Trying to find an antidepressant that works for me??

Question

I have never dealt or even payed attention to all the antidepressants that are out there. However, a month ago when I was diagnosed with severe depression (this wasn't a surprise to me, it was just the first time I told anyone what I was going through). I was prescribed effexor. I was so hopeful. I still am because my dr. told me it may take some playing around with the meds to figure out which would work for me. I gave effexor a chance and finally stopped taking it because the side effects were outweighing my little progress. I was nauseous for at least an hour after taking it. I had dry mouth a little blurriness and some other minor effects. Anyway, I go back for my follow up on Friday and am trying to be completely informed this time. I looked on Wikepedia at ALL the choices and was thinking goodness no wonder it is hard to figure out what works for everyone. So from you guys I am just looking for insight. I want to find something that will take away the pain, physical and mental. Something that will make me want to get up and do stuff/life. Otherwise, I just lay around feeling like a lazy bum and get sunk into my depression even worse. What has worked for you guys? I know many will disagree with my even looking for modern meds to help me, but after over 10 years of just trying to "get over it" I finally have a bit of hope. Please help if you can. Thanks.

Answer 1

Effexor is good, however takes a little time (2-3 months) for the full effect to come along.  Good luck and it may take more than just one medication to help. I do also suggest a good psychiatrist, they do eventually help combined with medication.

Answer 2

Sometimes medication is good, but for things such as depression, mental anguish...being around positive people, therapy and most of all God. God loves you and doesn't want anyone to experience depression. Life is supposed to be filled with joy, although there are occasional hardships, depression is not a way of life. I've heard that medication just numbs emotion and people develop a greater reliance on it and need it in higher dosages so...I would say prayer and coming to know God's love for you is the medication I would prescribe.

God Bless

Answer 3

look into herbals. i was put on a pill that made me horribly sick, the doc told me to keep taking it, and threatened to have me hospitalized, i gave him some unkind words and walked away.  

sometimes tea is the way to go, just about anything can be solved with a tea. and maybe see a chiropractor, that always helps me when im feeling down.

i used to have a really hard time with depression. then i had babies, and stopped having time to feel bad. try to find something to do. crafts are great because you can sell them in the fall at local craft fairs, and make decent money too.

"I want to find something that will take away the pain, physical and mental. Something that will make me want to get up and do stuff/life"

depending on where you live, well. email me through answers as i have a bit of more private advice for you. something i use for depression, pain, and nightmare prevention.

Answer 4

Effexor is actually the best anti-depressant I have used, the only one that her really worked. I am on a very high dose (350mg) considering I'm fairly petite. You didnt state how long you'd been on it and how much you were taking, as that can make a big difference. It takes at least 3 months to start working properly. I know the side effects can be really annoying, but they usually fade as your body gets used to the drug and yuo adapt to it. Its all about weighing up what is more important to you- feeling better emotionally or feeling better physically, you may need to make some sacrifices.

As for finding a medication that will make you want to get up and do stuff, you may never find that. There's no magic pill, we just use meds to take the edge off.  

Answer 5

The best way to help the doc find the right antidepressant for you is to write down the symptoms of your depression as detailed as possible. Do you have problems sleeping? If so- do you feel tired all the time, do you have problems going to sleep or staying asleep? What about concentration? Isolation? Mood changes? weight gain?- There are so many different antidepressants out there because the brain chemistry of people is slightly different in different people. It often takes several tries to find the right meds for you - and they may not be what helps someone else.  

Answer 6

Hon, you can't just get over depression - it's an illness and many times, we need the help of a medical professional.

Your doctor is right -- you have to play around with medications to find something that is right for you.  Many times they take 2-6 weeks to start working effectively.  We are all such different individuals, that what might work for me, may not do a thing for you.

Your side-effects are pretty typical and usually subside after a few weeks.  You will get different, or all the same types of side effects, from each med at the onset.

Your doctor sounds like he knows what he's doing.  It's difficult but try to be patient.

And, in the meantime, exercising, walking, hiking is one of the best things you can do for yourself... daily.

sending all best wishes.

Answer 7

there are so many different kinds of anti-depressants out there it makes my head spin.

i have gotton good results from cymbalta. it took some messing with the dosage but the side effects were minimal. but everyone is different. if you are taking something, and not getting many or any side effects stick with it! it takes about 3 months for it to start affecting your brain chemicals. if you feel suicidal, of course call the doctor or go to the ER ASAP!

try asking he thinks you would benifit from a mood stabalizer. that may help with the laziness. i hope i was helpful. =)

Answer 8

I take Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) in the evening.  I've been taking that for over a year and a half, and it's working very well for me.



The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too.  They work on different areas of the brain, and kind of compliment each other.



Best of Luck to you :-)

Paul.

Answer 9

Have you tried alternative therapies? Most medical doctors do not agree with therapies that have not undergone double blind clinical trials, but there are some alternative, non-psychiatric approaches that work, without manipulating your brain's chemistry (in ways, I'd add, that aren't even fully understood by science). A couple therapies are 'dietary'; herbal (st john's wort, 5-htp and tyrosine, and others); reiki; meditation; homeopathy - which is used extensively, Supported by insurance companies, in the UK, [and] described by Gandhi as a method that "cures a larger percentage of cases than any other method of treatment"; yoga, and probably others.

I would recommend either homeopathy or Usui reiki, combined definitely with some kind of nutritional therapy -- we are what we eat, and a poor diet affects the entire person -- and meditation, with Tai-chi, even. A good nutritionist might also recommend things like st john's wort, which is proven to be effective with depression, and 5-htp. I also recommend, if you choose, meditation [but] with an expert. Severe depression and meditation could be a dangerous combination for the inexperienced.

Anyway, that's my prognosis. Keep searching, learning, growing, hoping. And never settle for less!