Anyone on/been on antidepressants?

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I have been feeling rather blah lately, but there are reasons behind it. Anyway I have an appt Monday morning to go to the doctor to see about getting antidepressants. (BTW, this was an extremely difficult call to make, and I cried after hanging up the phone. Don't know what was up with that.)

Has anyone else been on antidepressants, and which ones? I don't know what to expect. I know the names, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, but don't know much about them.

I wish I could talk about stuff to those around me, but I don't want to burden anyone else. I mean, I know we've all got problems. Anyone else ever gone through that?

 

[Eiblis]

yes
(((((( hugs ))))))))

I was on prothiadon (sp*) for about 18 months after my second daughter was born.....still remember the feelings.

In England they dont like to give them out unless really necessary, I assume it is the same there...I also saw a psychiatric nurse which helped a lot.

pm sent

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

I take Lexapro. I tried a few oethrs that you mentioned, but they had too many side effects for me that made it difficult to take.

I understand how you feel. I hate taking them, but they do make a difference. Especially right now with dealing with my seperation from my husband. I don't know which way to turn. Do I go back with him? Do I forge ahead with the divorce? What? I'm still in love with him and I just don't know what to do. The hard part is that he is currently living with someone else.
Want to have a good cry together?

 

[EdiePA]

I know how difficult that phone call was to make! Congrats to you for taking that first step.

I was on Prozac for nearly a year after my ex-husband walked out. It didn't take away the problems, but it helped me to deal with them. The only side effects I had were increased sweating and dry mouth.

The thing that really helped me was finding a good counselor. I know you don't want to burden your family or friends with how you're feeling, so a counselor can help you get your feelings out and help you find solutions. One thing that she said was that depression comes out of feeling that you have no choices. She made me see that I had always had choices -- it may be between one crappy thing or another, but at least I had a choice.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. I work in a psychiatric hospital as a pharmacist, so I'm familiar with most of these drugs.

Hugs,
Edie

 

[Planogirl]

I became really angry and upset almost all of the time after my son was born. I had no real reason but was just spinning out of control. I wasn't diagnosed with post-partum but the psychiatrist I visited was satisfied that I needed a boost. He perscribed a low dosage of Zoloft and it changed everything! I joined a group to "talk it out" and got over my blue feelings eventually. I refer to this period now as the time I was in my black pit. By the way, I was NEVER blue around my son. I can't explain that but I'm grateful.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with getting some help in my opinion and I believe that it's also often a good idea to further deal with whatever is bothering you via counseling or just talking or whatever helps. You might want to look into that if you think it might help you.

Another thing, Zoloft is not habit-forming which was important to me.

Good luck and {{{{Hugs}}}}. Let us know which one you get and if it helps.

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm currently on Celexa and have been for a few months. This is my second time on Celexa - went through a dark period in spring '02 and was on it for 6 months, along with seeing a counselor (which really helped!!). This spring those same feelings came back only I caught it and got on the meds before it got too bad.

I also cried after making the calls to the doctor and counselor, and after picking up my first prescription at the drugstore. I cry very easily when my depression flares up. I also feel tired all the time, to the point where I don't want to get out of bed - I just want to hide from the world by sleeping all day. With a husband, two teenagers, a mini dachshund, house, full-time job, I just couldn't curl up under the covers. The meds helped me be able to cope with life, and gave me time to work on why I was feeling so down.

Help is a good thing! We all need it sometime or other. I think you're very brave just to take these first steps. You're stronger than you feel at the moment! If you need someone to pour it out to, or you just have questions, feel free to PM me.

I hope you're feeling beeter soon! Keep in mind that it takes a few weeks of taking meds until they start helping - don't give up!!

 

[jamsmom]

Zoloft worked best for me. I was on in for 18 months or so. I have tried Wellbuterin, but it did not seem to have the same effect as Zoloft.

I also sent you a PM

 

[browneyes]

My mom took Zoloft for about 6 months or so. It helped with her depression/anxiety, but it made her gain a lot of weight (which is one side affect).

{{hugs}}, KatelynnsAuntie.

 

[faith]

I know of two people that take Zoloft. It has changed their life for the better!! No weight gain for them as a side effect.

