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ScarletKitten
02-15-2015, 07:31 AM
I was on 100mg of Zoloft. But one day I had to give a speech in front of the class, and I was super nervous about it (I had severe social anxiety at that time) so I popped 6 of those motherfucking pills, instead of only 2 which was my normal dose. I was on 300mg and I felt dead. My consciousness felt like it left the building and my body was merely operating out of habit. I don't even remember my speech. Weird day.

kaninchen
02-16-2015, 10:32 PM
Does anyone have any positive experience with antidepressants that didn't cause weight gain?

I have severe anxiety and am basically suicidally depressed right now. I'm seeing a doctor about it tomorrow but I'm soooo scared of being prescribed something that will make me gain 10,000 pounds.

JessaJade
02-17-2015, 09:44 AM
^They are all different hun, some can actually suppress your appetite and cause weight loss. I think it can also vary from person to person even with the same med, it's complicated stuff.

I've had quite a lot of experience trying to find the right type of antidepressant and it can get complicated, especially if you have 'co-morbid' conditions, such as anxiety along with depression.
For example I currently take Venlafaxine(Effexor) which is meant to be good for motivation, but that stimulating effect can make anxiety worse and also causes me sleep problems.

If you can be open with your doctor hopefully they will give you an honest overview of options so you can find something that works for you.

JessaJade
02-17-2015, 10:17 AM
OP, I haven't tried Escitalopram (Lexapro) as I also had a bad reaction to Citalopram (Celexa), so have no experience with that particular med.

I hate all of the meds I've tried TBH, they do help a bit but I can't stand the side-effects and usually come off them because they aren't helping enough to justify putting up with insomnia, messed up sex drive, heavy sweating, lots of other 'little' side-effects that all add together to make life feel as shitty as it does being depressed.


The med that has worked best for me is Venlafaxine/Effexor but it is far from ideal. I wanted to try Wellbutrin but it's not available in the UK, and I also researched MAOIs like Nardil, which doctors do not want to prescribe anymore but can apparently be very effective.

Simone mentioned having good results with Mirtazipine...I was very keen to try it because of the lack of certain side-effects and the fact it could help me sleep, but I took one and was knocked out for 18 hours straight, then almost fell trying to walk to the bathroom as I was so groggy, then slept another 12 hours, and even after that was groggy and slow all day.

I wanted to give it a few weeks trial to see if the grogginess passed but there was no way I could function like that, unless I had a stockpile of money and could take a month to adjust without having to work or actually do anything!


I'm sure you know this but one thing I would say is if you want to be on form in a couple of weeks time, it probably isn't a good idea to start something else completely new now, as you might not have time to adjust. I hope you feel better soon.

JessaJade
02-17-2015, 12:32 PM
Oh, natural alternatives that may help (can take lots of time while you juggle doses/combinations, same old trial and error as with conventional meds, unfortunately for me mostly without definitive results):

5htp
Rhodiola Rosea
SAM-E
Inositol (more for anxiety)

I was also reading about Trans Cranial Stimulation recently. The cost is prohibitive at the moment but I really hope to do it at some point.

gameover
02-17-2015, 12:48 PM
Oh, natural alternatives that may help (can take lots of time while you juggle doses/combinations, same old trial and error as with conventional meds, unfortunately for me mostly without definitive results):

5htp
Rhodiola Rosea
SAM-E
Inositol (more for anxiety)

I was also reading about Trans Cranial Stimulation recently. The cost is prohibitive at the moment but I really hope to do it at some point.

I tried all of those too, but didn't notice any effect, and I tried each one for at least a month.

SweetJulia
02-17-2015, 02:52 PM
Does anyone have any positive experience with antidepressants that didn't cause weight gain?

I have severe anxiety and am basically suicidally depressed right now. I'm seeing a doctor about it tomorrow but I'm soooo scared of being prescribed something that will make me gain 10,000 pounds.

