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Depression Pills? - Any Advice?


3xmommy wrote: Hi girls.

This might not be the right place to ask... but I was wondering if any of you have dealt with depression and had taken pills (something like Prozac) to help? If not, did you do something else that "fixed" you?

I have to do something because I'm sick of living and feeling like I'm wasting my life and being so sad and depressed. I've lost my motivation for doing anything!


Any advice?


-Diane

CantWait replied: Hi Diane,

I went through a bought of depression last year and went on antidepressants for a few months. They really did help a great deal, enough to get me back on my feet and start living again. I did go off of them because I was having side effects that just really didn't agree with me.

I could have tried something else but for myself I didn't want to be on medication for the rest of my life. Just remember that there are plenty of different kinds of medications and it might take awhile to find the right one.

Good Luck hug.gif

mummy2girls replied: I went on Paxil a while back for a while... that helped!

Good luck in finding a good one for you:)

3xmommy replied: So it helps a noticeable amount, then?

Does it actually make you happy in some way? God what I would do to find a pill that did that! Seems like I take a pill for everything else!!

CantWait replied:
To an extent yes, it balances your hormones, gives you energy, makes you less tired which all result in you wanting to do things again, and get back into a routine.

kit_kats_mom replied: I started on wellbutrin late last year. It doesn't really make me happy but it does make my fuse a lot longer. I'm a lot less quick to blow my top over stupid stuff. Before, I'd find myself getting way more angry than the situations with the kids warranted. Bothered by the fact that so and so just peed on my floor again or one of them wouldn't go down for a nap? Yes ok, sure that is reasonable. Seeing red and literally feeling my blood boil? A bit extreme IMO. unsure.gif I was getting angry with myself after my unexcusable rants and I felt really bad for the girls. They must have thought I was posessed or something. blush.gif That made me feel worse blah blah blah.

Now I'm on more of an even keel. I still get angry but it's not so intense. I'm able to control myself and not say or do hurtful things to others in the heat of the moment. KWIM?

I say talk to your physician. s/he will be able to help you decide if you need counseling and medication or what steps you should take to feel better.
I don't think I've ever fallen into a full blown depression but even the minor dips I've had make me sure that it's not good for anyone.
Good luck hug.gif

3xmommy replied: Well, see, I went to my doctor today because I've been sick for two weeks and have started to hit coughing fits that leave me gasping for air.

Each time I go to her (my doctor), she asks me the same one question. "Do you puke?" or "Do you puke at home?".

In the past month or so, I have lost 5 1/2 pounds. I do not eat well. I eat 1-2 times each day (I'm sure most of you do the same thing!!) and I have ALWAYS been a small person, even as a child. That is nothing new!

Today, she says "Diane. You lost even more weight!" then she came closer, pointed out her "pointer" finger and said seriously "Do. You. Puke?" I said "No! I've just been sick the last two weeks and have only eaten soup. That's why I dropped the pound and a half!"... then she says, still serious, "Yes you do. You puke so you can stay skinny like you are!" while pointing her finger up in the air then bringing it down, like she was showcasing me from head to toe.

Does this seem okay to you guys? I feel so uncomfortable with her yet I know I need some sort of help with the depression! I'm really lost.

(by the way, anyone with absolutely unruly children, please pm me. let me know im not all alone!)

Diane

mckayleesmom replied:
OMG...you just described me....Ive been wanting to ask my doctor about this for some time. The last time I talked to my doctor he seriously told me to take a 10 minute walk. dry.gif

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I want to commend you for recognizing that you are depressed and for asking for help. I also want to offer you my support. I know how difficult it is to battle depression. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor and see what he/she has to say. When/if you do get a prescription make sure that you read about all the side effects and ask questions about how long it will take for this medication to start working. If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse talk to your doctor. It took 3 medication trials befoe the right combinations were found for me. I am presently taking Wellbutrin, Lithium and Clonazepam (this is for sleep, I suffered form insomnia for 3 years). Good Luck and I hope that you feel better soon! hug.gif hug.gif

CAMSMOM1 replied: 3xmommy Posted on Feb 27 2006, 10:43 PM


First of all, you really need to find another doctor. I know that she probably sees many woman that have eating disorders, but from what you said & have told her, you don't. And she shouldn't accuse you of that, when you said "no" then she should've stopped right there. You need to find a doctor that will not only listen to you, but make you feel comfortable and supported. She is NOT the doctor for you, and I would look for another.

Now about the depression. I have suffered from it in the past. And I got on medication, and I can't remember what the name of it was now, but it did really help me. I was on it for 6-8 months. Yes, there were side effects, but I could deal with the side effects because it helped me to get out of my dark cloud. I decided to get off of it, cold turkey. Bad idea. sad.gif I had constant migraines, and was really sick. So if you do get on medication, and you want to stop later on, do it gradually like they suggest.

It's not a "magic happy pill". But it does help control your hormones, and the imbalance. Like alot of the ladies said, it helps you to cope with things better.

