If you have ever taken an antidepressant.....

[mom of four]

which one worked the best for you? I am considering trying medication for anxiety and depression, but am worried about the side effects. Any btdt advice?

[obtainedmist]

My husband takes Lexipro (sp?) and it seems to be very effective with little side effects.

[valerie k]

I take both prozac and wellbutrin together. (generics of them I should say) and they work great with me. I went off prozac, and it was a mess for me.

Side effect, it put my sex drive to pretty much ~0~ but Im a much happier person. Its well worth it to me, and my family. IF thats TMI-sorry. :o

[Denise]

I have taken Wellbutrin and Lexapro together with success...am now on Celexa and it takes care of the anxiety but not always the depression.

[Midwestmomma]

Cymbalta here....:)

[Yellow Tulip]

Zoloft here... It definitely works. Sometimes I foget to take it and I know I've forgotten within 24 hrs... :(

[shekov]

Generic Zoloft.

I think you may find that what works for one person may or may not work for you. From what I understand some people go through several before finding the right fit.

As far as side effects, I'll second the lack of interest in sex as well as, um, enjoyment. :o;) But as my Dr. said....it's gotta be better than depression sex!

[mom of four]

Generic Zoloft.

I think you may find that what works for one person may or may not work for you. From what I understand some people go through several before finding the right fit.

As far as side effects, I'll second the lack of interest in sex as well as, um, enjoyment. :o;) But as my Dr. said....it's gotta be better than depression sex!


Do all depression meds reduce sex drive? Mine is already in the basement!

[GinaB]

I've taken paxil and zolof at different times. Worked great. Biggest problem I had is if I didn't take on time I'd get dizzy it also took me months of dozing down to come off pills. Never stop an antidepressant without talking to your doctor. It can be difficult

[Mody_Jess_Pony]

Celexa (Cetalapram) one of the ones which have slightly less side effects, which is targets BOTH depression and Anxiety.

[C6H12O6]

Do all depression meds reduce sex drive? Mine is already in the basement!

I think wellbutrin and effexor don?t. I have been researching anti depressents lately and wellbutrin and effexor look like the best choices to me because they target dopamine and norepinephrine in addition to serotonin. Wellbutrin does not cause weight gain and is in fact can be used to treat weight problems.

Between wellbutrin and effexor I would choose wellbutrin

[kim5798]

I took prozac & while it did work for the depression, it did cause problems with sex drive. Once I was feeling better....I weaned myself off of it(with dr's assistance).

[joan]

I was put on wellbutrin for adhd about 10 years ago. I have been on and off it but it really works for me and has lifted a depression I had but didn't really acknowledge. As far as weight loss, i always tell my dr. that this should be used as a diet drug because it really decreases my appetite.

[Pauji5]

I have been taking a low dose of Prozac for about 5 years, but increased when Kendall was diagnosed 3 years ago....It helped!!!!

However, this thread has got me thinking and surfing the internet. I've had a significant weight gain the past couple of years, and people are saying long use of SSRI drugs account for that..

Does anyone else have that problem? I'm thinking of weaning off and seeing how it goes, and if can manage to remind civil to my family (that will be hard!!!!) Nothing else seems to help with the weight loss.

[clb1968]

I have taken Wellbutrin and Lexapro together with success...am now on Celexa and it takes care of the anxiety but not always the depression.

I have taken Lexapro too, never Wellbutrin.

I find that Celexa helps with the anxiety , but not always the depression for me either.

[MissMadisonsMom]

Do all depression meds reduce sex drive? Mine is already in the basement!

No - I was on Welbutrin for a while and it had the opposite effect...:D good stuff.

[valerie k]

odd ball out, wellbutriin has NOT done a damn thing about my weight issue :mad: Perhaps I should insist on the real deal instead of generic :D but I doubt that would help.

[StillMamamia]

So, how do you present your need for an anti-depressant to your doc? Mine keeps saying "Oh, I'm sure you can deal with things. You're a strong woman.":rolleyes:

[hmmmcormick]

Well, I have been limited on the meds I can currently take because our insurance plan does not include mental health coverage and I have to get generic or cheapo. I am on the generic for effexor right now. I like it better than the prozac. I was on Celexa, too, but when our insurance changed I had to go off it. I think the effexor has been the best for me.

[joan]

odd ball out, wellbutriin has NOT done a damn thing about my weight issue :mad: Perhaps I should insist on the real deal instead of generic :D but I doubt that would help.

Generic does not work at all for me. The brand name is the way to go. My dr. said the generic is inferior and I took it for a month and I could really tell the difference. He said that if you start on the generic it may work but if you started on the name brand it is more likely the generic will not be as effective.

[C6H12O6]

I was put on wellbutrin for adhd about 10 years ago. I have been on and off it but it really works for me and has lifted a depression I had but didn't really acknowledge. As far as weight loss, i always tell my dr. that this should be used as a diet drug because it really decreases my appetite.

It is - at 600mg it has been proven as effective as xenical and meridia (withdrawn from market) :)

[Tricia22]

Lexapro for about 5 years for anxiety, then switched to Cymbalta a few months ago...

If people in my family would just stop dying, I might be able to go off anxiety meds. and this revelation was from my shrink and I.

Started on Lexapro a year-ish after a type 1 aunt passed away at 52 (1/04)... then a year-ish later, the other type 1 aunt passed away at 45 (8/05)... then, great aunt passed a year later (10/06), then another year later, cousin suddenly passed at 37 (11/07), then other cousin passed after that at 43 (1/10), then grandma passed less than a year after that just this past August (8/10)...

[bgallini]

So, how do you present your need for an anti-depressant to your doc? Mine keeps saying "Oh, I'm sure you can deal with things. You're a strong woman.":rolleyes:

I'm sure all Drs are dif. Some are probably less likely to prescribe something than others. Ask if they have a depression questionaire you can take. Emphasize that you have tried to just suck it up an deal with it but you still feel.....and describe some of your specific issues. Or maybe ask to be referred to a psychiatrist.....either that request will be enough or he'll refer you and that person can prescribe.

[valerie k]

So, how do you present your need for an anti-depressant to your doc? Mine keeps saying "Oh, I'm sure you can deal with things. You're a strong woman.":rolleyes:

Look him in the eye and say, Im here, Im asking, becouse Im NOT dealing well with things at all! Tell him your tired of being tired, crabby, snappish, depressed, whatever your symptoms are. Your the boss, he is the employee.

[shekov]

So, how do you present your need for an anti-depressant to your doc? Mine keeps saying "Oh, I'm sure you can deal with things. You're a strong woman.":rolleyes:

This wasn't a problem for me since I walked in sobbing and couldn't stop until well after I'd left. :o;)

I agree that your Dr. may just not see it as a problem since you are not outwardly and obviously depressed, like I was.

I did take a depression questionaire-thingy and was surprised by how many of the symptoms I had written of as just irritability or a bad day. :(

Medication isn't for everyone but I honestly don't know where I'd be right now if I didn't have it. I was never suicidal but I was miserable and horrible to be around.

[OSUMom]

Generic does not work at all for me. The brand name is the way to go. My dr. said the generic is inferior and I took it for a month and I could really tell the difference. He said that if you start on the generic it may work but if you started on the name brand it is more likely the generic will not be as effective.

This was the case for me. Wellbutrin XL generic was terrible when I had to switch. I made a report to the FDA. It's important to do that to communicate the generic is not the same.

Our insurance kept increasing the price of the brand Wellbutrin. Now at $700 for a 3 month prescription/mail order. I had no choice but to go off of the medicine. The insurance is pricing the brand out of reach and the generic is not an option as it actually made me worse.

[joan]

This was the case for me. Wellbutrin XL generic was terrible when I had to switch. I made a report to the FDA. It's important to do that to communicate the generic is not the same.

Our insurance kept increasing the price of the brand Wellbutrin. Now at $700 for a 3 month prescription/mail order. I had no choice but to go off of the medicine. The insurance is pricing the brand out of reach and the generic is not an option as it actually made me worse.

My insurance co. was charging me 300.00/month. I called them to say the generic is not as good and they had my doctor call them to certify the brand name only and now its 70/month. Still a lot but worth it.

[Beach bum]

So, how do you present your need for an anti-depressant to your doc? Mine keeps saying "Oh, I'm sure you can deal with things. You're a strong woman.":rolleyes:

You say, I'm not as strong as you think, you fool, this is why I am here! I need help!

I ended up needing help, everything got to be too much. I was anxious all the time, so I was put on Lorazapam. Low dose, just enough to chill me out, but I never felt foggy or not in control. It was a life saver.

[OSUMom]

My insurance co. was charging me 300.00/month. I called them to say the generic is not as good and they had my doctor call them to certify the brand name only and now its 70/month. Still a lot but worth it.

Yes. I was trying to appeal the brand price with my insurance company. My doctor's office hadn't heard of such a thing. The nurse said she'd have the doctor write a letter to attempt to do this, but it never happened. I'm giving it a try just going off of it.

[FloridaMom]

I take Paxil daily and Ativan as needed. I'm a much better wife/mommy with them.

[MommaRetta]

Celexa (Cetalapram) one of the ones which have slightly less side effects, which is targets BOTH depression and Anxiety.

