When do the side effects no longer make the medication worth it?
By babyangie27
@babyangie27 (5176)
United States
October 7, 2009 8:49am CST
Every medication has some form of side effects,some mild some severe.
If you have read my other posts I just got back on my Celexa. Well I have noticed some things that are a bit concerning.
When I get anxious now I get very hot,get a headache and feel like I am going to throw up. Before the meds I would shake or rock uncontrollably. So to me I would rather have the second symptoms.
My daughter had another seizure last night and during her seizure my head hurt so bad it was hard for me to focus on what was going on. Luckily the seizure was only 3 minutes and my husband was home,but this might not also be the case.
I called the doctor and am waiting on the response.
I can't take the chance of something happening because of my meds,even if it means I will always be anxious.
I haven't even been able to come here due to the fact it is hard to focus and sitting here makes my eyes hurt. I have been taking the meds at night and I am not sure if switching to daytime would help or not.
Have you ever taken medication that had bad side effects and was just not worth it for you to continue on the medication? What were the side effects?
I know it takes a while for meds to get into the system right but I have been taking these since Friday and it only seems to be getting worse.
5 people like this
16 responses
@artistry (4151)
• United States
7 Oct 09
...Hi babyangie27, I do hope that your condition improves as soon as possible. In the meantime, the worse side effects I have ever experienced were a cough from a medicine that my doctor took me off of and one that made me dizzy, which he did the same thing after I told him about it. So I think, between you and your doctor, a decision has to be made, as to how much you should be tolerating, before one has to say that it is overtaxing you. You have a child, so that is another important consideration. If you cannot function, then a change should, in my opinion be made.
I would suggest a serious talk with your doctor, lying out everything you have described here. Good luck with your health and your child's health in the future. Take care of yourself. People need you and you need to be healthy to perform your daily work.
2 people like this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Thanks artistry I agree and the doc wants me to cut the meds in half and see if this helps. Since I was taking 10 MG prior to what I am taking now and that dosage worked for me.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
7 Oct 09
Sweetie, go to the doctor and ask him to try something different. When I was having panic attacks after my divorce, it took quite some time to find the right combination of meds for me. Listen to your body, it's trying to tell you something. Don't give up! OK? HUGs, Debi
2 people like this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I called the doc and the nurse called me before my power went out,she said to cut my pills in half and see if that helps. However she wasn't convinced that the meds were causing my issues,HUMPH I know better!
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
8 Oct 09
Well Sweetie I think your Doctor needs to change the Meds
I know that my Anti Depressants make me tired and I have been on them for 5 years now but I rather be tired then get the state I get into when I do not have them
I did try coming of them but my Doctor put me back on them after 3 months as I could not cope at all and they said that my mind and body had dealt with to much so I would have to be on them but mine are fine
I do hope that your Doctor will change them Sweetie
Big Hugs to you
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
My doctor suggested that I cut the pils in half and try that,I did last night. It worked out alot better,still had a small headache but I think that could be from the horrible day I had yesterday.
1 person likes this
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
10 Oct 09
Taking the meds at night time is probably making things worse for you. Take them in the morning. I had problems when I went on Zoloft from taking them at night. So the doctor told me to take them in the morning. Also maybe you need to try a different medication instead. Sometimes it takes a few different kinds to get it right. The side effects of going on meds should only last a couple weeks but if they are that severe then I would tell the doctor that you want to try something else. You shouldn't have to suffer like that.
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
10 Oct 09
Since cutting the pills in half I haven't had those side effects anymore. I prefer taking them at night since that is when my daughter has her seizures.
@susie34668 (71)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I have never taken Celexa. I find that klonopin works great for me. For 55 years of my life I had panic attacks, seizures, anxiety, and stress.
With having one klonopin at night, and half a one in the morning, if I know I will have a stressful day, I control my panic disorder. My attacks have been easier these last 6 years, (now almost 62) and yes I have had them all my life and didn't know what they were. Having a phone buddy is the most thing ever. I know when one is coming on and take action. In time you will too but it is a very long learning experience. For years I was taken to hospital everytime I had a panic attack. I still have anxiety disorder but know how to take care of it. You too will in time.
Susan Slade.
Examiner.com.
Susie-34668
Epinions.
Susan S.
Associated Content
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I have never had a seizure and I hope the klonopin doesn't make them all in itself. My daughter takes a smaller dose though for her seizures to stop them,I have to give them to her but they work ok. I took a Klonopin last night as I started to have a panic attack and it worked pretty good,but made me tired too and I am a little bit drowsy today as well.
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
10 Oct 09
I also take clonazepam (klonopin's generic) once in a while. I also suffer from panic attacks and it really helps me calm down fast. Also if I've had some bad nights of not being able to sleep, I'll take one at night. I only take them about once a week if that.
@susie34668 (71)
• United States
8 Oct 09
How about just taking a klonopin at night. They make me sleep and cut out the hundreds of things going around in my mind all night. Klonopin and a phone friend has changed my life.