So sorry to hear that! Prozac made me lose weight, the generic is only four a month. In the meantime, I have MDD, anxiety, OCD, past ED's, rape trauma syndrome, and PTSD. So far, Prozac had worked the best out of prescriptions, but it killed my sex drive and made any sensitivity non-existant. I've switched to L-theanine, which has a similar mood lifting quality, but doesn't make me as jittery. L-theanine is OTC and can be found online as well. Sun Theanine is supposed to be the best brand, but I've tried a few suppliers and haven't noticed much of a difference in product quality.

michele11
02-17-2015, 04:40 PM
^ I have all those things as well. my ocd is so bad I sometimes have to perform rituals for hours before I can sit down. My mom doesn't believe I have t because her friend told her I wouldn't be messy if I did. yes like ocd is just about organization ti perfection. Ha, i wish that was the way mine manifests.

Unkle Fuzzy
02-17-2015, 05:12 PM
My OCD (actually CDO, in alphabetical order like it should be), means that if I do clean, I tend to take everything apart and clean everything in the most minute detail. It's incredibly time consuming so it is easier and more efficient not to clean. (INTJ personality)

HoolaTwister
02-17-2015, 06:30 PM
Just to chime in, I was prescribed a low dose of Xanax and while it helped with anxiety, I got addicted to it SO QUICKLY and it was extremely scary. Getting off of that med was a nightmare.

Unkle Fuzzy
02-17-2015, 06:52 PM
Oddly, before I broke down and got on anti-depresants, while was in a life situation that put me under extreme stress, I took some xanax offered by a friend. It did nothing, zip, zilch, Nada. Zero effect.

Synthetic morphine, the one time I've had it, was the same way.

lynn2009
02-17-2015, 06:55 PM
Just to chime in, I was prescribed a low dose of Xanax and while it helped with anxiety, I got addicted to it SO QUICKLY and it was extremely scary. Getting off of that med was a nightmare.

I'm afraid I'm getting addicted to it

Unkle Fuzzy
02-17-2015, 07:07 PM
Xanax is one of the most heavily watchedvscripts for Dr shopping. It's as bad as hydrocodone for illegal sales.

michele11
02-17-2015, 10:25 PM
I'm afraid I'm getting addicted to it

Take another benzo if you need it. Xanax has the shortest half life of all the benzos and I got horrible rebound anxiety about 7 hours after taking when it would wear off. That's why you want more. It's also the most "feel good benzo". I've taken Kolonopin as needed for 5 years. I can go 3 weeks without and never had a problem.

michele11
02-17-2015, 10:34 PM
Xanax is one of the most heavily watchedvscripts for Dr shopping. It's as bad as hydrocodone for illegal sales.

Actually they passed a hydrocodone act and an amphetamine one here in fl. When I had surgery on my wrist I had a hell of a time getting my pain meds filled. I hadn't ever had any filled in 15 years since P.S. They also just did a segement on the news her how people in legitimate need can't get them.

michele11
02-17-2015, 10:37 PM
^ And yes they are. I read your post wrong. yes they are the most sold pills on the street. Oxys more so.

lynn2009
02-17-2015, 11:37 PM
Take another benzo if you need it. Xanax has the shortest half life of all the benzos and I got horrible rebound anxiety about 7 hours after taking when it would wear off. That's why you want more. It's also the most "feel good benzo". I've taken Kolonopin as needed for 5 years. I can go 3 weeks without and never had a problem.

Thanks. I am going to figure it out. I've been getting this prescription through an old customer who is a physician and I don't want to bother him more than ib have to and I am going to make a proper appointment soon it's just such a pain in the assto schedule! Ive been able go av few days without it the last 2 weeks which I thought was good.

michele11
02-18-2015, 10:53 AM
Dr Oz is on. I'm not watching it but I heard them day saffron was good for depression. I wikepedia it and it does say for severe depressive dissorder. Though I think natural things can interact with antdepressants? I'm not sure.

whirlerz
02-18-2015, 11:27 AM
Yes, they can.
Honestly, I don't like Dr. O.

michele11
02-18-2015, 05:52 PM
^ I don't either but it has supposedly worked well for depression it's also a weight loss supplement. I bought some I'll update if it works if not it's going back 40 bucks.

