Author Topic: Antidepressants - Good or bad  (Read 6649 times)

Hopalong

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #15 on: May 21, 2007, 05:01:22 PM »
hi Izz,
I take gabapentin (Neurontin) for nerve pain and it helps a lot.
I did notice mild double vision but it's not too bad (I only take it at night anyway).

I don't know how it compares with Lyrica?

Hops
"That'll do, pig, that'll do."

poetprose

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2007, 05:44:27 PM »
>>Not sure if this all makes sense but I feel drug companies are not to be trusted at all and doctors only prescribe what they are told to, sometimes from the drug companies themselves!
What do you all think?<<<<

I forgot to mention that, how do we know that we are getting acurate information on the side effects of these meds? , the drug companies want to sell their drug - it is a buisness, so is it not plausable to asume that they don't tell us all of the negative side effects,lest it effect their sales

maybe they just tell us what we need to hear to keep buying it

gratitude28

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2007, 07:21:04 PM »
Hi James,
My family has a huge history of depression. I also had thyroid disease, which really sent me plunging. I was depressed throughout high school and college - sometimes severely. As an adult, I at last had a doctor who recognized that I needed an AD. I was beyond anxious and hardly enjoying anything in my life - including my two adorable children. I have been on AD for 4 years and have stabilized. I still have some moods, but overall, I feel like a human being. I am not sure I need them as much as before. I take a low dose.l But I don't want to go back. I may try to go off sometime, but I am happy where I am now.
Also, my N mother is on ADs. She improved with them too, I believe. At least she is somewhat more pleasant. Unfortunately, her doctor felt she just needed the medication and not therapy... alas... shall I forever be the only person who realizes she is a malignant N???????
Love, Beth
"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable." Douglas Adams

Brigid

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #18 on: May 21, 2007, 07:56:43 PM »
Hurt,

Quote
Do you feel its better to use an AntiD over say a drink at night?

James is correct when he says that alcohol is a depressant, so it is not the answer to depression.  Actually, the result of using alcohol will not be anything close to taking AD's.  The AD's work on neuro-transmitters in the brain (or some such thing like that), to theoretically improve your mood.  Alcohol will just work in the short term and have no long term effects.  Ad's need to build up in your system and will actually have very little effect at all for at least 2 weeks.

There is no guarantee that you will get "hooked" on them, or gain weight.  I would talk to a psych (not your T unless he or she is an MD), and get more information.

Brigid

James73

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #19 on: May 21, 2007, 08:03:43 PM »
You definately need to shop about I think when drugs are concerned but there seems to be a lot of drugs out there that can cause more harm than good, there was a thing in the UK about prosac causing suicide in teenagers, the bbc I think dug deeper and found that this was a known risk but the managers pushed ahead anyway as the drug company's shareholders needed their dividends, what would they do without them...  :roll:  :?

(((HURT)))) Do some googling on the type of AD you may take and see what everyone has to say about it, google groups search is also a good idea, you will find negative stuff about all drugs though but you will find that some drugs get a bigger thumbs down than others. You'd look at a cars performance etc before buying it so its a good idea to do the same for drugs, all have draw backs but some are worse than others.


James73

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #20 on: May 24, 2007, 12:07:50 PM »
Hey Ami, failure I think is in the eye of the beholder and only an uncaring N would really look at someone and call them a loser or a failure, who are they to judge anyone!? No one knows what anyone has been through let alone some cowardly idiot N who is too scared to look in the mirror . You are no failure Ami and I think you know this as I did when I also looked at my life just some months ago and thought my lord what a loser I am. This issue of failure is something to be dealt with day by day. As we find ourselves and detach the N influences we become stronger more motivated and our minds become sharp once more. This process has taken me a surprisingly short time since I learnt about N's, challenged hard truths about myself and others and started rebuilding myself brick by brick and day by day, setting boundaries expunging and mentally rewiring negative thought processes etc etc, all I might add with the help of this board and the wonderful people and information found on it.

I have never thought about connecting failure with unhappiness before although the two are obviously intrinsicly linked. To be unhappy definately doesnt mean to be a failure, in fact I feel to be unhappy and to accept that you are unhappy is a powerful and important step in the fight against the real losers/failures and that is the N's as they are the biggest spiritual losers of them all. So to be unhappy and to accept and know you are unhappy is in fact a great success  :D

I hope you can find your way to happiness soon Ami
Big hugs
James

reallyME

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #21 on: May 24, 2007, 02:45:04 PM »
Let me tell you my view and experience on this topic.

