Anyone here on Antidepressants?

[FitFighter]

If anyone knows me, they know I have a whole slew of health problems. Well, I just went to the doctor and he thinks they might be psychological and not necessarily physiological (i.e. all in my head) or perhaps I am depressed/anxious. Anywho, he prescribed me an antidepressant and I am hoping it will help me perk up a little and be more interested in exercising. Right now my energy level is zero. Anyone care to share some experiences?

[DanielleA]

Someone who I love very dearly was on them for a little while. It took some experimentation to find one that was suitable. Some made the person TOO mellow and all they wanted to do was sleep. Another one didn't seem to work at all. A third one was tried and seemed to do the trick, but when the person came off of them, experienced a "zapping" feeling, as if an electric shock was going down their body.

Make sure to discuss w/your doctor the side effects and what will happen to you if you decide to discontinue use. Will you have bad withdrawl symptoms? Also search the web. There are a lot of forums where people discuss what they are taking and how it works for them.

Good luck and I hope whatever you are on will help :)

[Amber]

If anyone knows me, they know I have a whole slew of health problems. Well, I just went to the doctor and he thinks they might be psychological and not necessarily physiological (i.e. all in my head) or perhaps I am depressed/anxious. Anywho, he prescribed me an antidepressant and I am hoping it will help me perk up a little and be more interested in exercising. Right now my energy level is zero. Anyone care to share some experiences?

Some Doctors revert to this option when they don't know what is wrong with you, Maybe you should see another doctor? YOU know your body, and you know when something isnt right

[Shelly]

If anyone knows me, they know I have a whole slew of health problems. Well, I just went to the doctor and he thinks they might be psychological and not necessarily physiological (i.e. all in my head) or perhaps I am depressed/anxious. Anywho, he prescribed me an antidepressant and I am hoping it will help me perk up a little and be more interested in exercising. Right now my energy level is zero. Anyone care to share some experiences?

hey girl-

im sorry you are having so many issues.... have you started them yet?? Maybe you should see a psychiatrist.

[Badgergrl]

What anti-dep did he prescribe you?

As others said, it's pretty much a crap shoot with SSRIs. There's really no way to monitor their effectiveness other than what is reported by the patient. Most patients do have to try several before finding one that they feel works for them.
Make sure you read up on possible sides because they are very common, and do your own research! Don't count on your doctor to know what the possible sides/withdrawal effects are.

[FitFighter]

Thanks, I was prescribed Zoloft. I started it today. I hope I don't feel zonked out. I am hoping it will make me feel better. I've tried too long to go without help and thought good diet, excercise, fish oil, etc, would help my problems. We'll see how it goes. My fiance is actually happy that I'm on them b/c all I want to do lately is sleep and we have NO LIFE. I never wake up feeling refreshed. I'll keep you posted- thanks.

[xena]

I've been on and off (more on) anti-depressents for about 15 years now. When my husband died very suddenly of leukemia in 1991, it pretty much messed up my head and there have been a lot of other losses and issues I've experienced since then. Nonetheless, I personally have had good luck with prozac. It's been around a long time and it's half-life is relatively long. Meaning, it stays in your system for a while and doesn't give you the "zaps" or withdrawl symptoms like some other meds do. One of the worse ones for that side effect is Effexor XR. I had used that for a while. Great stuff, but if I forgot to take my dosage in the morning, by 2 in the afternoon, the zaps/electric shock feelings would start up.

Let it be known loud and clear that even though I have been taking this stuff for quite a few years now and has worked well for me, I also feel it's prescribed waaaaaaaaaaay too easily and way too often by doctors. Instead of finding the root cause of the problem, prescribing a drug turns out to be simply a bandaide to what's really wrong. This includes other health issues too, not just mental health.

You may also want to have your thyroid checked as low thyroid can cause the same sort of symptoms you describe.

Just remember that these drugs are super powerful and, like all drugs, supplements, etc, have side effects. It sometimes takes a while to find the right one. But my humble recommendation is to get a complete physical, (including a complete blood count), done and go from there. Also if you feel what's happening with you is emotionally derived, find yourself a good psychiatrist or a phsycologist/counselor who will work with your primary doctor to find the best treatment for YOU.

Don't be afraid to see someone. Unfortunately our society still views mental disease as a "weakness" when all the while your brain is as much of an organ as your heart or liver. If those organs get sick, so can't your brain and it deserves the respectful attention and care all the other organs so readily receive.

Wishing you the very best health in the future and please keep us posted. :)

[FitFighter]

Thanks so much- Yes, I've had a full work up, physical, blood work, etc. I am very reluctant to try medication, but I am at the breaking point and am willing to take anything at this point. I read that depression DOES cause physical symptoms as well. I am also worried about withdrawal symtoms and side effects. I hear Zoloft causes weight gain and I really do not need that right now.

[xena]

I read that depression DOES cause physical symptoms as well..

