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What ADs are you on? Need to do some research

41 replies

naswm · 10/10/2006 14:33

I am going to the GP to get some ADs. MY GP is hopeless and I think I am going to have to fight for them. So I want to go armed with aas much information as possible.

I know they all come with some side affects. But are any better than others? In particular I dont want to put on weight, or feel nauseous, or dizzy, or have horrible nightmares, etc etc (not much to ask eh?)

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 10/10/2006 14:34

I think it very much depends on your own needs, asking around is unlikely to be much use tbh..everyone reacts differently and has different problems and brain chemistry and physiology

anniediv · 10/10/2006 14:36

I agree with zippitippitoes, I had Prozac and I may as well have had a Smartie instead as it didn't do anything. Much better effect from venlefaxine for me, but I have heard of other people who didn't get on with it at all.

naswm · 10/10/2006 14:38

oh - but my GP is hopeless. He doesnt think ADs will help me, so I wanted to go in and say 'I hav heard that X is good for this, or Y is good for that. He is also v old fashioned so I wanted to find out what was the current trend. Last time I took ADs was more than 10 years ago, and the one I took has now been banned!

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IdrisTheDragon · 10/10/2006 14:39

I take sertraline. It made me very sick at first, but I found taking it in the evening helped.

Are you able to see a different GP?

zippitippitoes · 10/10/2006 14:40

there are still different "types" of ads prescribed and even within a "type" then one may suit one person and not another..a referral to a psychiatrist is likely to be more use to you as they are more conversant with pharmaceuticals

WelshBorisKarloff · 10/10/2006 14:41

cipralex

i feel sick about an hour after i take them which is a nightmare

MellowMonsta · 10/10/2006 15:14

Prozac - Feel weird most of time so am assuming they are not working. See lights in front of my eyes now and then have really strange dreams too. Last night I thought I had broken my teeth as I woke up and my mouth was all clenched together.

desperateSCOUSEwife · 10/10/2006 15:17

on prozac
feel like speed most of the time and do all housework etc thoroughly
and everything just flies past off top of my head
and just cant be arsed attitude to life tbh

hugs babe
hope u are ok
xxx

Greensleeves · 10/10/2006 15:22

amytriptyline, to control anxiety/panic/depression.

It's very effective (am on 100mg)

but side effects are weight gain and drowsiness.

expatinscotland · 10/10/2006 15:25

Lustral. Max dose for me.

I have insomnia, but as I've had it seen I was a teen it's hard to know if it's a side effect of the drug or not.

But b/c I'm not having panic attacks several times/day and suicidal thoughts, I'm pleased.

naswm · 10/10/2006 16:05

oh dear I (foolishly) never realised there were so many. How on earth will he decide wat to give me? After all, last time I saw him he told me he didnt think they would be right for me. I think I shall have a lot of convincing..........

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 10/10/2006 16:10

I take sertraline.

The only side effect initially was tiredness (my GP dismissed this one) and a dry mouth - which i still have.

I am still b/feeding my DS so no problems there.

The benefits have by far outweighed the issue of having a dry mouth, thats for sure.

essbee · 10/10/2006 16:13

Message withdrawn

MellowMonsta · 10/10/2006 16:14

Could you maybe see a different doctor. Some doctors you just need to go see them and they are literally throwing tablets at you, at our surgery anyway, unfortunately they only seem to think prozac.

Could you also ask for some councelling? I have heard of most of these different ones but think that the ones WB mentioned and prozac are the most common.

I was also on amytriptyline a few years back and felt almost zombified. I think as someone else said it can take a while to get the right balance on ads. I have an appointment next week to see about changing mine, again. I had a good run for about 5 months where I didnt need any. It was great. Oh to feel normal

Good luck.

naswm · 10/10/2006 16:17

Can someone explain the difference between an ssri and a tryciclic?

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zippitippitoes · 10/10/2006 16:20

mind is a good source of information

naswm · 10/10/2006 16:30

fab link zippi

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zippitippitoes · 10/10/2006 16:36

I hope it helps..you can also check on the mind website for any local drop in centre or other support (it varies from one area to another as it is heavily reliant on volunteers)

naswm · 10/10/2006 16:47

shall read it later when the DSs in bed an make notes.

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naswm · 10/10/2006 18:26

omg just looked at that MIND website. How on earth do they decide which drug to give you? I dont fit the 'normal' pattern for depression - and my GP just wont get it. What do you think I am likely to end up with?

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zippitippitoes · 10/10/2006 18:29

it is to some extent a matter of trial and error...he will pick a broad spectrum ad which works for lots of people and give you a typical dose most likely, then you have to wait 2-4 weeks before you start to see any positive results. If in the mean time there is any reason to stop and put you on something else he will do that. It is a bit of a long process, months rather than weeks, unless you are lucky.

lulumama · 10/10/2006 18:30

i had citalopram , seroxat and lustral - in varying doses - which never helped much

175 mg venlaflaxine did the trick coupled with intensive therapy.and a gradual reduction of dosage - 2 1/2 years now depression and mediacation free after a good 4 years of PND

good luck....you will get well...

anniediv · 10/10/2006 18:31

lulumamma, same here. Venlefaxine saved me!

naswm · 10/10/2006 18:32

I suppose I am now hoping for a 'quick fix' after being in denial for years and spending all this year saying 'I can do this without ADs'. It cant take months and months can it? that makes me feel absolutely awful

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zippitippitoes · 10/10/2006 18:35

sorry have to go out..ironically to the psych hospital! will reply again later