I have had major medical problems lately and lots of stress (for many years). My dr suggested I try an antidepressant- cymbalta. It was actually suggested last June, but I declined then. THe way she presented it yesterday sounded promising though. I took the first one last night- and after 30 min I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders! It was truly amazing. The only problem is I did have some insomnia. We'll see how I handle it.... She told me it was really a good drug for people who are physicalizing their stress.

By Emily7 on Friday, November 5, 2004 - 07:04 pm:

http://www.cymbalta.com/index.jsp

I have not taken that antidepressent, but I found this web address for you.
One thing to remember is that it takes a while for the drug to get in your system to work & to not stop taking it without your doctors knowledge.
Good luck to you.

By Eve on Friday, November 5, 2004 - 08:07 pm:

I started taking an antidepressant a month ago, and I feel so much better! I feel "normal" and not hyped up or high. Initially it was a relief for me, because I could think clearly, I could focus enough to read and have a conversation. (And be a part of the conversation) My DH says he notices a HUGE difference, and I can say I do too. It's been a life saver for me!! Good luck! Email me if you want to talk.

Oh, I had some side effects at first, but they are all pretty much gone. I don't have the same appetite and sometimes completely forget to eat. I've started back into a routine and make myself eat breakfast. I even lost a few pounds. I'm not complaining though.

By Annie2 on Friday, November 5, 2004 - 09:30 pm:

Eve, I was taking Zoloft a while back for PMS. I didn't notice too much of a change but dh did. I am thinking anout taking it again. What are you taking? If you don't mind me asking.
Glad to hear your feeling better!

By Bea on Friday, November 5, 2004 - 10:29 pm:

I'm a Prozac groupie. I used it to help me when I had my major breakdown ten years ago, and use it now for a sleep aid in fighting fibromyalgia. It's literally been a life saver for me.

By Cocoabutter on Saturday, November 6, 2004 - 01:30 am:

I don't take anti depressants nor do I suffer from depression. But, I had a close friend who did. She dealt with her depression after the deaths of 3 of her immediate family members together in a car accident (12 years ago) with anti depressants, food, and sleep until she weighed 565 pounds and had become immobile, a condition which caused many more problems for her, both physically and emotionally, and for her family.

What I am saying is that what she really needed was a good therapist. I don't have a crystal ball,but I can bet with all my savings that she would not have inflicted the abuse on herself or her dh and dks had she gotten help.

Drugs may work short term, but life will always be difficult. A good therapist can give a patient the tools he or she will use to deal with the low balls life throws at us without resorting to drugs, or other addictions.

I know this sounds hard hearted, but I have seen first hand what depression can do to a person when it is not really dealt with.

By Kristie on Saturday, November 6, 2004 - 02:17 am:

While I agree somewhat with Lisa I disagree that when some one is depressed that a antidepressent alone dosen't help long term. I was on an antidepressent that slowed my thinking a little to where I could see things clearer. I was on it for 6 months and then slowly weaned off of it. I only saw my Dr. not a shrink. After seeing things clearer for that long I had my head on straight again and didn't need the pill any more. Don't get me wrong, I still have nervous breakdowns around the Hollidays and July thinking about what might have been if I hadn't miscarried our son but I think that is normal and the help of friends and family are all I need. I guess what it is takeing me forever to say is not everyone who has some depression needs a shrink.
Good luck ((((((anon))))))) I have never heard of that pill but I hope it helps you.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, November 6, 2004 - 05:44 am:

Dear Anon - I am so pleased this medication helped you so quickly, but as others above say, anti-depressants take a while to work with your metabolism and you may see some changes. This is just to say keep an "eye" on how your mind and body are working and call your doctor if anything comes up which causes any concern. For example, while insomnia is often a normal side effect of some anti-depressants, be sure to tell your doctor about it.

I would also urge you to consider counseling to help you find ways to manage some of the stresses in your life so that they don't depress you. Certainly stress from ill health and other issues can cause depression and that kind of depression is "normal" - not to say that metabolic depression (which is what my son has) is not normal, but somehow stress depression seems more understandable to most. But counseling can help you change the way you deal with stressors, which is what is happening with my son now. He has been on medications for years but now he and his psychologist are finally getting into some of the stuff he has kept buried in his mental closet and avoided dealing with for years, and I can see that he is handling some of the stresses in his life much better recently.

I do think anti-depressants can help long-term (and short-term, which is how I have used them). But I firmly believe that counseling is very important, especially for long-term issues which often have deep-rooted causes other than the immediate stressors.

By Anonymous on Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 09:06 am:

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I have been in therapy before- for other issues- mostly when I'm trying to figure something out or having conflict with my mother. Last spring, a dr told me I had chronic stress. I also have fibromyalgia and a child with lots of medical and behavioral issues. I've dealt with miscarriages, infertility, and family issues for the past 8 years. My other child was just disagnosed with asthma too. In the words of one of my good friends, we just can't get a break. The way my dr worded it is that the medication won't change the stress in my life, but it will help me process it better. Right now, that's what I need. Most of the stresses are things that can't be changed- or managed. They are just the way it is. There is not much that can be done about that stuff- at least for now. BUT I have to be available to my family to help us get through this stuff. Before, when I was exhausted, cranky and forgetting things I wasn't much help. And then I would beat myself up about that too.

Anyhow, like I said, I am not against therapy, but right now that would actually be a stressor because I would have to find daycare (and no one will watch my kids because they are so difficult to deal with) and 2 hours in my week to go.

My insomnia is getting better. I have been a bit edgy too (physically- not emotionally) but emotionally I've been feeling great still.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 09:16 am:

Anon, I take Paxil, which is often prescribed for depression, but I take it for panic attacks. Despite the hype about it's horrible side effects and how hard it is to come off of it, I have had NO side effects from it. I'm not depressed - and I know what depression feels like, BTDT years ago, but the Paxil helps me immensely and controls the panic attacks.

There is nothing shameful about needing an anti-depressant. Obviously if you are truly depressed, counseling/therapy would be a positive choice in resolving the issues that are causing your depression. But everything happens in its own time.

I'm never heard of the one you are presently taking, but I just wanted to say that there are many others available if that one ends up not working for you. If you find it's not doing the job, don't hesitate to speak to your doctor about it and try another one.

Good luck!!!

By Eight_Kids on Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 10:24 am:

I just went on celexa about a month ago...had my re-check on Friday. She's doubling my dosage!! But I absolutely love it!! It is so much better than dealing with what I was dealing with (in my own head) before I went on it! Hope it all works out for you!

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, November 7, 2004 - 02:50 pm:

One thing - be sure to consult with your doctor at any time you are thinking about changing your dosage or medication. Dosage in anti-depressants is a very serious issue, including cutting the dosage, and should only be done with medical supervision.

I am really glad it is helping you. Certainly you have a stressful life, and anything that can help is good.

By Eve on Monday, November 8, 2004 - 10:07 am:

Anon., You sound like you made a good choice in your situation. I can relate to everything you are saying! You are so right, it doesn't take any stress out of your life, it just makes it a little easier. It sounds like you are feeling much better, and I'm glad.

BTW-I am very pro-counseling! I think medication should always be a last resort. Counseling is wonderful, but if you can't get out of bed and you can't function and think clearly, counseling isn't going to do you any good. You have to be able to get up and get to counseling for it to work.

By ctypfuq@lycos.com on Saturday, May 6, 2006 - 03:49 am:

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