Not Sure What To Do...

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2010
Not Sure What To Do...
5
Fri, 01-01-2010 - 5:18am

Hi there~


I'm new to this board and am hoping someone can give me advice.


I have been on and off antidepressants since the age of 19. Back then, the only drugs available were the older tricyclics (TCA's) (I am now 46.) Yes, lots of side effects with the TCA's but they gave me my life back. Depression runs on my dad's side and my mother suffered from panic attacks and lets just say I inherited the worst of both of them!


I always managed to get off antideprssants for my two pregnancies and other times in my life but inevitably some major physical upheaval like surgery or after childbirth would necessitate me going back on them. I guess I've been defined as "a lifer." Doxipen, a TCA, was always my wonder drug and worked great for anxiety, which I get very badly.


When the newer SSRI's came out, I gave one or two a try but not for very long. Prozac zapped my appetite and made me nauseous and Celexa made me nauseous and gave me a panic attack after taking just one. Not good for someone who already has anxiety issues. So it was always back to the Doxepin.


I'm feeling just okay right now but am having some mild issues. I've been weaning myself off Doxepin because it makes me eat like a horse (among other things) and I have been wondering if it's really working anymore. I can be so crabby, irritable, tired and just feel like everything is a drag. And insomnia for which I use Klonopin. I'd like to give the newer SSRI's a try again for a longer trial but am quite frankly afraid of losing my "safety net" - my Doxepin. (Even if it's not working perfectly, I feel it's still doing something.) However, I also really hated the nausea of the SSRI's.


The psychiatrist I was seeing was on board with trying to wean off the Doxipen but she has since left the practice I was at and has moved out of state. I need to find a new dr. because I just did not jive with the dr. that took her place.


I should also mention I have never really had any formal "talk" therapy sessions. I have always responded well to just meds. And luckily, low doses of meds.


So I guess my question is this: Has anyone here ever switched from the older tricyclics to an SSRI? Did they help more, less, or the same? How about side effects such as weight gain? Or maybe I just need a good talk session? I just can't take the chance of this horrible disease bringing my life to a standstill once again.


If you've gotten this far, I thank you for taking the time to read this. Lots of transitioning here: To a new dr. which I need to find and maybe a new med. 


 


 


 


 


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-1999
Fri, 01-01-2010 - 12:58pm

HI and welcome.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-01-2010
Fri, 01-01-2010 - 4:43pm

Thank you, Josie, for your response. It really does mean alot to me.


I'm really wondering if I couldn't benefit from at least some talk therapy, too,

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-1999
Sat, 01-02-2010 - 5:38am

Hi, I actually found my therapist as with my insurance you have to call an 800 number to get OK to start therappy, they asked my issue, at the time, naive me just thought it was "job stress", so they gave me a couple names, and Eliz was the first one I tried.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2009
Sat, 01-02-2010 - 10:04am

I was on a tricyclic many years ago after prozac stopped working for a while.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2009
Sun, 01-03-2010 - 8:37pm

Hi =)

I, too, am new here to the board (any board), but found it to be helpful already just to "vent" and "get it out," etc., etc., so, though I've resisted talk therapy for years (no idea why - no one in the family ever said it was shameful or anything and everyone is very understanding and encouraging, so I'm extremely fortunate in that department), I actually do think it would be a great thing, I think the key will be finding the right therapist, though, which might not be easy, but will be worth "the hunt." So I would encourage you to try it, is essentially what I'm saying. =)

As far as meds go, unfortunately, it's one of those things you just have to keep at it until you get it right and it can take a bit of time. My psych finally diagnosed me with bipolar II and put me on Lamictal. I also take Lexapro. Both seem to be helping considerably with anxiety, so perhaps that would help you cut out an anxiety med? I took Welbutrin with the two for a while as well, but she weaned me off that, increased the Lamictal and everything seems to go fine (until I start messing with the pain meds I try, which is a story I'll bore you with another day - LOL)

Also, I began to wonder as I was reading your post... you said you're 46; I'm 45, so I thought maybe if you hadn't already you might talk to your gynecologist because perhaps it's hormonal? I could, of course, be way off the mark; it's just a suggestion.

Well, I have a tendency to be a bit of a rambler, so I suppose I'll leave it at that. Not sure if I was able to say anything that might help or not, but I certainly wish you all the best! =)

Stacey

When you do something for someone else, you create meaning in your own life as well as theirs. What you give you get to keep. What you fail to give you lose forever.

Stacey When you do something for someone else, you create meaning in your own life as well as theirs. What you give you get to keep. What you fail to give you lose forever.