Now for my husband, it has been amazing! He has suffered with severe depression since he was a child. And he finally got on antidepressants this year. What a change I have seen in him. He is the classic example of a chemical imbalance. His wasn't from something that happened to him, or a hard situation he was going through, his was something biological. And at first, he was going to give up on them, because he didn't see a difference. ((but I kept reminding him, and so did his doctor, that it can take weeks for him to see results & see it working.)) After about a month, we both saw a huge improvement. His work productivity has trippled, he is a much happier and doesn't get stressed out like he did. But like I said...its not a happy pill. There are still days he gets down and has his moods. But don't we all? But those days are are few are far between. Before the medication, he was constantly like that.

I really suggest you find another doctor. And also see if they can refer you to a good phycologist. Medication is a good start, but finding out the reason for your depression, and talking about it will really help you. And if & when you do start medication, give it awhile for it to kick in. And after a month or so, they can always lower/higher your dosage...or switch to a different medication.

If you ever need to talk, please feel free to PM me. This is such a hard thing to go through, so know that I am here for you. hug.gif And please keep us updated.

Ann
sunflower.gif

coasterqueen replied:
Cary totally described me too. sleep.gif But I do have an appointment with a counselor coming up so we'll see what she says.

Cary, does that pill cause you to gain weight? I've read on numerous boards that depression pills cause many to gain LOTS and LOTS of weight. I'll have to suffer through my issues if that's the case, because I can't gain more, no way.

amynicole21 replied: Cary's post described me as well (before pills). I've been on Zoloft for going on 7 years now. I went off it when I got pregnant with Sophia and went cuckoo... total germ-a-phobe, anxiety, detesting my husband for the tiniest things... planning on leaving him - and I would rant and scream about nothing. Went back on after she was born and am back to normal now. I still have moments where my blood boils, but they are FAR less than before. I've never been "sad," just angry and anxious with some OCDs. Zoloft is great for these symptoms.

I tried Wellbutrin but it gave me migranes so I quit.

I would also find a new doctor, or at the very least explain to her that it makes you uncomfortable to be accused of something that you aren't doing.

mckayleesmom replied:
You just described me too...I don't really feel depressed...Just anxious and moody. I babysat my whole life and I was always really patient ...Now with my own kids Im constantly on edge.

jcc64 replied: I've been off and on paxil for 10 yrs now. It's not a happy pill- it simply allows you to find your way back to the best version of who you already are. Depression and anxiety are like a car getting stuck in a ditch, spinning its wheels and just staying stuck in the same bad place indefintiely. That's what depression is to me.
The meds won't change you into someone else. They will free your mind from unproductive negativity and obsessions, so that you can focus on living your life as you intend it to be. You will still have problems, you will still get angry, you won't suddenly change into a Stepford Wife. But you will have is more patience and energy to spend on things that can have the potential to make you a happier, more fulfilled person. Depression robs you of the ability to focus on anything other than your miserable thoughts. The meds free you from that, and when people speak of having more energy, that's what I believe they are referring to.
And btw, Karen, I have heard that some (not all) SSRI's like paxil have the potential to cause minor weight gain, but that absolutely was not my experience, and I believe is more common in adolescent males. Everyone reacts differently to different meds, and you shouldn't let that be a reason not to try it.

kit_kats_mom replied:
Nope. In fact, one of the side effects is weight loss. It is also used to treat minor female libido issues. It's a wonder drug! LOL It is not the same as most depression drugs.

coasterqueen replied:
I'm SOLD! laugh.gif J/K. I have a counseling appointment on the 9th and we'll see what they say. I don't think they can describe meds so I guess I'll have to see my GP if they think I need them.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I tried Lexapro (for anxiety) for only two weeks before finding out I was PG, so I stopped. But within those two weeks, I already felt a huge difference. Just more relaxed, not letting the little things bother me so much.

kayla's mama replied: OMG, Cary....you described me to a T.

I was like that before I started with Zoloft.

Jason tried to kick me out of the house it got that bad blush.gif I promised him that if he let me stay I would go to the Dr. and get on some meds.

I can tell such a difference. I still get bend out of shape but nothing like before. I couldn't even stand to hear him talk. Everytime I would hear his voice my blood would just boil blush.gif

3xmommy replied: Ann,

I think one of my minor (well, mabey major) problems is that I feel so guilty for not being happy. I have what I always wanted, you know? Children, a house, a husband, etc... and I'm still miserable and it's like I say to myself "What the heck is wrong with you?!"... and I can't answer my own question. Quite frustrating.

My thinking is so negative. I think it always has been... I just wish I could think in a different way.

Something that gets me is that my life is so predictable. It's no fun waking up because I know that the day will be just like yesterday... and I don't know how to change it up. So I don't know.

And yes, I am going to change doctors... I think I've dealt with her crap for far too long.. she makes me feel worse!

Thanks guys, for making me feel better. I know I'm not alone and I'm not bad for feeling these ways. That's a huge load off my shoulders, really.

-Diane

kit_kats_mom replied:
Ah yes! Groundhog day sydnrome. I get that way too. When it happens I need to just shake things up a bit. I change the schedule a bit, do some different things with the kids and sometimes even take a weekend trip out of town with the family. Getting outside really helps too. If you can't get outside, try making the drudgery somewhat more interesting. Put on some tunes and dance around while you clean, have a picnic in front of the tv etc.

Good luck

holley79 replied: I use to take St John's Wort. It seemed to work for me. I hope that you get to feeling better. hug.gif


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