I took antidepressants while working for the Army. First Paxil, which made me so mellow I could hardly do my job. Later, Effexor, which worked well but was a BITCH to come off of.
When I started to suffer panic attacks and depression two years ago, my primary care doctor's PA tried to get me back on Effexor because 'it worked so well the …
I took antidepressants while working for the Army. First Paxil, which made me so mellow I could hardly do my job. Later, Effexor, which worked well but was a BITCH to come off of.
When I started to suffer panic attacks and depression two years ago, my primary care doctor's PA tried to get me back on Effexor because 'it worked so well the first time.' She ignored the withdrawal. I asked what about dementia and Alzheimer's, are they a risk? She said she didn't know but I'd have twenty or so happy years before that happened.
Um, no. I stuck it out. It's been two years. I was getting better, then my mother fell ill and died after over two months of misery. A setback, but I knew I would get better. Working with a therapist, reading books about positive thinking and an occasional chewable GABA has gotten me over the worst of it. Oh, and lemon balm and chamomile tea in the morning and afternoon.
I'm glad I turned them down. Three freaking times, they tried to get me to take them. I just had a feeling that, especially for grief - I'd just retired, so was grieving my past life and not having a purpose, then grieving my mother - I was just putting off the grief instead of going through it.
I think SSRIs DO work for some, but I wish the doctors didn't use it as a port of first call. At least ask the patient to come back after a period of time to see if the depression has lifted, rather than a prescription the first time a patient mentions feeling anxious or blue.
Yay, me!! It was a long two years, but I've learned a lot that will stand me in good stead the next time. And best of luck to all of us out there - you have to find what works for you.
Yes, SSRIs DO work for some. I was bullied into Lexepro by a doctor, and took it just to prove to her that I didn't need it. After two days, I woke up a different person: happy, and most startling, guilt-free. I had felt guilty about everything, and would beat myself up for every mistake. Ten years later, I am still on the smallest dose, and I have zero side effects. I would love to go off, because who wants to admit they're on an anti-depressant? What I would like to see is a test that patients could take that could tell us which patients would actually benefit from SSRIs. MWD has mentioned a process called methylation, and a test, but has not given enough detail that I can take to my (newer and much better) doctor.
Yes im interested in learning more about this too. I'm a rapid responder taking 20 mg prozac twice a week. I also take 50 mg amitriptyline hs twice a week. I've read the book doc recommended and need to read it again(i love to read and thought i had the book next to me to say the name but it's replaced with Think Like a Monk lol). Both of these meds have been life savers for me.
I took antidepressants while working for the Army. First Paxil, which made me so mellow I could hardly do my job. Later, Effexor, which worked well but was a BITCH to come off of.
When I started to suffer panic attacks and depression two years ago, my primary care doctor's PA tried to get me back on Effexor because 'it worked so well the first time.' She ignored the withdrawal. I asked what about dementia and Alzheimer's, are they a risk? She said she didn't know but I'd have twenty or so happy years before that happened.
Um, no. I stuck it out. It's been two years. I was getting better, then my mother fell ill and died after over two months of misery. A setback, but I knew I would get better. Working with a therapist, reading books about positive thinking and an occasional chewable GABA has gotten me over the worst of it. Oh, and lemon balm and chamomile tea in the morning and afternoon.
I'm glad I turned them down. Three freaking times, they tried to get me to take them. I just had a feeling that, especially for grief - I'd just retired, so was grieving my past life and not having a purpose, then grieving my mother - I was just putting off the grief instead of going through it.
I think SSRIs DO work for some, but I wish the doctors didn't use it as a port of first call. At least ask the patient to come back after a period of time to see if the depression has lifted, rather than a prescription the first time a patient mentions feeling anxious or blue.
Yay, me!! It was a long two years, but I've learned a lot that will stand me in good stead the next time. And best of luck to all of us out there - you have to find what works for you.
❤️👍
Yes, SSRIs DO work for some. I was bullied into Lexepro by a doctor, and took it just to prove to her that I didn't need it. After two days, I woke up a different person: happy, and most startling, guilt-free. I had felt guilty about everything, and would beat myself up for every mistake. Ten years later, I am still on the smallest dose, and I have zero side effects. I would love to go off, because who wants to admit they're on an anti-depressant? What I would like to see is a test that patients could take that could tell us which patients would actually benefit from SSRIs. MWD has mentioned a process called methylation, and a test, but has not given enough detail that I can take to my (newer and much better) doctor.
Yes im interested in learning more about this too. I'm a rapid responder taking 20 mg prozac twice a week. I also take 50 mg amitriptyline hs twice a week. I've read the book doc recommended and need to read it again(i love to read and thought i had the book next to me to say the name but it's replaced with Think Like a Monk lol). Both of these meds have been life savers for me.