can someone talk to me about anti depressants please??

[SpandexIsMyEnemy]

following on from my prev thread in LP, i've rung the dr's today, got an apt for next thurs but also need to try & book something sooner in the open clinic on monday.

anyhow I have a few questions -

which ones am I likely to be put on? (I don't want to be addicted and only want it for a few months no more)

will I put weight on with them

how soon will the hopelessness fade?

can I still drink with them (only cos it's xmas not typically iycwim)

they won't turn me into a zombie will they?

thanks. (oh n can I say I deffo don't want prozac?)

they usually go for an SSRI like citalopram.
It took a couple of weeks to feel better for me. Didn't put on weight. I don't drink so no idea about that.
First few days I did feel a bit spacey but it passed. And I did get some dizziness.

They might have an affect on your sex life though.

what a bad effect?? it's not fantastic at the mo - but tbh i've not been in the mood.

well, it doesn't change you libido but one side effect that is quite common with the ssri's is you can't umm, reach a finale, as it were.
That was on paroxetine and lustral though. citalopram is another ssri but can't say there's been much bomking while on in due to exhaustion and childbirth etc

spandex - my DH was put on citalopram and was advised not to drink - he still had the occasional bottle or 2 of beer OR glass or 2 of wine and was fine (we were on holiday when he was on them) It had a very possitive effect on our sex life - he suddenly felt like it again after not being in the mood for a very long time :S It didn't seem to make him tired or gain weight - it did take a good 6 wks for him to seem better.

and yes you can say no to any drug treatment you like

hoping you feel better soon

is it practical to think I could only have a 3 month course??

I know I can choose not to have drugs - which i'd prefer I think, i've been taking EPO (but not daily admittedly ) I try to starve it off by going to the gym as I feel better after a good workout (or too knackered to care about anything else!lol)

as I say thou that's not working as i'm still v much up n down. ho hum.

a key thing I red last night was if it's untreated a toddler at 18 months gets anxious and at 5 is insecure as well. don't want that to be DS.

I don't think they would suggest a 3m course. I think at least 6m would be ideal, unless they really don't agree with you.

which ones am I likely to be put on? (I don't want to be addicted and only want it for a few months no more) I take sertraline. Wouldn't say I'm addicted - they're not meant to be addictive. However, I'm addicted to how fab I feel on them so don't want to stop taking them.

will I put weight on with them - I haven't

how soon will the hopelessness fade? I felt results within a fortnight, but I think that was fast.

can I still drink with them (only cos it's xmas not typically iycwim) Not sure if you're meant to. I have, but feel really crap the next day.

they won't turn me into a zombie will they? Mine haven't. I think I'm slightly more emotionally detached, but in a good way.

thanks. (oh n can I say I deffo don't want prozac?) Of course.

Good luck

DH saw a locum whos DH was a pshyc Dr so she knew a lot about anti d's

she recommended that DH was on them a year, as being on them for a period of no less than 6mths after all the symptoms of depression go, has statistically shown you less likely to suffer from depression requiring treatment in the following 5 years.

I should say DH took them for 3mths and then stopped without going back to the GP - naughty DH

thanks guys it's been really helpful for more input, today is the day so fingers crossed.

Most Anti'D resally need to be taken for 6 months to make a difference. Can I ask why you only are looking for short term.

I have had them and CBT together nad have to say the difference is amazing.

My drugs are non addictive, but it you come off them all at once you can get symptons, so a gradual decrease is advised, but this is the case with loads of drugs.

What is EPO - it shoulds like the performance drug they were on about at the olympics?

I hope you get the help you need.

