Welcome to our OTHER DEPRESSION & ANXIETY MEDICATIONS forum!
Here is a place to tell us about yourself and welcome other new members.

Please feel free to post a bit about yourself so we can get acquainted.

Also, new members without the 5 posts needed to start a new topic - read around the room and add a reply to any topic that fits for you. If you don't find what you are looking for, go ahead and post here in this welcome thread.

Looking forward to getting to know you!

My history with depression, any help???
I am a 28 year old guy and have been living with the illness for eight years now. The early years were a real struggle, as they are for everybody, because I really didn't understand what was going wrong with me. A few years of trying out different prescriptions until I found the "right" anti-depressant, coupled with finding the "right" therapy helped me overcome the deep rut that I was in. Although I am currently living and coping with the illness, I am now determined to be truly free of depression and I welcome any suggestions. My real problem is numbness. Unfortunately the antidepressants (Effexor XL) can't be blamed because when I last relapsed (2 years ago) I had been off the Effexor for 6 months and my main complaint at that time was numbness. Although the medication does work well by keeping the physical symptoms of depression at bay (by physical I mean loss of appetite, insomnia, lack of concentration, panic attacks, nausea etc. etc.), there doesn't appear to be any means, or medication, that can induce "feeling".

I have tried many forms of therapy; Psychotherapy, Hypnosis, Homeopathy, Group-Talk Therapy and various forms of individual counselling. Some of which I really benefited from. However, I'm not sure that there is any other counselling out there that could tell me anything that I don't already know (and adopt into my daily life).

I used to lead a very unhealthy lifestyle (which obviously didn't help in my fight to beat depression) but have since turned this around (to an almost cathartic extent). I no longer smoke, drink or take drugs. I eat well and keep very fit with a strict weekly work-out routine.

I have also had my blood tested in an effort to find a more sinister physical problem and the depression being a secondary result, but nothing showed up!

I practice cognitive behavioural thinking and have a very positive mental attitude. I also talk openly and frequently with friends and family all of whom are very supportive and as empathetic as they can be.

I enjoy my job and have many extra-curricular activities which keep my brain occupied and entertained.

However the numbness is still always always there!

Any suggestions would be very welcomed.

Many thanks,

Rob

Hi Rob77, I also take Effexor, but along with Lamictal and Wellbutrin. The worst thing I've heard about Effexor is it is next to impossible to wean yourself off of it altogether. Some people have gone down to 37.5mgs and went cold turkey but it's very difficyult. My brother was one of those people. I take 300mgs a day. My problem is I get used to a certain dose and it doesn't work anymore then they increase the dosage..when I've reached the maximummgs then it's time to find another pill. To be quite honest I have never taken Effexor by itself, I always had a mood-stabilizer (I'm bipolar 2 but I stay at the depressed end). But you know, I don't feel much. When I have problems like everyone else, I wonder to myself "what next" and stumble my way thru them. Things just wash right over me. But I often wonder, while all this medication keeps me from feeling the negative things, it's also keeping me from feeling the good things. Is this what you mean? It seems a way of life for me just to drift along, I can't remember the last time I had actual feelings and enjoyed the normal things of life. But I do remember feeling everything all at once, to the point where I couldn't find any peace of mind, it seemed like I felt other people's sorrow, happiness and it was driving me crazy. Now my mind is peaceful. Guess I can't have my cake and eat it too.....I hope you feel able to cope soon. Sometimes when you have side-effects that are unacceptable to you, the doctor will try another medication which you can live with. All this stuff is trial and error until they find the right pill that you can live with....Moiraine :rose:

Rob, Are you talking about an emotional numbness or a physical numbness?

KA

PS Rob77 I forgot to add that I admire the fact that you are taking such good care of yourself, as well as all the therapy you have been thru. I'll tell you, you have that going for you that you feel ambitious enough and motivated to do these things. Often, depressed people can't find the motivation, or concentration enough to lose weight and exercise, as well as getting along with people. You have a lot going for you!......Moiraine :rose:

Is the numbness a feeling in your head/body, or is it an emotional numbness?
My advice is the worst thing to do is to obsess and worry about it, otherwise it will only disrupt your very good progress.
Very well done.

