antidepressants - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

bing bing · 07-09-2003, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lurkette
Curious - did your doctor step down your dosage, or did you go cold turkey? If you stepped down, how gradually? I'm on Paxil CR, which is an extended release drug and supposedly doesn't have the same severity of side effects, but I'm still concerned about the effects of going off, which I will be doing in the next few months.

I was on 40mg and went down in 10mg jumps over four weeks. Each subsequent week got worse. The final two, i felt like i was dying. But after that, everything got much easier and i returned to normal.

I was having electric shock sensations through my head at least every minute and my vision was delayed. I also had a constant shiver.

Good luck to you. Not everyone has bad withdrawal from paxil, i think i was just unlucky.

Balaniki · 07-10-2003, 08:46 AM

I'm currently on Welbutrin - have been for a couple months now. When my mother died this past January I had a very hard time coping. My husband urged me to make use of my company's mental health benefits and so I called them. After talking with a "counsellor" for a few minutes she gave me referrals for a local therapist.

In talking with my therapist I found that I've probably had clinical depression for years. I thought everyone had days when they didn't want to get out of bed, just getting up was too much work. And I mean having those types of days several times a week! I thought that was normal!

In my second visit my therapist suggested talking to my doctor about anti-depressants. My husband and I did some research, heard about the potential NASTY side effects and withdrawal symptoms from Paxil and decided on the Welbutrin.

I started at 150 mg 2x daily. The changes were gradual at first and my husband noticed them way before I did. The only way I can describe it is this. Picture a line going straight across the screen. Now picture that line with HUGE dips and peaks in it - going all the way to the top of the screen and the bottom. That was my life prior to Welbutrin. HUGE highs (ask my hubby about my cleaning fits

) and HUGE lows (although I never thought suicidal). After being on W for about a month I felt my life was almost a straight line again. Did it cure my misery about my mothers death? Nope - didn't expect it to. But it helped me cope; stopped the sudden crying jags (for no reason) and the anger. After another month on it my BD went through the roof (one of the potential side effects). So I tried going to 150 mg 1x day. I began to feel the dips again. So now I'm at 100 mg 2x. I still see my therapist (it's nice to have a non-biased person to talk to about anything) and my Doc & I are monitoring my BD to see how it goes. If I have to go back to 150 per day - I will. It wasn't really bad - still better than with nothing.

Two of my sisters are on anti-depressants. My mom used alcohol as her AD for awhile (but it had nothing to do with her death). I think there's some validity behind the thoughts that depression can be genetic.

Butthead - what "tests" are there to prove chemical imbalance? My therapist said the blood tests weren't reliable and the only other way as to do brain imaging (MRI or CAT scan).

I KNOW the drugs have helped me and I'll take them as long as they continue to help me. Once in awhile I'll go off them to see if I still need them. I had no problems going off them cold turkey (ran out before I could get in the see the Doc for a refill) so I know it's not a problem.

If you even THINK you might have a problem - PLEASE go see someone. I spent several years of my life in a fog because I didn't know any better. Life improved greatly when I met my husband and we married - but if it's a chemical imbalance then nothing short of getting it balanced will work.

chavos · 07-10-2003, 08:49 AM

I get so frustrated when people talk about "chemical levels" and "imbalances." It is all a hypothesis on why these pills make you happy. They cannot check how much seratonin you have...they would have to drill in to your brain to do so. No doctor i know would perform a biopsy to diagnose depression.

Take what works. Be patient, and be willing to try more than one medication. It is not a science in many ways...and becareful of anyone who is too sure of what they're saying. That said...NEVER take any SSRI on an irregular basis. That fucking you up is nearly the only guarantee in this whole mess.

I started paxil when i was under 18, which was since discovered to be very dangerous. I had had severe depression at that point in my life...and i know that they were just trying to help, but i do have some anger for the doc who gave it to me even those it wasn't FDA approved.

