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Am i taking too much medication?

Posted , 4 users are following.

ronald45061
ronald45061

Hello.

i am quite new to this forum so bare with me plz.

Breif history.  I am a alcoholic and recently been for a residential detox, my final one i hope as i have had many in the past.  Also i have been diagnosed as suffering PTSD, due to a stabbing incident a year ago.  Ok to the point.  I am currently taking a combination of medications, Metrazapine 15mg, Naltrexone 50mg,Baclofen 60mg and going up 10mg per week untill i reach 100mg, Dertaline 100mg,Propranalol40mg 3-4 times a day.  The problem i seem to be having is that i am constantly tired, almost falling asleep most days, i try to fight this.  I have very vivid nightmares almost every night and a very disturbed sleep pattern, i put this Down to my PTSD, but i am not sure as i am taking all these medications.  I am 54 years of age and am in reasonable health for my age, considering my body has had what i can only describe as a battering from alcohol abuse.  Any suggestions or help would be really appreciated. Many thanks.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • louise91835
    louise91835 ronald45061

    Posted

    there is a drug interaction checker you can check your meds with online.  I wish you the best in your path to wellness  The meds could be the culprit, but Im not a doctor. Be well.
  • louise91835
    louise91835 ronald45061

    Posted

    Also, Ronald, if you have access to Neurofeedback, this is a drug free way to also help with PTSD; exploring it myself and amazed at positive research and benefits of it. All the best to you. You are neve alone. 
  • john_53927
    john_53927 ronald45061

    Posted

    Hi Ronald

    I'm glad that you have decided to join the discussion concerning PTSD.

    I have read your recent post and the one's supplied by Louise. I would mention

    straightaway that I don't have a great knowledge about EEG Biofeedback but I am acquainted  with the procedure.

    It has been a benefit in a lot of cases, but like EMDR it's not for everybody. However I would recommend that you follow it up as it could help your condition. From a personal viewpoint, I do not believe it would help me as my situation is rather complicated because I suffer other mental health problems.

    It's good that you are open about being a alcoholic as a great amount of people in your position are in denial. I would imagine  that you have been in a very bad state over the years, and I find it sad that you have received many detox programs  which must have been extremely hard to deal with. Well done!

    In an ideal world we would all like to refrain from taking medication as there can be be some awful side effects. Over the last few decades in particular, drugs have been vastly improved, and therefore much easier to deal with. Most provide relief alone!

    I can see that you are prescribed five meds at this moment in time. It is not for me to analyze the type or amount of drugs that you take as it's only a physician, nurse or similar can provide this info.

    But what I would say is that a female friend of mine is prescribed Metrazapine for quite sometime and with very good results. I have been on Propanalol  in the past but my psychiatrist decided that I should ditch it and she put me on something else. Like I say, it's trial and error in most instances. 

    I am taking a considerable amount of meds, much more than yourself so I would not be too concerned about the amount. The important issue being: Are these prescription drugs helping you or not? If not, I suggest that you see the doctor sooner rather than later.

    Also, I get terrible exhaustion most days, but i prefer to have this rather than having sleep deprivation and no relief. In the past I have suffered periods of agonizing insomnia. Nothing could provide sleep and I was in a desperate state with frequent suicidal thoughts. Finally the doctor prescribed a large dose of Surmontil and I'm happy to report that this med, along with others, provided considerable long-awaited aid to my brain.

    I note that your PTSD is due to quite a recent situation. Over the last 12 months would you say that your pain has got gradually worse. What about the nightmares?

    I don't relate about my case often but I would share with you that I was confronted by a horrific murder with horrendous bloodshed and other awful factors. I know that I will take this crime to the grave and I don't expect it to get better. It's a case of doing the best I can and having meds to comfort the mental anguish and other issues.

    Summing up, I really hope that the recent detox will be successful and that you won't have to return there in the future. Do continue to seek help with the stabbing incident that has caused your PTSD. If you need alternative meds at a future state I would suggest that you confront your doctor and attain info re side effects before he/she signs the paper.

    Warm regards and God Bless you.

    John

    (My Christian faith helps me to survive too and is a big part of my life)

       

     

    • ronald45061
      ronald45061 john_53927

      Posted

      Thanks John for your reply, much apreaciated.  I do feel alot better for example this time last year, so maybe the meds are working.  Also i put this down to abstinence from alcohol which is a massive contributing factor on how i feel now.  My dreams seem to be getting worse, ok uncomfortuble and sleep depriving but if thats what i have to deal with, so be it.  I should be starting CBT in 3 months time, so maybe this may help.  Ill continue with the medication unless it proves to be counter effective.  Many thanks again John for your reply, Greg.

       

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