lynn2009
02-18-2015, 06:48 PM
I really hope no one takes Dr. Oz seriously.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/12/19/half-of-dr-ozs-medical-advice-is-baseless-or-wrong-study-says/

lynn2009
02-18-2015, 06:49 PM
I really hope no one takes Dr. Oz seriously.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/12/19/half-of-dr-ozs-medical-advice-is-baseless-or-wrong-study-says/

michele11
02-18-2015, 08:03 PM
Omg. Seriously. I just said it was on my TV and I don't watch or like him. I did my own research on it and they've done studies and said it worked just as good as prozac for some.

thisunrest
02-19-2015, 01:21 AM
Sertraline (generic Zoloft) has worked for me for years, but a few years ago I had a bad reaction after skipping two or three days of it. My doctor supplemented my serdar line with Oxcarbazepine (generic Trileptal) and though I still have rough weeks, They are rarer and I come out of them more easily.

I also didn't gain weight like I did on Depakote, and haven't noticed any side-affects.

Good luck hon. Depression is a BEAST. Hugs.

lynn2009
02-19-2015, 02:34 AM
Omg. Seriously. I just said it was on my TV and I don't watch or like him. I did my own research on it and they've done studies and said it worked just as good as prozac for some.

Sorry, was just perusing on my phone while falling asleep, saw the name, didn't really read.

lynn2009
03-27-2015, 09:42 PM
So I had my appointment today and the physician (90 minutes after my scheduled appointment) said that this other Dr. who was giving my xanax on the side, that it was unethical and unlawful. I told her I asked for anxiety meds, I didn't even want xanax to start but I liked it and she said it's fast-acting, addictive. It's worrisome that I went from .25mg to 1mg in less than 6 months, pretty soon 1mg will stop working. I gave up on it obviously, I really don't think I was overusing xanax I get really terrible anxiety and to me I built up to 1mg not because my tolerance was increasing but because I've been such a mental case for so long that's what I really needed. But in any case she said I need counseling (which I told her I can't go if I can't find someone w/ hours outside of normal business hours and even then depending on cost idk), she gave me another prescription for 0.5mg xanax to help me sleep (which was kind of interesting as I forgot to mention sleep issues to her but I've never slept well) and also Zoloft (I forget the dose) for anxiety/depression in the mornings. So we'll see how it goes.

michele11
03-28-2015, 02:28 PM
^ The doctor from the club shouldn't of been doing that but I hope you didn't give her his name as I remember a few posts you begging him for them. Also I've been on kolonopin for 5 years. Same dose .05 mil. If you went up that much you were getting a deppendancy and tollerance to them. Good luck with your new meds.

lynn2009
04-15-2015, 04:49 PM
I have my first follow up tomorrow and after waiting 90 minutes the first time, I'm not sure if it's worth going? I'm on a SSRI now and I know they can take up to 6 weeks to start working. I have been getting pretty bad side effects but they might be tapering off. But I've definitely lost weight from just not being hungry anymore, jeans that are usually tight after washing were falling off of me this week. Also on my visit summary form last time there were instructions to take 0.5xanax at night to help with sleep, which I thought was odd as I hadn't mentioned sleep issues to her (although I've never slept well, I guess she could tell I looked like shit). And I had told her I only had about a weeks supply left from the other Dr and she told Mr to save it for emergencies. Do people find your follow ups are worth while? I just can't imagine waiting so long only to hear "give the meds a few more weeks".

newbie0667
04-15-2015, 09:51 PM
I'd go to the doctor. If things aren't working properly, at least it gives the doc a chance to adjust the meds/dosages. Something you probably don't want to mess with. Hope it works out.

Jay12
04-15-2015, 10:29 PM
Right now, I'm on the following cocktail:

-Wellbutrin; went from SR to XL due to excessive manias. Never made me fat.
-Topamax; love it, best med ever. It keeps the risperidone from making me fat, from giving me tons of headaches, and from excessive nightmares.
-Risperidone; awesome, but even better when used at night. I first used it for a few weeks (for mood swings due to transitional periods) when I was 14, and it did made me gain a few (good) pounds.
-Nicotine gum; never been a smoker, but it helps the topamax with risperidone's nasty hunger attack. I only chew about 1 to 3 a day, never more. Plus, they're a stimulant!


