anti-depressants... Help?

[DizFan101]

Okay,
i am going to a psycologist who is going to recommend me 2 a psychiatrist who might recommend me for anti-depressants.

I am wondering if anybody on here is on anti-depressants can tell me what they felt like prior to going on them and what they felt like going off.

Every day is a struggle for me. I just don't enjoy things anymore that I used to.
I went to the beach on monday (true i wasn't a beach goer in the first place but thought it would be fun to sit on the beach). I just couldn't enjoy it because i felt like an invisable object. I did get sun burned which hurts like crap which puts me in to a bad mood. I get aggitated easily for no reason. It just sucks.

but my parents have been wary bout anti-depressents and I have read that some times they do more bad then good.

So i am hoping someone here can help.

 

[quasar4legs]

I don't have any advice but just wanted to give you a

Hope things feel better soon.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'm on anti-depressants and have been for 17 years. I was originally put on them for depression but now I just use them to keep my anxiety disorder at bay. Before I started them I didn't want to do anything or be around anyone. I was just...blah I guess is the best term for it. I didn't notice a difference when I first started medication, but then one day I noticed I had times when I felt good. I think people expect to feel better with the first dose, but it takes time for a lot of antidepressants to build up enough in your system to work. Like 6-8 weeks. So you have to give it time. And not every antidepressant works for every person. You might have to try a few to find the one that works right for you. It can be a long and frustrating process but if you stick with it you will feel the difference. Good luck!

 

[Celidh]

Good for you for addressing this. Sometimes it is the hardest thing for us to do is to realize and admit to ourselves that we may need some help and then actually do something about it.

I have been on and off anti-depressants a few times over the years. I agree with the pp, it takes a while for them to do their job and for you to see a difference. My doctor told me that I should have someone pay closer attention to me for the first few weeks as your symptoms can seem worse and there is a higher risk of suicide. They way she described it to me was that it really isn't that you are feeling worse or more depressed, but that you may have a bit more energy (not sure that is the right term) but the depression is still there. So, someone who may have before wished they were not hear anymore, may just have the "get up and go" so to speak to do something about those thoughts.

It's hard to be in a situation where you don't want to do anything and don't enjoy anything. For me, it is a struggle just to make it through my day these days. I would sooner just crawl in a hole and ignore the world a lot of the time.

Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask for help and let people help you. Me, I'm not so good at that so who am I to speak.

Take Care

 

[DizFan101]

Hey guys/gals
I just wanted to give everyone an update on how I was doing. I just got back from a session with a nurse practitioner. I am now on cybalta. Hopefully it will work.

 

[mommasita]

Hi there!

Sorry you are going through some rough times.

I have been on them a few years back. I was just down, couldn't figure out the reason. THe doctor tried a few different ones, and I believe the final was Wellbutrin. It did help me through the rough times, but all seemed to have some side effect.

I hope yours work for you.

 

[lemondog]

I was on Cymbalta for 7 years for anxiety. I was terrified to go on it, but I am SO glad I did.

Well, let me backtrack. Doc first tried me on Lexapro. I quit sleeping. I mean literally did NOT sleep. I was wired 24/7. So we switched to Cymbalta. I had a couple of weeks of nausea (similar to morning sickness) but it passed and I gradually realized that my anxiety had diminished and I was enjoying life more. Most importantly, I was not walking around with the ever-present pit of dread in my stomach anymore. My panic attacks became fewer and farther between and within 12-18 months of starting the meds I no longer had ANY panic attacks and therefore no longer needed Xanax (which I took as needed for panic).

Fast forward 7 years and I find out I am pregnant very unexpectedly. My psychiatrist wants me off the Cymbalta ASAP. I had exactly FOUR days to wean off. I do NOT recommend this ever, ever, ever. My situation was unusual in that I was pregnant and desperate to get off the meds ASAP. It was rough, I will not lie. Two months of brain zaps, followed by another couple of months of EXTREME depression, I mean true hopelessness. I never was suicidal but I was very, very depressed and miserable and of course made life miserable for everyone around me. The key to weaning off an SSRI is GRADUAL elimination.

All that said, the moment I am done breastfeeding this baby I am going back on the Cymbalta. My anxiety has really come back and I now know I do NOT have to live life feeling this way.

I hope the Cymbalta works for you and you feel better soon. And remember, even if it doesn't help there are MANY drugs out there...sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error until you find the right one for your body.