Lustral

[naughtynoonoo]

I have recently been prescribed Lustral, I am a bit cautious as to take them or not as I have read that they can cause various side effects and even suisidal feelings. Has anybody else taken them and have they helped with their despression. Also how many units of alcohol can I have with them as I have also heard if I drink too much (I am not an alcoholic!) this could make them not work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I have been feeling really down and want something to make me happy again - thanks in advance

I have taken Lustral twice, both times for only about a month/six weeks, but it certainly worked for me. I was still drinking (that would have depressed me further if I couldn't have the odd glass of wine!!) and experienced no side-effects whatsoever. Good luck - and if you want any support please feel free to talk to me.

I am a big fan of Lustral. I have had it on four different occasions for reactive and post natal depression.
It's a type of antidepressant known as SSRI (specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor). When you are depressed your brain isn't working properly. Normally, serotonin, which controlls moods, is excreted by some cells and passed on to others. In depression, the serotonin is 'sucked' back up by the cell that excreted it, so it doesn't traval around the brain properly, which affects your mood, making you depressed. SSRI's help the brain cells to stop 'reuptaking' the serotonin, until they recover enough to start doing it on their own again. Prozac is also a type of SSRI.
Lustral is especially good for depression with anxiety. It isn't a tranquiliser and it isn't addictive. It has fewer side effects than other SSRI's including prozac. I noticed a tendency to be a bit more restless, but to be honest the difference (wanting to kill myself) was pretty huge and I didn't mind some side effects.
Most doctors now recommend you should be on antidepressants like these for about 6 months minimum, but you can be on them for a lot longer. Too much alcohol is a depressant anyway, which is mainly why they recommend you dont drink and take them. It can also make you a bit sleepy of you take them with too much to drink. But today at lunchtime dh and I polished off a bottle of wine between us (kids at childminder!! Him on day off!!) and I didnt notice any efects at all.
I would say give them a go. You have nothing to lose and you have a lot to gain. They take about 3 weeks to work fully, and sometimes the 50mg dose they give you to start with isn't enough to work properly and you have to go up to 100mg.
Please feel free to post about it again if you want to know more. I've become a bit of an expert on depression and its many and varied treatments over the years!!! Hope you start to feel better soon.

Very interesting that this should come up today as I've just been prescribed Lustral for PND after conferring with my GP over which was the best SSRI to take while breastfeeding. To be honest having read the side effects on the packet I don't think they can make me feel any worse than I do at my worse times if you see what I mean! I've been on anti-depressants before and can't wait for them to start working. Keep us posted as to how you get on Naughtynoonoo

I was on lustral until recently when I asked my gp for something esle as I feel they werent helping me after 6 weeks.
I have a 5 year old and a 7mth old son since having him I feel worthless and have no self esteem I have tried to harm my self and have stared drink throughout the day.
I am now on 150g a day of efexor so we will see.
I cant see a way out of this and my daughter thinks I am ill and I feel even worse now.

The important thing is that you find an antidepressant that suits you! I am a Lustral fan as it has worked for me but everyone is different and it will work for some people and not others.

THanks for your advice, I will start taking them on Monday as I have a big night out tomorrow night and am looking forward to having a big drink up - but not the hangover - I won't mind giving up alcohol - I did when I was preggers anyway - so it won't hurt that much - all that matters is that I feel better in myself. Also I have been taking St Johns Wort, which I am going to stop because I know not to mix these with Lustral - have you any idea how long I need to be off these before I can start taking Lustral?? Also I think this is one of the best websites going as there is always somebody there to advise you along the way and you get the feeling that you are never alone - helps me when I am feeling down - thanks everybody!