topic Re: Starting antidepressants in Wellness

Starting antidepressants

gidgetgh — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:24:48 GMT

Please be gentle.

if anyone feels comfortable posting, if you had issues with anxiety and depression and decided, with the help of your doctor of course, to start taking an anti depression medication, were you nervous about actually starting the medication?

Due to a whole bunch of stuff in my life which is just causing too much anxiety and sadness for me, I consulted with my doctor this week and am going to start taking medication. I picked up the prescription today and plan to start Monday. I don’t want to start anything new on a weekend. Just can’t do it.

But I’ll admit, I have a lot of anxiety about starting. Like actually taking the first pill out of the bottle and taking it. I don’t take medications well. I can’t take any sort of steroid. Tylenol makes me dizzy, but I do great with aspirin. I don’t do well with most anti inflammatories and some antibiotics. I had a major reaction to something many years ago and that’s made me skittish since then. So I’m really nervous about starting something totally new in a whole new arena. I’m going to do it, but I’m very anxious about it.

If anyone one feels comfortable posting, please do, but I ask that you be gentle and stay high level and not give me any horror stories like how the meds made you howl at the moon or 911 had to be called.

This is a huge decision/crossroad for me and I just have so much angst about it. Hoping for success of course, that’s the goal, but very nervous about starting.

Re: Starting antidepressants

meem120 — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:30:26 GMT

Oh Honey, take your pill. I struggle with anxiety over a family situation which I have no control over but affect me terribly. All the "what ifs". I told my Dr about 6 years ago and she prescribed Celexa. It has done wonders for me and I rarely have that sick pit of the stomach feeling. Unfortunately, the problem persists. It does take a few weekd before you start to feel better and sometimes the first prescribed Rx might not be the one that works for you. Dont give up, try another one. You will feel better.

Re: Starting antidepressants

godi — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:37:17 GMT

Yes take the meds. They will help. Overnight no but they will. Prayers to you! (((((❤️)))))

Re: Starting antidepressants

alicedee — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:38:01 GMT

@gidgetgh Please don’t be afraid of your medication....your doctor knows your past issues with some meds, and I am sure prescribed what he/she felt would be best. As @meem120 said, it takes a few weeks to “kick in”....so give it a fair chance.

Life can be so insane sometimes, and our bodies can be in a state of chemical imbalance....so many things can affect us. Be grateful there are meds available, hold your head high, take your medication, and feel better. Life is too short to waste precious days feeling horrible when you don’t have to.

🌷

Re: Starting antidepressants

butterfly123 — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:38:03 GMT

@gidgetgh

Do you have any friends or family who would come over on Monday and spend the day with you?

If not, maybe you would feel comfortable coming here and chatting about topics of interest to you.

Keep your mind occupied this weekend with things that relax and calm you. Deep breathing or meditation are also beneficial.

I’m happy you’re taking the next step for your well-being.

Re: Starting antidepressants

gidgetgh — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:41:10 GMT

@butterfly123 wrote:
@gidgetgh

Do you have any friends or family who would come over on Monday and spend the day with you?

If not, maybe you would feel comfortable coming here and chatting about topics of interest to you.

Keep your mind occupied this weekend with things that relax and calm you. Deep breathing or meditation are also beneficial.

I’m happy you’re taking the next step for your well-being.

@butterfly123 - my husband will be here with me, but he’s not doing very well and...and......I told him about it certainly when I came home from the doctor on Wednesday but he didn’t say anything about it to me in response and hasn’t since. But he’ll be here.

Re: Starting antidepressants

pattypeep — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:43:58 GMT

@gidgetgh Please start your prescription and no worries. I've been on antidepressants three different times during my adult years and am currently on Citalopram. My life is good right now; however, depression runs on my mother's side of the family and I figure I will always be on a med. It has saved me. It's nothing to be ashamed of ~ it's a chemical imbalance. Be kind to yourself and begin the med.