I avoid the overheat side effect (from topamax and risperidone) by drinking tons of fluids, and wearing breathable fabrics (just like when I lived in PR).

Neonsugar
05-06-2015, 03:36 PM
I wish there was some sort of anti depressant that makes me feel the way I do when I take a shot or two. Not drunk not even tipsy but with a shot or two in me all my anxiety melts away I feel so relieved and so so much more positive and happy. Ugh. Zoloft made me feel dead and I couldn't orgasm on it..

michele11
05-06-2015, 04:00 PM
I have my first follow up tomorrow and after waiting 90 minutes the first time, I'm not sure if it's worth going? I'm on a SSRI now and I know they can take up to 6 weeks to start working. I have been getting pretty bad side effects but they might be tapering off. But I've definitely lost weight from just not being hungry anymore, jeans that are usually tight after washing were falling off of me this week. Also on my visit summary form last time there were instructions to take 0.5xanax at night to help with sleep, which I thought was odd as I hadn't mentioned sleep issues to her (although I've never slept well, I guess she could tell I looked like shit). And I had told her I only had about a weeks supply left from the other Dr and she told Mr to save it for emergencies. Do people find your follow ups are worth while? I just can't imagine waiting so long only to hear "give the meds a few more weeks".

I go when I need to about every 4 months. If you are ok don't go wait. They alaways say come back in 2 months or whatever. Sometimes I don't go for 6. Also when writing a controled substance they will put take at bedtime because it can make you sleepy. What antidepressant did they give you. I called when I was out of state about the lexapro kepping me awake and they said I had to come in for him to change it. it is not a controled substance and I;ve been seeing him like 6 years. I'm going to ask for a new doc next time I think. Only thing is you have to waste an app telling him you don't want him anymore. lol. Um " your fired". Hahah.

R-209
05-06-2015, 06:53 PM
I've been on lithium since the beginning of the year. It has been the most effective of the MANY medications I've been on. Less than two weeks after I started, I no longer wanted to die all the time and I could actually stay out of bed all day. My anxiety is still very high but I have far fewer full-blown panic attacks.
My doctor recently switched my Xanax to Klonopin, and I haven't noticed much of a difference. I'm still having that "too much coffee" feeling all the time. I'm also on Remeron, but I'm not sure it does any good. Terrible things have happened when I've tried to quit it, so I guess I'm stuck with it for now.


I wish there was some sort of anti depressant that makes me feel the way I do when I take a shot or two. Not drunk not even tipsy but with a shot or two in me all my anxiety melts away I feel so relieved and so so much more positive and happy.

I have never read anything on the internet I agree with more. Xanax might take a little of the edge off thirty minutes or so after I take it, but a couple shots or glasses of wine would almost instantly give me that light, floating feeling. It might not have lasted long, and it might have made me feel even worse later on, but sometimes just a few minutes of not feeling awful was enough. It's been almost a year since my last drink, as I am concerned about the effect of combining it with my medication. Sometimes I really, really miss it.

pranceprance
05-26-2015, 01:40 AM
I feel like I was actually probably weirder when I was younger but now that I know I have certain disorders I think about it more and notice how it interferes with work and my art :/ I read a lot of positive stuff about fish oil supplements helping with mood disorders so I'm going to check that out for now, but I do feel better about the idea of seeing a psychiatrist. This thread made me think a lot about meds. Like, it definitely still has me worried about side effects but reading everyone's reactions (even the bad ones!) made me feel like it's not the end of the world to at least try them.

michele11
05-26-2015, 08:18 AM
My sister was terminated by my doctor one prescribed her lithium. She said it's really dangerous. You have to have blood work done every few months? I told her maybe that's what she needs but she called and got something else. She said she took it in her 20's and it didn't work. It's for Bipolar disorder. Can I ask is that what they gave it to you for ? She got on tregitol or something. I got off the lexapro( It gave me severe neck, headaches ) and I coul not sleep. He gave me celexa. I took it 15 years ago but can't remember what it really did I was switched so many times. I'm trying adaptogenic herbs. AShwanga. I've been on it 4 days.I'll report back how it goes.

