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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to talk about antidepressants?

276 replies

Neednewjeans · 06/10/2012 14:34

Who's on them then? Have they been a help or do you regret taking them? After a bad bout of PND most health professionals kind of 'gave up' with me as I wasn't willing to try them (mostly due to my GP saying my symptoms could become worse before getting any better which, at my worst, I couldn't get my head around).

So...I'd just like honest answers. Did they help? Do you regret it? Would you like to come off them? Or not?

OP posts:
Original poster
Neednewjeans · 06/10/2012 15:28

Hi ques - tried counselling but it just hasn't touched the sides TBH. I'm really wanting to give CBT a go as have heard good things.

Banana - Very interested in your experience with SJW. Mine really is anxiety rather than depression but I terms of PND it's all out under the same umbrella. How differently did you feel? Did it just seem to lift?

OP posts:
mamalovesmojitos · 06/10/2012 15:32

Gah my long msg just got lost! Angry. I'll make it quick:

Took them on and off for 10 years. First brand made me suicidal. Bitterly regret taking them. Believe they are massively over-prescribed. They may work for some but I think for others it's a placebo effect- and one that comes with a price as they affect your very brains chemistry. I had withdrawal symptoms when I finally cut them out. With every further year off them I feel more balanced and in control (with appropriate emotions- i still get upset/angry/hopeless/happy of course).

It's in some doctors interests to give them out. They treat a symptom though, not always the problem. If my dd was depressed I would look at absolutely every other treatment going and they would be a last resort. But for some people they need that last resort. It's a tough one.

OrangeandGoldMrsDeVere · 06/10/2012 15:33

I asked or them when DD was dx with cancer. I date lowest dose and I think they helped me through.
They whacked up my dose when she died to only 20mg and I couldn't cope at all.
I also think they really stunted the grieving process. When I stopped them a year later I had what felt like a short semi psychotic episode ( I am not a mh expert, I am just trying to describe)
Everything came crashing down around me. It was awful.
I have thought about going back on them, the ave been sugested several times.
But I just can't face the initial period.they make me feel awful and I can't function for about three weeks.
I do not have time for that.

I think they are lifesavers but gps have a tendency to give them for bereavement and I do not think this is always a good thing.

dottyspotty2 · 06/10/2012 15:33

Op I was put on them at first for anxiety attacks horrendous ones I'm on Citalopram and although I think it could probably do with a slighter higher dose I am much better now. I still have quite a tremble at times but I am under an immense amount of stress ATM so that doesn't help either.

Paradisefound · 06/10/2012 15:35

They saved my life. Made returning to work a reality. So glad I was brave enough to give them a try.

Mayisout · 06/10/2012 15:35

Humans were designed to be hunter gatherers where Mr Human went out, with the rest of the men in the tribe, to spear bears/fish for dinner whilst Mrs Human stayed back at the 'village' with the women watching the DCs. Scary whilst sabre tooth tigers are around but quiet the rest of the time.

Fast forward a few thousand years and we are still basically the same humans but being bombarded by so much S T U F F that we don't know our arse from our elbow. Fortunately we have also developed our knowledge and science to produce medicine to aid our survival in the mad world that is now.

ZombTEE · 06/10/2012 15:40

Actually, humans were designed to evolve and ever change. Hence no longer being hunters and gathers but creators and inventors.

I would bet there was depression back in caveman times. But those who were depressed starved to death or were eaten by tigers.

dottyspotty2 · 06/10/2012 15:44

ZombTEE don't be daft depression is a modern illness don'tcha know as my lovely mother pointed out there was no such thing as depression in her day especially not PND you just got on with it. Hmm

Pagwatch · 06/10/2012 15:48

Wasn't acute depression what used to be called a 'decline' in victorian times?

aldiwhore · 06/10/2012 15:52

I had a 3 months course of anti-d's during a really rough time for our family about 6 years ago.

They didn't make me happy, but they did give me the strength to climb out of the hole I'd got into.

I can only say they worked for me, and my troubles were short term and with understandable reasons... my depression had a logical reason and an emotional symptom in my opinion. The anti-d's I was on were important for me and kept a short term illness short term. (Again, my opinion)

I would recommend them to anyone who was in a similar position to me. I can't comment on whether they'd be right for everyone in all circumstances.