Oh it sure does. After my husband died, I lost about 30 pounds, couldn't sleep, very forgetful, jumpy, crying, anger, stuff like that. Because I lost so much weight, someone even had the audacity to ask if I was in the "B&P Diet" (meaning Binge and Purge). I finally went to my doctor after about 2 years of going through all of this. After we talked for a while he said I was suffering from depression resulting from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. So with some counseling and prozac, it helped me quite a bit both emotionally and physically. I still have some issues, but luckily time helps heal all wounds.

I am also worried about withdrawal symtoms and side effects. I hear Zoloft causes weight gain and I really do not need that right now.

I hear you on both of these. You know about my experience with Effexor and I gained weight on everything other than the prozac. I hear there are some other drugs out there that won't cause weight gain. You need to do what you feel is best and no one can tell you better than yourself and your doctor. Hang in there. There is help out there. :)

[jasons805]

I agree stuff can be over prescribed, and the feeling that you have to have it can be hard to kick. I have had friends that just had to have it on them more so that taking it. If you don't have something it can really mess with you. I tend to get shit from my parents when this stuff comes up. They wanna laugh it off, get mad, & make me feel like I must be joking to even bring it up. I think finding other ways to work it out is better than drugs. It's so easy to get dependent on them. So easy to not feel anything from them, and take more and more. But if you have tried everything else, and it seems like a good choice to try I would go for it.

[DanielleA]

Effexor is the drug the person I that I knew was taking also and that was the one that caused the zaps. I would stay away from it!!! It sucks bc it seemed to be the only thing that helped. But in time, meds weren't needed at all anymore and I hope the same can be said for you too.

Don't get discouraged if the Zoloft doesn't work. There are other meds you can try. Also, be aware that it takes 3-4 weeks before you start feeling the effects of antidepressants. Hang in there :)

[FitFighter]

Its funny b/c I took 1/2 a tab last night and feel zonked and depressed today. I guess I will just wait and see. I read that Lexapro seems to cause the least weight gain, so I may ask for that. I have to go for more blood work on Wednesday :no:

[DanielleA]

Lexapro made my friend feel like a walking zombie. They had no desire to do anything but lay down. But, diff meds affect people in diff ways. Like I said, 3-4 weeks til you will start to feel better, so give it a chance.

My sis is a pyschiatry resident and she told me that they give people other meds for the first few weeks until the main med takes affect. For example, people with anxiety are given Xanax to take every day for 3 weeks until the other med (Zoloft, Lexapro, etc.) starts to kick in. So perhaps ask your doctor about that too so that you can possibly get some relief in the immediate future.

[JLB001]

I've taken Lexapro but switched to Celexa due to the Lexapro not being covered by my insurance. I was given Zoloft at first, but refused to take that one because of the weight gain.

I've actually been off them for about 8 months and been pretty even keel. But if things start to go haywire, I'm back on them.

[FitFighter]

I've taken Lexapro but switched to Celexa due to the Lexapro not being covered by my insurance. I was given Zoloft at first, but refused to take that one because of the weight gain.

I've actually been off them for about 8 months and been pretty even keel. But if things start to go haywire, I'm back on them.

How was the Lexapro for you??

[JLB001]

How was the Lexapro for you??

Didn't have any problems with it at all. I liked it other than the cost.

[buffbabeGA]

i went through a very rough time when I lost my mom to cancer and became very depressed. I was prescribed zoloft and took it for about 2 mos and then weined myself off them and have been fine ever since but i would not hesitate to take them again.. i have been lucky that the first one they gave me worked.... i have heard horror stories

[Amber]

I was reading an article in SELF this month, about a lady with very similar issues, Tired didnt feel well, she had many many tests. They finally told her it was in her head. She walked around like that for 7 some years, miserable till she couldnt take it any longer, In the end she found out she had Lyme disease and didnt get the rash that usually comes with it... and tests came back negative initially. She found a doctor that had it himself, and new what to look for with the tests. They were coming back partically positive, and most doctors figured it was nothing.

I know it's frustrating but if you really feel you have something, and you know you arent feeling right, I would keeping searching, trying to find a doctor that can help you.. Anti Depressants might not be the answer here..

[jlay]

Let me tell ya, there is nothing wrong with needing antidepressants. I have been on Prozac, Welbutrin, & Lexapro. I have been on Lexapro for the last 4 & 1/2 yrs. I have been off of it for almost a month now & am doing great. I honestly think that I needed it for a long time though. I think some people have chemical imbalances & really need it permanently & others need it to get through rough times. I don't think this should be a substitute for counseling or therapy though. I was in counseling as well.
My husband is on Effexor XR & recently tried to wean himself off without the help of a doctor ( stupid thing to do). He started taking a 1/2 a pill for a couple of days & felt OK. Then, he tried to not take any one day & he could not even think straight. He starting feeling like electrical shocks were going through his body. This is a tough drug to get off of, which is kinda scary. Overall, I have heard Lexapro has very little side effects & you can come off of it pretty easily under the supervision of a doctor of course. I had no weight gain with Lexapro. Good luck with it & don't feel ashamed or anything! You'd be surprised at how many people take these things everyday. We have advanced so far in pharmaceuticals-we better take advantage of it!