LAQUEEFA
05-26-2015, 10:21 AM
^^I was wondering how it was going for you. One of my girlfriends has had 2 mini strokes from her antidepressant. She is 29, doesnt smoke, drink or do drugs. I know that for sure. Shes very anti everything, it gets on my nerves. Strokes dont run in her family or health problems related to that. I really dont think antidepressants are safe and all and they seem toxic.

charlie61
05-26-2015, 05:16 PM
^^I was wondering how it was going for you. One of my girlfriends has had 2 mini strokes from her antidepressant. She is 29, doesnt smoke, drink or do drugs. I know that for sure. Shes very anti everything, it gets on my nerves. Strokes dont run in her family or health problems related to that. I really dont think antidepressants are safe and all and they seem toxic.

I agree that antidepressants shouldn't be taken or prescribed lightly and that they can even be dangerous. It's also important to remember that not everyone is privileged enough to not have to take them. Depression itself can be a highly dangerous condition.

Many people are forced to choose between a pill that makes them functional (but comes with a plethora of side effects) and living 'medication-free' (but living a life of isolation, unable to work or socialize, etc.).

I'm one of the lucky ones who got to try antidepressants to see if they might make me more functional than I already am, and I chose to quit taking them when the side effects made it not worth it to me. But I'm lucky to be able to make that decision and go the 'natural route'. Ya know?

michele11
05-26-2015, 05:27 PM
^^I was wondering how it was going for you. One of my girlfriends has had 2 mini strokes from her antidepressant. She is 29, doesnt smoke, drink or do drugs. I know that for sure. Shes very anti everything, it gets on my nerves. Strokes dont run in her family or health problems related to that. I really dont think antidepressants are safe and all and they seem toxic.

Thanks for asking. What was she on if I can ask?

R-209
05-26-2015, 09:54 PM
The tricky thing about lithium is that there is a narrow window between a dosage that is too high and too low. This is why regular blood testing is recommended. I got some nasty dizzy spells when I went up to 900mg, but I blame my doctor for raising it too quickly and not giving my body time to adjust. The dizziness went away after going back down to 600mg, but I would have taken it over what I was feeling before any day.
It's not exclusively for bipolar; my diagnosis is major depression. Lithium is noted for its ability to reduce suicidal thoughts, and I can say from personal experience that it does.
I'm switching to the extended release formulation of lithium tonight, so we'll see how that goes...

michele11
05-27-2015, 02:16 AM
I thought the blood work was it can cause liver toxcicity (sp)?

LAQUEEFA
05-27-2015, 04:27 AM
Hi michele11, she was on Zoloft the second time. I think she was on a different one before. Charlie, I know depression to well. The side effects scare the hell out of me. I honestly don't any women that aren't still depressed on medication, just easier to deal with. I'm not hating on people that take ssri's, just for me I don't want to. If you look up antidepressants strokes are listed as a side effect on many.

lynn2009
05-27-2015, 07:49 AM
I go when I need to about every 4 months. If you are ok don't go wait. They alaways say come back in 2 months or whatever. Sometimes I don't go for 6. Also when writing a controled substance they will put take at bedtime because it can make you sleepy. What antidepressant did they give you. I called when I was out of state about the lexapro kepping me awake and they said I had to come in for him to change it. it is not a controled substance and I;ve been seeing him like 6 years. I'm going to ask for a new doc next time I think. Only thing is you have to waste an app telling him you don't want him anymore. lol. Um " your fired". Hahah.

I was on 50mg Zoloft and I only took it for 3 weeks. So it's been a little over a month now that I haven't been taking anything and I've been doing ok. I will say though, the three days or so after I stopped taking Zoloft I must have really had a sweet spot of residual meds left in my system. I felt absolutely amazing without the side effects. But yeah, the side effects in total were way too much for me. I completely lost my appetite and felt sick if I tried to eat. I didn't go to the follow up I asked about before and I have another one in a week or so I'm probably going to cancel as well. I have some xanax left I've been saving for whenever I audition next.

