Antidepressants

Avatar for babyfase
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Antidepressants
9
Wed, 12-10-2003 - 9:03pm
For those of you who have taken any antidepressants, did they help you a lot? Did they take the entire 3 weeks to begin to kick in, or did you start feeling effects sooner? I started taking Zoloft 7 days ago and im feeling really impatient because ive been feeling extra sad lately.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Wed, 12-10-2003 - 9:51pm
I know that it can take several weeks for Paxil to work, which in an SSRI antidepressant like Zoloft. So yes, it can take sometime. However, there are other medicines out there that can help while you are getting the meds to the right level in your body for the right amount of time. For instance, at the onset of my struggle with depression, I had severe insomnia and anxiety that Paxil at first didn't touch cause I was just starting it. I need an antianxiety med until the Paxil got to the right level. If it's been three weeks, it can take longer but I'd check in with your Doctor about it. Be honest about how your are feeling too. I tried to cover up for too long and paid dearly for it.

I hope this helps and please you have my warmest hugs and support.

Kelly

Avatar for stravinsky
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Wed, 12-10-2003 - 9:54pm
Hi,

I know that it is different for everyone. I also can say that I know how much I hate hearing that, but it is true. For me, I have tried several different antidepressants before finding the right one. But it was also about having a good doctor and communication. I first tried prozac that took weeks and made my hear race and made me very manic. Then I was put on celexa and even worked up to the highest dosage and after 6 months I was still extremely depressed and I still felt no change whatsoever. I finally was switched to effexxor er and in a very short time I began to feel the effects and I can notice a dramatic difference, My family, friends and coworkers can. If it is not working you may need a higher dosage so make sure you talk with your doctor and stay in communication. Good Luck!

Debbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Wed, 12-10-2003 - 10:11pm
Hi there

I am on Paxil and before I found the right dose on Paxil, I had tried many other medications.

Keep working through this, I promise you will find the right med and the right dose for you!

It does take awhile for the meds to get into your system. Just do the best you can.

Take care

Pamela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-03-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Wed, 12-10-2003 - 11:45pm
I can't remember how long it took for my first AD to kick in (it was Zoloft come to think of it), but there is a really great board about AD's here that I think would answer that question and any others you may have.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhpaxil

I am just starting a new AD (lexapro) and that board has been a blessing!! Good luck!
Avatar for babyfase
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Thu, 12-11-2003 - 5:46pm
Thanks everyone. I just noticed that there is a board here just for this topic. Oh well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Thu, 12-11-2003 - 6:00pm
Personally, I found it very helpful when I was taking Paxil. It took about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks for it to kick in. When I first started it seemed like forever before I began feeling the effects, especially since I was crying everyday and feeling super sad. But I noticed that after the first week of taking it that each day I would feel a little better than the day before. Maybe discussing with your doctor can help ease the "anxiety" of it kicking in, but I'm sure that it will start working for you.

Jaime

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Thu, 12-11-2003 - 10:59pm
I took Effexor XR and I felt better several hours later. I mean, not like wonderful-back-to-myself better, but I could actually concentrate on what people were saying instead of it sounding like Charlie Brown's teachers. I only stayed on for 6 months becuase I was haveing a major depression episode, but they really helped and I didn't have any side effects that I noticed. I've been off for about 4 months now, and I'm still feeling low, but I don't sleep 20 hours of the day or anything. If really helped me get back to who I was. My roommate didn't seem to have any help from her Zoloft (that is till she stopped taking it and I really saw what she was like) and I think another drug may have benefitted her more, but she never shopped around. I heard from my pychiatrist that it usually takes a few tries. If someone in your immediate family is being treated, you can use that medicine and it is likely to work, at least that's what my doctor said. My mom tried lots before she started the Effexor and that's the only one that's worked. I hope that things turn out well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Sun, 12-14-2003 - 9:56pm
I've been taking Effexor and I noticed a difference in about a week. I can definitely tell if I've forgotten to take it.I still have down days, but they aren't as intense. It may depend on the medication too. Also, my doctor has been increasing my dosage until I found a dosage where I felt like "me" again.So far so good. You can always check with your doctor and either see about changing medications or play with the dosage.Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
In reply to: babyfase
Sun, 12-14-2003 - 10:29pm
when i first started taking welbutrin, it started working the next day. there was only one small glitch though -- it would work for about 6 hrs and then i would feel like i was pushed off a cliff, flying down to where i was before. this continued for about 3 weeks before i finally got off the rollercoaster and things got smoother.

so i guess the key word is patience. lots of luck!!

~Anya