@NurseMathilda (289)
• Spain
7 Oct 09
Side effects in medication is normal. However, if you feel that the side effect of a particular medication makes you uncomfortable because of what you are experiencing, I would suggest that you ask your doctor or physician if he/she can recommend another brand that has lesser side effects. In my case, I was sick of hyperthyroidism before and has suffered under this condition for 3 years. My doctor prescribed me PTU and it has an allergic side effects. To counter it, he asked me to buy a topical anti-bacterial ointment. It was really expensive but it's worth it. Within minutes, the allergy and itchy feeling is gone. Right now, I am well and living a healthy lifestyle.
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
It's not so much the uncomfortable stuff it's the fact that I need to be focused while my daughter is having her seizures,my husband is great and all and strong mental but I take care of her 24/7 and know what to do a bit more then he does.
My husband had thyroid cancer so he had his thyroid removed and his meds make him sick if he misses some,glad you found something that took the itching away.
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Insomnia is no fun let me tell you! I have barely slept since April when my daughter had a seizure that made her stop breathing. Even the meds are helping out all that great with that either.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
7 Oct 09
hibabyangie oh indeed the medication avandia caused me to gain 45 pounds in a week,all fluid, it made my bones brittle and it made me anemic, I stopped the med when I fell and broke my shoulder as the ones in my shoulder just crumbled,allfrom the damned avandia.now i am on an older much safer diabetes medication and am not having bad side effects and my blood sugar level is fine. you may have to have your doctor switch you to a different less toxic medication babyangie.
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
The doc wants me to first cut the pills in half so that is what I am doing now we will see how it works out.
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
8 Oct 09
I think you have to weigh this decision. Which is worse, the medication or the side effects, plus, you need to cure or control the problem.
Years ago I used to hear about people with problems like this and what I heard wasn't good, I mean they really had serious problems.
Take my advice and pray.
I sympathise with you.
I used to have a truly serious problem some years ago.
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Yes I have been doing a lot of praying and trying to figure out which is worse.
I split the pill in half last night and took it and although I had a small headache (think it was more from the horrible day I had had) it wasn't that bad so maybe I just needed a lower dose.
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
8 Oct 09
i think many times the side effects no longer make the medication worth it. i listen to the long list of side effects they rant off on tv and wonder why anyone would ever even consider these medications. i prefer natural means of healing whenever possible and also try to live with things that are not major. we do not need to pop a pill for every ill.
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I agree that many times medication is not needed,but for me I can't manage my anxiety and the fear I live with everyday. I listen to the list too and it does make you think.
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
7 Oct 09
Sweetie,
Call the doctor again. They can't forget you if you keep calling. It may be something he should switch for you. I take Celexa but I don't have Bipolar Disorder. I have had side effects like dizziness, sleepiness but nothing I couldn't handle. I'm glad you are letting us know what is happening with you but now you should rest your eyes. I will pray for both of you.
Hugsss
Leenie
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I wish I could rest! But thanks hun,and hey I hope you are ok. The doc has me cutting my pills in half so hopefully this will help as little ones seizures are nothing to take lightly anymore.
@tundeemma (894)
• South Africa
7 Oct 09
when the side effects keep reoccuring and seems the situation is being aggravated rather than getting eased off then it is time to stop using the medications, sometimes it is ideal to read or know the possible side effects of using medications and that will help or remind you that you should not use medications for a prolong time
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
I have taken these meds before only a smaller dose and it worked well. Of course nothing will ever completely fix me but I just want to be less anxious all the time.
@Gammmae105 (72)
• United States
7 Oct 09
The side effects no longer make the medication worth it when you have to take another medication to combat those side-effects.
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
That is a good point and I agree with you. If I ahd to take another prescription medication to combat these side effects I would opt for something else.
@jacobsguardian (108)
• United States
7 Oct 09
My doctor put me on this for a while after getting out of an abusive relationship, and I had to stop taking it. At night I would have tremors, I started having nightmares, and I was growing paranoid. When a medication causes side effects that are more bothersome than the original problem, then it's time to rethink the situation. Make sure you let your doctor know first, though, because coming off a medication suddenly can cause serious problems sometimes.
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
yes i know what you mean about abruptly stopping the medications. I did get a call from the docs and they want me to cut them in half and see if that helps.
@jemaries (321)
• Saudi Arabia
8 Oct 09
Yeah!Some medication will not work it out for some diseases if were used to it,like for example antibiotics.If you have simple cough or colds or mild infection that can treat by natural medication,then do it.Or drink juice that are rich in Vit.c.Or eat fruits and drink plenty of water.And also dont use self medication.Whatever prescribe by the doctors followed it,because sometimes were adding the dosage that are given to us.Our body its like a plant that if if put too much fertilizer the plants will die or over dose.Just like our body if we feel pain-just simple pain or infections,were taking medications.And also dont take high dosage of medicines if its 7days medication, drink for 7 days not to extend for one mos.
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Yep good points jemaries. I think some people don't take their medicine the right way or think they know better than the doctors. Welcome to mylot 
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
6 Oct 10
Laughter is best medicine to all disease so as the anxiety. It will through the pressure in mind and lightens it and feel happy.
