Date:  Thu Feb 8, 2001 4:55pm

Hi!  My name is Kat and I'm new to the group. I've been on several 
medications the last two years and have been tapering off last month 
or so with the help of a holistic healer (she does cranial sacrum 
therapy).  I was on Buspar, Lithium and Prozac and I've just recently 
weaned myself of the Prozac.  Unknown to my doctor I've decided to 
take my own fate into my own hands and throw away my synthetic drugs 
and go with a more natural way of life. But after reading a few 
letters from the board, I think I should have created a longer weaning 
period for the Prozac because I'm feeling really yucky and I feel like 
it's too late to go back. The symptoms I've noticed so far are 
headaches, exhaustion, shooting pains in my legs and fuzziness on my 
brain. Even though I've basically done a revamp of everything, from 
taking vitamins to minerals and watching my diet and doing yoga and 
meditation I believe I'm doing the right thing and I'm willing to go 
through hell to get my self back into order.  

It really saddens me how fast the system can suck you into this 
"serotonin high" and how great it will make you feel and yet not 
inform you about reactions and withdrawal once you've decide to come 
off them.  I've been quoted that Prozac is something that I must have 
because I'm chemically imbalanced and that I'm like a Diabetic who 
must have the medication to keep my chemicals in balance.  They hadn't 
even taken a blood test, how would they know and I refer to "they" 
because I have a therapist and a psychologist (why both?)  It's like 
they have a monopoly on the mental world.  I don't know, It's just a 
quirk I have, The system takes my money twice for the same thing.  

Well, I'm truly happy I've found a chat board to express and compare 
notes with and I wish everyone peace and enlightenment for us all. 

Kat

Date:  Thu Feb 8, 2001 5:29pm

Response:
 <<I've been quoted that Prozac is something that I
 must have 
 because I'm chemically imbalanced and that I'm like a
 Diabetic who 
 must have the medication to keep my chemicals in
 balance.>>
This is the party line.  It is pure propaganda but people believe it.  I was 
told the same thing, but I questioned the therapist and said "How do you KNOW 
I have an imbalance?  Where's the test?  How badly are my chemicals out of 
whack?"  Of course, she couldn't answer any of those questions and backed 
down.  I didn't realize at the time that this is what the drug companies have 
told the doctors.  This kind of propaganda creates junkies for life.  I'd be 
rich too if I had a dollar for everytime someone argued with me over this 
point but could not PROVE they had a brain imbalance.  The whole concept is 
ridiculous and takes any potential for recovery away from the patient making 
them dependent FOR LIFE on medication whose mechanism is not even understood. 
 Welcome to the group, Kat.  We're here to help you and debunk the myth that 
all our problems are caused by this fictitious imbalance.  These drugs never 
cured anything -- in fact they are designed to cause massive amounts of  
mental dysfunction.

Trisha