[ddosher]

I have an appointment with a pysch tomorrow and I believe that I will be assessed as being depressed. I think I am. I have taken Prozac in the past and I did not feel any different. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any luck in getting it right with a med without a whole lot of side effects. If you wee me and was looking for something to try what would you suggest. Thanks a lot.
Donna

[bev49]

Donna, I personally don't think this is a question anyone can answer. There are many many antidepressents out there and unfortunately its pretty much trial and error. I have tried many of them at different times, most didn't work at all, some worked for a short time then stopped. I have decided not to use them at all. To me, life has alot of ups and down and sometimes a pill can't fix that so I try to go with the flow. But again, there's no way anyone can tell you what antidepressent will be "right" for you. You may need to try several different ones or even combos before you get the one that works. It is between you and the psychiatrist.

[Robert_325]

Ditto to the letter on bev's reply. I don't think anyone can accurately tell you what will work for you if anything does at all. You just had a traumatic and unusual experience physically and mentally with w/d. I don't know that anything other than time is really going to make things right. It can take months to feel right again for a normal opiate detox. Your's was anything but normal. Good luck and God bless.

[ddosher]

Hi Robert & Bev:

I know what you are saying...I guess I didn't ask the right question...I am well aware that it will probably be a trial and error thing with getting me in a more lightened state of mind...I just want to say NO to any drug that has severe side effects like weight gain etc.

I also know that life has its ups and downs and I have survived some really awful situations. I have a business to run and run it I do 7 days a week in a mall location. I get NO time away. I love what I do but right now I have NOTHING to look forward to. I'm estranged from most of my family and the one I do talk to would rather not. My significant other has found a new outlet in crack cocaine and is another stressor at this time. The way I feel at this moment it is either I heighten my good hormones or I pack it in. I do not want to give in but I don't know how much more I can take. I am going to talk to someone this morning and I hope she doesn't faint from the absolute rigorous honesty I have to share with her. Hopefully, she will be be able to see through all the dark and help me to the light. I am a very willing particpant. Thanks guys.
Donna

[MaisieC]

Hi Donna,

I think all of the SSRIs have the potential to cause weight gain. It really is an individual thing finding the one that works best for you. (Some people try Wellbutrin because it does not cause weight gain, but it also a different kind of drug and not as broadly helpful for depression as the SSRIs.) Your doctor should be able to advise you. We read so much on this board about bad doctors, but a good doctor should really be able to answer all your questions.

I'm sure your doctor won't faint! Please let us know what happens.

Take care,
Maisie

[ddosher]

You're right, she didn't faint, but she did shake her head and say "and we have only scratched the surface." She was a nice lady...I told her in the very beginning that I was glad she was sitting down...ha. But ya know, I did break a little and as I look back I think that is a good sign...I trusted her...not to make rash judgements and I don't think she has.I did indicate to her that I thought I may be a candidate for some medicine, but I don't think she prescibes herself. There is a DR. on staff, so I imagine she is going to dig a little deeper before she makes any kind of recommendation...which is fine. I took a baby step here and maybe, just maybe it will be the beginning of a challenging new perspective for me. Thanks.

[Robert_325]

Donna ... you already know how I feel about all you've been through getting clean. I think you deserve a break at this point and I sincerely hope your new dr is able to help make your quality of life fun and enjoyable. You'll still have to do most of the work yourself even if they RX new medications for you. You're strong and you'll make it. God bless.

[ddosher]

Robert...you are so right. I know it has to come from me...I know I know I know...but I miss my family and the feeling like I am connected to SOMETHING. I do think that I have to feel those feelings. If I ever get the opportunity to be a part of it again, I have to REMEMBER how it felt to be on the outside. What I honestly believe is that having these feelings is the beginning of a breakthrough. I believe that when I feel the worst...it's just before I take control of those issues and let go. But it may take a while thats all. Thats Robert...you are a treasure.

[Yogasmer]

Hey there! I know I obviously don't know your whole history, but it sounds like congrats are in order for getting clean!!

with keep in mind I don't know all the details. However I can tell you a bit about my experiences...I realy really really don't like medications and have fought the whole idea that pills can fix things, and my lack of meds estranged me for a time from my family due to my bi-polar. So don't let anyone tell you that life is just ups and downs and you don't need Rx - you and doc decide that together. Try to do what you can on your own but if you are feeling that out of sorts an anti-depressant or mood stabilizer might help you gain the new outlook you need to make your next steps.

