Depression and cycling

[Irulan]

I gained about five pounds w/paxil which I took for about a year and a half. I went off that for a couple of years, and have been though a few others w/no side effects other than a little dry mouth.

I'm convinced that the weight gain is from becoming a lot less anxious about things, lessening anxiety levels.

Most side effects only last a week or less as your body gets accusotmed.

~I

[spazzdog]

I had a strange reaction to Celexa when I went on it. I dropped about 8 lbs in the 1st two weeks. Doc said it was a rarely seen side effect (welcome to my world) and not a great one since I had already lost so much to depression. I was at 108 and I'm 5'7" and she didn't want me to lose anymore. So Doc halfed my dosage.

Anyway it settled down and I was able to get the 8-10 lbs back. Then raised the dosage again. The only thing I've noticed is I don't gain any weight. The struggle with me is maintaining what I have.

[Pedal Wench]

kpc, sorry to hear about your loss.

I had an old friend who I didn't see often, and one time I ran into him and he said, "You look great (ie. THIN), what's wrong?" I think that it's a 50/50 thing. Some people eat and gain weight when they're down, and others don't eat. For just the average 'blues', I eat. When it's a serious depression, I stop eating. I've gained about 15 lbs. since going through an awful divorce. I must be happy!

[maryellen]

kpc, I'm really sorry to hear about your granddaughter. Sounds rough.

Re side effects from antidepressants: I'm on lexapro and the major side-effects have been sexual. However, for me, it works if you work it, and I've learned to adjust.

After a while on lexapro, I started taking a tricyclic (older style antidepressant), doxapine, as well (to help me sleep) (I was sleeping 2 hours a night for an extended period). That drug, or the combo of the two, seemed to result in a 15 lb weight gain but my weight has been stable since then. The tricyclic also had an excessive sedative effect during the day.

There are a bunch of good new antidepressants out there--a skilled clinician can help you find the right one for you.

Hang in there.

[fasteryet]

I was on Paxil for about two years (5-7 years ago). I did gain some wait, and had very little sex drive, but it really helped me. Getting up in the morning was no longer a chore.
Don't forget, you don't have to take any medications forever. You can try different ones, to see what works. The best part for me was that one day, after about two years, I was walking my dog and just started singing. I knew it was time to come off them. Whether it changed my brain chemistry, or I learned different behavior techniques, it didn't matter. I was better. I still get the blues now and then, but I take about 900 mg of St. John's Wort per day and that seems to keep it pretty much under control.

[Irulan]

ya know we all get the the blues sometimes. Life is not about being on even keel all the time. But it's when you can't handle it or it starts to get in the way of healthy, normal functioning that the blues might need some help.

Irulan

[kpc]

yeah, someone @ work said that when you can't live your regular life, it's time to look at other options.
Thank you all for sharing you experiences and offering your support
Kathy

[trekchic]

Hey, don't want to beat a dead horse.........but I need some advice!

I got off Effexor in about Feb. of this year. I am under waaaaay too much stress and it seems I am getting "under the weather" again! So, I am back on Effexor. My doctor put my back on 150 mg (he didn't start me off slowly like he did the first time). I am having some side affects that are keeping me from functioning normally. I am dizzy, nauseated, sleepy, and am extremely thirsty. Will the side affects subside like they did last time I was on this medication?

Anyone have any experience with this drug? When I weened off last time, it was extremely difficult for about 3 weeks. I didn't want to go back on the meds, just didn't think I could cope without it yet!

Kim

[Irulan]

where's Drfrau when we need her. I havent' taken that particular one but I have been through the side effect deal recently with someone close to me several times as they try different things. First, everyone is different. Second, the side effects decrease as the drug's efffectiveness increases. But - if you have having serious side effects that in itself is hard to live with. My close friend had a serious nausea reaction to zoloft, had to take anti nausea medication for a few days, they stuck it ou and just when they were ready to throw everything down the toilet, it was like something shifted all of a sudden and they felt 100% better within hours.

I guess I'm trying to say, stick it out if you can, be sure you are talking to your doc too.

Irulan

[IronHorse213]

kpc, MY deepest sympathies to you and your family on your loss.

I wanted to chime in with my story - about 5 years ago I was unable to function - period stopped, was falling asleep at work, really down, other funky things going on (was only 41 at the time). A friend who had been on Zoloft for about 9 months and found a drastic change in her ability to function encouraged me to see my m.d. So I went and said, I need drugs, menopasual or depression, just give me something. Zoloft was my answer and here I am doing just fine. (Better nutrition and daily calcium and other supplements helped my cycle). Btw, my wise friend, once on Zoloft, realized she'd been depressed most of her life. She's a completely new person!

I think depression was once seen as a failure of character or something, but it's really just confused or lacking (as in my friend's case) body chemistry. Thank God it can be fixed nowadays!

[Irulan]

Originally posted by IronHorse213
So I went and said, I need drugs, menopasual or depression, just give me something. Zoloft was my answer and here I am doing just fine.
!

My personal opinion is that there needs to be a counseling/mental health component, not just a medication component. There are many underlying causes of depresion. If you treat only the symptoms and not the cause you areren't fixing anything, you are postponing it.

Most MD's are not equipped to work with the mental health component, but the better ones will prescibe with a referral out for counseling at least to make an assessment as to whether something is strictly biochemical or if there are roots in the psyche that need to be addressed.

[IronHorse213]

In response it Irulan,

When I read the quote you chose from my note, it sounded very boostful to me, so I appologize if that's how it came across to anyone else, it wasn't meant to be so. I meant to communicate that I am doing well now. I do get "the blues" at certain points, but the reaction and ability to handle a pms funk, is much easier. My MD describes it as a drug that raises the floor of depression, so if you do get depressed, it doesn't get worse and worse, etc. and I find that to be true (thankfully!)


In many cases the cause of depression IS only a chemical problem - such as in my friend. Not enough of seratonin, I believe, in the brain. Taking anti-depressives solved that problem. She described it as living in a fog and not being able to think clearly, and make decisions. Zoloft gave her a clear mind allowed her to figure out things. Years of counseling didn't do anything but cost $.

BUT everyone is different and one's MD is useful in determining the best course of action for each individual.

[Irulan]

not boastful at all. Glad you are doing well! There is a tendency among certain parts of the medical community to medicate with out looking further, and that is what troubles me.

one of my diagnoses is "dysmthmia" (sp?) which is a low grade on going biochemically induced depression, so I think I understand what you are writing about. For me, I had to get the PTSD done with in counseling before we could see the other things going on.

changing topic: I was having a chat with a professional acquaintance of mine. She started to gossip about another mutual acquaintace who "can you beleive she's on anti-depressants? Well, gossip is bad enough, but I really blew a gasket, hopefully somewhat politely at this woman... I in no uncertain terms let her know that so what, if she was a diabetic taking insulin, or a heart patient taking nitro would it be a topic for derisice gossip? I was pretty pissed off. The intent was gentle education but I don't know if I succeeded...

Irulan

[trekchic]

Good for you!!!! Thank you for standing up for all of us who can't cope without meds right now!

When I made the decision to go back on Effexor, my husband said, "...I can't go thru another year like the last one. I don't think you need it." I was mortified! "YOU can't go thru another year...........WHAT ABOUT ME??????????????" Some people are just so insensitive about this problem. Well, I just don't think he needs to have sex for about a month.........I can't go thru THAT right now!

[Biking Kitsune]

LOL trekchick, more power to you!