Hi Moiraine,

Many thanks for responding to my post. Since the time of my original post (Jan of this year), I have actually come off Effexor altogether. I had been decreasing the dosage gradually because I wanted to be rid of antidepressants but also because I suffered from some of the side effects quite badly (only in the last year of taking the drug for some reason). I remember being terrified of losing a crutch on which I had depended for so long. Although it is tough to come off Effexor it is not impossible. I, like your brother, came right down to 37.5mg but when it came to stopping completely, the withdrawal of my body crying out for the drug was overwhelming. I started to think of how it felt when I went cold turkey from cigarettes and decided I would adopt a similar attitude to the Effexor. There is nothing psychological about this it is just physical. The last 37.5 is the toughest hurdle because your body goes from having a supply of the drug (albeit in a small measure) to nothing at all. There was and is no difference in mood but the physical 'pulse' sensations all through my body were very real. I decided I was going to be strong and ignore them. There have been so many times in the last eight years that I have felt so weak and helpless that I thought this time; 'I can be strong, I can fight this, look at just how I have survived all these years, I'm not going to let a mere 37.5mg of anything get in my way'. It does take a few weeks but these 'pulsing' sensations do go away.

In the last 3 months (since I finished Effexor) I have obviously been closely monitoring everything about me, physically, emotionally, everything. In hindsight, when on Effexor I think I was walking around like a zombie (basically like I was sedated but without drowsiness, if that makes sense). I still work hard, don't play too hard, keep very fit, have many extra-curriculars and I don't wallow in the negative. Yes I have my bad days but who doesn't? The key is to get on with it. The emotional numbness is still there though and the only thing I am yet to shake off. My intelligence tells me to be happy or sad in situations but I still find it tough to actually feel these or any emotions. I am still looking for the answer and will find it!!

Moiraine, I don't know what you should or shouldn't take from my account of my situation. Only you can answer that. However, the moral that I really wanted to communicate to you here is this: in our fight to beat this illness, the real answers lie within us. When I started to believe in myself and my strength and ability to fight it, I was really able to do so. Yes for a time we may need the helping hands of therapy and medication but these are not the answer. We are!! Fight on!!

Take care and I hope my words can help in some way.

Rob

Hi Blue,

Yes the numbness that I talk about is emotional numbness. You are dead right, wallowing in this is detrimental. Thank you. This numbness is the only aspect of my depression that I am yet to shake off. While I don't wallow in it, it is still there and an obvious bone of contention for me. I guess I'm working on it rather than wallowing in it.

I hope you're not blue too much longer!

Take care,

Rob.

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and to the web-site. I was diagnosed with depression about 2 and a half years ago although refused to take any meds for the first 6 months or so. Then I started on lexapro which worked a treat. I went down to a low maintenance dose but had a rough time during the summer and again recently and the lexapro wasn't really working. I then tried Lustral which did absolutely nothing and am now on Gamanil, a tricyclic AD. I've only been on it for a week, and only on the full theraputic dosage for about 3 days. I'm not feeling quite so low today, although I'm sufferring from a lot of minor anxiety/panic attacks.
When I was first diagnosed with depression I was obsessed with my health. I had lost a lot of close friends/relatives due to cancer and road accidents. My business had failed, parents had left the country, I'd moved house and had 2 children and my husband had been diagnosed with cancer (which thankfully he is completely clear of now) all within a space of about 3 years. So finally I cracked.
This time around I obsessed about my marriage. I've been married 9 years, we've been together 14. This summer I had a one night stand with someone from work. My husband knows all about it and has completely forgiven me. I gave up work at the beginning of the summer to spend more time with the kids but that wasn't a good idea as i need the structure and social side of work. I was lucky enough to get my job back but one of the girls I work for is being a complete Biotch. She's bitter about the fact that I had the summer "off". Last week, when I was already having a really bad day she had a go at me. You could have knocked me over with a feather, I was so shocked. She texted me later to make sure I was ok?! but the damage was already done. I have taken a few days off work as I just couldn't cope any more. My sick cert says I have a chest infection. Im dreading going back to work next week which is probably why I'm getting panic attacks. I'm also very worried about the new medication and whether it will work or not and whether the side effects will go away. I'm feeling quite light headed although its not quite so bad today. Are the panic attacks side effects or because of the depression? I've never really sufferred from them before. I just wish things could go back to normal. Will they ever be normal again?

Macdryan

Hey Macdryan,

Welcome to DF and the other medications forum.

Sounds like you have been through some tough times. Hopefully the gamanil will be beneficial for you.