I have tried several in the last year in the attempt to get my bi-polar under control, and sadly it is not an easy process and we are still looking. I have found that prozac didn't do anything, abilify made me gain weight, (seroquel was the WORST for weight gain but that isn't one you would try if you were just going for anti-depressant) and the effexor - darn it works great for me - but after 4 months my blood pressure is starting to climb.

so it's off to the drawing board again...I would say your best bet is to start low and be fully informed on side effects and don't be afraid to change your regimen -with your doctors supervision, even A/D can cause withdrawal if you stop suddenly.

I wish you the best of luck and let me know if you come across anything that works awesome for you...and I'll let you know what I try next, have to get off the effexor before my heart explodes But man even with the high BP it sure is nice to feel "normal"

Shanti

[Robert_325]

And just because there are some ups and downs in life doesn't mean you need RX medication either.

For years people have had to deal with the hand they were dealt and for a long time we made it just fine without slamming a bunch of antidepressants down into our belly. It's one thing if someone is truly clinically depressed. But what about that guy who is just pissed off or upset because he lost a job? Is he depressed clinically to where he needs drugs?

How about just dealing with the hand we get unless it's truly an illness? If all else fails it never hurts to turn to our Heavenly Father for a little help. He's never let me down yet. God bless.

[Yogasmer]

Robert I agree that Rx aren't always the solution...but no one should summarily dismiss it...it's between the doc and the patient. I truly have a disease and my fear of Rx made my life worse...we shouldn't automatically jump on the med bandwagon, but no one should be made to feel they are "weak" if they really do have a problem. And for someone recovering from addiction the possibility of chemical imbalance is greater and may need to be addressed.

Yes people have had to deal with ups and downs, they have also had to deal with virus and bacteria without meds...now that we have options we can explore all of them.


I also feel that no regimen should be utilized without therapy as well.

shanti

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Yogasmer

Robert I agree that Rx aren't always the solution...but no one should summarily dismiss it...it's between the doc and the patient. I truly have a disease and my fear of Rx made my life worse...we shouldn't automatically jump on the med bandwagon, but no one should be made to feel they are "weak" if they really do have a problem. And for someone recovering from addiction the possibility of chemical imbalance is greater and may need to be addressed.

Yes people have had to deal with ups and downs, they have also had to deal with virus and bacteria without meds...now that we have options we can explore all of them.


I also feel that no regimen should be utilized without therapy as well.

shanti

During my many years in NA I've seen twice where people started telling newcomers to stop their antidepressants and they both ended up dying. I totally agree that some people need meds and I don't want to be the one who decides if anyone is that person or not. I'm not saying to dismiss using medications. Just be sure that they are used medicinally and are necessary. God bless.

[fragile1]

ddosher: I came upon what you had written the first week of August therefore I don't know if this might be of some help to you or if you found what you were looking for in the line of a med to help you w/your depression. Approx. 5/6 years ago, I had tried several antidepressants in hoping that the feelings of despair that I unfortunately was forced to endure, would be of help. I listened to several people who had suggested Zoloft, Effexor, etc. as it was being suggested that I should try this one or that as "you feel like a new person on this one". Well, guess what...I tried and had stayed on them at least 5-6 weeks which they either did nothing at all to help somewhat with what I was feeling or, they made my feelings of despair, anxiety, etc., worse! I had gotten to a point that I had felt I must be the "black sheep"-(so to speak), in depression as not one of the several ad's that I had tried seemed to work. These past few years I was forced to undergo loss and tragedy in my family; 2 sisters within 19 months of each other, and the pain & depression was far beyond what I possibly could seem to somehow understand?! My depression as I knew it, was debilitating enough, so I thought, prior to the devastation that bestowed me and my family. I had fallen into such a lull, depression one couldn't-(certainly not I) could have prepared myself for. I reached out once again for an ad to help me somehow, to try to live again. Pristiq, Cymbalta, but to no avail! I had the hopes as I had seen the commercial on TV for Cymbalta I remember, and while looking at the TV, seeing and hearing myself as if their words were my own and how they felt and the looks on their face of pure drain, was as if it were me. Well again, to no avail i n that once again, feeling defeated in that, was there not a pill just for me perhaps, or was there no help for me? While perusing one of the discussion forums pertaining to depression, I had read many reader reviews on an antidepressant called "Celexa" and how most of the reviews were very positive. What was being said was what I had wished I would be able to say and feel one day. Lo and behold, I had asked my Dr. if I could try this med and his reply to me was, "haven't we tried similar ad's and none of them worked for you". Thanks Doc, nothing like bringing to my attention that it must be futile for me to think that there could possibly be something out there that could possibly help me even slightly, with this debilitating feeling not to mention, the anxiety that comes with it! He relented, started me off at 20mg. for a month, and upped my dose to 40mg. which I have been taking the increased dosage now for approx. 3 1/2 weeks. I must tell you, I had felt a difference literally within the first week of taking this med! I had virtually no side effects. The only one that I encountered thus far, while being on the increased dose, would be fatigue that overcomes me in the middle of the afternoon. Other than that,I would suggest you might want to try this med for your depression. I had major depression and I finally found an a/d that lifted that dark veil, renewed my energy and worrisome thoughts, and increased my thoughts to more positive ones pertaining to myself. I hope that you find this helpful somewhat and best of luck to you-

