4 ms·

Prescription Cascade with psychiatric drugs is out of control. Seen it first hand. Had to step in and put a lot of pressure on doctors (and change doctors) to f

Prescription Cascade with psychiatric drugs is out of control. Seen it first hand. Had to step in and put a lot of pressure on doctors (and change doctors) to finally get my finance off the worst of the meds they had her on -- and finally "cure" her -- they just wanted to keep playing new drug musical chairs.

mrguyorama 8y ago
My mother spent 8 years trying drug after drug for her serious anxiety and chronic depression. The problem is that nobody has a strong understanding of how the different medications work to help, or even who they can help, so it often is that you have to just try until one works. My mother eventually found one that works and is absolutely necessary for her to live a normal life.
LyndsySimon 8y ago
I've had similar experiences with myself. After high school I was prescribed two drugs in combination (Lexapro and Abilify) that helped me deal with and get a handle on my (serious) depression, and that was really easy. When I told them that I hated the way they made me feel and wanted to taper off of them once I was stabilized... that wasn't so easy. At the end of the day I had to issue a sort of ultimatum: I was going to discontinue those drugs with or without their assistance, but recognized the risks of doing so and would prefer to do it with their oversight. I did it "against medical advise, but with medical supervision". Years later I asked for and was once again prescribed Lexapro, but at a lower dosage and for a different issue. Apparently it was either Abilify or the combination of the two that caused my issues before.
- clydethefrog 8y ago
  The high mention of Abilify in the article and your comment makes me worried. I am currently on Abilify (10mg) for antipsychotic reasons. It seemed to be a "new generation" safer antipsychotic. Reading the Wikipedia article about it makes it sound a lot of research is unclear about the side effects. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole
  - tcj_phx 8y ago
    Abilify is one of the least-bad of its class. But it doesn't address the metabolic problem that is at the root of psychosis. Coconut oil, niacin/niacinamide (vitamin B-3), and other pro-metabolic interventions help get at the actual causes behind the diagnosis. Coconut oil is helpful because it can be directly metabolized by the cells, whereas longer saturated fats have to be ... processed somehow before they can be used for energy (I forget the exact name of the step). Coconut oil is also helpful for alcohol cravings. Cortisol deficiency is now associated with psychosis [0]. This is one of the manifestations of the metabolic problem at the root of the behavioral symptom (psychosis). [0] https://psychcentral.com/news/2016/06/04/low-morning-cortisol-levels-linked-to-psychosis/104266.html https://psychcentral.com/news/2016/06/04/low-morning-cortiso... Sometimes metabolic problems are caused or amplified by emotional stress.
    - clydethefrog 8y ago
      Very interesting, especially for someone which psychosis was alcohol induced. Thanks. I avoid coconut oil because of the fats, but I will change it now! I already noticed probiotic foods make me much happier. Question: Cortisol is a stress hormone, how can a deficiency cause psychosis?
      - tcj_phx 8y ago
        > Very interesting, especially for someone which psychosis was alcohol induced My earlier comment about the reason some people find alcohol to be so seductive: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14085230 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14085230 > I avoid coconut oil because of the fats, but I will change it now! If you're avoiding sugar too, try salted orange juice. This is a good source of sugar and potassium. If your OJ isn't very sweet you can add a spoonful of sugar. > I already noticed probiotic foods make me much happier. Good observation. Less-desirable intestinal microorganisms create endotoxin, which have to be detoxified by the liver. > Cortisol is a stress hormone, how can a deficiency cause psychosis? Cortisol tells the body to get more sugar into circulation. Cortisol levels are highest in the morning, when it's been the longest since the last meal. Cortisol is released when blood sugar gets low, or when a person might suddenly need a jolt of sugar to respond to a threatening situation. My current understanding is that when a person runs low on fuel (sugar), their body will compensate by putting its most fuel-hungry organ (the brain) into hibernation: "psychosis". Alcoholics train their nervous system to run on alcohol. People who become psychotic from alcohol withdrawal need help avoiding alcohol, and retraining their nerves to run on sugar. (Edit: alcoholic psychosis is some combination of inflammation, insulin resistance and fuel deprivation.) See link above, and search my comment history for 'alcohol'.
maxxxxx 8y ago
It seems the motto is “nobody ever got fired for prescribing more stuff”

mrguyorama 8y ago

My mother spent 8 years trying drug after drug for her serious anxiety and chronic depression. The problem is that nobody has a strong understanding of how the different medications work to help, or even who they can help, so it often is that you have to just try until one works. My mother eventually found one that works and is absolutely necessary for her to live a normal life.