Things do improve...time is the biggest healer.
Hopefully you can find DF helpful,i know many people here will be able to relate to the way you feel.

Take care,
SO6

Hey MacDryan,

Yes things do go back to normal. It doesn't happen overnight unfortunately but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I used to get terrible panic attaks also and didn't know how to make them go away. I found a good therapist who gave a good analogy for a panic attack: a panic attack is like a mugger with a water pistol and can't cause you any harm. I started to adpot this attitude when I felt a panic attack coming. How absurd and ridiculous would it be to let a mugger with a harmless water pistol upset you? It wasn't long before the attacks stopped.

I hope this helps.

Take care,

Rob

hi my name is bethanie.

i've posted over in the lexapro forum before as i'm on that, but this week my doctor put me on edronax (reboxotine) as well... he said it should help my motivation and stuff, and so far it has. instead of wanting to sleep my life away i've actually gotten up early in the morning today and yesterday! and DONE stuff! woohoo!


is anyone else here on this medication? i seem to remember reading it's not available in the usa as yet... i live in australia.

help!
my doctor gives me seroquel to help me sleep and i swear that its like taking sugar pills
its only 50mg but it does nothing at all to help me fall asleep. i try doing calming things before bed, getting into a routine, just relaxing, laying there. but sleep never comes
can some people just not react to seraquel?
i'm pretty chubby for my height andi've always wonderd if body weight has anything to do with the way you metabolize medicines
i tried trazadone for a while a couple years ago for sleep, it worked but it made my heart feel funny so we stopped
whats up with the seroquel!

Hey mellybelly,

Welcome to DF and the other depression and medications forum.

There is a topic on seroquel in this forum which has other members experiences, it could be of some help to you.

Everyone reacts differently to meds, weight, height etc dont always play a part. Have a talk with your doc about what your experiencing, you could need to change the dosage or maybe try a different med.

Take care,
SO6

I have had treatment resistant depression for many years. I tried Lamictal about 5 months ago, but I reacted with a rash. Does anyone know if it would be safe to try Lamictal again? How would I do this? Any suggestions how I would find that information out? (My psychiatrist doesn't know)
Marcie

Hey Marcie,

Welcome to the other depression and medications forums. If you like you can start your own topic in this forum and ask other whether starting lamictal again could cause the rash you have experienced before.

Take care,
SO6

Hi all,
Diagnosed with GAD a few months ago, took a medical leave from work and went on Paxil CR. That did not work to well with me so now I'm taking Gabapentin, hoping it kicks in-only been on this med for 3 days and from what I read it takes a little longer to soak in.
Bring it on.
Never been sick besides a cold, so going through this is pretty strange...

This post has been edited by T on C: Mar 9 2007, 11:22 AM

Hey T on C,

Welcome to the other meds forum.

Hopefully the Gabapentin will work beneficially for you. Sorry to hear your ill, keep warm and it should pass soon.

Take care, look forward to seeing you around.
SO6

Hi : I'm taking 200 mg of Provigil twice a day and 1.5mg lorazapam prn but i usually end up taking it 4 times a day. Sometimes i feel kind of zombie like, I guess thats the Lorazapam I think the provigil offsets the zombie effect but it seems like I need more of it. That has a familiar ring to it doesn't it? I'm on a 60mg base of Prozac, anyone had any experience with Provigil? When the zombie appears, the suicidal ideation reappears. Michael T

[color="#0000FF"][/color]Hi. Well i was recently diagnosed with Depression. And I was prescribed Cymbalta for that and then Trazadone for my anxiety @ bedtime. I like the Cymbalta fine, but is there another drug that can be taken instead of the Trazadone. I am having some bad side effects to that. Any idea of where I can post about this or is there a special area on this site for something like that?

frannibananie,

This is the correct place to post about Trazone. Have you talked to your pdoc inregards to the side effects with Trazone? That would be a good place to start. There are a variety of sleep meds on the market if you have insomnia. If you are taking Trazone for depression, there are tricyclics that work well and a lot of them you take at night for sleep. Check out the Cymbalta room for more information regarding it.
Sheepwoman

Rob, good question about numbness. I started 4 weeks ago on Prozac. It seems to be working for my anxiety/depression. I hope the benefits improve over time and that I return to my usual self. Ray_P

This post has been edited by Ray_P: Jun 11 2007, 06:57 AM

I am not sure if this is the right place to post about this but here goes:

