My Magic Pill Box

Used to treat my anxiety and help control panic attacks. When I first started taking this drug I became thirsty ALL the time. I was drinking so much water a day that my doctor became alarmed. After my body got used to it, the thirst went away, and I have no side effects now.

Used to treat psychotic episodes, mainly associated with Schizophrenia. Helps with my visions and voices. Unfortunately I have cycled through all of the antipsychotics on the market. I am back to square one, with the first drug I ever took for Schizophrenia. It didn't work before, but I have to be hopeful that it will help now!

Taking Abilify causes my body to shake, especially my hands. Cogentin is an antiparksonian drug that reduces the tremors. Unfortunately, Cogentin causes my pupils to dilate to an extraordinary size, and also affects my vision. I already have nearsightedness, where I can only see up close. This drug makes it impossible to see anything up close. Quite a predicament!

Used to treat panic disorder/anxiety. I am technically "addicted" to this drug. Some doctors refuse to prescribe this medicine, however, it does wonders for me. I have been on 2mg per day for six years, so although I am "addicted" my dosage has not gone up. I say, if it helps me, leave me the hell alone!! I don't care if it is addictive, it's not like my brain chemistry is going to change and I am going to be normal tomorrow anyway. I take whatever I can to get through the day! This drug relaxes me enough to open my front door. Actually leaving my house is a different story!

Used as an antidepressant as well as sleep aid. With bipolar disorder, I "cycle up" A LOT. What this means is that I feel weirdly euphoric, yet I am irritable and can't sleep worth a damn! Without Trazodone I may be up for three days straight, and then "crash" becoming depressed and suicidal. It's a ruthless cycle, like an out of control roller coaster ride. This drug helps with the steep inclines, and declines.

Used to help me manage my anxiety. You would think that with all the above medications, I would be sleeping my life away. Although I do get tired, my anxiety still pushes its head up every once in a while. I take benadryl because it has a calming effect, when combined with the other medication I take, I actually might get out the front door into the pretty world!