Question for those familiar with antidepressants

[Rajah]

I'm trying to decide whether or not to go to my doctor, and want some info before I go. I know there are people here familiar with antidepressants, so thought I'd ask.

Is there such a thing as an antidepressant that is *mild*, does *not* leave a hangover for the first X days, and does not make you sleepy or sluggish all the time? Oh, and is non-habit forming.

I've tried Zoloft in the past, and decided the mild depression was far better than suffering through the worst headaches I've ever had in my life. Even for just 3 days. I won't do Zoloft again.

I've tried Doxepin/Sinequan (sp?) when we were trying to break these hives (which, no, have not gone away *YET*. *sigh* ) That made me feel so strange in ways I can't really describe but it scared me. Felt like it was doing something strange with my heart or blood pressure and head. I again decided the symptoms (in this case hives) were far better than the side effects of the medicine. And again, I'd rather deal with the depression than the side effects.

I've been on a low dosage of Nortriptyline (sp?) for a few years now to help me relax enough to sleep, and I'm considering asking if I can double that dosage (since what I've been taking is 1/4 the usual dosage for depression as I understand it) and see if I can take it. The only side effects or addiction I've had when I've had to temporarily stop it were nightmares one night (possibly related, possibly not) and, well DUH, an increase in depression symptoms. But I don't know if it'd work during the day without making me drowsy.

What I'm wanting is something that I can take in the mornings when I get to work that will help "smooth off the edges" so to speak of being back at work without my dad being here. I don't need much, and if there are (m)any side effects, I'd much rather deal with it on my own.

So before I went to the Dr and took the time and $$ to do so, I was wondering if anyone knew if there's such a thing as a mild antidepressant that is non-habit-forming, doesn't leave a "hangover" or make me feel like the doxepin does, and wouldn't make me drowsy? If there is no such thing, I'm not going to waste my time.

What I've *been* using when things get hard the past few weeks is a homeopathic remedy called Rescue Remedy, and if there isn't something else I can take that would help, I'll continue with that. But I have to drink that in water, and for some reason was staritng to get mild stomach aches from it. *sigh* But the mild stomach aches are *far* superior to the side effects I've had with other antidepressants.

Anyway, hoping someone here would have some advice. And yes, I will go to my Dr before I try to self-prescribe anything. I just want to be prepared with some info before I go in.

Thanks all

 

[tw1nsmom]

You might want to research Wellbutrin. It isn't mild, but doesn't have the same side effects as other anti-depressents. It can cause sleeplessness and anxiety in some people. It also has some risk of seizures, but they all do and if you research it you'll find out that the risk has been somewhat exaggerated. Good luck with finding something that's right for you.

 

[princess lovers mom]

Hi,
I am prescribing lexapro for several of my patients with good results...talk to your Dr. to see if it my be right for you. Pluses that I see are that it works quickly, usually in 5-7 days, low side effects..usually fatigue is the biggest if any...and easy to come off from when the time comes...I would suggest starting at 1/2 dose for a week and then increasing if necessary.

denise

 

[mom2grace]

DH is on prozac (regular, not generic). He has taken it for about 2 years. He hasn't really had any side effects, and he wouldn't take it if he did.

He actually sleeps much better than before and worries a lot less.

I think it's important to check in at 2 and 4 weeks with your dr. in case you need to adjust your dosage.

Good luck, I am grateful we have so many terrific meds to help with depression!

 

[TammyNC]

Tammi-

I really don't have any helping advice for you, but wanted to let you know that I am still thinking of you so often and keeping you all in my prayers and thoughts.

 

[sap1227]

My DH takes Lexapro for Social Anxiety Disorder. He tried a couple of others and did not like the way they made him feel. The Lexapro makes him a little tired, but it is not too bad.

Good Luck!
Christy

 

[DoeWDW]

I've been on low doses of Celexa and Effexor (not at the same time) in the past. Neither one gave me any side effects but the Effexor does a much better job on my depression.

Good luck with finding the right med, Tammi. Sometimes it takes some trial and error, but in the end, it's usually worth it.

 

[chager]

I take Welbutrin and haven't had any problems. (Still waiting for the weightloss side effect though Apparently I won't get that benefit since it's been over a year). DH takes Paxil but does get withdrawel if he doesn't take it. Makes him REALLY grumpy I've missed mine meds a few times but never had any withdrawel problems. I'm trying to remember the natural ones you could try. I think it was called Samee, but I'm not sure. I know it was at GNC. I pray you feel better soon

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I take a low dose of Paxil (10 mg) and it works pretty well (although I certainly have days where I'd like to take bigger dose . )

I started out taking Prozac and had problems sleeping, so that didn't work.

Good luck, Tammi. You're still in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[luv2nascar]

I personally do not take any meds for depression but just wondering when you say take the edge off if may you have more anxiety than depression.
Xanax is good for taking the edge off I guess. If you think this is only a temporary thing and is stress related to your current events. I know you are going through a lot right now. From what I understand the Xanax is good because you only take it when you need it not all the time. Like to fall asleep or to be able to go to work in the morning.
Good luck and talk to your doctor there is something out there that is right for your situation you just have to find it.

 

[DocRafiki]

I've probably taken 7-10 different antidepressants, and only two have given me any notable side effects (Effexor and Serzone). Effexor's were bad enough to make me not ever want to try it again, but Serzone's were only in the beginning of the course. Of course I'm completely against taking any meds without also getting some form of counseling/therapy. I got my first meds from a general practitioner, but never again.