I am currently taking 200 mg of Norpramin (Despiramine) as well as 1.0 mg of Klonopin at bedtime for depression and anxiety. My pdoc gave me a tentative diagnosis of bipolar as well - had me on geodon for awhile then stopped it when I noticed no difference. It has been 4 weeks on the Norpramin (I tried several other SSRIs with no success so he went to the tricyclic) and I am feeling no relief from my symptoms. Does anyone have any experiences with norpramin that they can share?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Jessi P,
You are in the right room for your medications. I am on Imipramine (tricyclic) for the depression part of my BP. Most tricyclics work in the same way. So far, it has helped with both depression and sleep issues. It can take up to 8 weeks before you receive full benefits for medications. Be patient and I hope that this med works for you.
Sheepwoman

Hi Sheepwoman and thanks for the reply. I guess I just have to be patient for another month or so and pray that this medication will do the trick for me. It is frustrating because I have been going through this for months, hoping that this or that medication will be "the one" if I just give it enough time.

Thanks again,

Jessi P

Hi, I'm a 25-year-old dysthymic male, and about two years ago I went on 10mg Lexapro for a major depressive episode (on top of the dysthymia). That worked okay for about a year and a half, and then I had another nasty depressive episode. My doc prescribed me 450mg wellbutrin (in combination with the lexapro), which I've been on for about three weeks now. My problem is the Wellbutrin doesn't seem to be having any effect, and that's the highest recommended dosage. My doc mentioned that if Wellbutrin doesn't work, we might try Adderall. I've used adderall before (illegally, in college) and had an awesome reaction. I know adderall will work for me, but my question is, won't my brain eventually adjust to the adderall? Whatever I get on, I think I'll be on it for the rest of my life (especially b/c of the dysthymia). So, is it reasonable to assume one can be on adderall for his/her entire life?

Thanks!

Welcome to DF, tmm12000,
It is possible to be on AD's for life (I will be). As for Adderall, I have heard that a tolerance can be built and higher doses are necessary to have the desired effects. It is something you need to discuss with your pdoc. There are many medications available other than Adderall to help with dysthmia and depression. Do not be dismayed if your pdoc wants to try something other than Adderall to help you.

Sheepwoman

any info on lofepramine?
on prozac at the mo.........got to come off it and start this other one in 7 days.
cant seem to find many people that know about it
thanks

also known as gamanil?

If you look through the different pages in this room, you will find the med that you want information on. I will bump it up for you.

Jackie

Does anyone have any thoughts about Nortriptyline? I have been on it for 4 weeks (but only at 75 mg) for two weeks - so far it isn't helping. I also take Lorazepam for anxiety.

I think it is also known as Pamelor.

The reason I'm trying it is because I tried SSRIs like Zoloft and Celexa but had terrible side effects, so I'm trying tricyclics now.

Nortyrptaline, like any other med, can take up to 8 weeks to receive full benefits. Early response to meeications do happen, but not for all of us. I'd say be patient, but if you have questions regarding your meds (SE's, reaction time, etc.), you should consult with your pdoc.
Sheepwoman

Hi there,

I was wondering how many people are using Tofranil as there main med?

Thanks

M

Jackie, where does my post belong.
My nane is Bob and I'm 50 yo. Been depressed most of my life on and off. Also have OCD thoughts.
- First time the depression and ocd and depression went away completely I attended 3 months of ACOA 12 step meetings, I was about 32 yo. It was a miracle. I slid back into depression about 9 months later.

-At the age of about 34 I went on Zoloft 100 mg, the side affects the first 10 days were hell. Shortly after that the side affects went away and the depression and OCD went away completely, another miracle, I was lifted from hell again.

- after that I found a good job for 8 years during which I got married. But the depression and OCD was slipping bak in. Although it was somewhat managable because I had a good wife and job, the Zoloft was pooping out.

While in my 7th year at work I was getting sick all the time, infections and temper tantrums. I lost my temper and got fired.

-A year later I was diagnosed with Lead poisioning and treated by Chelation for 1 year. During this 1 year treatment I stopped taking the Zoloft.

- after the treatments were over I tried to go back to work but was too depressed. I became very suicidal.

- Got into a out patient group learning copeing skills, at the same time seeing there Psyc Dr.

