Confused and worried about antidepressants

[dunbar]

Hello,
I have been depressed for years and it's getting worse due to my circumstances and illness. I have already tried celexa and also lavender oil capsules but of them did nothing for me. Then the doctor suggested parnate but I don't want to take a MAOI.
I decided to get another opinion and went to a second shrink and he wants me to take effexor but effexor sounds damn scary. I have read so many awful stories about this drug that I feel like getting on it could be a terrible mistake. I don't know what to do now. I'm so depressed that I really want to take something even if it shouldn't have much of an effect as a mental crutch. When I started with celexa I had hope that maybe this could make life more bearable and if I now think about having to give up on antidepressants then I feel even worse.
But I just don't know what I could/should try. I dont want to take MAOI and also no tricyclic ADs. This means there isn't very much left besides SSRI and I don't know if it makes much sense to try other SSRI if celexa already didn't work.
I could also try St John's Wort but if celexa didnt work then I don't really expect this to have much of an effect.

One doctor also suggested to me that I try ritalin cause I said that I have trouble concentrating and feel restless in my mind and driven. But from what I read taking ritalin when you already have depression and anxiety is also dangerous. I really don't know if the doctors even know what they are doing or if they think that this is like a game where you simply try out stuff and see what happens.

[audrealjade]

Originally Posted by dunbar

Hello,
I have been depressed for years and it's getting worse due to my circumstances and illness. I have already tried celexa and also lavender oil capsules but of them did nothing for me. Then the doctor suggested parnate but I don't want to take a MAOI.
I decided to get another opinion and went to a second shrink and he wants me to take effexor but effexor sounds damn scary. I have read so many awful stories about this drug that I feel like getting on it could be a terrible mistake. I don't know what to do now. I'm so depressed that I really want to take something even if it shouldn't have much of an effect as a mental crutch. When I started with celexa I had hope that maybe this could make life more bearable and if I now think about having to give up on antidepressants then I feel even worse.
But I just don't know what I could/should try. I dont want to take MAOI and also no tricyclic ADs. This means there isn't very much left besides SSRI and I don't know if it makes much sense to try other SSRI if celexa already didn't work.
I could also try St John's Wort but if celexa didnt work then I don't really expect this to have much of an effect.

One doctor also suggested to me that I try ritalin cause I said that I have trouble concentrating and feel restless in my mind and driven. But from what I read taking ritalin when you already have depression and anxiety is also dangerous. I really don't know if the doctors even know what they are doing or if they think that this is like a game where you simply try out stuff and see what happens.

Have you looked at other factors in your lifestyle like your diet or vitamin or mineral deficiencies? Because of my experience I STRONGLY advise you to get a complete workup done on yourself to see what you are lacking and try eliminating things from your diet. Try taking away gluten and see how you feel, take away dairy and see how you feel.

Explore every possible avenue you can before deciding on another antidepressant. How long ago did you take the Celexa?

[Backtopaxil]

Stay off these three: Effexor, Paxil or Cymbalta.

If all therapies do not address your issue, there are plenty of options to treat it chemically. But if you ever think of going off any drugs, read above,cause it will be a nightmare to get off.

[dunbar]

@ audrealjade

In my case it's mostly my circumstances. My situation is simply very hopeless. I have many different diseases which all drag me down and no doctor can help me. And I also have a lot of other worries and stress. If my circumstances were different I'd be more happy in an instant but it's simply the hopelessness of the entire situation which gets me down.

@ Backtopaxil

I also read many bad stuff about effexor and don't really want to take it but then again there are some people who say it works for them and that one should simply trust his doctor. I hate this. I'm always drawn between different opinions and can't decide what to do. It's always like that. I'm simply always afraid of doing something then usually don't do it. This can be good or bad because only in retrospect I know what would have been the right choice.

What I also don't understand is why prescribe effexor and not a SSRI? I read that only at higher doses effexor blocks nor-epinephrine and I don't want to take high doses then is there even a different to a SSRI when you take lower doses of 150mg or 225mg?