Obviously it will be a trial and error, as you can see just from the responses here, one drug will be fine for one person and do horrible things to the next.

 

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by luv2nascar
I personally do not take any meds for depression but just wondering when you say take the edge off if may you have more anxiety than depression.
Xanax is good for taking the edge off I guess. If you think this is only a temporary thing and is stress related to your current events. I know you are going through a lot right now. From what I understand the Xanax is good because you only take it when you need it not all the time. Like to fall asleep or to be able to go to work in the morning.
Good luck and talk to your doctor there is something out there that is right for your situation you just have to find it.

I'd tend to agree with this. Anti-depressants are usually prescribed for clinical, not situational depression. They won't work if you don't have the bio-chemical imbalance that they are designed to fix. After 9/11, I tried Paxil for anxiety. It made me feel worse! After speaking at length to my PCP, we decided it was not made for my symptoms, so I was given Xanax. Interestingly, I never took it! Just knowing that I had it in case I needed to take the edge off was enough to take the edge off. Very weird, but a testiment to the power of the mind.

 

[Serena]

Tammi
Ok, first of all, talk to your doctor. No matter how many people give you their experiences, you are different and may not experience the same things. And are you seeing a counselor yet? I know I resisted for a long time, but I'm really glad I got over that. It does help a lot.

Now for me, I didn't know I was depressed. I knew I couldn't concentrate on anything, and it bothered me. I finally talked to a doctor about it, and he talked to me about what I felt, and what I thought would be better.
He asked if I felt anxious or sad or what, since those are different kinds of medicines.
He said that it sounded like there was a chemical that was low in my brain and that there are medicines to help. He said I was probably depressed, that he knew of a medicine that's fairly new that might help me concentrate and possibly feel better. He did say that sometimes it takes experimenting to see which meds are the best for me.

He put me on Celexa. It was a very low dose and actually I've had it increased lately. It worked pretty well, but I felt those old symptoms coming back in the last few months, so I talked to him again.
He did increase the dosage, he also said I can be in charge of how much I take a day. For example, if I'm having a really week or such, I can take more, if everything is going smooth, I can take less.
Part of my depression is forgetting things, like taking medicines, eating, stuff like that. I know if I've forgotten it for 3 days because I become a crying mess.
At first I did have headaches, when I increased it, I had headaches too and dizziness, but they are very worth it. I feel a million times better with the meds. I don't feel weird, sleepy, or anything like that.

 

[Rajah]

Thanks everyone. That answers my question enough to say that yes it is worth looking into, and giving me a list of possibilities to ask my dr about.

I don't know how long or short term this will be. I was feeling a little depressed ever since the Columbia accident last year (anniversary of that is coming up this weekend. ) and by the time I reached Christmas, I was totally unmotivated to work on anything at work. I don't know honestly if that was burnout, depression, or something else, but I was going to give myself until after the holidays to see if I was better when I returned before I talked to EAP and my Dr about it. Of course, now with this, there's no question I'm experiencing moments of "depression". But whether it's situational (more likely) or long-term, I don't know. But I'll talk to her to find out.

Thanks for the support, everyone.

Serena -- I'm not seeing a counselor yet. I'm keeping that in mind, but I know this is going to get worse before it gets better (I expect in about 2 months will be the peak -- I'm guessing that's when it's not going to be really possible to deny it any longer and will really set in) and since we're only given 5 meetings covered by insurance (my understanding anyway -- it may be 5 free and the rest are co-pay, though), I want to save those for when I *really* need it and when I'm ready to discuss it in person more. I don't know how long I'll wait, but I *will* go when I'm ready.

 

[Serena]

I have to say again that I think you are doing very well considering everything you have gone through.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I too think you're doing very well considering everything that's happened. Your ability to share your thoughts is a wonderful thing. Processing everything takes time for your mind, your body and your spirit. You have to go through the stages of grief and loss, there's no getting around them.

I wonder if you may need an anti-anxiety med either instead of or in addition to the antidepressant. Perhaps you could try the anti-anxiety med for a while and decide if you need to add an antidepressant.

I personally recommend a professional to talk with. I know it will probably be expensive but you're worth it.

Take care.
Mary Alice

 

[ahutton]

You've had so much great advice, I only have a little to add. DH became very depressed after being laid off last year for the 3rd time in less than 4 years. He took Lexapro and had great success with it, and no side effects or he would have told me. He said it helped him handle the peaks and valleys of every day, stay focused on what needed to be done... Lots of hugs and prayers. You are truly admired by many of us for handling so well what is so difficult, even at the times when you don't feel like you are handling it well.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I am in the process of diagnosis for anxiety and depression and went in for a medicine evaluation after being referred by my counselor.
He prescribed Lexapro and my parents and I started researching about it online.
This is a website my mom sent me which absolutely floored me talking about side effects of Lexapro and people's experiences with it.

http://www.prozactruth.com/lexapro.htm#sideeffects

Hope it helps a little

 

[Rajah]

Thanks again everyone. Honestly, I still don't know why I'm handling this so well. It seems very abnormal to me. But, at least I am handling it.

I have an apopintment for in the morning now so we'll see what comes of that. Thanks for all the options and links.

If my mom keeps having bad days, I may end up having to go to EAP just to learn how to deal with her.