Re: Starting antidepressants

Drythe — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:44:53 GMT

@gidgetgh

Wishing you all the best. {{{hug}}}

You made this decision with medical advice, you obviously did not make it lightly. Anyone who would presume to criticizes or disrespect it is WAY OUT OF LINE.

Everyone needs help of one kind or another at one time or another.

My suggestion is that since you are so anxious, see if you can have someone with you, or in the same house with you for the first 24 - 36 hours. Hopefully this will give you a bit of comfort.

Not knowing what you are taking, I would say that medications for depression usually take a period of some days to kick in. Medications for anxiety may have some effect within hours. Be sure to respect any driving restrictions on the label.

I hope you have wonderful results. Nerves are like other parts of our body, simply put, yours are a bit frayed right now, but with some time, and better situations, they can be rebuilt, retrained.

Sounds as if you are dealing with lots, be kind to yourself, and remember, if you were hurt in an accident you would seek help, life has banged you up some, so you have sought help -

Good For You!

Please keep us posted.

Re: Starting antidepressants

AuntG — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:48:21 GMT

I understand your concerns, but as long as you consult you doctor about any unusual feelings or symptoms, it is worth a try.

Re: Starting antidepressants

Oznell — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:52:36 GMT

@gidgetgh, can't add much to all the kind, helpful counsel here, just want to chime in that these later generations of antidepressants in many cases are big improvements on those of the past. Your doctor will work with you as you take and adjust-- and if for some reason it isn't the right thing exactly, you can communicate that and work until you and your team find the best fit.

All the best, and good for you for taking positive steps to feeling better! Love, oznell.

Re: Starting antidepressants

NEvans2 — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:55:04 GMT

I have been on an antianxiety medication for awhile. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. You may have to try more than one before you find the one that works best for you. These meds are cumulative, so give it a couple weeks. Just make sure, if you have issues with the drug, to not just quit taking it. Call your doctor and they will guide you on how to quit taking it. I was lucky, the second one I tried was the one I've stuck with. I was also very apprehensive about starting mine(anxiety anyone?). I think I had the script for two weeks before I actually started them. When I look back now, I can't figure out what I was so afraid of. Anything would have been better than how I was feeling. I didn't turn into a werewolf or bark at the moon or anything. Good Luck!

Re: Starting antidepressants

Love my grandkids — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:56:21 GMT

@gidgetgh First I want to wish you all the best. And you are very brave to deal with this head on.

You've gotten some lovely answers and suggestions!

I know your husband is present but I would just say, take the pill, if possible, early in the day in case you need assistance of any kind. It's sometimes easier to get help from a friend or neighbor during the daytime than at night, even if you just need a sounding board.

Do you have any friend, neighbor or relative who can be on stand by via phone if you need some help?

I too hope you will feel free to come and chat. And like most meds of this type, it takes some time for it to work.

Bless you and I wish you all the best. Hang in there, we're thinking of you

Re: Starting antidepressants

BAYC — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:56:55 GMT

I know exactly how you are feeling and thinking because I was where you are several years ago. For me it wasn’t so much depression as it was the anxiety and insomnia that came with it. That was then! This is now and having been on several types until I got the one that personally worked best for me, I can say that LIFE IS GOOD AND I WILL NEVER GO OFF OF IT! Tried that once, thinking, “I feel better, anxiety is gone, I don’t need the medicine anymore!” Boy! Was that the dumbest thing I ever did! Of course I felt great BECAUSE I was taking medication to treat the anxiety! I went back on it and told my husband that if I ever say I am going to go off of it to smack me! Lol

Please don’t let anyone try to guilt you by telling you, “if you had more faith, if you just get out more” or one of the all time cruelest remarks anyone can say, “get over it!” Now that person needs a smack! Don’t you think that if it was just a matter of going out, finding something to do or to just get over it that I WOULDNT HAVE DONE THAT! Unless they have walked in “our” shoes they have no clue what it feels like and that it’s not like you want to feel that way.

If you had diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma you wouldn’t think twice about taking medicine to control and treat it, so why give anxiety a second thought about treating that?

