I need Opinions from antidepressant users!?
"I'm on SSRI antidepression med for eight years on and off, I tried several different ones, but I still feel anxious, obsessive, ocassionally depressed and it's like I am numb and in a fog. I was wondering has anyone felt these ways ON antidepression meds? Has anyone came off of SSRI and feel better? Please give me all the info you can. also, i have hypothyroidism."
Answer:
I did experience some of those symptoms when I was on them. My doctor started me out on paroxetine (generic Paxil). It did me a lot of good, but I then became pregnant. I continued taking them (no harm to the baby - she is now a healthy 2 year old), but after she was born, and I had decided to breast feed, I was switched to Wellbutron twice a day. I took these, but began experiencing anxiety attacks and panic attacks, as well as some other small things that I hadn't experienced before. So my doctor gave me - in addition to the Wellbutron - one dose of fluoxetine (Prozac). That did the trick for me. I didn't experience nearly the amount of anxiety that I had before. The other thing that had drove me nuts before I began the Prozac was that just on the Wellbutron, I was extremely emotional. I mean, all I had to hear was a sentamental song on the radio or see a heartwarming commercial on television, and I was in tears, sobbing. Now, while I do cry at sad movies or happy movies, I had NEVER teared up watching a commerical. It drove me crazy (excuse the pun). After getting on the Prozac, that all disappeared. I am a much happier, much better functioning person. I am a wife and a mother, and I can do that to the best of my ability. Without the medications, I would be a wreck, and possibly to the point of suicide (God forbid).
The fog that is described I have never experienced. But what I would personally do is speak to my doctor. This isn't right, and you should never be to the point of feeling medicated/sedated at all. What that tells me is that your aunt may be overmedicated. She should speak to her doctor. If the doctor insists all is fine, then she should seek a second opinion. She would be well within her rights as a patient to do so, and any reputable doctor would agree with that and encourage it.
Check out www.webmd.com. There are connections to illnesses, medications, and articles about each. You can look up any medication and see what it is recommended for, the side effects, and what not to mix it with. It also discusses symptoms to contact your doctor about if you feel them. I find the site absolutely helpful, especially in my line of work.
Do you take anything for the hypothyroidism?
I have heard that a lot of people with that problem are always anxious. Also maybe you need something more for anxiety than for depression. I take Paxil for anxiety, but sometimes I get so anxious that I need to take something like Valium also on top of it to settle down(as needed).
Hmm, I don't know. I also have hypothyroidism, and I took Paxil for 4 years. I only feel hazy or slow if my thyroid meds aren't at the right level. Are you getting your thyroid checked every 3 months? When I was on Paxil I had a good amount of energy and focus, with no panic attacks and little depression problems, but, and here is the key ~ I was seeing a therapist every week. You need to work through emotional issues with a therapist at the same time that you are on SSRI meds if you want the right results. Too many people take the drugs and expect a miracle, but you need to do the WORK of seeing a shrink and changing your life from the inside out. It's the only way.
I was on Welbutrin and Celexa and felt the "in a fog" feeling. My Dr. switched me to Zoloft and the fog is gone but I'm noticeably irritable. So, I'll probably move on to yet another SRI.
To stop using any SSRI (Except fluoxetine-Prozac) causes very bad feelings and these feelings look like a depression.. I mean when you stop a SSRI, you will feel yourself very badly in 48-72 hours... And these abstinence (more suitable withdrawal) symptoms may be confused with a new depression.. these two situations must be differentiated and a new treatment plan must be structured by depending on that differentiation... in fact a single dose of previous antidepressant would decreased these symtoms significantly, in a short time... so, differentiation is very easy if you are not too late after stopping your drug.. after three days this differentiation is getting many difficulties day by day... Second you have a hypothyroidism (how severe i don't know), a very important cause for depression.. primary treatment may be for this hypothyroidism... but often, both treatment can go on together under control of clinicians... Certainly, the drugs or preperats for using tratment of hypothyroidism T3 and T4 (thyronine) can be used as an additive to an antidepressant drug.you must see your doctor and be under control of her/him...Because as you see your situation is not so simple you need help from a clinician.. by the way say hello to your aunt
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