Perhaps as a side effect, i got drastically worse...i had panic attacks for the first time, and had no let up with my depression. Hospitalized for the first time, i was switched over to Celexa.

That didn't work either, and i began to cut myself pretty regularly. Switched to effexor, and had no improvement. Tapered off that, and went a year with out meds. I wasn't any better on or off, and so i figured off was cheaper.

Wellbutrin got a try after a nearly going back to cutting....but didn't really help much. A few months later, i quit that too. Nearly flunked college because of the depression and anxiety...but managed to turn it around with a little understanding from my profs.

These days i've got xanax for the panic attacks, but i can't use it much so i don't get addicted. Which is fine by me...i've had a spontaneous remission of the worst of my symptoms. I still get down sometimes, and i get panicky now and again. I don't know why...but for now, life is good.

The things i would reccomend to anybody facing these issues is to find someone who will listen when you need it-friends, family, etc... Becareful of overburdening them, but sometimes it just takes someone calming you down in the worst of it. That, and try to get regular exercise. Most of the drugs cause weight gain, and it's a big reason to quit them...i packed on 50 because i had to switch around so much...but not only will working out keep the pounds away, but helps take some edge off the blues.

butthead · 07-10-2003, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Butthead - what "tests" are there to prove chemical imbalance? My therapist said the blood tests weren't reliable and the only other way as to do brain imaging (MRI or CAT scan).

MRI scans brain structure, PET scans 5HT neurotransmission, among other things. And let us not forget about spinal taps.

Quote:

They cannot check how much seratonin you have...they would have to drill in to your brain to do so.

They check for metabolites in extracted fluids or use radioactive agents.

Quote:

Take what works. Be patient, and be willing to try more than one medication. It is not a science in many ways...and becareful of anyone who is too sure of what they're saying. That said...NEVER take any SSRI on an irregular basis. That fucking you up is nearly the only guarantee in this whole mess.

I'd probably start out with the more promising alternative methods.

WhoaitsZ · 07-10-2003, 01:14 PM

Frowning Budah nipped it in the bud. i don't wanna spam boards by posting one or two sentences but i think he said it best by far. you don't want to anything other not exist. the colors of life and black and white, all sounds are noisy, every smile is fake, laughs are cynical and everyone's after you.... sometimes our brain is simply fucked up... i think it is far too easy for someone to say what will or will not help or cause or even is depression until tackled first hand... and then it can still be vastly different.

butthead · 07-10-2003, 01:22 PM

Quote:

you don't want to anything other not exist.

Hmm, that's great.

Your last post is a little hard to read.

WhoaitsZ · 07-10-2003, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by butthead
Hmm, that's great.

Your last post is a little hard to read.

...

WhoaitsZ · 07-10-2003, 10:20 PM

Hopefully a mod will the delete the above message. Posted it on accident and due to me being six to eight feet from the monitor I couldn’t find the little edit button.

It’s odd to me how its’ simple to up the font but the buttons stay small.

Anyhow.

When you are severly depressed you do not want anything but to quit existing.

I realize that was a fair sized typo.. cut me a little slack, I had a toughtough day.

TIO · 07-11-2003, 12:17 AM

You really have to be careful. My advice is to take only as much as you really need to prevent yourself from becoming dangerous. I had a bad year last year, and a few people, both friends and medical proffessionals, were trying to medicate me to cheer me up. I'm still glad I didn't give in; my condition wasn't pleasant, but I wasn't a threat to myself or anyone else; I just wasn't that happy. Now that has passed, and I have no chemical dependancies to kick. Moreover, I <I>know</I> that it has passed, and I am not just happy because of meds.

