I need my medication but I can't take it.

[Asystole]

I'm getting so very sick of this juggling act now. I'm on abilify and escitalopram and I suffer from.. shall we say sexual side effects. I doubt I need to elaborate, look them up if you don't know what i'm talking about. I stopped taking them when I realised the effect they were having on me. Then I felt ****, depressed, paranoid so I started taking them again. Then the side effects begun to get me upset again and ruin potential relationships, so I stopped taking them again.

It's a vicious continuous cycle and I guess I just want advice on what I should do. I hate these side effects but I NEED my medication otherwise I feel terrible.

I'm also on zopiclone for not sleeping, though I don't think this has the same side effects.

On top of that I think when I haven't been taking my meds I've begun hearing things. A voice to be specific. I tried to tell my psychiatrist but said things like "Is the voice inside your head?" which is a very vague question as technically yes, a voice i'm HEARING is inside my head.. isn't it? Anyway now he thinks I mean I was imagining it.

I'm rambling on now. HELP :(

[Ami]

*huggles*

did u tell your psych about this? I dont really know what side effects you mean, but i suppose i can guess. Maybe if you told your psych, he could change your meds and you could try something new.

its better if you do take them, cos then you will be well and wont hear voices which can be scary.

As far as i know zopiclone doesnt effect sexual function.

[Asystole]

Yeah I told my psych but he brushed it off kinda. They did offer to change my anti depressant but they haven't done so yet.

[Doesnt_matter]

Hi Chris,
I hope that it is O.K. that I (girl/ woman/

The following content has been hidden - Reason : more private

lesbian

) replies to your post .
Well, I don't suffer from the same side effects as you BUT I once took an AD and got very extreme nightmares from it and after changing my meds it was O.K. again. There are sooo many ADs and hopefully, you'll be able to find another one soon (with the help of your psych!) that fits better to you!

By the way, from a female (!) friend who had taken an AD I know that women can suffer from similar side effects like you do because well, women sometimes could lose the interested in sex because of ADs.

But I would say if you find a nice girl, she should be understanding and support you although some things don't function that easy because of your meds. That's love, isn't it? Being there for each other and support each other in good and bad times.

Concerning the voice: I hope that your psychiatrist will take it more serious and try to help you.

Hugs and hopefully you find better meds soon,
Judith

P.S.: Please don't stop to take your meds at once (and not without asking a professional for help) because stopping some ADs is like a real withdrawal.

[Dan]

As you know, I'm having the same kinda side effects as you, seriously, It's kinda really bad.

But, I think I'm going to stick it out, as, I'm hoping the side effects will go after a month or so, and if the meds help, I'm going to need them.

The way I see it is, I'd rather be alive, than have a SD (Sexual Dysfunction.)

If you want to talk, just pop a PM, this situation sucks, but all we can do is try and make the best of it, even if it is really uncomfortable, and hard to do.

Take care, Dan.

[Asystole]

Thank you for your replies guys. I saw my CPN this morning who I had no idea was actually due to come today :P

I told him about the new developments, and he suggested I have a blood test so that the doctors have no other choice but to accept it's a medication side effect and change my medication.