PeggyCarter · 06/10/2012 15:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DeckSwabber · 06/10/2012 15:55

Was on Citalopran for a few months while going through a particularly stressful episode. Definately helpful. Just being on meds helped me to take my mental health seriously, so I was also motivated to exercise, reduce alcohol and get enough sleep.

Another time I had a near breakdown I was signed off work for six weeks and I didn't take anything. I knew I just needed a rest and for a work issue to be resolved, which it was.

dottyspotty2 · 06/10/2012 15:57

Possibly can be lifelong, I had severe PND after my eldest was born 21 years ago but binned the meds after 2 weeks as I felt worse with them have had depression on and off ever since and admitted it to dr [she's suggested it many times] hopefully now I'm dealing with the cause it will be the end of it once and for all.

DeckSwabber · 06/10/2012 15:59

Joyful, I think depression is a lifelong condition for a lot of people. I have experienced it since I was 13 or even younger.

Luckily my experinece is relatively mild but it never really goes away.

Oh yes, and my mum says I'm 'neurotic'.

monkeysbignuts · 06/10/2012 15:59

I had severe pnd after my first baby and was put on prozac when he was 12 months old (I refused treatment also)
I can honestly say they were amazing for me and within 6 weeks I felt I could do anything!
It was only when my weight dropped to just over 7 stone and I started drinking heavy and harming myself that I realised I was desperately ill. My gp was going to put me in hospital but being a nurse myself I refused point blank, so the doctor agreed medication and regular visits to her and by my health visitor.
I was only on them 5/6 months when I got pregnant with my second baby and weaned myself off them.
Never had the dreaded pnd with my second and I am due my third anytime now so hoping I will escape it again.
I would really recommend the meds to get you back on an even keel, I almost ruined my marriage so good luck op.

JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 06/10/2012 15:59

medicalised! wtf? Is that even a word?

If you need medication then you take it. There are some seriously warped perceptions of Mental Health Issues in this country.
I had PTSD which was undiagnosed for a while and I can honestly say that meds saved me from going off the wall. Coupled with CBT.

At the time I thought I was ok, had no clue what I was going through wasnt normal.

ZombTEE · 06/10/2012 15:59

Oh right, I forgot. Depression was "invented" in 1965. Hmm

I knew that Pag! It was thought to be caused by 'blockage' that could be removed by sexual release. But, of course, nice girls didn't orgasm. Hmm

People who thought that have never read Victoria Erotica!!!!

Mayisout · 06/10/2012 16:00

Hence no longer being hunters and gathers but creators and inventors

Creators and Inventors thin on the ground round here, Zombtee, but many are cavemen-like Grin

Shesparkles · 06/10/2012 16:00

I'm on venal faxing, 375mg daily, and have been for 10 years. It allows me to function on a normal level and have a life. I'm probably another one who'd not be here otherwise.
Anti-depressants can be a difficult type of drug to start on as the initial side effects can be grim. I lost 2 days every time my dosage was increased, but I knew I had to try.
Of course I'd rather not need to take them, just as I'd rather not take thyroxine for my under active thyroid, but if my body doesn't make enough of that particular chemical, I'm glad a synthetic variet is available.
If taking a high dose drug for,the rest of my life is what allows me to lead a normal life (whatever normal is Grin) then so,be it

Shesparkles · 06/10/2012 16:05

venlafaxine not venal faxing! Blush

GoldShip · 06/10/2012 16:05

I was on them from being about 16, then managed to come off them at 19. At 21 I'm back on the, :( despite my life being the best it's ever been so its really frustrating because I have nothing to blame it on!

And they do work :)

GoldShip · 06/10/2012 16:06

I was on fluoxetine, now on ciralopram. Also tried me with amitryptaline but I don't want to take that

GirlWithALlamaTattoo · 06/10/2012 16:11

I took citalopram and then fluoxetine for a period of about 9 months about 12 years ago, when my world fell apart around me. They helped me to get through it, I recovered, and I've been fine ever since.

I would take them again if I ever needed to.

monkeysbignuts · 06/10/2012 16:12

amitryptalin is awful, don't blame you for not wanting it!
I was on citalopram first and it made me much worse. once swapped to prozac (fluoxetine) I felt great.