-He put me back on Zoloft and had me taking 150 mg after 3 weeks. This was to fast for me but he did not listen, bad side affects. Also he put me on .5 mg Klonpin 2X a day = 1.0 mg a day

- After 6 weeks I was not as depressed but had some OCD. I needed more time for the 150 Zoloft to work. He said no and also started me on 40 mg of Geodon.

- After 2 days on Geodon I was having severe side affects and quit taking it, it's an anti psycotic and it's common side affects are extremly dangerous. The withdrawl symptoms are truely horriific.

- Bin off the Geodon for 3 days and it's hell.

- I also know that I am addicted to Klonpin after 7 weeks by reading many respected articles. This class of drugs Benzo... is stated to be harder to get of of the Heroin. I can't believe what this doc has done to me, I will see him no more and start the withdrawl process. This is a very bad position to be in.
Beware most Psyc dr.

Bert55

as with many psychotropics, often it is an open ended thing (forever if it works) and sometimes efficacy wanes causing increased dosage needs. However, many symptoms are regulated also with good therapy in conjunction with meds. Good luck, hand in there, Steve

Hi, just to introduce myself and I need to start somewhere according to the "rules". I'm 62 and have been depressd most of my life, started about 5 or 6. Obviously there was no available help in the early years but in the past 20 or so there has been medications that were invented. I have been on many of them and at the same time and for the past 25 years been in some kind of talk therapy. In 2003 I had a brain hemorrhage stroke and took 3 years to break out of that and the injury it caused. I started back in counseling but that is simply "let's talk" kind of stuff it really does very little. I was put on abilify and Welbutrin. The Abilify caused serious constipation and eyes became extremely blurry. I had to go off of it. While on it I had a period of a couple of weeks that I actually felt D*** good, then it changed and with the previously mentioned issues I had to go off. I am back on Welbutrin and it doesn't cause much constipation...or little enough that I ca live with it and slight eye problems. BUT, it's all stopped doing anything...as a matter of fact I don't think it ever did anything. I have left a message with my prescriber to call me back but I really need to get one something that is going to bring me up. It seems everything brings me down. They all seem to act like Zoloft on me...brings me way down. I haven't been up in 50 years. I know there is an "up" that's safe and not addictive, as I said I had a brief time of it with the Abilify. I am so down that I want to die and I figure there is little reason to live since I'm getting old and have very little hope. I am, as someone said so uniquely one time, "treading water" till I die and I wish it would come because it's too much trouble to live like this. It would be so much easier than this. I am hopeless and always down.

I am a recovering alcoholic of 23 years, even that program and the suggested way of working has not improved my state of mind. The depression is so deep it has me hooked way down. I have very few friends. work one day a week at a hospital...unable to work more due to the stroke. We are financially sunk and I know if I had enough money I would feel better and at least I could go somewhere without working about each $3.50 I spend should be going to another gallon of gas. I am unable to pay the property taxes and just always in a state of fear with the money. I do have a husband who is 78 and does work a bit at a golf course but not enough to pay any bills, just enough to get him free golf. In AA I am told every time I try to talk this out that I'm "feeling sorry" for myself....I don't think that's true...I just need to get above this wet gray blanket that's over me.

I sure would like some suggestions on how meds help you...has anyone found anything that keeps them more up than down. I have also been on Prozac for 10 years and that just stopped completely. I think the generics don't work as well. Anyway, I"m sorry this is long and I hope it's in the right place. Thanks in advance. Ferne

Hi,
It's just so messed up what ends up happening to us by these doctor's, and all the meds they put us on.
I am so sorry that your having a hard time. I am also in many 12 step programs, and prior to my ever
taking naything for depression I was so different than I am today.

I have found out so much about them, and see why we end up feeling worse. I was on one Cymbalta and
it made me into a non feeling, not be able to do anything but laydown for 3 years, full of fear, anxiety, also
couldn't leave my house.

Then my doctor had me half the dose, and boy the withdrawls we so horriffic that I thought I was going to
go insane, and die from all the other thongs that were happening. I am still slowly coming off that drug, and
just praying the entire time as it is not easy to do this.

I just want a life of somekind with peace. I know we will find it!

Debbie

Hello everybody.

I have been also suffering from depression for a long time now. Through some research done on the web, I found some advices about natural treatments pretty useful.

I found a great website.
It is written with understandable, simple words and contains good advices, which can often be more successfully applied than the mainstream pharmaceutical therapies.

This post has been edited by iowa: Oct 18 2009, 04:10 PM