Anyone Know of an Antidressant?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,256
Anyone Know of an Antidressant?
Does anyone know of an antidepressant that works really well? Really well meaning that it does a good job of increasing the neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine or serotonin? If I end up going on an antidepressant, I want to ensure that I go on a good one. Thank you.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,373
Your clinical history is simply your health records - what illnesses you've had, whether you're seeing a psychologist or therapists, and what other medications you're on or have used in the past.
Doctors use that to make informed decisions.
We can share our experience - but we can't recommend meds for you here. It's against our rules.
D
Doctors use that to make informed decisions.
We can share our experience - but we can't recommend meds for you here. It's against our rules.
D
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,256
I understand the rules, Dee, thank you, as I know you are doing your best. I just wish we could all consult on different meds. It's like one of those barriers from people from getting better. I am all about talking openly and finding answers that help people choose to live.
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Ashburn, VA
Posts: 30,196
The same medicine can react very differently for different people. For one person it may work, and for another person it doesn't. Hence the need for the doctor to get as much information as he/she can to fit the best medicine for you.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 451
Hi JB,
I was on an antidepressant that made a huge difference to me but my friend on the same medicine and dose felt much worse. There are other factors too such as having high blood pressure, history of seizures, migraines ect that can influence what antidepressants are safe to take and what are not. It would be great if there was one that was excellent for most people but it's not the case. Antidepressants made a massive difference for me but there were some side effects. Good luck with this JB my only regret with antidepressants is not starting them sooner
I was on an antidepressant that made a huge difference to me but my friend on the same medicine and dose felt much worse. There are other factors too such as having high blood pressure, history of seizures, migraines ect that can influence what antidepressants are safe to take and what are not. It would be great if there was one that was excellent for most people but it's not the case. Antidepressants made a massive difference for me but there were some side effects. Good luck with this JB my only regret with antidepressants is not starting them sooner
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
Originally Posted by Justbreathe1980 
I understand the rules, Dee, thank you, as I know you are doing your best. I just wish we could all consult on different meds. It's like one of those barriers from people from getting better. I am all about talking openly and finding answers that help people choose to live.
But I think that would be rather insane. I chose to let my oncologist- someone with years of schooling , who had been treating it for some time, who had been working with other cancer patients,And who had been working in research for quite some time to make the decisions on what to do.
If we were to consult on different medications...... That could be a serious disaster. Some meds work for some people and those same meds could be deadly for others.
Best to let the doctors do the consulting and prescribing. They have a lot more experience.
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,944
I have to agree with the others here, justbreathe. I can tell you that I have been given Zoloft two times in my life to my benefit, with no horrible side effects, and with no problems getting off the medicine.
However, I have also read the stories of other SR members for whom Zoloft did not help with the depression, and getting off of it was a nightmare.
I hope that your doctor is someone you can really talk to about this, who will let you know the pros and cons of each medication considered, and will work very hard with you until you are comfortable again.
However, I have also read the stories of other SR members for whom Zoloft did not help with the depression, and getting off of it was a nightmare.
I hope that your doctor is someone you can really talk to about this, who will let you know the pros and cons of each medication considered, and will work very hard with you until you are comfortable again.
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,229
I exercise and keep a healthy diet and on tougher days I'll take 5htp. If you decided t try 5htp do not mix it with an ssri and you may even wanna check with your doctor about it.
For me I chose it as i dont want to take an SSRI and i can not take it for months on end iwth no issue. I dont need to ween myself off it or something.
For me I chose it as i dont want to take an SSRI and i can not take it for months on end iwth no issue. I dont need to ween myself off it or something.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 480
I was rx some AD's a couple years ago. Hated them. I think some people genuinely need them, while others maybe not so much.
I know from your other thread you are still struggling with being able to nail down and commit to sobriety. Totally normal and completely understandable. Something I noticed though, I was far more depressed and convinced I needed a "med" for depression while I was in active addiction and drinking daily. I was sure of it in fact...
I took the meds for awhile (still drank) and guess what? I still felt depressed, and horrible. It is a never ending circle of crappy-ness.
It wasnt until I quit drinking, that I realized that... I didnt necessarily need meds. I started eating better, walking daily (any exercise) and just made a bunch of changes in my life. I SWEAR to you those things help. They help tremendously...
I kept on thinking i could just "take" or "do" something to feel better but I was just fooling myself and trying to avoid the inevitable...which was quitting drinking ya know? That is the most important and can literally change your entire way of thinking.
Like ZJW^^ above me said, diet and exercise can play tremendous roles in overall mental health. I didnt believe it either, I thought it was cliche BS...but its true. 100% true my man!