 

[Mskanga]

My dh has been taking Zoloft for years now, his job is very stressfull and let me just tell you , without Zoloft my dh is a complete lunatic, with Zoloft he's a person.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've been taking Effexor for 3 years now. When Dr. suggested 3 years ago that I might have depression, I almost fell over in shock and denial! I felt lousy physically, slept all the time, but I wasn't "depressed" about anything. But he was right. And since depression runs in the family, current thinking is that I'm on it for life, just like a Diabetic takes insulin. Please feel free to PM me with any questions, and I'm so glad you recognized it as a possibility. I was in such denial, and I thought that when my mother said she had it, it was just all in her mind, not anything she needed medication for. Boy, was I proven wrong!

 

[torismom]

I started out on zoloft and I gained a ton of weight and it seemed to make me more compulsive, I then went on sarafem and am now on once a week Prozac and I feel great other than the intial weight gain from the zoloft but Idecided I would rather be fat and normal then feel the way I did.

Congrats on the first step you have taken. May your life be different soon!!

 

[SplshMtn99]

On Lexapro since June for anxiety/depression. Life is SOOOOO much better!!!

I go & do things I was never able to do before. It feels very natural....not a fake kind of happy if you know what I mean. I still am down if I feel down....but I just feel generally better overall.

I'm another person who tried to do this on my own for about 20 yrs. Doctors therapy method wasn't working for my anymore. Finally had a complete breakdown one day...and that did it. I gave in to the drug method...and it's much better.

 

[missymouse3367]

I was on Prozac about 4 yrs ago. My Sister was getting married and I had to face my biological father. He was physically and mentally abusive to me. I took Prozac and a Klonapin for anxiety attacks. I also decided to see someone to help me resolve things.
{{HUGS}} I hope your visit with the Dr. goes well

 

[tinaw]

I was on Buspar last year. I believe it is more of an anxiety medication than depression but I'm not sure. I was having panic attacks and not sleeping. Buspar definately helped settle me down and be able to face to problems that were going on at the time. I didn't have any of the side affects that I have heard about with some of the others. It was also easy to get off of.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

I took Zoloft about 2 years ago, for only 1 week (due to anxiety & panic attacks). It was one of the worst weeks of my life, and I had to post after all the other positive posts just in case you would take it and have a similar reaction. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, had diarhhea, and it made the couple of panic attacks I had while taking it 10 times worse than without. I was a zombie. I started going to a self-help group instead, and that was the best thing I ever did for myself. No more anxiety. And by the way, someone else in my self-help group of 10 people had the same reaction to Zoloft. It's obviously helped alot of folks here, but as with any meds, watch for side effects. Good luck.

 

[wdwnutze]

I took Zoloft 2yrs ago for about 6mos. for depression/anxiety triggered by 9/11. It was the worst time of my life and I did nothing but cry. I didn't leave the house or talk to anyone. It was awful. I started the meds(I took a couple more for sleep and anxiety) and it made a HUGE difference. I also started counseling which was also a huge help. After a few months, I felt I could handle it without meds and I slowly stopped taking the meds(with the Dr's ok). It is difficult to make the initial call. Good for you for knowing that you need to do something about it. Good luck.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

I've been taking Effexor for about 6 months now and before that, I was on Paxil for 18 months. I was like Simbas Mom. Not feeling well physically, always tired. Doctor ran some blood tests and all were normal. When he suggested depression, I thought he was crazy. Well, he was right...it changed my life. I will also probably be on it forever...but that's ok...I'm a much nicer person to be around now.

 

[LindaG4458]

I've been on antidepressants for over 20 years. Both my parents had chronic depression so there was no way that I would not have it.

Initially I took MAO inhibitors for about four years. They worked great, but one of the side effects is disrupted sleep. That was the reason I had to make a change. Since then, after trying almost all the common drugs, I have been on Zoloft. It works for me in a low dosage, but I need that small amount. From time to time my doctor tries some of the newer drugs, but zoloft still works best for me.

Good luck, you will be feeling better soon.

 

[ebaynut31]

People joke with me about my Zoloft, but I have to tell you that I feel like it really saved me. I was a nutcase. I really swear by my Zoloft. I am only on 25 mg day and can increase to 50mg if I need to whenever I need to.

Congrats for taking that first step in saying it out loud that you need help. It took me about 4 years to say it and do something about it. Been on the Zoloft for a year now. I call it my wonder drug.