Think I am depressed, side effects of ADs

[peacockfeffers]

I've posted on MN over the last few weeks due to my state of unhappiness I feel. I'm going to see my doctor and ask to be put on ADs. I tried counselling but didn't work and feel that perhaps ADs will lift me out of this deep black mood.

Can anyone tell me what the side effects are?

Thanks

Depends on what you take but its impossible to know without trying them what side effects you will have.
For example I have been taking Citalopram for 7 months with no ill effects and it has been a hugely positive experience but there will be others who found Citalopram made them more anxious or made them gain weight or lose their sex drive etc.

thanks mousema, I'm worried about weight gain, nausea and sweats but suppose you have to see how it works. How have you been feeling on it? How does doctor decide which suits you?

I have been feeling very well since using it. My main symptoms were anxiety more than low mood (although I did suffer from feelings of helplessness too), since taking Citalopram my anxiety has reduced drastically so I am no longer overwhelmed and can do the things I was unable to do before. I still have the odd bad day but I feel like I am almost back to "normal" now.

I haven't had any weight gain and have actually lost half a stone in the last few months nor have I had sweats. I did suffer from nausea for the first week but this passed once my body was used to the drug.

I'm not sure how the doctor decides what to give you. When I went to the doctor we just talked about how I had been feeling and he suggested Citalopram would be the best drug to start with.

My DH also suffers from depression but he is prescribed Fluoxentine and I don't know why the difference I'm afraid. If it helps my DH has had positive experiences with Fluoxentine too with none of the side effects mentioned.

I hope you feel well soon.

thanks mousema, your advice very useful

Mouse'sma - I think the answer to "how does a Dr know what to prescribe" - they don't - it's a case of trial and error. I am on an old fashioned tryclic drug imipramine, which suits me, but won't suit others, because as someone else has said they act differently on different people. GPs now like to prescribe SSRI's and citalopram seems to be the drug of choice, or sertraline, or prozac - think the one your DH is on is an SSRI. Apparently they are meant to have fewer side effects. If one doesn't suit you, they just change you to another one - all trial and error I'm afraid.

Peacockfeffers

How are you getting on? Have you started the ADs yet? Are you doing ok with the side effects? Are you getting any good effects yet?

You need to give an AD at least a month or preferably two to know if it is right or not. I tried four different ones before I found the one that suited me best. They all have side-effects but you have to decide what level of side effects you can cope with compared to the level of feeling less depressed that the drug provides. Often side-effects lessen as you get used to the drug.

Citalopram, Fluoxetine (prozac) and Sertraline (zoloft) are all frequently used SSRIs and have relatively few side-effects. I would warn against Effexor, purely as it is so hard to come off of. A little research on the internet can tell you a lot but don't be put off by scare stories. Those who take ADs and feel masses better and love life again don't tend to post many comments.

Good luck
Fiddlydee

I am on Citalopram and have found it great. Previously I was very nervous to take anti-d due to me being sensitive to any medication but this time I thought I feel so low I am going to just stick with it. I had a few side effects like dry mouth and feeling a bit groggy first few days have disappeared now. I am on a low dose but it seems to do the trick for me. Good Luck.

Thanks all, no appointments available but need to go as feeling very low and out of my shell. I think I may have bipolar but need to be diagnosed.

Thanks for your tips on medication, will let you know how I get on.