A counselor i went to when anxiety first hit, told me that a good percentage of anxiety is hormonal and not mental. That was my case. I am now 59 but was in my early 40’s when it started and it was a part of peri menopause, that can start 10 years before you actually go through it.

I will I’ll pray for you because I’ve been there, done that, felt that, but thankfully God created medicine that is my healing and I will never reject His healing just because it didn’t come in the way that I, at that time, felt it should come.

Every morning when when I take my Lexapro, I just thank God for that medicine that now keeps me balanced. Balanced! I can still laugh, cry, get angry and show emotion but it doesn’t control me anymore! I’m not like a drugged zombie but instead feel normal and balanced.

Re: Starting antidepressants

pianobabe159 — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 20:58:11 GMT

Don't be afraid to try .....you may not have the script that is right for you. When you and your Doctor find the right one and dosage, you will be so much better . Believe me, I know this from experience. Wish I had asked for help sooner.

Re: Starting antidepressants

1Snickers — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:00:39 GMT

My husband had panic attacks and was on Paxel (I don’t know if that’s the correct spelling).

He stopped having the attacks and wasn’t grumpy, slept better and was easier to live with.

If a drug could help you, it’s certainly worth a try! I hope you will feel better soon!

Re: Starting antidepressants

BAYC — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:02:14 GMT

I agree! It takes time for the medicine to build up in your body. I expected it to be like taking an aspirin and 20 minutes later I should be good as new. It doesn’t work like that, which once I found that out I was able to lower my expectations and understand that it can take several weeks to feel better but keep reminding yourself that every day you are closer to the full effect and that you WILL feel better! All of these ladies have been honest with you because we have all “been there.”

Re: Starting antidepressants

JudyL — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:04:29 GMT

@gidgetgh struggled and still do to some extent, with anxiety and depression for years. Was on medication for a long time and thank goodness because I do believe taking the meds and my therapist saved my life. I ended up having to be on 2 different kinds because thats what worked best for me. Be prepared that it will take a few weeks for you to feel better so don't expect anything right away and don't stop taking it! You will feel better and if after a few months you still aren't better, talk to your doctor about adding another prescription. Sometimes it takes a combo of drugs to help.

But please do take the meds, don't be afraid it'll be ok, and trust all of us that have posted - you will feel better. It'll just take a few weeks before you start noticing a difference. LIfe is hard but taking the meds will help and will make coping with the challenges you are going through easier. Remember you aren't alone in this. A lot of people take medication to help them get through rough times and it's ok to get the help you need and not suffer.

Re: Starting antidepressants

teachergal — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:16:27 GMT

Take your meds. You'll be much better in a few weeks. If the first med doesn't help you, see your dr. and try another. I have been on the same anti-anxiety med for 15 years. It has changed my life for the better. I still cry when appropriate, but not everyday, like I used to. We are fortunate to live at a time when we have meds for this. I look back at my grandmother and know she suffered from anxiety too. However there were no anxiety meds at that time that would let her be more than a doped up grandma. LIFE IS GOOD.

Re: Starting antidepressants

butterfly123 — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:20:20 GMT

@gidgetgh

Please pardon my blunder on my earlier post. What I’m thinking and what I type can be different than my intentions.

I was hoping a friend or family member could come over and spend some time with you laughing, playing cards, chatting or doing something together to keep your mind busy.

Everytime your anxiety asks “what If” than switch your thoughts to something pleasant and calming.

Plan your Monday starting today. Treat yourself to a yummy food, borrow or buy some reading material, plan to watch your favorite movies or whatever you like to do.

Think of Monday as the best day of your life, repeat on Tuesday, Wednesday and so on.

Are you, your husband’s caregiver? If this is too personal than please don’t answer.

Love, hugs, and more hugs,

🦋

Re: Starting antidepressants

goldensrbest — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:21:54 GMT

Yes, take them, i have been on various meds sine 1991, they can be a life saver.