That said, in a lot of cases, depression manifests itself as self-destructive tendancies, or even suicidal urges. The mood swings it causes can pose serious threats to relationships, especially when children are involved. If that is your situation, then I would urge you to get on drugs to control yourself; but not enough to really wipe you out. Some of the work in maintaining your sanity needs to come from you. It's the only way to make the results mean anything at all.

bing bing · 07-11-2003, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TIO
You really have to be careful. My advice is to take only as much as you really need to prevent yourself from becoming dangerous. I had a bad year last year, and a few people, both friends and medical proffessionals, were trying to medicate me to cheer me up. I'm still glad I didn't give in; my condition wasn't pleasant, but I wasn't a threat to myself or anyone else; I just wasn't that happy. Now that has passed, and I have no chemical dependancies to kick. Moreover, I <I>know</I> that it has passed, and I am not just happy because of meds.

That said, in a lot of cases, depression manifests itself as self-destructive tendancies, or even suicidal urges. The mood swings it causes can pose serious threats to relationships, especially when children are involved. If that is your situation, then I would urge you to get on drugs to control yourself; but not enough to really wipe you out. Some of the work in maintaining your sanity needs to come from you. It's the only way to make the results mean anything at all.

Thank you for your wisdom.

Frowning Budah · 07-11-2003, 02:43 AM

Sleepyjack, I understand where you are coming from. I never understood what depression really was until it happened to me. Even now I have trouble understanding why I just can't "shake it off". I didn't mean to come down on you. I was just trying to stress, that as bad as it is, the medication method is the only thing that is going to give many of us a chance to be normal again.

mtsgsd · 07-11-2003, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chavos
I get so frustrated when people talk about "chemical levels" and "imbalances." It is all a hypothesis on why these pills make you happy.

Something I found interesting while researching this for Balaniki:

SSRI's inhibit seratonin uptake to prevent depression right?

Welbutrin INCREASES seratonin (or the uptake. can't remember now) to prevent depression.

Too opposite approaches to the same goal. Shows they don't fully understand the cause, or there is more than one cause.

One solution does not fit all, so those of you talking in absolutes should reconsider. Drugs are working for my wife, and that's all that is important, because no one should have to live that way.

butthead · 07-11-2003, 09:53 AM

Quote:

SSRI's inhibit seratonin uptake to prevent depression right?

Welbutrin INCREASES seratonin (or the uptake. can't remember now) to prevent depression.

Too opposite approaches to the same goal. Shows they don't fully understand the cause, or there is more than one cause.

One solution does not fit all, so those of you talking in absolutes should reconsider. Drugs are working for my wife, and that's all that is important, because no one should have to live that way.

SSRIs block presynaptic neuronal uptake ("reuptake") just like Wellbutrin does, allowing for more synaptic serotonin so that hopefully more will bind to the postsynaptic neuron. Although Wellbutrin does a few other things and is less understood than SSRIs.

I firmly believe there is no one single cause of depression.

And WhoaitZ: I wasn't trying to be a dick, but that sentence and some others were missing words, making it difficult to follow. The "yeah, that's great" comment was something cute my partner said in response when I humorously read typos aloud. No offense intended and I apologize.

noahfor · 07-11-2003, 09:59 AM

Wellbutrin inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. I think that is how they think it works.

butthead · 07-11-2003, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Wellbutrin inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. I think that is how they think it works.

And also serotonin. You'll hear different claims on bupropions mechanism from many different credible sources leading me to believe that it's pointless to really make it a big point. However, I believe it affects DA and NE more than 5HT.

yoshi · 07-11-2003, 01:59 PM

I've been on antidepressents for about four years now. I started out with Celexa. I guess I felt okay for a while. Then it didn't seem to do anything. Then I had Effexor--which I had a bad reaction to when I got off of it. Currently I take Prozac. There are some days I wonder if it even works. I have lupus so I'm familiar with having to find the "right" medicine to take. It's really a pain in the ass, I guess that's why I've stuck with the Prozac. My question is though, does your body ever just get immuned to this stuff and it's just not effective anymore???????

Balaniki · 07-12-2003, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by butthead
... let us not forget about spinal taps.

