Anyone using antidepressants?

Question

I need to know from people who have actually BEEN on or are currently on antidepressants what it was/is like for you. Which specific medication did you use and how did you feel before and after using it? What were the side effects of what you were taking? Did you think it was worth it? Im not the kind of person who is willing to take 4 medications to treat the many side effects of one medication for one disease.

Answer 1

You're not going to find an antidepressant without side effects, and the side effects some of us may of had, you might not or you may have something we didn't.  There are people who regain their lives and are saved because of antidepressants, and there are people who end up with long term side effects, permanent disabilities and other problems

You and your doctor need to weigh the pros and cons of antidepressants for you before starting ANYTHING, and you also need second opinions.  Do not take antidepressants or any mood altering/stabilizing drugs from a General practitioner.  Many of these doctors give out these pills like candy these days without knowing the details of them.

Before resorting to pills, I would suggest trying to get some therapy first, change your life a bit.  Pills should only be a last resort as they do have many side effects.  Many times depression problems and anxiety problems can be handled without medication.  Keep in mind that medication isn't always a long term fix as well.  You may find something that works now, and then have to continue to up your dosage or find other ways of treating your problem, which is why therapy and self maintenance are always your first shot.

Edit: Stay away from Effexor at all costs.  Effexor left me with permanent anxiety and paranoia problems and suffered a year long problem with discontinuation syndrome.  My situation with this drug is not uncommon and happens very often with Effexor users.

Answer 2

I have been an a few anti depressants and now I am taking Effexor.  I started taking Zoloft 200mg a half a year ago then I was put on Lexapro 10mg and Now I take 150mg of Effexor.  

The Zoloft help a out with feeling down a little but I still had the anxiety.  Its side effects are shivers and tremors.  Also may cause yawning.  They usually last only a week or so.

Lexapro did the same but different side effects.  I gotten tiredness and drowsiness from it as well as yawing.  these side effects lasts for a month or so.

Effexor is the big help mainly in the anxiety side.  I still feel down at times.  The bad side is lost maybe 75% of my s*x drive. My Girlfriend even wondered that.  This my cause you to sleep alot and become yawny.

Answer 3

I'm not big on medications, full stop. So I use all medications sparingly.

However I was put on Seroxat many years ago and experienced borderline psychosis. At one point I felt that I was losing control and I was hospitalised. Needless to say I was taken off them and prescribed something else.

Years later I was prescribed Cipralex for depression but even after the dose was doubled, it did not help me.

I am now on Sertraline and I feel more balanced although I tend not to care about things like what the neighbours get up to or which celebrity is doing what or even speculating on what someone might be doing.

I just do my own thing. I find gardening a great benefit and I am very relaxed around animals and they seem to be relaxed around me also.

I tend not to fly off the handle and I feel relaxed for the most part. I am still troubled by bizarre nightmares. I still suffer regularly from a sense of paranoia, especially when driving.

Answer 4

hi there, im on sertraline, have been for a few months now, i thik its brilliant, im so much happier, not moody, alot morw confident and want to do things again, saved my life........

i had NO side effects, although my mother is on the same one and had nausa for two days, if u want more info e-mail me:) xxxxx

Answer 5

I am sorry to hear you are having this problem.  To start out, have a good physical.  Have your Dr send the results to your Psych if you have one or have him/her recommend one.  (REMEMBER!!! Keep looking until you find a therapist that works...a therapist that is a bad fit will make you go backwards).  Maybe you have a hormone problem that is causing the problem.  Most importantly,  start your sessions with cognitive (justing talking) therapy.  Pushing pills down your throat is not a cure unless and until you understand what is behind your illness.  And, remember that not all drugs work, and many will lose their effectiveness over a period of time.   Many of them do have side effects (like loss of sexual drive, loss of the ability to o****m, etc)

One of the drugs I found very effective was Wellbutrin.  I am a type 2 manic/depressive and therefore am being treated with anti-convulsants as well.  Those drugs, lamitcal and neurontin have what is called an un-labeled use in the treatment of depression and have almost made my symptoms go away.  Everyday brings different challenges, you just have to keep going.