Trial and Error: 5 Tips for Coping with Medication Changes
From Sertraline to Citalopram, Quetiapine to Haloperidol; there are many different medications out there to help with mental health conditions. There are four main types of psychiatric medications out there, which we’ll cover in future articles. Today, we’re going to look at five tips that can help ease the process of changing medications for mental illness.
Personally, I’ve been on my own journey of trial and error with medications. Some worked briefly, then stopped: Some never worked at all. I know what it’s like to lose hope in finding a medication that can at least help dull the more severe symptoms of mental illness. Unfortunately, mental health treatment isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all.’ A treatment that makes one person with depression feel on top of the world, might have no effect on someone else. Our brains are unique, just like us; from the balance in chemicals to our coping mechanisms.
Although we all have different experiences with, and reactions to medications; there are some ways to ease that transition. Some strategies may work more for you than others, but there’s no harm in trying each of these tips.
Know Your Medication
Every medication has it’s own side effects and cautionary warnings, mental health medication or not! It’s easy to think that most medications are the same, but some have additional warnings or precautionary steps that you have to take.
Some mental health medication tells you to avoid alcohol or grapefruit (and other citrus fruits.) This can be down to the citric value changing the way the medication works, or for alcohol, you may drink 1 pint, but for your body, it seems like 3. These types of warnings usually come on the label or on the product leaflet.
Some medications also ask for you to avoid other medications. Take lithium for example, which is a mood stabiliser. Lithium cannot be taken with Ibuprofen (oral form.) So even taking a standard painkiller can cause unwanted side effects when mixed with another medication.
It’s always best to read the leaflet that your medication comes with or talking to a pharmacist. I know reading the leaflet can be tiresome, some of them are huge! But it’s worth reading through, I promise. It’s easier to read it once than wonder why you’re having terrible headaches after taking painkillers and not knowing why.
Another step in changing medication is knowing what time is best to take it. Some prescribed medications will tell you whether to take them morning, evening or night; with food or without. Some, however, don’t. Ask your GP what is the best time for taking your medication when it’s prescribed. At times, it’s generally up to you when to take it.
When I was prescribed Citalopram, I was advised to take it any time of the day, preferably with food. However, because I experience night terrors; it worked better for me taking it in the morning, than at night. If you find your medication isn’t working best in the morning, try it at night; or vice versa. That can be all it takes to turn a rubbish night’s sleep into blissful dreamy paradise!
Give it Time and Use Your Time Wisely
Medication isn’t a quick fix. Young Beth thought that by a week on Sertraline, I’d be hunky-dorey! Older and wiser Beth shakes her head in disappointment.
It’s easy to think that this is it, this is the pill that’s going to solve all your problems. Bingo! When in reality, it can takes weeks, if not months for your body to process the medication and for it to start working. Don’t feel disheartened when it doesn’t work after a week or two. Most psychiatric medication can take up to 4-6 weeks to start working. If in doubt, ask your doctor what to expect in the beginning of taking your medication.
In that time of waiting, try to stick to a routine. Now, I’m not expecting anyone who’s changing medication to be able to upkeep a jam-packed schedule. Something simple as to wake up at the same time every day, can help your body stay in rhythm.
Sticking to a routine doesn’t mean to pack activities into every minute of the day. It could be something as simple as setting an alarm for the same time every morning… Or if you’re like me, 10 alarms!
You don’t want to be throwing your body clock off whilst going through a medication change; too much upset to your routine won’t help ease your transition.
The past two medication changes for me, I’ve taken time off work. That being said, I always try to stick to the same routine of trying to keep busy for a period of 6 to 8 hours a day, even if it’s wandering around the house and doing small tasks with a break in between. I’ve made the mistake of spending my entire medication change period in bed. It was the worst thing I could have done. Although my mind was slowly healing, I didn’t know how to physically catch up with my old routine. It was added stress that I didn’t need.
Keep Note
We’re not going to be writing a novel here, don’t worry. My third tip is to keep notes. Some GPs ask for you to keep a diary of sorts. This can contain how well you slept, a mood rating, what you managed to do and any side-effects you experienced. Even if your GP doesn’t recommend it, I do!
The benefit to doing this is to be able to look back and see patterns. Heartburn or acid reflux is a common side effect to mental health medication, and if it occurs regularly enough, you may be prescribed something to ease this. However, if you see that your heartburn is on the days you’re smoking more or eating something spicy, you’ll know it’s your diet or lifestyle that’s impacting on it, and not your medication!
I know keeping a diary isn’t going to be for everyone, but I’d urge you to at least keep a note of what medication you have taken in the past and the present.
I’m not guaranteed to see the same GP at each appointment, so I keep a list of the medication that didn’t work for me. It’s handy for medication reviews and for emergency situations.
It can be a note in the back of a notebook or a document on your computer, it doesn’t matter. The benefit of having this is for emergency situations and for reference.
Many GP practices can’t guarantee that you’ll see the same GP at each appointment. With a maximum of 10 minutes per appointment as standard practice, it can be hard for a GP to look back through your prescription history. If you have it to hand, it can help avoid you being prescribed something that already hasn’t worked for you.
That being said, it’s also beneficial for emergency situations. If you happen to be having a really tough time and go into hospital for your mental health; having your own notes and views on your medication can help maximise your input into your care. In Scotland, we have a document called Advanced Statements, which I’ll cover in the future. These Advanced Statements allow you to write in a legal document, that you do not wish to be treated with specific medications.
Get the Balance Right
Whilst I’ve already spoken about keeping a routine, it’s equally important to get your life balance right. If you’re still working during a medication change, remember to take time out for yourself. Work finishes when your shift finishes. Don’t try to bury your head into your work to avoid other tasks or taking care of yourself.
Medication isn’t a cure all in most cases. It’s finding that balance between medication, sometimes therapy and your own hobbies and coping strategies. Doctors often talk about the pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects of your mental health care, but that doesn’t always mean therapy like CBT. Sometimes it’s the things that are your form of therapy. Seeing friends, getting crafty, walking the dog in the fresh air, binge watching a TV series on Netflix. It doesn’t matter what. That’s your time to enjoy something. That’s how you help yourself.
Bad days will still happen, as will good days. Don’t beat yourself up for having a day where you can’t get out of bed, or the washing starts piling up. Even after months or years of medication or treatment, you’re going to have bad days. You’re human. You’re still worth more than the weight of gold.
Create Supportive Networks
Whether you talk to your dog like me, or your hamster or cat or lizard; have someone to confide in. Even if it’s a sheet of paper that you put your feelings down on.
Your GP or doctor is there to help you, please use them. If you’re having problems with your medication, or are finding life tough; reach out. There are countless helplines out there which allow you to talk to trained professionals that can help you work through your feelings and vent. Some function outside the 9 - 5 of GP practices such as Breathing Space and Samaritans.
If you feel like you can, share with your friends and family that you’re going through a medication change. You can ask them to drop you a message or call every now and again to check in, or can help you monitor your mood. Equally, let your employer know too. They can perhaps help through referring you to Human Resources and looking at adjustments to help ease your workload.
You’re not alone. Things will work out and there are better days ahead. Medication changes can be a hellish experience, but you’ll get through it. This is just a bump in the road to the future.
Until next time, stay happy, stay healthy and stay positive. And remember, someone out there cares about you, so if you need help or feel like chatting, reach out.
Beth