... check for metabolites in extracted fluids or use radioactive agents.

Ummm .. I think I'll stick with my drugs. I'm really not into people extracted fluid from my spine or pumping me full of radioactive agents.

07-10-2003, 08:46 AM	#42 (permalink)
Balaniki Upright Location: WI	I'm currently on Welbutrin - have been for a couple months now. When my mother died this past January I had a very hard time coping. My husband urged me to make use of my company's mental health benefits and so I called them. After talking with a "counsellor" for a few minutes she gave me referrals for a local therapist. In talking with my therapist I found that I've probably had clinical depression for years. I thought everyone had days when they didn't want to get out of bed, just getting up was too much work. And I mean having those types of days several times a week! I thought that was normal! In my second visit my therapist suggested talking to my doctor about anti-depressants. My husband and I did some research, heard about the potential NASTY side effects and withdrawal symptoms from Paxil and decided on the Welbutrin. I started at 150 mg 2x daily. The changes were gradual at first and my husband noticed them way before I did. The only way I can describe it is this. Picture a line going straight across the screen. Now picture that line with HUGE dips and peaks in it - going all the way to the top of the screen and the bottom. That was my life prior to Welbutrin. HUGE highs (ask my hubby about my cleaning fits ) and HUGE lows (although I never thought suicidal). After being on W for about a month I felt my life was almost a straight line again. Did it cure my misery about my mothers death? Nope - didn't expect it to. But it helped me cope; stopped the sudden crying jags (for no reason) and the anger. After another month on it my BD went through the roof (one of the potential side effects). So I tried going to 150 mg 1x day. I began to feel the dips again. So now I'm at 100 mg 2x. I still see my therapist (it's nice to have a non-biased person to talk to about anything) and my Doc & I are monitoring my BD to see how it goes. If I have to go back to 150 per day - I will. It wasn't really bad - still better than with nothing. Two of my sisters are on anti-depressants. My mom used alcohol as her AD for awhile (but it had nothing to do with her death). I think there's some validity behind the thoughts that depression can be genetic. Butthead - what "tests" are there to prove chemical imbalance? My therapist said the blood tests weren't reliable and the only other way as to do brain imaging (MRI or CAT scan). I KNOW the drugs have helped me and I'll take them as long as they continue to help me. Once in awhile I'll go off them to see if I still need them. I had no problems going off them cold turkey (ran out before I could get in the see the Doc for a refill) so I know it's not a problem. If you even THINK you might have a problem - PLEASE go see someone. I spent several years of my life in a fog because I didn't know any better. Life improved greatly when I met my husband and we married - but if it's a chemical imbalance then nothing short of getting it balanced will work. __________________ Balaniki "Everyone should have something to believe in. I believe you should keep your beliefs to yourself."

07-11-2003, 12:17 AM	#49 (permalink)
TIO Addict Location: The Land Down Under	You really have to be careful. My advice is to take only as much as you really need to prevent yourself from becoming dangerous. I had a bad year last year, and a few people, both friends and medical proffessionals, were trying to medicate me to cheer me up. I'm still glad I didn't give in; my condition wasn't pleasant, but I wasn't a threat to myself or anyone else; I just wasn't that happy. Now that has passed, and I have no chemical dependancies to kick. Moreover, I <I>know</I> that it has passed, and I am not just happy because of meds. That said, in a lot of cases, depression manifests itself as self-destructive tendancies, or even suicidal urges. The mood swings it causes can pose serious threats to relationships, especially when children are involved. If that is your situation, then I would urge you to get on drugs to control yourself; but not enough to really wipe you out. Some of the work in maintaining your sanity needs to come from you. It's the only way to make the results mean anything at all. __________________ Strewth

