Long Term Anti depressant users .... 12 years for me now and counting

[kizzie]

Hi everyone - this is a semi regular question from me but just wanted to catch up with others.

(Not that Im boring or anything ! )

I was given ad's 12 years ago for PND. Ive never managed to come off them completely since although have had long periods on quite lowish doses. (Equivalent of 10mg and below of something like prozac/citalopram)

Im on a similar dose to that now (although its an older tricyclic) after having a big crash again last year. Things not completely smooth (still some break through anxiety and lows - 'blips') but had some good weeks so hoping that at some stage will back to complete stability again.

IF that happens (fingers crossed) then planning to stay on lowish dose for some time to come as dont want to risk another major dip.

Im also taking fish oils. And really (really this time) trying to do all the relaxation exercises etc.

Anyway I just wondered:

• how do you feel re. taking long terms ad's
• are you worried about long term impacts
• have partic medications worked better longer term than others etc etc
• anything really, just interested to hear from others in same position. I just cant quite believe that at 29 I had no previous mental health issues. Now at 41 Ive been on ad's for soooo long.

Toffee fudge - might try reducing the dose but not sure that will have any effect on the weight and general sluggishness. I move like a seal out of water these days! :)

Racing - could GP or somebody else help with finding an alternative AD that does not have these side effects? At least you know you could return to Citalopram if it didn't help.

Kizzie - that we both saw same person. I consulted her by email afterwards, though was directly related (re BF). Actually this is worth knowing : my hospital wanted me to stop bf DD before release (already Christmas eve afternoon) because they had just noticed my pill popping (am in not recommended AD for preg and BF). Only by giving JS details as advising safe (I wd say advisable since baby gets more through placenta than milk, so sort of tapering) was I confident of release. If you stay on ADs and do succeed maybe agree this before you are on metaphorical doorsteps glad you feeling a bit better during hols. Remember that if slips a little: it will return.

Orange - how are you doing now? Been thinking of you.

Hi scarecrow22 Thanks for asking about me. I'm mostly ok I think. Today I have been a bit low, mainly due to disappointment really. We had arranged to take dds to zoo with another family tomorrow but won't be able to go now. This is because I was going to pay for some of the outing using Tesco vouchers and they haven't arrived yet. We can't afford to pay the full ticket price as we're really struggling financially atm. This doesn't sound much when I write it down but they're close friends and I feel like I've really let them down. Also we would've been going early tomorrow and our post doesn't arrive til after lunch so have not got the option of waiting and seeing if the vouchers arrive tomorrow.

I find the constant worrying about lack of money often drags me down. It sounds trivial but we've been struggling for a long time. This afternoon I just wanted to cry. Instead I forced myself to go out but it's hard.

Sorry to go on. Just had to write it down I think. How are you?

12 yrs on 40mg prozac for me. I'm very very grateful for what it's done for me. I made the decision very early on not to worry about if I ever came off it. I figured that whatever the possible negative effects, they were better than the alternative. On the right mediction, I've been able to be a decent, loving Mum and enjoy my children. That wasn't possible before prozac. So, whilst I'd love to not need it, and I will try tailing it off when my children are older, I really feel that I owe my quality of life to this wonderful drug.

I have been on anti d for 5 years and came off them in Dec 2010 after reducing them bit by bit. I thought I was over the pnd symptoms, which I feel I am with regards to depression but not anxiety and ocd thoughts.

In may I got preg and then had a mc which totally threw me. I desperatly wanted another baby but had no idea I would react with such anxiety and fear. After the mc I really went into free fall. I am now having horrible thoughts again which is the worst part for me and I have been free from all that for about 4 years or more.

My gp thinks I am doing so well to have been off them for so long and it would be a shame to go back on them. After 3 weeks of living with anxiety and finding I can not concentrate on ds and just relax I have decided I am going to give it another few weeks and it still the same go back on them forever. It is something I never wanted to ever do and years ago used to constantly count the amount of months/years I was on them. Now I just feel a small dose of setraline daily is the diff between happiness, contentment and feeling relaxed and normal or living drug free and filled with worry and unable to sleep.
My only problem is getting preg while on anti d, my gp is not keen. After the reaction I had when I got preg in June I am not sure if I should go down that road again but feel I can not let anxiety rule my life either.

Anti d put weight on me about half a stone and its makes me feel uncomfortable and lack confidence but its better than my ds suffering cos mummmy is pre-occupied with her thoughts and anxiety.

Hi everyone & more recent posters. Really good to see all the different experiences.

orangeflutie would those two for one vouchers that you get in the papers / whsmith etc be any use to you. I think they are only for the bigger places like sealife centres and chessington/ alton towers/ thorpe park etc. But very happy to send you some if thry would be any use. Worrying about money doesnt sound trivial at all :(

frazer sounds like you have got a good plan in place. hope things get much easier in next few weeks but if they dont dont feel bad about going back to gp for more help.

frazer41 - this is my 2nd pregnancy on antid's, and my GP was critical to say the least when I wanted to stay on them at first. It really upset me, and I went through the process of seeing various specialists about it. They all backed me up & agreed that it was a no brainer - me being depressed would be more of a risk to the baby than staying on antids. (That's 2 psychiatrists, 2 obstetric consultants and several midwives) Both female obstetricians said they would make the same decision in my shoes and that the risks were very small. My son was born with a 10 on the apgar, and is a extremely healthy happy little boy. I feel much more confident with this pregnancy. Please don't beat yourself up about staying on your meds. In an ideal world no one would have to take any medications, but you have made a balanced decision with the best interests of your children in mind. I hope you enjoy your pregnancy.x

ps Frazer; ask for a psych referral if your GP is unhelpful. They're so much more aware. x

kickassangel you sound so like me - I had the 'highly strung' hypothesis & the PMT hypothesis too.
frazer I am facing same dilemma ttc and on ads - my doctor was just really horrible to me but told me fluoxetine is licensed for use during pregnancy.
orangeflutie i'm really poor too - that is a very moving story. oh my god my dad and mother in law coming up the stairs gotta go

kizzie That is such a kind offer. Thank you. I'm sitting here typing with tears in my eyes. It would really help if you don't need them.

I'm going to London today to see my new nephew. He's only 3 weeks old so I'm looking forward to giving him a cuddle. I've only seen a couple of photos so far and he looks really cute.

How is everyone else today?

Hi orangeflutie no problem at all. PM me an address and I'll pop in the post in the morning.

I think they are valid till end of the year so even if you dont get to use them in these holiday they might be useful at half term.

Orange,sorry slow reply, am away from home. What a crying shame: I so get why the cancelled day out would upset you for so many reasons and you were super brave to handle it like you did. There was another thread on MN in last couple of weeks about tips for trying stretch money further with some great ideas, including "fake-away nights" with rented movie and home made pizza... Might be worth checking out? Hope something nice comes up for you. And even with money tight, remember to give yourself regular treats too, however small. Take good care

francesrivis - i found prozac tohave an effect initially. A fairly strong one. I went from a high sex drive to none. However after several months this has pretty much gone. Dont know if its worth a try for you ?

Thank you scarecrow22 and somewherebecomingrain for your kind comments.