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? for anyone who has taken antidepressants

belle204belle204 member
in Parenting

How did you decide meds were best for you (other than the dr. saying so)? How helpful did you find them? How long have you taken them/ did you take them?

I started therapy again today and have to go back Wednesday. I think we're going to discuss me seeing the psychiatrist and being evaluated for a low dose antidepressant. Deep down I know it's prob. the best thing for me right now but I can't help having some hesitancy about it.

Tia.

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Re: ? for anyone who has taken antidepressants

  • Mrs.SaxyMrs.Saxy member

    I was crying for no reason.  Blowing things out of proportion.  Dreading work, not doing anything for work (I'm a teacher).  I just felt sad and didn't really have a reason to be sad.

    I've been on it a little over a month.  I find Wellbutrin very helpful.  I'm a little more relaxed about stuff.  Usually if I get mad, I stew over it.  Now sometimes stuff doesn't bother me.  And if I do get mad, I find it easier to let go of things.

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  • goodhartedmommygoodhartedmommy
    I started on them after a very difficult beginning of a pregnancy following a very difficult part in my parenting life (when Ethan was sick). They pretty much saved my life at that point, I was at the lowest point of my life. I did wean off of them about a month ago--it was making my nausea even worse. I am on some natural things that do help some, and once I've had the baby and am not sick any more, I'm going to get tested for nutritional deficiencies that may be adding to the depression. I do think the meds got me through a really hard time in my life, but I'd like to try something without such strong side effects before going back on them. If you feel it's right, then it's right. Congrats on making that first step by making the appt. It's really hard to do, and you're so much closer to feeling well again.
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  • marrymemylovemarrymemylove member

    I took zoloft many years ago for depression. I am sure it was depression but I think it was also not helped by undiagnosed hypothyroidism. I was on zoloft about a year, and I HATED HATED HATED the side effects and insisted on changing. My Dr (I changed, the second one was lovely) suggested Serzone so I tried that but it wasn't much different.

    I think you need to know what you want out of it and then take the Dr's advice. It is a lot more complex than people think. I did a lot of research on the side effects and agreed that serzone sounded best, but when it wasn't much different and I discussed it with her she explained how they all work and what the research meant (rather than the simplistic mumbo jumbo you get on the internet) and thus for some people they are not that different.

    I know its important for some people to have them, and I know people who were helped by them. But based on my experience I would warn my worst enemy against them unless you're actually suicidal. The side effects never really wore off for me and I live with the consequences to this day. That's not a good outcome (though I think I made the right decision at the time I am pissed off at the consequences).

    GL!?

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  • belle204belle204 member
    imagemarrymemylove:

    I took zoloft many years ago for depression. I am sure it was depression but I think it was also not helped by undiagnosed hypothyroidism. I was on zoloft about a year, and I HATED HATED HATED the side effects and insisted on changing. My Dr (I changed, the second one was lovely) suggested Serzone so I tried that but it wasn't much different.

    I think you need to know what you want out of it and then take the Dr's advice. It is a lot more complex than people think. I did a lot of research on the side effects and agreed that serzone sounded best, but when it wasn't much different and I discussed it with her she explained how they all work and what the research meant (rather than the simplistic mumbo jumbo you get on the internet) and thus for some people they are not that different.

    I know its important for some people to have them, and I know people who were helped by them. But based on my experience I would warn my worst enemy against them unless you're actually suicidal. The side effects never really wore off for me and I live with the consequences to this day. That's not a good outcome (though I think I made the right decision at the time I am pissed off at the consequences).

    GL! 

     

     

    I think that's why he's strongly suggesting them and having me come back so soon. I haven't had those thoughts so much lately but I can feel myself slipping back into that funk. I just don't want to get dependent on them and I feel like I need to learn to deal with things rather than push them below the surface. He did say he thinks it will help me get to a place where I can manage my feelings and daily routine. I've talked to people who have said how numb their meds make them and it's scarier than the depression and rage they were orig. fighting. But I know everyone is diff. Thanks so much.

    GHM-- I completely understand. Good luck !

    Saxy-- Glad you're feeling better.

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  • marrymemylovemarrymemylove member

    Belle I'm so sorry! It sucks being there, I know. I got into that situation through a toxic relationship but ending the relationship wasn't enough to get out of it (in fact ending the relationship wasn't easy either).

    I do believe it can help you in that situation and they can be important. I do not think people really get that dependent on them, 1 year is a long time to be on it and I didn't feel any change coming off. Nor did most of the people I know who used them. I only know one who had some problems but she was using other (legal) drugs too which is likely why.

    ?The best advice I ever got back then was from a friend of mine who knew more than I wanted him to about the situation (a little embarassing at the time because I fancied him). He said: "don't expect to wake up feeling fine, or have it all change dramatically or have a lightbulb revealation. Just get through each day. A day that you get through is good. A day that you get through with 1 bit of fun or joy in it is better. Don't count them up at the end of the day, just look forward to tomorrow as putting you a day further from yesterday's badness. Then one day, months from now probably, you'll realise that there are fewer bad days in a week than there were. And don't overanalyse that just know that's progress. A few months after that you'll realise there are even fewer. And so on."

    It is exactly how it happened.

    And 6 years after he said that we finally got together. Now he's my DH :-)?

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  • KateAggieKateAggie

    I'm on an anti-depressant for anxiety (Lexapro).  I decided to go the med route because I knew how irrational my thoughts were, but could do nothing to get them under control.  I've been on Lexapro for almost 3 months.  The side effects faded after 2 weeks or so (I take them before bed, which helps with the sleepiness as well).  I hope that I won't be on meds forever, but I can say without a doubt I'd rather be on the medication forever than to feel like I did before.  I'm so much calmer, happier--no numbness or loss of emotions, so far.  I just wish I'd done something about it sooner.

    It's not like a light switch for me.  Before I took the medication, I wondered how I'd know if it was working.  It wasn't this immediate change or big revelation.  I just realized over time that I just felt good.  Happy.  Rational. Smile

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  • bugmommybugmommy
    imageKateAggie:

    I'm on an anti-depressant for anxiety (Lexapro).  I decided to go the med route because I knew how irrational my thoughts were, but could do nothing to get them under control.  I've been on Lexapro for almost 3 months.  The side effects faded after 2 weeks or so (I take them before bed, which helps with the sleepiness as well).  I hope that I won't be on meds forever, but I can say without a doubt I'd rather be on the medication forever than to feel like I did before.  I'm so much calmer, happier--no numbness or loss of emotions, so far.  I just wish I'd done something about it sooner.

    It's not like a light switch for me.  Before I took the medication, I wondered how I'd know if it was working.  It wasn't this immediate change or big revelation.  I just realized over time that I just felt good.  Happy.  Rational. Smile

    Ditto all of that.  I started on Lexapro after my second DS with reflux and colic was born.  We had moved twice overseas since my oldest was 6 months, I had no support network, my DH works a lot, etc.  My dr. basically said I was "perfect storm" for depression.   I had absolutely no side effects and I finally feel like myself again.  I'm a better wife and mother with the medication and for me even the hope of that was enough for me to give it a try. 

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  • belle204belle204 member

    Thanks again everyone.

    MML-- that's so sweet.

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