Recently, about 2 weeks ago, I took my last dose of Lexapro.  I had been on it for about 4 months or more (can't recall)...Lexapro helped stabilize what I believed were mood swings, however, it also steadily caused me to be depressed and feel very isolated inside in my mind.

Since getting off it, I've been having the brain shocks, zaps, shudders.  I know what MOTHERLESS means exactly!  It's like every 10 min, someone takes your glasses on your face and gives them a fast shake, so that everything looks really distorted and you feel dizzy.  As far as the feeling of having my head yanked back...I've had that too, but no pain connected with it...it just stops me in my tracks till I can see straight again.

Antidepressants are a better alternative for some people rather than living with insane behavior that hurts themselves and others.  For some, antidepressants can lower unfounded inhibitions, allowing them to live fuller lives, without paranoia and reasoning themselves out of every good thing that tries to come along.

I have done a lot of research on myself and the roots of my struggles.  My therapist and I came to the conclusion that my insights are wise and that I will benefit from having a psychologist to talk to, rather than meds.  Personally, I believe the meds did what they were meant to do in my brain.  They got me back to a stable position in life.  After my last failed friendship, I had PTSD which was mistakenly diagnosed as Bipolar and Depression. 

As time has gone on, I've come to see that my issues have been situational, rather than biological.  It's OK TO DO THE RESEARCH, friends!  Learn about yourself, your past, your triggers, and even about other people and why they do what they do.

I'm glad I did this.  I've recently decided not to give up on my dream of being a counselor.  Today I signed up for Spanish and Math to work toward my Associates Degree and will be transferring at some point as the Lord leads my life in that direction.

~Laura

Hopalong

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #22 on: May 24, 2007, 04:45:21 PM »
Quote
I've recently decided not to give up on my dream


Bravo, RM!

 :)
Hops
"That'll do, pig, that'll do."

Overcomer

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #23 on: May 24, 2007, 08:56:45 PM »
You know, I went to doc who prescribes natural hormone replacement and every time I was there I would complain about mom and the last time she told me I had huge negative energy and seemed to always be stressed.  She was the one who finally said maybe the Lexapro Might take the edge off.  She also had been treating me for my excess weight and said the lap band may be a good thing considering I am nearing diabetes etc.  She didnt think I would qualify but with the recent gain I do.
Kelly

"The Best Way Out is Through........and try laughing at yourself"

Overcomer

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #24 on: May 24, 2007, 09:01:40 PM »
Hi Laura where have you been?  Have not seen many posts by you lately!
Kelly

"The Best Way Out is Through........and try laughing at yourself"

Overcomer

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #25 on: May 24, 2007, 10:53:53 PM »
Ami:  What I have come to is that I continue to feel the freedom from my mom-however I think I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder and almost dare my mom or anyone else to cross me.  I was controlled and manipulated so long that I have my guard up-no one messes with me.  I hope to be less abrasive as I walk through my recovery.
Kelly

"The Best Way Out is Through........and try laughing at yourself"

reallyME

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #26 on: May 26, 2007, 01:45:57 AM »
Overcomer,

I've been gradually posting again.  Was without computer/phone for about 2 weeks, so I couldn't really spend time posting anything.  Other than that, I'm busy selling from my concessions trailer daily.  Getting ready to head back to school to pursue my dream now.

~Laura

Overcomer

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #27 on: May 26, 2007, 10:02:23 AM »
Well good to see you!  I have been missing several people  who really give me good advise.  I think it is wonderful that wor are going back to school!
Kelly

"The Best Way Out is Through........and try laughing at yourself"

reallyME

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #28 on: May 26, 2007, 10:08:12 AM »
Overcomer,

Were you including me as someone who gave you good advice in the past?  If so, what sort of advice did I give? lol

~Laura

Overcomer

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Re: Antidepressants - Good or bad
« Reply #29 on: May 26, 2007, 10:40:32 AM »
Well lets just call it a sympathetic ear.  It is good to get things off your chest and it is nice when you and others give opinions-but so many have not been posting!  I have enjoyed my new friend Ami-She seems to have similar issues with an n mom-only she is skinny and I am chubby!
Kelly

"The Best Way Out is Through........and try laughing at yourself"