I find drinking on them is not really great - it only takes 1 drink and I am slossed - so a cheap date, but that is fine by me.

lol. tbh i'm not a big drinker anyhow but would like one (mostly with DP's family as I don't want them knowing the ins & outs of my personal circs just yet - my family is another case.)

i'm only looking for a short term as I really reallly don't want to become addicted to them. but I am going to ask for a short course coupled with soem CBT as well - I still have so many resolved feelings re XH/OW/the wa everything was done etc (literally in the space of 6 weeks I had a M/C, lost my husband, the m/c, and our family home) and I don't think i've fully ever got over it we've been battling on really.

just a bit worried the dr will say no as last time he wasn't at a;ll keen, but I don't want to be a shite mum to DS any more - well not shite but i've got such high standards as way of keeping everything under control it's not fair on him.

I'm resigned to being on them for at least 6 months now. my mums not keen but I think she's resigned as well now - think she see's it as a reflection on her parenting which it's totally not.

EPO is evening primrose oils.

1. he will probably suggest you try citalopram
2. no you wont put on any weight
3. 2-4 weeks and you should see a difference
4. yes you can still drink, but you may feel sleepy after a glass or 2 of wine
5. no you wont be a zombie
6. why dont you want prozac? its very good

hth

I think it's the stigma tbh nailpolish, is that not the most addictive one?

(one or two glasses of wine n i'm anyones anyhow! lol. or asleep so no change there then!)

its not addictive. speak to your dr and he will reassure you
plus, you dont have to tell anyone you are taking it, if you are worried about what others will think
best of luck
let us know how you get on

I'm coming off citalopram atm. After one glass of wine I fall asleep on the sofa (much to the amusement of my friends who then look after my dd's !)

I haven't put on any weight (I never do apart from when pregnant)

I felt weird almost immediately and 'better' within about a week.

You need to take them for 4-6 months after your symptoms stop.

HTH

SSRI's are not addictive but you do need to reduce them slowly or you feel horrible (I went away one weekend and forgot to take them with me)

ok thanks guys, without you lot holding my hand i'd never have done this and got this far!

apt is at 9.50 - so better start getting ready, will report back this avo I think as i'll pop into nans after if i'm feeling a bit emotional to have a good stern' talking to 'in my day./....... lol'

my mum/nan/one aunty will know but that's it no one else - also will/could XH use it against me to try & claim i'm not a fit mother for DS? I know on my other thread I said I wasnted him to live somewhere else but honestly I don't/didn't mean it - it's just made me face up tot he facts this needs sorting sooner rather than later.

let us know how you get on im having hard time myself at the moment have posted in mental health thread we can help each other through it

certainly santa - will have a look out for your thread in a mo.

well i'm back, have been to nans as well n had a stern talking to as well from her/my aunty who have said I neeed to let go and calm down (ie not give a toss about others etc etc - drop the bar of my stupidly high standards) - which tbh are there as a way of keeping everything together/control etc of the situation.

Dr was very good, he's put me on a 2 week course of flexcide I think it is. so i've re booked for 2 weeks time.

I was totally honest with him and said some times I worry cos I could harm my son, and it's scaring me - I dont' THINK I ever would but on the other hand the thoughts are there, he asked if i'd contacted SS and I said no, and I have no intention of it either - I have a fantastic support network here just have to fully utalize it - my family have been fantastic already and i've felt of late that to keep asking their help is taking the mick a bit (althou to be fair i've not asked help etc from them really jsut the odd time)

so off to go and pop some happy pills lets hope they work.

I am on citalopram I lost alot of weight it took awhile to feel better but they do work.

do you mean fluoxetine?

lol. yes NP - 20mg dose - is that not a strong one/an addictive one?

he said I might put on weight hopefully not too much thou.

fluoxetine is prozac

ah bollox I didn't know that he didn't tell me that bit - but then again I didn't say I didn't want prozac. shit. bollox. ok. shall I take them or ask for something else?

just take them - they are very good
they are not addictive dont worry

are you sure there's a huge stigma to prozac thou isn't there? ho hum - will jsut have to think of them as happy pills.....

going to start them tomorrow as XH has DS tomorrow night so will have my first one tomorrow with lunch then it's not major if i'm spaced out most of the w.e as i'll be with DP shopping paying the bills/getting more fleecy blankets (oh the joy! lol)