I read in a medical book about psychopharmacology and it only said that you have to taper off effexor otherwise you can get side effects it sounded all pretty harmless. Are doctors not taking this serious enough or doing this on purpose? My doctor also didnt mention any of this to me.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by dunbar

I read in a medical book about psychopharmacology and it only said that you have to taper off effexor otherwise you can get side effects it sounded all pretty harmless. Are doctors not taking this serious enough or doing this on purpose? My doctor also didnt mention any of this to me.

Oh, it's not harmless, believe me. It's one of the worst to get off, and many end up on dangerously high doses attempting to stave of withdrawal.

[dunbar]

I don't understand this. Then why does my doctor put me on this and not warn me at all? Is he just stupid or doesn't he give a damn? This is SOOOO frustrating. I really don't know who to go to anymore. Every shrink says something different and has his own set of favorite drugs which he recommends.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by dunbar

I don't understand this. Then why does my doctor put me on this and not warn me at all? Is he just stupid or doesn't he give a damn? This is SOOOO frustrating. I really don't know who to go to anymore. Every shrink says something different and has his own set of favorite drugs which he recommends.

That's what psychiatrists do. They prescribe drugs, period. If you don't want to take the drugs, then find a good psychologist. No negative side effects from therapy.

[julieannboo]

Originally Posted by scotty

That's what psychiatrists do. They prescribe drugs, period. If you don't want to take the drugs, then find a good psychologist. No negative side effects from therapy.

Truer words were never spoken. So true.

[dunbar]

But I'd at least want the safest and least dangerous antidepressants.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by dunbar

But I'd at least want the safest and least dangerous antidepressants.

They are pretty much the same....when you alter a brains chemistry, there is no "safe". The brain just doesn't like being altered and won't stand for it for long.

[audrealjade]

Originally Posted by dunbar

@ audrealjade

In my case it's mostly my circumstances. My situation is simply very hopeless. I have many different diseases which all drag me down and no doctor can help me. And I also have a lot of other worries and stress. If my circumstances were different I'd be more happy in an instant but it's simply the hopelessness of the entire situation which gets me down.

Well I can guarantee that the different diseases are what is making you depressed! The talk therapy will help with the worries and stress. If you don't mind me asking what are the diseases that you are dealing with? Adding an antidepressant is only going to confuse your body more when it is already trying to heal you from other things. You will save yourself even more mental anguish by not taking this medication.

[aberdeen]

OK, don't gang up on me, but Effexor did work for me when I was depressed. It was a hormonal thing after having a baby. Would I do it again? I don't even bother asking, I probably would if the circumstances were the same, I don't know. I know I had a horrible time coming off once I got up high on a dose, but that's not to say it wouldn't have been easier had I taken it much much slower. I know people who have had success with effexor, it is hard to say. As for Dr's being ignorant, I'm going to trust my Dr on this, and my personal experience too- MOST people don't have a hard time like the folks on this site do. We're a group of people who appear to be sensitive to these meds and sensitive to coming off them. Not everyone is like that, none of my friendshave issues on AD's. I'm just saying sometimes there's a time and place for these meds (I would think they are better than suicide), but with caution, and full knowledge of how to get off.

[miriza]

Originally Posted by scotty

They are pretty much the same....when you alter a brains chemistry, there is no "safe". The brain just doesn't like being altered and won't stand for it for long.

Agreed...from someone who stupidly tried 14 and ended up with a 'fried' brain....

[babs]

Nobody is saying antidepressants don't work ... we are saying they don't work forever, have lots of side effects and are hell to get off of. I felt great on Paxil in the beginning but ended up 50 pounds overweight and sleepy all the time. I had a long and miserable withdrawal, and if I could go back in time I would have NEVER started taking it, despite feeling good in the beginning. It's just not worth it. You are much better off talking to a therapist to deal with your feelings.

