Endorphins - When do I get them back!

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Hi All! (I cant believe I got through, I must collect myself a moment).

Does anyone know how long it takes to have ones endorphins return to pre-opoid days?  I am just wondering about the day that I attempt to only use things like Yoga, meditation, and maybe the antidepressants to tackle my fibromyalgia and arthritis.  I have wanted to know this for a long time but could not get through to make a new post.  This is one exciting day!  I think I will do a quick pick on Lotto!  I would appreciate any information from you good people.  I mean do the drugs need to be out of your system for a period of time?  Does it depend on what you were on and how long you were on it?  
Thanks Again Everybody,
Marcie!

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I certainly agree with your statement that certain people go off their AD's because they kill their creative impulse.  That was perhaps the main reason that I quit them AMA.  Plus they are very good at killing one's libido(sex drive).  

I'm an artist and get very depressed even while on AD's when I cannot "create" something.  While on AD's I was even contemplating suicide and drinking alcohol to excess.  I don't need this type of mood alteration in my life.  I'd rather be me with all of my rough edges than a zombie with a dead soul!  But at least I tried them(AD's)as suggested by several doctors that I have seen.  They just aren't meant for me.  Have you ever seen the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?

[vickyv to J.B.]

J.B., regarding your comment about cookoo's nest, I hope you are not referring to being lobotomized!!!!  During one of my many(!!!)stays in the mental ward, where they put the addicts, People were being trotted off left and right for SHOCK TREATMENTS!  And the scary part is they all seemed happier when they got back, except for one poor girl who's memory was zapped.  I know that talking about mental hospitals is weird, but here in good old Indiana, when you go inpatient, you are put in with everyone that is classified under mental health.  Which means you are locked up with the possibility of having a  schitzophrenic, a heroin addict OR an alocholic as your roomate.  Luckily, I was always such a prima donna that I was lucky enough to get my own room.  Don't laugh but some of the best people I have met have been in these hospitals!!!!  Anyway, on to saner subjects, j.B. what kind of art do you do?  Do you currently have any works in progress?  I currently have a horrible cold, and am also going through withdrawals.  I have never liked cold medicine because it made me feel like I was hallucinating, which I hate, but having researched dextromethorphan, it apparantly is very much abused.  Anywho, I saw some lying around, and decided, what the hey, and too a vics 44. Wow!!!  Although my heart is beating fast and I don't like the feeling, it has subsided the cold AND the withdrawals symptoms.  Does anyone else have any knowledge about this?

[vickyv to barbara and hi to Marcie!!]

Since anti-depressents and other psychotropic drugs main purpose is to alter moods, It would seem logical that one of the side effects of anti-depressents might be stifling creativity.  Manic Depressives often enjoy the manic period, because they have energy and a feeling of being high.  One reason they go off of the meds so frequently is that the stabilization of their mood kills the "creative, impulsive" side.  A lot of musicians are manic-depressives, and are at their artistic best when they are in the manic mode.  Speaking of Musicians, Marcie, it seems like everywhere I look I see Aerosmith now!!!  I think of you every time.  How are you doing?

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Master tape of. He went to jail shortly after for getting violent and after I gathered enough money for 1,000 CD's to be produced. All of the sudden and I lost interest altogether in producing the CD's. I used to love music and listened to it all the time. Now I don't turn on the TV OR Radio anymore. It's like I don't care about anything including if I die or not. Each day is just like another day of survival. When I was obsessed I had projects to work on and goals. Now nothing but blank like I am on the "Road to Nowhere"!

I have been on Celexa, (similar to Zoloft) for several months and it doesn't seem to be helping. Only the Klonopin and Ultram help my mood along with the other problems they were prescribed for.

I used to love to write my thoughts down and analyze things, now I can't seem to get two sentences out. I think the obsession was necessary to quide my mind and moods. I feel like a different person now. I hate how I feel. I've just been forcing myself to keep busy to keep my mind off it but it won't leave me alone no matter what I do. I can't even sleep properly and now have developed what I think is sleep Narcolepsy. I will get checked for it within two or three weeks.

I have never fallen asleep in the car or at work before in my life and now it seems to be becoming a regular thing in the morning and early evening. The computers and car headlights seem to affect it, and I have almost had many accidents from temporarily blacking out and going in the other lanes. I tried changing medicine times and eating times and everything possible and it's not any of that. Some would blame the Klonopin but I have taken three 1 mg tabs at a time as a test and did not even get tired. I worked just fine.

It always seems if it isn't one thing, it's something else. I am working with my higher power about it, that's why I need to go to the jungle to feel closer to nature and God. Sorry for the babbling but I know the feeling you are talking about Marcie.

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I know exactly what you mean. I have always been obsessed with typhoons and weather and now I am actually thinking of chaning careers. My deaydreaming and ideas also are affected. I was going to publish a music CD my ex-boyfriend and I completed the

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Hi Mark,
Do they have you on too low of a dose of the Zoloft? I am on 150 mg. and to me it seems high but my no means at that dosage do I feel carefree and perky!  I have been on antidepressants for so long I would not know if they were not working.  I have not known who I am for sure since starting on the various antidepressants 5 years ago. Prozac, Effexor, Buspar (for anxiety) and now Zoloft.

This seems wierd but whatever is in the medicine that stops Obsessive Compulsive Disorder also stops my ability to daydream and even gets in the way of meditating.  It is like my receptors are thinking that I am obsessing when I really and just trying to think/concentrate of things that make me happy.  My mind just goes dead when I try to concentrate about a subject. I know that sounds wierd but maybe someone might know what I am talking about.  It is like my ability to daydream is gone because my body thinks I am obsessing.  Hell, I know this sounds like nonsense! Boy I wish I had a crystal ball for knowing how much and what kind of antidepressat I should take.  If I go off everything and flip my lid I dont want to wait the 6 weeks or so for the next antidepressant to kick in.
The only thing I know for sure is that I am glad this site is here with all the great people that come with it.  I dont know what I would have done without a site like this where I can hang out and have fun while educating myself at the same time!
Take Care
Marcie