LyndsySimon 8y ago

I've had similar experiences with myself. After high school I was prescribed two drugs in combination (Lexapro and Abilify) that helped me deal with and get a handle on my (serious) depression, and that was really easy. When I told them that I hated the way they made me feel and wanted to taper off of them once I was stabilized... that wasn't so easy. At the end of the day I had to issue a sort of ultimatum: I was going to discontinue those drugs with or without their assistance, but recognized the risks of doing so and would prefer to do it with their oversight. I did it "against medical advise, but with medical supervision". Years later I asked for and was once again prescribed Lexapro, but at a lower dosage and for a different issue. Apparently it was either Abilify or the combination of the two that caused my issues before.

clydethefrog 8y ago
The high mention of Abilify in the article and your comment makes me worried. I am currently on Abilify (10mg) for antipsychotic reasons. It seemed to be a "new generation" safer antipsychotic. Reading the Wikipedia article about it makes it sound a lot of research is unclear about the side effects. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aripiprazole
- tcj_phx 8y ago
  Abilify is one of the least-bad of its class. But it doesn't address the metabolic problem that is at the root of psychosis. Coconut oil, niacin/niacinamide (vitamin B-3), and other pro-metabolic interventions help get at the actual causes behind the diagnosis. Coconut oil is helpful because it can be directly metabolized by the cells, whereas longer saturated fats have to be ... processed somehow before they can be used for energy (I forget the exact name of the step). Coconut oil is also helpful for alcohol cravings. Cortisol deficiency is now associated with psychosis [0]. This is one of the manifestations of the metabolic problem at the root of the behavioral symptom (psychosis). [0] https://psychcentral.com/news/2016/06/04/low-morning-cortisol-levels-linked-to-psychosis/104266.html https://psychcentral.com/news/2016/06/04/low-morning-cortiso... Sometimes metabolic problems are caused or amplified by emotional stress.
  - clydethefrog 8y ago
    Very interesting, especially for someone which psychosis was alcohol induced. Thanks. I avoid coconut oil because of the fats, but I will change it now! I already noticed probiotic foods make me much happier. Question: Cortisol is a stress hormone, how can a deficiency cause psychosis?
    - tcj_phx 8y ago
      > Very interesting, especially for someone which psychosis was alcohol induced My earlier comment about the reason some people find alcohol to be so seductive: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14085230 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14085230 > I avoid coconut oil because of the fats, but I will change it now! If you're avoiding sugar too, try salted orange juice. This is a good source of sugar and potassium. If your OJ isn't very sweet you can add a spoonful of sugar. > I already noticed probiotic foods make me much happier. Good observation. Less-desirable intestinal microorganisms create endotoxin, which have to be detoxified by the liver. > Cortisol is a stress hormone, how can a deficiency cause psychosis? Cortisol tells the body to get more sugar into circulation. Cortisol levels are highest in the morning, when it's been the longest since the last meal. Cortisol is released when blood sugar gets low, or when a person might suddenly need a jolt of sugar to respond to a threatening situation. My current understanding is that when a person runs low on fuel (sugar), their body will compensate by putting its most fuel-hungry organ (the brain) into hibernation: "psychosis". Alcoholics train their nervous system to run on alcohol. People who become psychotic from alcohol withdrawal need help avoiding alcohol, and retraining their nerves to run on sugar. (Edit: alcoholic psychosis is some combination of inflammation, insulin resistance and fuel deprivation.) See link above, and search my comment history for 'alcohol'.

maxxxxx 8y ago

It seems the motto is “nobody ever got fired for prescribing more stuff”