Anti-depressants...?

Question

I am having issues (who isn't?) with my anti-depressants. I want to come off of everything, cause I don't know what is causing what symptom, you know? I have anger bursts, especially with my four year old son, and it makes me feel so sad and guilty later.. I say mean things to him. Basically, I can't handle him when he's not "good". I feel like the most horrible mom. I don't really have any zest for life, you know? I don't want to clean the house, I never really spend quality time with my son. Before I started all the pills (beginning with Paxil), I was pretty "normal". I got on Paxil because my new family doc. put me on them when I told her I suffered from anxiety.. she should have just sent me to counseling or something, cause I wasn't really that anxious. Anyway, after becoming a zombie, I went through hell and got off the Paxil. From there, I started others. Right now I take Wellbutrin, Lexapro, and Lamictal... I thought I was feeling better after the addition of the Lamictal

But that was a tease. I go some days trying to cut my pills in half, so as to "ween" down, but I haven't committed to anything. Of course, I'll be going to see my psych. next week, but I don't know where to begin with him. I feel so depressed. So guilty about the way I yell at my son and stress out over his normal four year old behavior... I feel like I can't go on, sometimes. (My husband isn't supportive, nor does he try to talk to me.. that's another long story..) Yes, I know that I should get to therapy (like, talk therapy) soon, but in the meantime, such as right now, I don't know what to do. I've been tinkering with valium too for my nerves, which is a depressant, I know. But I don't think that drug is messing with me too much.. anyway, for anyone out there who has the time and patience to respond to another person like me, I will greatly appreciate it. Has anyone got advice about the anti-depressants I take? Why do I have to be this way?? Thank you everyone who reads this.

Answer 1

I'm very sorry for your problems, and I'd like to share some of my experience.

I was prescribed Paxil for both anxiety and depression. It didn't help much with either but did make me into a "zombie." When I decided to go off it two years later, I suffered very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, sweating, insomnia, etc.) which lasted a few months.

I was also prescribed Wellbutrin, just for depression. It seemed to help a little, but after the Paxil experience I decided I didn't want to stay addicted to any other antidepressant. During the quitting process, I suffered a very different withdrawal symptom - emotional and physical violence. I became a very aggressive person and it was not pretty.

From my personal experience and subsequent reading, I learned that all antidepressants can be dangerous. While some people may not have serious side effects while taking them and may benefit from them, many people experience disturbing withdrawal symptoms (some physical, some emotional) once they start the quitting process. That's why it's best to avoid antidepressants unless there is absolutely no other choice (you or someone else's life is in danger, or other types of therapy haven't worked well enough).

When you decide to wean yourself from the antidepressants you're currently taking, I urge you to read this book:

"The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and 'Addiction'" by Joseph Glenmullen

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have been taking Klonipan and Paxil for about 13 years. I totally understand your problem. I suffer from anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and obsessive compulsive disorder. I too ask why me. The way I feel, the meds help, so I take them. I have taken several different kinds, but the doctor is now trying something else, Cymbalta. It's supposed to be good, but everyone is different. I have a college degree in the healthcare field, so I am educated and it makes no difference. If I have a panic attack, I'm feeling the same symptoms as everyone else. People tend to think that if you are suffering from depression, then you must have something to be depressed about. So not true!!!! It's a chemical imbalance. Good luck to you and love that little boy. When you find yourself getting upset with him try to find a quiet place (bathroom) just for you and be alone for 5 minutes. Cry, pray, read, think, whatever. You won't yell at him and you'll feel better. God Bless.

Answer 3

This sounds all wrong! Anti-depressants should NOT turn you into a zombie and they should NOT make you more aggressive. If they do affect you like this over the long term, you need to get off them (with the help of the doctor) and try other remedies, which may or may not involve anti-depressants. In any case, these are symptoms of depression, so things really aren't working out for you :-(

You need to see your doctor on a more regular basis so that you can be more reactive to these adverse symptoms, which may or may not be related to the drugs anyway! You also NEED to see a therapist in a regular basis too. I believe that it is silly to take anti-depressants without regular consultations with a therapist. Do these things for your son if not for yourself.

