Anti-Depressants

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:50 pm

Hi All!!
I know some of you on the board are on anti-depressants and I'd like to know what you are taking, how long that you've been on it, how it is working for you, if it caused any side effects, like D, etc...
My doctor prescribed Effexor XR, which is an SNRI, lowest dose 37.5, of which I "haven't" started taking because I've reveiwed some prettttttty scary experiences from people that were on it and when they tried to get off of it.
Appreciate any information..

Love
Dee~`~`~

mle_ii · Post by **mle_ii** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:09 pm

Taking Celexa (Citalopram) 10 mg. At that low of a dose it's mainly for anxiety, panic attacks. No problems until I started trying to wean off of it and some symtoms of night sweats and bad dreams started coming back. I'm going to still try weaning off of it and see where I go. If it continues I'll either try 5-HTP or add back the Celexa.

Have you tried 5-HTP or Fish Oil to see if it helped?

Also, when trying to go off an anti-depressant you have to taper yourself off of it, otherwise you can have some pretty upsetting withdrawal symptoms.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:33 pm

I haven't even started the Effexor yet to even be thinking about weaning off of it.
Fish oil tablets are out, as I have an allergy to fish.
I need some feedback on anti-depressants that others may be on and how they are working or have worked for them..
Thanks for giving me your experience with the Celexa...

Love

Dee~~

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:52 pm

Howdy>>>I am taking Paxal, It works great for me. Been on it for 4 months or more. Haven't had any issues with it, in fact it improved my moods alot. I'm probab;y not alot of help there. Love Oma

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:57 pm

Thanks Oma for the info.
A few years back before being correctly diagnosed with MC, my PCP put me on Paxil and for about a month I called it the "miracle" pill.
Then all hell broke loose with the D and ever since, I can't tolerate any of the SSRI anti-depressants.
It's a "beach" having clinical depression and not being able to find something that helps.

Love
Dee~~~~

mle_ii · Post by **mle_ii** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:12 pm

Oh, sorry didn't know you were avoiding SSRIs, Celexa is an SSRI.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:49 pm

No problem Mike!!!
Just so frustrating at times when you know that life is throwing you lemons and you know that all you need is a little lemonade.

Love
Dee~~~~~

Post by **tex** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:57 pm

Hi Dee,

I apologize for butting in here, because I have never taken an anti-depressant, but I have decided that if I ever need one, I will choose bupropion, (Wellbutrin). It has a lot of advantages, not the least of which is the fact that it does not have most of the undesirable side effects of the SSRIs. In fact, it is often prescribed for people who derive no benefits from any of the SSRIs, and it has a very good success rate in that role.

I realize that many doctors think that it has a seizure risk, but that reputation came from an early trial at a high dosage rate, and today, a dozen years after its release, with no evidence of unusually high seizure risk, "Drug Facts and Comparisons" still includes a warning about its seizure risk. There is no such warning for Zoloft, Luvox and Celexa, all of which cause seizures at a higher rate. I think it's a good option to at least consider.

Love,
Tex

mini · Post by **mini** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:36 am

Hi Dee

The main one I have taken in the past was Prozac which did not present any serious side effects while taking, in fact it worked really well for me. However, when my problems started with the CC I was put on 'Dothiapin' / 'Dosulpin' which worked really well also and helped a great deal with my sleeping problems. The added advantage of this medication is it helped firm up the stools however, for the first few months I did feel like a zombie during the day. Hope this info is of some help.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:15 am

This is really a tough decision to make.
I checked out Wellbutrin, and the only down side that I saw was that it is an appetite suppressant. Cripe!! At the weight that I am, I don't need something that would make me lose weight..
I don't know whether to take the Effexor at the lowest dose prescribed and HOPE at that dose I notice a difference . Or wait until I see my doctor again at the end of this month.

Love
Dee~~~

Post by **tex** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:48 am

Hmmmmmmmmm. I overlooked that effect, probably because for many of us, (myself included), that would be considered a plus. LOL.

The appetite suppression may be connected with the fact that bupropion has sex-enhancing effects, (that usually aren't advertised). In contrast with the SSRIs, which often send your sex life down the toilet, bupropion is more likely to improve your sex life than to hurt it. It's a very atypical anti-depressant.

Love,
Tex

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:26 pm

Hi Dee, see my long winded PM.

Katy

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:37 pm

Dee-----I was on Paxil---and it was great---the only issue was--it increased my D-----but I was a happy POOPER!!!!!

Now I am on Lexipro---which to me---is not really so great---

Hope U find the right one

luve Barbara

ErinD · Post by **ErinD** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:47 am

I am not on any antidepressants currently, but when i have taken them i have had good luck with Prozac. No problems with D and it helped alot. Also seemed to be the easiest to taper off of with least withdrawal side effects.