[xena]

Let me tell ya, there is nothing wrong with needing antidepressants. I have been on Prozac, Welbutrin, & Lexapro. I have been on Lexapro for the last 4 & 1/2 yrs. I have been off of it for almost a month now & am doing great. I honestly think that I needed it for a long time though. I think some people have chemical imbalances & really need it permanently & others need it to get through rough times. I don't think this should be a substitute for counseling or therapy though. I was in counseling as well.
My husband is on Effexor XR & recently tried to wean himself off without the help of a doctor ( stupid thing to do). He started taking a 1/2 a pill for a couple of days & felt OK. Then, he tried to not take any one day & he could not even think straight. He starting feeling like electrical shocks were going through his body. This is a tough drug to get off of, which is kinda scary. Overall, I have heard Lexapro has very little side effects & you can come off of it pretty easily under the supervision of a doctor of course. I had no weight gain with Lexapro. Good luck with it & don't feel ashamed or anything! You'd be surprised at how many people take these things everyday. We have advanced so far in pharmaceuticals-we better take advantage of it!

I so agree with what you said. I also think if mental illness runs in the family, one is more prone to have these chemical imbalances. Although it was never officially diagnosed, my maternal grandmother was for sure bi-polar. Just listening to my mother describe her behavior led me to believe she was. Classic symptoms. (I didn't inherit bi-polar, but seemed to get the depression part instead) With that said, we are unable to avoid what is inherited and with the right mixture of influences from our environment, sometimes the wires just get crossed in our brain and chemical imbalances occur. I know my tolerance for stress is not very good anymore due to things I have experienced the past couple of decades, so I have resided to the fact that anti-depressants will probably be part of my life for many years to come.

Anyhoo..............that's just me and that's just the way it is. Thank goodness for physical outlets such as weight training, etc. It's a God-send. :)

[FitFighter]

So far all my blood work came back negative. I asked my doc to switch me to Lexapro (my sister is on it too). So, I took 1/4 of a pill yesterday and the day before. I took 1/2 this morning, we'll see how I fare. I hope it improves my sleep. With a more restful sleep, then maybe I can get a productive workout in. I've been slacking big time b/c of the lack of sleep. I seem to have nightmares too. Well, thanks for everyone's support. I'll keep you all posted. I hope with good news :)

[JDahlum]

Ladies,

This is coming from a guy so it might not hold as much weight but I've also experienced some fairly severe anxiety (not necessarily depression) and our family doctor asked me to try Lexapro. I tried it for two weeks and stopped, I hated the way it made me feel. It did help with the anxiety but it also seemed to kill other emotions. I was just sorta THERE, not really feeling anything to be honest. Add in the near inability to orgasm during sex (anorgasmia is listed as a side effect) and I wanted off of it quick. I was not on it long enough to experience any side effects from coming off but I hear Lexapro is not that bad coming off.

However, I know other people who do fantastic on them and it really changes them. I was / am able to work out my anxiety through non-medicinal means but not everyone can. The most important thing is to find the one that works for you and doesn't make you an emotional zombie. I would also look into a psychiatrist, it might allow you to skip the medicines and do it in a more natural way. I am not a fan or messing with your brain chemistry if there is a chance you can do it without the drugs.

Another thing to keep in mind with SSRI's, many of them have an impact on carbohydrate metabolism which can certainly cause weight gain in the long term. Some people tend to lose weight at first but ultimately gain weight in the end. I know this may not be the most important thing when we're talking about mental health but this is a physique board so I thought it was worth mentioning.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

Jamie

[Shelly]

So far all my blood work came back negative. I asked my doc to switch me to Lexapro (my sister is on it too). So, I took 1/4 of a pill yesterday and the day before. I took 1/2 this morning, we'll see how I fare. I hope it improves my sleep. With a more restful sleep, then maybe I can get a productive workout in. I've been slacking big time b/c of the lack of sleep. I seem to have nightmares too. Well, thanks for everyone's support. I'll keep you all posted. I hope with good news :)

glad you are taking steps to figure out whats up- let us know how it all pans out girl

[FitFighter]

glad you are taking steps to figure out whats up- let us know how it all pans out girl


Thanks Shelley, so far I am feeling a little better, but not 100%. I have a follow-up with the doctor tomorrow. In the meantime, I took some time off to rest, but now I am back training and hope to do the Easterns in November.

I will keep you posted on any more NJ shows I attend. I saw the pics on MD for the Atantic States and my friend didn't even place and she looked great. WTF? Maybe she was too big and too hard? I just don't get it :no: