Post # 1
Member
1442 posts
Bumble bee
Hey bees,
I’ve always been an anxious and stressed person and usually I have the mental resources to cope and get myself through.
The last 3 months have been crazy – huge changes at work, potential relocation and family issues. I’ve been having heart palpitations, a constant sense of dread, headaches and feeling teary.
Today I visited the doctor to discuss the physiological symptoms and she has recommended I take a low dose antidepressant to ease the stress and anxiety in the hope this will allow my body to start healing too.
Any bees out there with anxiety, major stress or depression? Have you been prescribed antidepressants? Please share your story. I’m feeling rather alone in the sense that I don’t feel able to talk about this with anyone other than DH.
If it helps, I’ve been prescribed 10mg citalopram for 28 day and I’ll have a review then.
Post # 2
Member
651 posts
Busy bee
I think I took 5mg of lexapro for ~1.5-2 years before asking to be taken off since I felt I was “reset”. I had severe panick attacks where I couldn’t breathe and depression.
That was the goal, though. Went to a my GP and she said to start on it slowly (to get my brain chemicals back in balance) then we can discuss getting off in a year or so. I was a little dopey feeling starting out… now my only other symptom was being hot and sweaty feeling all the time but that is a rare one… then when she weened me off I had zero side effects (brain zaps or whatever).
I still have occasional anxiety which is normal amounts I believe now.
Post # 3
Member
9154 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
rendezvous89 : A lot of anti-depressants have an unwanted side-effect of increasing anxiety, oddly enough. I think the prozac family is worst for this. Wellbutrin is a different type and worked great for me. I recommend asking your doctor about it and giving it a chance if it seems appropriate.
Post # 4
Member
1442 posts
Bumble bee
Daisy_Mae : I have read that which made me a little nervous.
We discussed a few options and different groups of drugs during the appointment and, with all things considered, that this medication would be her best recommendation. The alternative would be benzo group but the possibility of feeling drowsy, numb or out of it put me off.
Post # 5
Member
11139 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
rendezvous89 :
Celexa is one of the SSRIs that works well for anxiety as well as depression. I took it for many years with good results. Hopefully, it will give you the balance that you need.
Post # 6
Member
5020 posts
Bee Keeper
I have been on numerous different anti depressants/anxiety and mood stabilizer medications. The last two I had good experiences with were zoloft and cymbalta. There are plenty of options out there and it may take a little trial and error to find what works best for you. It’s okay to need support to get you through a difficult time. No shame in that, in fact I think it’s commendable to take control of your health.
Post # 7
Member
1442 posts
Bumble bee
sassy411 : Thanks bee. I assume from your phrasing that you aren’t taking it now? How did you stop? Did you have any side effects? How are you now without the medication?
Post # 8
Member
1192 posts
Bumble bee
I agree with PP about Prozac. When I was a teenager I went on Prozac and not only did it not help my depression, it made me suicidal. I am now on Wellbutrin which has worked really well. It has lowered my anxiety to what I feel is a normal range and my depression is more or less gone. No horrible side effects with it that I have noticed, no weight gain. The only thing I’ve noticed is if I’m on too high of a dose I’ll get a sort of numb feeling, where I’m not depressed but I’m not happy either. I’m just sort of a robot. So it’s important to find the right dose for you.
Good luck to you. I hope you’re able to find a good fit for you with your doctor. And don’t feel alone: many, many people have depression and anxiety. I’m sure people you know deal with it everyday.
Post # 9
Member
346 posts
Helper bee
rendezvous89 : Celexa is my favorite! I have been on varying doses for a decade now, sometimes with other medications and sometimes without. I have zero side effects, don’t worry! Hope you start feeling better soon, bee!
Post # 10
Member
1442 posts
Bumble bee
j9marie : Thanks bee, your words mean a lot. I am trying to approach this with an open mind and understand that this won’t be a magic cure all pill, and also that it might not be the right one for me.
Post # 11
Member
1442 posts
Bumble bee
NikkiBee18 : Thanks bee. My doctor was brilliant. Listened to my issues, gave advice and was receptive to my concerns. If I have any issues before my follow-up I would have no hesitation in seeing her early.
Your last paragraph was 👌. My rational side knows this. And if I was directly asked I would be honest but it’s the bringing it up unprompted that seems to be scaring me.
Post # 12
Member
1442 posts
Bumble bee
mrstaylorlevy : Thanks bee. Sometimes it all gets too much and we need to admit were not coping. Right now, I’m not coping. I’m aware there might be an adjustment period and I’m just hoping that the reduction in my stress will result in an improvement in my physical symptoms too.
Post # 13
Member
5081 posts
Bee Keeper
I was prescribed Paxil for combined anxiety and depression. It worked ok, but it was not worth the side effects. My hands shook to the point where it was hard to do my job, I had horrible night sweats and completely lost the ability to orgasm. I weaned off of it after a while, which was also a process. Next, I tried Lexapro and that was terrible, I only took it for a few days, but didn’t sleep at all despite being exhausted and my anxiety was through the roof. I gave up after that.
What worked best for me was just xanax when it was really necessary and learning some better coping mechanisms. That said, Lexapro was a godsend for my mother for her anxiety. Everyone is different.
Post # 14
Member
4235 posts
Honey bee
I’ve been struggling a bit with post partum depression, and when I finally reached out my doctor prescribed citalopram as well- I’m on 20 mg. The bad part is, it takes awhile for them to kick in so you won’t see results immediately BUT just the act of “doing something” about how I’m feeling has helped a lot. So far I haven’t had any negative side effects. Sometimes I feel like I should feel embarassed I can’t cope with stuff that other people seem perfectly fine with. Have you looked into counselling? That’s another avenue I’m going to persue once I can get scheduled in, I’m hoping that will help with more “in the moment” stuff.
Post # 15
Member
1442 posts
Bumble bee
SithLady : Thanks bee, it seems there’s no “one fits all” tablet. I’ll see how I get on and will speak to the doctor if I have any concerns.
ClaudiaKishi : Well done for taking control and reaching out for help. I’m sorry you’ve had a tough time post birth. You’re doing the besr thing (for you and your family).
I totally understand the embarrassment, which is ridiculous but there’s still a stigma surrounding mental health, although it is getting better.
Counselling isn’t a common thing in the uk. A referral would take months, if at all and private would be out of our budget while saving for a relocation. I hope it helps you when you’re able to schedule a session.
I wish you the best with your journey. Admitting you need help takes balls. You’ve got this ❤