In spite of what some people think, anti-depressants SHOULD NOT make you into a zombie. In fact, a good reaction to anti-depressants is when you become more relaxed, happier, more goal-focussed and have more zest for living. The exact opposite of a 'zombie'. Having said that, I agree that you also need to tackle the causes of the depression. That is why you need the therapist!

If you aren't happy with your doctor and he isn't taking interest in your problems than go to another doctor. Good luck and keep trying to beat this thing!

Answer 4

You are in the right direction going to therapy..... If you dont feel comfortable with that person, you may want to find another one.. *( and don't give up, some are good while others aren't )*... I wouldn't mention that you loose it with your 4 year old... If you are beating him than yes you deffinately need help, but sometimes when you tell something like that, you could get your child taken away.... It's OK to say you loose patience with him, and you wish u had more patience butttt careful which words you say.... Anyways, make sure you go to a Psychologist and not a Psychiatrist.... a psychologist doesn't prescribe drugs, so therefore they are more against them... where as a psychiatrist does, and may encourage you to stay on them... You need to tell them you don't want them, and nothing is working for you, and that you would much rather "work" out your problem instead of "drugging" yourself all while, your problem still remains. .. Good Luck!!! and God Bless.... p.s. you may find going to a younger generation minister at a christian church may be more helpful then a therapist.

Answer 5

First of all, it sounds like you are self-medicating. Are you weaning off the meds with your psych's knowledge? If you aren't taking the meds exactly as they are prescribed, how do you expect them to work?
Instead of wasting heartache over your depression/mood disorder here, you should be keeping a journal (of symptoms, moods, etc.) and talking to your doctor. Anti-depressants take time to work. I know it is very frustrating! Finding the right medication and doctor can take some time! Seeing a therapist and taking meds might work for you. You may also explore taking an anger management class.
I am no expert, but I don't think depression is your main problem. You may have bi-polar or borderline personality ( I am NOT a doctor, so don't take my word for it!)
Find a psychiatrist you can trust, not a family doctor for medication management.

Answer 6

I used to be also on some anti-depressants (Paxil, Celexa, etc...) but I had to stop all of them after 2-3 weeks because they made me even more anxious than I usually was. They also raised my blood pressure. I guess I'm one of those people are who especially sensitive to these kind of SSRI antidepressants. You might be too.

Therapy is definitely a safer option. Too many doctors want to treat their patients with quick pharamaceutical solutions, when in fact most of them would likely benefit with a simple talk therapy. An effective cognitive therapy consists of at least 2 sessions a week though. Less than that may or may not be as helpful, depending on your condition. A therapy may not solve all your problems but it definitely will not have as many terrible side-effects. :)

Good luck.

Answer 7

I would get off everything, but you have to do it one at a time and slowly. wean down on each one, the reverse of the way you started them. ask the psychiatrist to help with that. Then switch to a psychologist or other person for talk therapy to help work out your problems. you MAY need meds, but having all of those working together without knowing what's causing each side effect, and having you feel like a zombie, obviously isn't effective or appropriate. you can't live like that! If your docs think it's ok, you need to change docs!

Answer 8

One Dr. put you on those 3 meds? Seems like over kill for anxiety. I am on a LOW dose of Zoloft... but have had to ween myself off 2 times ( had kids) I take it for depression. If you are going to go off do it SLOWLY. If you go off fast you will get some serious side effects. Even going off slowly will have some bad results. Take your time and wait for all of them to go away. Is you anxiety better? Why stay on all that if it is. As for getting ticked at your kid... that's normal when you feel stressed. Maybe it's not the meds. Think about the home situation and see if there is anything you can change to make you less stressed. Getting away from my girls for awhile helps my attitude out greatly!

Answer 9

IMO, you are taking too many drugs without a diagnosis. Are you manic depressive? I would not combine SSRI's such as lexapro with wellbutrin. If you problem is mainly depression one drug should be fine. Don't add benzodiazepines like valium as that can cause you to be more depressed and is very addicting. Try excercise as that may help your stress. You need a good psychiatrist who can manage your medications properly. Seek good mental health and don't mess with anymore drugs yourself.

Answer 10

I really, really wish I could help. I battled the anti-depressant search for years before getting straightened around. I think you have to have someone help you ween off the stuff. It can be very scary (the mood changes that is). I hope there is more research being done for people like ourselves who suffer this way. Good luck and keep searching.....my thoughts are with you.