tell me about anti-depressants

[Anonymous]

I think I need something for my mood. I'm really negative in the last few months, and have very little motivation and energy. I know my thyroid is okay. I also worry excessively. I've always been a worrier, but this is almost like a low grade anxiety type of worry. Can anyone tell me what worked for them? I once took Zoloft right after 9/11, but it made me more nervous. TIA.

[Anonymous]

Effexor is awesome. NO side effects at all, at least for me and I've tried a few that have been horrible as far as side effects. Effexor removed the anxiety while making me still feel like me.

[Anonymous]

They are powerful drugs -- obviously mind altering -- so treat them with caution. If you can, go to a psychiatrist for a prescription rather than your general practitioner. They are better at figuring out what complex symptoms you might be having and what drugs are out there that are likely best tailored to your individual needs.

I had bad experiences with Prozac and Zoloft, and mixed results with Wellbutrin. All increased suicidal thoughts and feelings. Before drugs, I was just miserable and sad but never suicidal.

This is NOT to say they don't work wonders for many others, because they do. Just be careful with them and stay in regular contact with your doctor, reporting any changes in mood.

In the long-term, I've had a lot more luck with taking fish oil pills daily and avoiding sugar. If that sounds appealing, it's something you can do while taking ADs without any interactions. Or alone. But either way try to talk to a doctor first.

Best wishes for finding what works for you.

[Anonymous]

I've thought about antidepressants because I am depressed. I function, but I am not too happy. I worry a lot about side effects - both the serious ones mentioned above as well as weight gain and hair loss. I worry about having dulled responses to everything.

[Anonymous]

One thing to remember: Just b/c you decide to give it a try, you're not committed to anything. You can stop any time you want.

Not a good idea to stop abruptly, though. You may feel pretty lousy for a while.

[Anonymous]

i take lexapro and it has changed my life - I used to be incredibly anxious and worried and obsess over things, and that has gone away

[Anonymous]

OP here. I started on Pristiq a few days ago, so we'll see how it goes. So far, no major side effects, just a bit of nausea, which the doc said would subside.

[Anonymous]

Your doctor should also not let you take a full dose right off the bat. The best way to start these drugs is to slowly ramp up with them. Starting with a full dose and not just a few beads in the capsule (or 1/2 pill) can be a shock to the system.

[Anonymous]

Good luck, OP. Let us know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

I had good luck with Wellbutrin. No noticeable unwelcome side effects. (added benefit of temporary weight loss) I was already in talk therapy but until I was on an effective medication, the talk therapy didn't help. The drug essentially put a floor under my moods and allowed the talk therapy to be effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I started on Pristiq a few days ago, so we'll see how it goes. So far, no major side effects, just a bit of nausea, which the doc said would subside.

Thats what I have been on for 2 yrs now. I was having PPD at 7 months and couldn't get out of it with Prozac and changed to Pristiq...best wishes to you.

[Anonymous]

I took Lexapro for a while, but what really helped me was cognitive therapy. I would advise exhausting that approach before trying medication. I tried Lexapro again years later without the therapy, and it was not helpful.

[Anonymous]

Another great part of working with a psychiatrist is they can determine which drugs working together may be a good fit for you. Ex: I was severely exhausted from lexapro so we added a little wellbutrin into the mix and the wellbutrin counteracted the lexapro side effects. I have been on both drugs for months and feel great.