[dunbar]

Yeah well being told AD dont help or all AD are bad doesnt really help me much either cause I already feel worse continually. Not doing anything is also no solution. And therapy cant help me. I tried it and the advice I got were a damn joke. I could as well have thrown the money for the therapist in the toilet it would have saved me money and time.

[jr1985]

Well if you really wanted to try another SSRI, maybe try Prozac? It has the longest half life, so it's easier to come off of, although I imagine you still have to do it slowly.

As for Ritalin, I found it was good for my mood and anxiety (before I quit Effexor too quickly). But it wears off after 4 hours and some people find the come down a bit harsh. There are slow release versions that last longer and have an easier come down. The good thing about it is, it works immediately (no waiting for 6-8 weeks), so you can try one, see if it works or not and, if you can't tolerate it, it only lasts 4 hours and you can quit after that. I'm not trying to persuade you in any way, just giving you the facts.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by dunbar

Yeah well being told AD dont help or all AD are bad doesnt really help me much either cause I already feel worse continually. Not doing anything is also no solution. And therapy cant help me. I tried it and the advice I got were a damn joke. I could as well have thrown the money for the therapist in the toilet it would have saved me money and time.

Therapy doesn't "help you", it teaches you how to help yourself, and it takes shopping around for a therapist that works for you. If you're set on taking an ssri, then you can pretty much pick one and see how it goes. I would stay away from Effexor, Paxil and Cymbalta, but the reality is they all have problems. At least now you know the full story about what you are considering taking.

[dunbar]

@ jr

I think to myself even if I should have ADD and even if ritalin should have some benefits then my real issue is the depression and I don't know if I can take ritalin + antidepressants. The more stuff one takes the more unhealthy it gets so I don't know if it makes sense to even try ritalin. I also read it makes you feel high the first few times so even if I should feel better at first then this is only temporary. And ritalin also has a long list of really scary side effects.

@ scotty

What do you mean with they all have problems? Are you talking about long term side effects like cancer or do you mean noticable side effects? I took celexa and didn't notice anything except that I was tired and that it didn't help.

[Johnnny off Paxil]

Originally Posted by dunbar

Yeah well being told AD dont help or all AD are bad doesnt really help me much either cause I already feel worse continually. Not doing anything is also no solution. And therapy cant help me. I tried it and the advice I got were a damn joke. I could as well have thrown the money for the therapist in the toilet it would have saved me money and time.

You sound like you are trying to convince yourself to "get on"SSRI's"..... I assure you if you think things are bad now, once on the SSRI's you will be on the road to HELL, and I mean HELL

a very famous propaganda minister stated that rationalism was the best form of persuasion, with rationalism people don't listen to reason, common sense and above all their instincts.......so I say to you..beware rationalizing yourself into a "seeming solution" but what you will later supremely regret.

You have gotten some excellent advice here, myself I had to struggle with Lyme disease for 6 years, it was very debilitating, very depressing and very stressful... I was prescribed Paxil by an idiot GP, who seemed to think "it was all in my head" and that this would cure it.
What it did was bring me 4 years of HELL and many years felt like I was going to drop dead "any moment".....that was the "fruit" of his "solution".

Anyhow, you've received some excellent advice, like I said..you seem like to want to use these drugs despite what folks of said and all I say to you.. you'll be SORRY!!.
Oh and about Effexor..we have a saying about that one to.....where Satan failed with Paxil, he succeeded with Effexor( as in you'll never be able to get off...or if you do, not without tremendous grief and suffering).

Its your life..the ball is in your court.

Johnny

[Backtopaxil]

where Satan failed with Paxil, he succeeded with Effexor

Love that !!

And his new rewrapped, revamped version, Pristiq

[Bruno2006]

Originally Posted by Backtopaxil

Love that !!

And his new rewrapped, revamped version, Pristiq

yea i have come off both and was debilitated!