R-209
05-27-2015, 08:44 AM
I thought the blood work was it can cause liver toxcicity (sp)?

My understanding is that lithium is not metabolized by the liver, but rather processed through the kidneys. I was on Depakote last year and feeling better on it, but my doctor decided to take me off of it after my blood test showed elevated liver enzymes.

charlie61
05-27-2015, 12:23 PM
I was on 50mg Zoloft and I only took it for 3 weeks. So it's been a little over a month now that I haven't been taking anything and I've been doing ok. I will say though, the three days or so after I stopped taking Zoloft I must have really had a sweet spot of residual meds left in my system. I felt absolutely amazing without the side effects. But yeah, the side effects in total were way too much for me. I completely lost my appetite and felt sick if I tried to eat. I didn't go to the follow up I asked about before and I have another one in a week or so I'm probably going to cancel as well. I have some xanax left I've been saving for whenever I audition next.

Something similar happened to me. I felt a glimmer of improvement when I was on a sub-therapeutic dose of 5 mg of Lexapro. I bumped it up to 10 mg (which is the minimum therapeutic dose), and that's when all of the horrible side effects started. Now that I've finished the withdrawal period, I'm questioning if I should start taking just 5 mg again (or was it just coincidence that I had a few days there of feeling really good?), or maybe now that I'm completely off of it, I should just stay off of it. Argh! All of the questioning can make you crazy!

lol1337a
05-27-2015, 02:12 PM
I know plenty of people who do best on sub-therapeutic doses. Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but pharmaceutical companies do benefit from people taking higher doses.

michele11
05-27-2015, 03:24 PM
Something similar happened to me. I felt a glimmer of improvement when I was on a sub-therapeutic dose of 5 mg of Lexapro. I bumped it up to 10 mg (which is the minimum therapeutic dose), and that's when all of the horrible side effects started. Now that I've finished the withdrawal period, I'm questioning if I should start taking just 5 mg again (or was it just coincidence that I had a few days there of feeling really good?), or maybe now that I'm completely off of it, I should just stay off of it. Argh! All of the questioning can make you crazy!

I was halfing mine, I do that with all mine. Even the 10 mil of paxil which is a small dose. it does make it easier to get off if you want. There were aspects i like about lexapro but Idk the bad outweighed the good? maybe because My dose was all over the place. I wouldn't take it on my days of then take the full 10 on the days I'd work. Who knows. The sleep deprivation was awefil but I didn't crave junk and controled my alcohol intake. like I didn't even care to drink at work and i always like to drink( it's the only place I do).

lynn2009
05-27-2015, 07:17 PM
Something similar happened to me. I felt a glimmer of improvement when I was on a sub-therapeutic dose of 5 mg of Lexapro. I bumped it up to 10 mg (which is the minimum therapeutic dose), and that's when all of the horrible side effects started. Now that I've finished the withdrawal period, I'm questioning if I should start taking just 5 mg again (or was it just coincidence that I had a few days there of feeling really good?), or maybe now that I'm completely off of it, I should just stay off of it. Argh! All of the questioning can make you crazy!

Is Lexapro another SSRI? I had sworn them off but maybe I'll try it...

michele11
05-28-2015, 10:19 AM
^ yes. Did you not just read my bad experience with it. lol.

michele11
05-28-2015, 10:21 AM
^ I couldn't sleep for 2 months. I had butter fly feeling constantly. I felt like I was burning up inside, I had severe headaches( maybe had 3 in my life. My neck and jaw were killing me. I was so irritable I wanted to kill people. Only good about it was i didn't wanna eat or drink alcohol.

lynn2009
05-28-2015, 04:24 PM
^ I couldn't sleep for 2 months. I had butter fly feeling constantly. I felt like I was burning up inside, I had severe headaches( maybe had 3 in my life. My neck and jaw were killing me. I was so irritable I wanted to kill people. Only good about it was i didn't wanna eat or drink alcohol.

Sorry, missed that before. You said your dose varied, did it ever go below 10mg?

Can't believe how bad these side effects can be.