not making me feel active and happy again? I've heard from some people that their medication is working wonders for them. Why is it not the case with me?
2007-05-17 00:09:23 · 17 answers · asked by inquisitive 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
It takes at least 4-6 weeks for an anti-depressant to start working, and it can take a few different anti-depressants before you find one that does work, with tolerable side effects. Give it at least a month. Don't get discouraged. You will be able to find something that works for you and when you do it will be worth it, even if it takes a little while.
2007-05-17 00:14:15 · answer #1 · answered by fiVe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rest assured, there are many of us having the same problem! Sometimes one has to try several medications before finding the one that really does the trick.
Anti depressants usually take a good month to start working. Prozac can take up to six weeks.
As long as the side effects are bearable, and your depression isn't getting worse, stick with the medication you're on for a month.
If after four weeks you're feeling no better, tell your doctor; you may need a higher dose or a different medication. Never change the dose without speaking to your doctor first, though.
2007-05-17 00:18:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have tried several anti-depressants over the last few years. Depending on the medication they usually take 4-6 weeks. Some can take up to 8 weeks to have the full effect. I tried one medication and knew after three days that it did not work for me. I felt like I was going to bite someone's head off. Not to drop any names of any medication, I am glad I stopped it after the 3 days because shortly after it was in the news as a major murder case where the kid that killed his family was taking this same medication. So be careful and pay attention to your symptoms and if it truely doesn't feel right then consult your doctor. Give the medication the fair chance to work unless the side effects are too extreme.
2007-05-24 13:46:33 · answer #3 · answered by blazergirlblazergirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The therapuetic level of an antidepressant usually takes at least fourteen days. IF you don't think it is working, then make an appointment with the doctor who prescribed it and ask for a change.
IF it were me, I would use a licensed psychiatrist and not just my family doctor of internist to determine what medication is best. Psychiatrists usually have a better grasp on the current medications available.
Oh, and along with the medication you should be seeing a licensed counselor, psyhologist or social worker to help you work through the issues that medication cannot resolve.
2007-05-23 14:25:41 · answer #4 · answered by banananose_89117 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several of my family members suffer from Chronic depression and have to take a combination of meds to control their symptoms. You have to give your doctor constant feedback with regards to your medication. Docs are not mind readers and they do not 'walk on water'. They are people like you or I with specific education to do their jobs. Simply say what you have said here, they are not working; I do not feel active or happy. Each of us have a unique internal system and therefore have a unique reaction to a medication. You will not necessarily react the same as the next person to the same med and dosage.
Your dose could be wrong for you, or it could be the medication, or you might need a combination therapy. If you don't get a proactive response from your current doctor, then you need a new doctor. And I cannot stress this enough; a doctor can be fired just as easily as a plumber or salesman. Sometimes it helps to consult with a nurse practitioner since nurses are trained in patient care.
I truly hopes this helps. Don't let depression take over your life. Always remember that your friends and family can advocate for you if you need them. Don't hesitate to communicate your needs. Good luck!
2007-05-17 00:32:42 · answer #5 · answered by Margaret M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
4-6 weeks is usually a good "trial time" for any new drug to get into your system and start working effectively.
I am, tho, abit concerned with the statement that yours isn't making you "feel active and happy again". Please recognize the fact that antidepressants are not "happy pills".... they are not supposed to be used to make all bad things good. They ARE used to balance out chemical imbalances in our systems, and can (if you've found the right one) help to make our thought processes clearer and easier to work thru difficulties.
2007-05-17 00:22:27 · answer #6 · answered by Uweyv Tawodi 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
See depression treatments/resources at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 2. They can take up to 5 weeks to be effective, so try the other methods in the meantime: you may want to begin tapering off the antidepressants (with medical advice as to how many weeks to take to do it!).
2007-05-17 04:29:30 · answer #7 · answered by CLICKHEREx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is different. I have been on a couple that were not right for me. How long have you been on this particular med? It usually takes several weeks for you to benefit from it. If it has been over two months then let your doctor know. You may need to increase the dosage or change the prescription.
2007-05-17 00:14:49 · answer #8 · answered by emtd65 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How long have you been on the antidepressant you're taking? Many of them take between 4-6 weeks to take full effect. Are you also receiving counseling?
2007-05-22 12:44:03 · answer #9 · answered by Nurse Annie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A month or so is adequate. The doctor is there to help you. You need to bring your concerns to his/her attention. Of course it is his/her decision on whether to change your meds right then or ask you to give it a little longer. I have been on a number of antidepression meds and the ones that helped me were Effexor and Welbutrin because they deal with more than the serotonin (Wellbutrin deals with serotonin and dopamine) and Effexor deals with serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
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2007-05-17 01:40:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