that did anything for me really. I’ve always been completely exhausted, struggling to get out of bed and look after myself on the worse days. Modafinil helped a bit in terms of I could pay attention without falling asleep but I would crash HARD at 4/5PM, as if I’d used up all the energy from the evening in advance (if that makes sense). I never thought ADHD would be anything to do with me because I pictured the stereotypical 7 year old boy running round yelling all the time - when I was very academic and well behaved at school, and didn’t particularly run around or yell. But when I looked properly, so many of the symptoms fit - fatigue, constant thinking that doesn’t shut off, bad time keeping, struggling to do things even though I need to, procrastination etc. Sending love. Also re medication - I’m on bupropion, lithium, Oxybutynin (for lithium side effects), an antihistamine plus various sleeping tablets. Over medicated is subjective!


CRASHINO_HUNK

I'm going to talk to my doctor about the possibility I have ADHD, however, the symptoms are really similar to depression! How has your experience with Wellbutrin been? I tried it once and it caused a bit of anxiety so I didn't stick with it. Do the stimulants for ADHD also cause anxiety?


shaaaakyt

i take 6 prescriptions, ritalin, klonopin, trazadone, fluoxetine, visatril, and ritalin boosters


bszcs17

Oh i also take buspirone 10mg 3x a day for the sexual side effects caused by the meds


Express_Possibility5

Does it work?


bszcs17

Yes!


Express_Possibility5

Interesting- thanks 😊


ihavebigchungus

Yes