Be well
I know from your other thread you are still struggling with being able to nail down and commit to sobriety. Totally normal and completely understandable. Something I noticed though, I was far more depressed and convinced I needed a "med" for depression while I was in active addiction and drinking daily. I was sure of it in fact...
I took the meds for awhile (still drank) and guess what? I still felt depressed, and horrible. It is a never ending circle of crappy-ness.
It wasnt until I quit drinking, that I realized that... I didnt necessarily need meds. I started eating better, walking daily (any exercise) and just made a bunch of changes in my life. I SWEAR to you those things help. They help tremendously...
I kept on thinking i could just "take" or "do" something to feel better but I was just fooling myself and trying to avoid the inevitable...which was quitting drinking ya know? That is the most important and can literally change your entire way of thinking.
Like ZJW^^ above me said, diet and exercise can play tremendous roles in overall mental health. I didnt believe it either, I thought it was cliche BS...but its true. 100% true my man!
Be well
Its a cold and its a broken hallelujah.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,887
I can only offer my experience, which I will do gladly, because it has made such a significant improvement in my life. My only regret, is that I didn't start them sooner...
After decades of what I now know was self medicating ( and rather poorly I might add) my anxiety and depression with alcohol, after much cajoling from the good souls here, I went to the doctor desperate for help. I mean, desperate.
She gave me Lexapro, which is known to have a low side effect profile in most people. The first few weeks were challenging. But I remained 100% sober and 100% committed to really giving this medication a try.
I have now been on the lowest effective dose (5mg) for 10 weeks. I have zero side effects now. Including sexual side effects which seem to be one the big concerns in addition to weight gain. But I can see how people would "quit before the miracle" because it amplified my depression and anxiety for a small while.
But goodness was it ever worth it. I am now facing some of my lifes greatest fears and challenges with focus and determination. I do know that you have to be sober in order for the medication to really work.
I wish you well in your search and don't be afraid of doing whatever it takes to make you well...
After decades of what I now know was self medicating ( and rather poorly I might add) my anxiety and depression with alcohol, after much cajoling from the good souls here, I went to the doctor desperate for help. I mean, desperate.
She gave me Lexapro, which is known to have a low side effect profile in most people. The first few weeks were challenging. But I remained 100% sober and 100% committed to really giving this medication a try.
I have now been on the lowest effective dose (5mg) for 10 weeks. I have zero side effects now. Including sexual side effects which seem to be one the big concerns in addition to weight gain. But I can see how people would "quit before the miracle" because it amplified my depression and anxiety for a small while.
But goodness was it ever worth it. I am now facing some of my lifes greatest fears and challenges with focus and determination. I do know that you have to be sober in order for the medication to really work.
I wish you well in your search and don't be afraid of doing whatever it takes to make you well...
Behold the power of NO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
Originally Posted by toqa
I have depression and fear and I was told the medicine is the steps, that's why im in a twelve step program
If you have other problems such as clinical depression etc. you should see a professional since we in AA or SR are not doctors.
Here is the link to the conference approved pamphlet regarding medications. It does address depression quite a bit. I like the people's stories http://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-11_...ersMedDrug.pdf
Here is an excerpt
In the months that followed, I was hospitalized
many times. Doctors disagreed among themselves about my diagnosis, and my problems in my A.A. group resumed because of all the “medical advice” I was receiving from some A.A.
members. I had to choose between my doctors
and A.A., and I chose A.A. time after time. Each
time I abruptly stopped taking my medication my
symptoms got worse and my suicidal depressions
came back.
many times. Doctors disagreed among themselves about my diagnosis, and my problems in my A.A. group resumed because of all the “medical advice” I was receiving from some A.A.
members. I had to choose between my doctors
and A.A., and I chose A.A. time after time. Each
time I abruptly stopped taking my medication my
symptoms got worse and my suicidal depressions
came back.
Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,332
I take an snri. That and CBT have saved my life. Here's the thing though. The medication can only help depression. It doesn't get rid of it completely. Life throws curveball at times and the happiest of people during those times will get a little depressed. It's been my experience that the medication can lessen the severity and duration but not completely eliminate it. To live my happiest I have to live a mindful life. I have to be honest with myself and I have to be sober. Living in recovery is the only way. Otherwise being on a med is just a waste of money
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
Your Dr will inform you on options of medication based on what you tell him
Not what we tell you
I mean that in the best way so you get the exact help you need
A f2f with a Dr is not only a lot safer than asking or reading online its the right thing to do
Seeing a Dr regulary is part of my sobriety plan
Not what we tell you
I mean that in the best way so you get the exact help you need
A f2f with a Dr is not only a lot safer than asking or reading online its the right thing to do
Seeing a Dr regulary is part of my sobriety plan
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