Same here - I take Citalopram. It has been very good for me.
Side affects:
If I miss one dose, I don't notice anything, but if I miss two days in a row.... :eek: !! I get all fuzzy headed and such.
If I'm not careful, I do put on weight. So, I stay active and try ( TRY ) not to eat too much! :D
As for the ':rolleyes: drive?', pretty much back to normal.

[DsMom]

Do all depression meds reduce sex drive? Mine is already in the basement!

I'm with you there! Been considering medication myself and am worried about side effects. Thanks for posting this.

[DsMom]

So, how do you present your need for an anti-depressant to your doc? Mine keeps saying "Oh, I'm sure you can deal with things. You're a strong woman.":rolleyes:

You might mention to your doc that depression has nothing to do with being strong or not!!! It's a medical condition--he's the doctor and should know that. I think you ARE pretty damn strong to bring it up and seek help. I'm still procrastinating. Good luck!

[Mom of 3 BOYS]

You might mention to your doc that depression has nothing to do with being strong or not!!! It's a medical condition--he's the doctor and should know that. I think you ARE pretty damn strong to bring it up and seek help. I'm still procrastinating. Good luck!

i agree! doctors should offer support instead of making people feel weak in times of need. i brought up depression to my doctor as well, and he told me that i was young, to try exercise and focus on positive things.... well, for months i have been trying and i just feel worse... i think it's time to find a new dr!

[shekov]

I would add that it is SO much easier to exercise and get out there if you were feeling better. If you aren't spending all of your energy in survival mode, you can accomplish more.

[Our3girls]

Wow, I just want to say thank you all for making me (once again) feel normal. I just talked to me doctor because I feel anxious I think more then depressed and he gave me a low dose of something. I need to go pick it up from the pharmacy. I think with the exhaustion we all face it really makes everything some much worse. Anyways you all are good therapists and did not even know it ;)

[DsMom]

I would add that it is SO much easier to exercise and get out there if you were feeling better. If you aren't spending all of your energy in survival mode, you can accomplish more.

That sure is my problem. I need to exercise to lose weight and improve my health--but that's hard to do when brushing my teeth takes effort!:( That's why I haven't gotten to the doc yet to discuss my depression--too depressed to get there! Dealing with my son's D and ADHD--in addition to trying to be a good mom to my other kids--seems to take all my reserves. That's why I'm so impressed with those of you who are asking for help. It seems like lifting a huge boulder to me at this point. I think I need help just asking for help!:o

[Kaylee's Mom]

My sister takes Lexapro ..She has never complained about side effects.

Crystal

[mom of four]

I would add that it is SO much easier to exercise and get out there if you were feeling better. If you aren't spending all of your energy in survival mode, you can accomplish more.

This is part of my problem. I LOVE to run. Love it. And yet, I can't make myself get on the treadmill anymore. So, of course, I've put on weight, which makes me feel even worse. It's this vicious cycle of exhaustion, lack of motivation and feeling more miserable by the day!

[shekov]

For those of you who are having trouble doing the little things that used to bring you joy and make you feel good about yourselves, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend you see your Dr.

It's not the easiest appt to get to and not an easy conversation to have but it's possible that a even a low dose of an antidepressant could get you to the point that you feel good enough to start exercising again, which DOES make you feel better, which may eliminate the need for the meds.

I equated my depression to treading water. I had to spend every ounce of energy I had just to keep from drowning. There was nothing left for playing with my kids or going out with my dh. I had to survive.

BTW, I am off meds now and still have horrible days when I fear I am slipping back but have learned some great coping skills WHILE on meds that help me SO much.

Asking for help isn't a weakness. Getting the help you need to be a full person is a strength.

[Yellow Tulip]

For those of you who are having trouble doing the little things that used to bring you joy and make you feel good about yourselves, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend you see your Dr.

It's not the easiest appt to get to and not an easy conversation to have but it's possible that a even a low dose of an antidepressant could get you to the point that you feel good enough to start exercising again, which DOES make you feel better, which may eliminate the need for the meds.

I equated my depression to treading water. I had to spend every ounce of energy I had just to keep from drowning. There was nothing left for playing with my kids or going out with my dh. I had to survive.

BTW, I am off meds now and still have horrible days when I fear I am slipping back but have learned some great coping skills WHILE on meds that help me SO much.

Asking for help isn't a weakness. Getting the help you need to be a full person is a strength.

So well said! I completely agree. My depression/anxiety started as postpartum depresssion after my dd was born. I was unable to do anything, enjoy anything. Didn't want to see my kids, my dh, go out, nothing. I just sat on the sofa and cried, every evening. It seemed I was able to go through the motions of day to day life, but once dh got home and took over, I felt I could fall apart. So I did. Within days of starting the meds I felt life return to me. I've been on them for about 4 years now, and I'm scared to death of going off and slipping back into the abyss.

Find the energy somewhere to see your doc. It is worth everything.