[chastesin]

Hello Donna!

I'm fairly new, but I do have a lot of experience with anti-depression medications and counceling. I, as everyone else, have been through a lot in my lifetime. I have looked down the tunnel of death and wondered if I should jump or remain on the surface.

My depression/anxiety is actually caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Did you know that every time you lose or gain large portions of weight, have a baby or even go through menopause, all the chemicals in a woman's brain change in a perminant manner? It's just like metabolism!

This thread is about a month old, so I hope you've been making great progress with your councelor!

Here are some things to know as you battle this problem. Not only do you need a councelor to talk to and learn meditation techniques and air out your problems, you also need a medical doctor to check and see if you may have a chemical imbalance such as I, or if it's just overbearing stress. While you are in counceling, I'm sure your councelor has suggested a psychiatrist for medication disbursment.

Dealing with medications, I have taken Wellbutrin, Xanax, Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa...it can take years to find the right combination that works for you. Everyone is different and that is the truth. My dad takes Zoloft (which most SSRI's cause loss of sex drive) and it works great for him, but Celexa works well for me, along with counceling. I also have Xanax for panic attacks. When I'm going through a particularly hard time, my psychiatrist will have me on Cymbalta as well to get me through and once I get everything under control, he will take me back off of it.

I haven't noticed any side effects to my celexa or cymbalta. Xanax makes me very tired and "numb." Wellbutrin made me lose weight, Effexor wasn't strong enough, but I had no side effects, Lexapro made me gain weight and made me mean as hell!, Prozac effected my ADHD and made me fly like I had just snorted speed! My best friend takes Prozac and she's happy as a clam. It really is different for each person and takes a lot of guess work and trial and error.

Congrats on getting clean! I hope I helped!

[John Weelsen]

Originally Posted by Yogasmer

Hey there! I know I obviously don't know your whole history, but it sounds like congrats are in order for getting clean!!

with keep in mind I don't know all the details. However I can tell you a bit about my experiences...I realy really really don't like medications and have fought the whole idea that pills can fix things, and my lack of meds estranged me for a time from my family due to my bi-polar. So don't let anyone tell you that life is just ups and downs and you don't need Rx - you and doc decide that together. Try to do what you can on your own but if you are feeling that out of sorts an anti-depressant or mood stabilizer might help you gain the new outlook you need to make your next steps.

I have tried several in the last year in the attempt to get my bi-polar under control, and sadly it is not an easy process and we are still looking. I have found that prozac didn't do anything, abilify made me gain weight, (seroquel was the WORST(than abilify ) for weight gain but that isn't one you would try if you were just going for anti-depressant) and the effexor - darn it works great for me - but after 4 months my blood pressure is starting to climb.

so it's off to the drawing board again...I would say your best bet is to start low and be fully informed on side effects and don't be afraid to change your regimen -with your doctors supervision, even A/D can cause withdrawal if you stop suddenly.

I wish you the best of luck and let me know if you come across anything that works awesome for you...and I'll let you know what I try next, have to get off the effexor before my heart explodes But man even with the high BP it sure is nice to feel "normal"

Shanti

Yes, after taking Abilify i was really fat. That's one of major side effects...