antidepressants?

Question

I'm asking again...the other question didn't get very many answers and I want to hear as many sides as possible.

Have you ever been on meds for depression? What was it like for you? Were there any side effects?

Thanks.

Answer 1

My daughter was on anti-depressants. There are many different kinds and you have to find the right one for you. My daughter took Olanzapine and it was very successful. She started with a high dose of 20 mg which made her feel very sleepy. This was a good thing because sleep cures the damage to the brain that the severe panic attacks she was experiencing caused. It also blocked the very scary thoughts she was having. After a week or so the dosage was reduced to 15 then 10 mg. After about a month she was down to a maintenance dose of 5mg.
One side effect is weight gain, because the drug can block the part of your brain that tells you that you are no longer hungry so you eat more - at least when you are on the higher dose.
She has been off medication for almost a year now and has (hopefully) made a full recovery.
I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from depression ... it is very tough for you and the ones who love and care for you. But do the right things - get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, take gentle exercise, take any prescribed medication on time. Be patient. It takes time. But you WILL get better.

Answer 2

I have never been on medication for depression... they are anticonvulsants prescribed to fight depression. Now people have just given them the name antidpressants. They have a direct effect on your brain & nervous system. It was found that they make you feel better emotionally, kind of a side effect.
There can be side effects from any medication. Things to watch out for are vertigo, dizziness, etc.
Fatigue, dry mouth, bed wetting... these things can happen (I never had bed wetting). I have been on quite a few anticonvulsant medicitons (I have epilepsy).
Worst for me was tegretol, sent me to the hospital after I had been on it for quite some time. I was stuck there for 3 days to get my blood levels stabalized. I do not know if lamictal is used for antidepressant but I cannot really use that, gives me blurred vision.
I have been on depakote for 2 years now, the main thing I have is thinning of the hair. People do not really seem to notice and I do not think I will go bald since I am 26 & balding runs on the mother's side of the family (my uncle is in his late 60's full head of hair).
My tolerance for alcohol is next to nothing now. 1 drink is all I can handle now but I used to do keg stands for 20 seconds, drink a 12 pack, etc. I don't drink anything now, maybe a sip on new year's.
I think these medications help me deal with the fact that I am disabled even though you cannot really tell unless I tell you. I only have seizures once in a blue moon.
It's different for everybody so if you want to try then you'll find out. Talk to a doctor or do a little research...

Answer 3

I have been on more medications than I can remember. They weren't all anti-d's though. Some were mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety, and anti-psychotic. I've had all kinds of side effects but the most common seem to be sleepiness, dry mouth, stomach ache, head ache, tremors of the arms and hands. Don't be afraid to try something new if you don't like what you're on. Medication definitely does not always work for everyone. I would say that mine never did much for me, at least not my mood swings (I'm bipolar), but with a lot of hard work and a good therapist I am doing better than I ever have and slowly weaning my way off of meds. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

I have been on them for many years. I have a chemical imbalance and neet to stay on them. Different druga have different side effects but they usually only last a few weeks at most.

It also takes a couple of weeks to feel any benefit from them. But it can be dramatic. When I started Prozac I felt like someone had turned on a light switch. The clouds lifted and I was happy for the first time in my life. The time I noticed it most was in the morning upon waking. All of a sudden you wake up and feel good!

You must keep in mind, though, these are powerful drugs. You must report any side effects, especially mental effects. At first Prozac made ma feel somewhat manic. I had to learn to burn off the energy.

Also It opens new pathways in the mind. Maybe pathways you wanted blocked. These issues that emerge must be dealt with. You need help from your doctor to sort them out. This is only temporary too.

Dispite the side effects, using antidepressants when needed is well worth it. It changed my life forever. I am now happy to be alive approaching my golden years.

Answer 5

I have bi-polar.I've been on alot of anti-depression meds. Theres lots of side affects like having manic episodes, eating to much, loss of appetite,dry mouth, rashes, stomach cramps. The best medication that works for me is Lamictcal and Wellbutrin. I was diagnosed 4 yrs ago and I was basicly living in hell from day to day.So was my family. After time of being on my meds and seeing my Dr I'm a happy person again. But I do have my days.

Answer 6

O.K. I will be sooo honset because this is very important question.
I have had depression due to my job, and.....compaired to the effects of depression....I would not care if I lost all my hair or teeth.(Just setting a example)...o.k. as a mother and a person who is not a smoker,drinker..and someone who lives a o.k. life(now)...Nothing to me....was as bad as depression, come painc attacks.nothing....My doctor knew I had a problem, was crying and no where to turn....once again, due to my job(working in a jail)...so she put me on a anti/depressant.For a few weeks I was a not myself, but each day I did o.k ...I was told to start on one tablet a day...But! due to me being a person who needs to go-in-slowly, as my body was not able to get to use to meds, to quick.I cut the one tablet in half, and then again...Slowly getting to the one tablet a day.....like over three weeks..slowly ..o.k. in time,I became well...And still take the one tablet at night,and have not looked back.ONE THING! YOU NEVER EVER STOP JUST LIKE THAT!!! O.K.....NEVER. Its a rule, you just have to stick to.If later you want to get off meds, do it very very slowly.....and
you will be fine.....get a good doctor first thing, one who is understanding....and then use common sense.But follow doctors advice too.....I say not for every one, but a good doctor,is the key.....and yes I will always take one....Because I wish to be well, from panic attacks...and depression.Anyone can have it!!!

Answer 7

i personally hate anti-depressants. they make me feel very woozy. i have had no positive effects on them. i have taken effexor& zoloft (both made me feel very sad and extremely suicidal), and now i'm on wellbutrin xl and lexapro. they're not giving me any effects at all. they make me feel like a robot, i am extremely apathetic and tired, and i gained 20 pounds ! I don't see any positive effects from these drugs. if you're considering anti-depressants, think twice.