07-10-2003, 08:49 AM	#43 (permalink)
chavos Banned Location: St. Paul, MN	I get so frustrated when people talk about "chemical levels" and "imbalances." It is all a hypothesis on why these pills make you happy. They cannot check how much seratonin you have...they would have to drill in to your brain to do so. No doctor i know would perform a biopsy to diagnose depression. Take what works. Be patient, and be willing to try more than one medication. It is not a science in many ways...and becareful of anyone who is too sure of what they're saying. That said...NEVER take any SSRI on an irregular basis. That fucking you up is nearly the only guarantee in this whole mess. I started paxil when i was under 18, which was since discovered to be very dangerous. I had had severe depression at that point in my life...and i know that they were just trying to help, but i do have some anger for the doc who gave it to me even those it wasn't FDA approved. Perhaps as a side effect, i got drastically worse...i had panic attacks for the first time, and had no let up with my depression. Hospitalized for the first time, i was switched over to Celexa. That didn't work either, and i began to cut myself pretty regularly. Switched to effexor, and had no improvement. Tapered off that, and went a year with out meds. I wasn't any better on or off, and so i figured off was cheaper. Wellbutrin got a try after a nearly going back to cutting....but didn't really help much. A few months later, i quit that too. Nearly flunked college because of the depression and anxiety...but managed to turn it around with a little understanding from my profs. These days i've got xanax for the panic attacks, but i can't use it much so i don't get addicted. Which is fine by me...i've had a spontaneous remission of the worst of my symptoms. I still get down sometimes, and i get panicky now and again. I don't know why...but for now, life is good. The things i would reccomend to anybody facing these issues is to find someone who will listen when you need it-friends, family, etc... Becareful of overburdening them, but sometimes it just takes someone calming you down in the worst of it. That, and try to get regular exercise. Most of the drugs cause weight gain, and it's a big reason to quit them...i packed on 50 because i had to switch around so much...but not only will working out keep the pounds away, but helps take some edge off the blues.

07-10-2003, 01:14 PM	#45 (permalink)
WhoaitsZ Crazy Location: right behind you...	Frowning Budah nipped it in the bud. i don't wanna spam boards by posting one or two sentences but i think he said it best by far. you don't want to anything other not exist. the colors of life and black and white, all sounds are noisy, every smile is fake, laughs are cynical and everyone's after you.... sometimes our brain is simply fucked up... i think it is far too easy for someone to say what will or will not help or cause or even is depression until tackled first hand... and then it can still be vastly different.

07-10-2003, 10:20 PM	#48 (permalink)
WhoaitsZ Crazy Location: right behind you...	Hopefully a mod will the delete the above message. Posted it on accident and due to me being six to eight feet from the monitor I couldn’t find the little edit button. It’s odd to me how its’ simple to up the font but the buttons stay small. Anyhow. When you are severly depressed you do not want anything but to quit existing. I realize that was a fair sized typo.. cut me a little slack, I had a toughtough day.

07-11-2003, 02:43 AM	#51 (permalink)
Frowning Budah Slave of Fear	Sleepyjack, I understand where you are coming from. I never understood what depression really was until it happened to me. Even now I have trouble understanding why I just can't "shake it off". I didn't mean to come down on you. I was just trying to stress, that as bad as it is, the medication method is the only thing that is going to give many of us a chance to be normal again.

07-11-2003, 09:59 AM	#54 (permalink)
noahfor Addict	Wellbutrin inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. I think that is how they think it works.

07-11-2003, 01:59 PM	#56 (permalink)
yoshi Crazy Location: Jersey	I've been on antidepressents for about four years now. I started out with Celexa. I guess I felt okay for a while. Then it didn't seem to do anything. Then I had Effexor--which I had a bad reaction to when I got off of it. Currently I take Prozac. There are some days I wonder if it even works. I have lupus so I'm familiar with having to find the "right" medicine to take. It's really a pain in the ass, I guess that's why I've stuck with the Prozac. My question is though, does your body ever just get immuned to this stuff and it's just not effective anymore???????