Antidepressants - side effects

[Penny1234]

Hi

I was hoping you could share with me personal experiences on Antidepressants. Things like side effects and how effective etc.

I know everyone is different but I’m really susceptible to change in my body and I’m worried. I suppose it can’t get any worse for me atm.

I’m not looking for a definitive answer, I just want to hear about your experiences.

Thanks

[Vrt14]

I have been taking Effexor for about 5 years. It helps with my anxiety. But it messed up my sleep really bad. Usually you have to take more than one medication at a time. I was taking Remeron too. It helped me sleep but makes me constantly hungry so I had to stop. Now I'm not sleeping again. When I feel like I can't go with sleep deprivation anymore, I take an ativan and I sleep. But have to be careful to not take too many benzos because they're addictive. Sorry I wish I had a better story to tell you...

[blackcat64013 in reply to Vrt14]

I hear you! The sleep deprivation is definitely a gamebreaker but treatable.

I have a doctor who trusts me to take a short course of benzos when I am desperate for sleep due to my anxiety rather than drug side effects. I just have to let him know when I take them.

[blackcat64013]

Hi Penny1234,

You make a good point about individual chemistry differences in bodies.

From my experience, antidepressants were the missing link in my treatment plan to restore mental and physical wellbeing. I was doing a lot of talking therapy and self help techniques.

My side effects are a dry mouth, flushing and headaches, annoying but manageable.

An excellent list drug induced side effects by category is available in the link below.

The list is broken down into categories, covering the various areas of the body, such as the nervous system, lymph system, emotional and mental symptoms and so forth. These categories will make it easier for you to find the part of the body or system that you are interested in, or want to know more about.

theroadback.org/sideeffects...

The same site actually helps you work back from taking the drugs to withdrawal under medical supervision, of course

[Livetotravel]

I have tried several anti-depressants and now seem to have found one that works for me, but I still live in fear of the depression and anxiety returning. It can be a long process but I'm glad I took the first step and went to the GP.

The side effects are annoying, but feeling well is more than worth it.

[Penny1234 in reply to Livetotravel]

That’s exactly where I’m at. I’ve been reading up on side effects a lot but most of them, apart from nausia, I have anyway so it seems to have nothing to lose by trying.

X

[Sprinkle1]

My Dr. asked me when I was in the middle of a bad depression/anxiety, if she could do a test on me called genesense, I agreed, the inside of my mouth was swabbed, sent to the lab. a few days later the results came back, it listed 2 antidepressants that were suitable for me. We had a fight with the Ins. Co. they would not pay for it. So with my pharmacists help he found the best price he could, and I pay out of pocket. I have been on this over a month now and had no side effects. You might ask your Dr. about the test. I wish you well, as I find it is bad enough to have our illness and suffer side effects from the med's. I send you good luck with your quest, and be side effects free like I am. I am also on anti anxiety med's and they give me no problem. Take all good care. Sending Love and Peace. Sprinkle 1 xxx