[Bruno2006]

Originally Posted by dunbar

Hello,
I have been depressed for years and it's getting worse due to my circumstances and illness. I have already tried celexa and also lavender oil capsules but of them did nothing for me. Then the doctor suggested parnate but I don't want to take a MAOI.
I decided to get another opinion and went to a second shrink and he wants me to take effexor but effexor sounds damn scary. I have read so many awful stories about this drug that I feel like getting on it could be a terrible mistake. I don't know what to do now. I'm so depressed that I really want to take something even if it shouldn't have much of an effect as a mental crutch. When I started with celexa I had hope that maybe this could make life more bearable and if I now think about having to give up on antidepressants then I feel even worse.
But I just don't know what I could/should try. I dont want to take MAOI and also no tricyclic ADs. This means there isn't very much left besides SSRI and I don't know if it makes much sense to try other SSRI if celexa already didn't work.
I could also try St John's Wort but if celexa didnt work then I don't really expect this to have much of an effect.

One doctor also suggested to me that I try ritalin cause I said that I have trouble concentrating and feel restless in my mind and driven. But from what I read taking ritalin when you already have depression and anxiety is also dangerous. I really don't know if the doctors even know what they are doing or if they think that this is like a game where you simply try out stuff and see what happens.

my advice to you is to search for any possible underlying causes with a holistic type doctor.

You said you are suffering from diseases, so the question is, "is the depression a result of the psychological impact, or is the depression a result or extension of the disease or diseases?"

If you have diseases then your body is obviously out of balance (homeostasis) and so the depression could simply be because of this. Depression is a very common symptom of various diseases so hopefully you will be able to receive good treatment to get better and hopefully lift the depression. Other than that, a good therapist can definitely help you if your depression is a result of the psychological impact of your illnesses.

You can always try other things besides antidepressants drugs. You could try oriental medicine, amino acids and nutrition (orthomolecular medicine), or something else. i dont know how the others feel about using nutrition/supplementation, but many folks have found significant relief using this approach. Pick up some books and try and connect with others out there who are experiencing problems like yours. They may be able to offer great advice.

Will the drugs help you? I would say that there is a good chance that you would find relief, but have you considered what impact the drugs will have on your illnesses? With these chemicals floating around in your body, I would imagine that they may inhibit or prolong healing of disease. Furthermore, these drugs are known to cause disease in and among themselves. Lastly, as others mentioned, they may work for a while then stop. They may also lead you up to polypharmacy, or a new diagnoses (antidepressant induced mania=bi polar).

[audrealjade]

Originally Posted by Bruno2006

my advice to you is to search for any possible underlying causes with a holistic type doctor.

You said you are suffering from diseases, so the question is, "is the depression a result of the psychological impact, or is the depression a result or extension of the disease or diseases?"

If you have diseases then your body is obviously out of balance (homeostasis) and so the depression could simply be because of this. Depression is a very common symptom of various diseases so hopefully you will be able to receive good treatment to get better and hopefully lift the depression. Other than that, a good therapist can definitely help you if your depression is a result of the psychological impact of your illnesses.

You can always try other things besides antidepressants drugs. You could try oriental medicine, amino acids and nutrition (orthomolecular medicine), or something else. i dont know how the others feel about using nutrition/supplementation, but many folks have found significant relief using this approach. Pick up some books and try and connect with others out there who are experiencing problems like yours. They may be able to offer great advice.

Will the drugs help you? I would say that there is a good chance that you would find relief, but have you considered what impact the drugs will have on your illnesses? With these chemicals floating around in your body, I would imagine that they may inhibit or prolong healing of disease. Furthermore, these drugs are known to cause disease in and among themselves. Lastly, as others mentioned, they may work for a while then stop. They may also lead you up to polypharmacy, or a new diagnoses (antidepressant induced mania=bi polar).

Such good advice!

[Bruno2006]

Originally Posted by audrealjade

Such good advice!

thanks audrealjade, I do my best :P