Antidepressants 👎

Hi this is my first post here. Was just wondering if anyone can’t tolerate the side effects from antidepressants? I’ve had bouts of depression for 28 years. In my 20s I tried lots but couldn’t get on with any. The longest I stayed on one was Prozac for maybe 6 months but they made me emotionless and apathetic. Since then I’ve just allowed myself time, rest and self care to get me through dark periods but have always felt pressured to go on meds by health professionals and work - their view is my refusal is me not wanting to get better. So now I’ve tried mirtazapine and duloxetine this time to show willing but the side effects were unbearable. I’m currently in bed after taking duloxetine last night, had severe diarrhoea, nausea, head feels like it’s been put in a clamp, sleeping on and off, dizzy, feels like I’ve been poisoned. The drs and mental health services say I don’t give myself enough time to allow the side effects to wear off but they’re not mild, they’re debilitating and nasty and make my anxiety worse. I am now going to be assertive and tell them I’m not taking anymore, I’d rather be depressed and anxious than deal with these horrible symptoms. Thanks for reading xx

[gajh]

I am so sorry that you are suffering through this. I have been on meds for so long that I don't even have a clue if they are causing side effects. I don't know if Prozac is causing some of the depressive symptoms or not. I just don't feel like I am stable enough to wean off and see. I am glad that you are going to be assertive. You shouldn't have to suffer like this. Yes it would be wonderful if meds would help you, but you can't live with those kinds of side effects. Here you can connect to people who are on meds, weaning off of meds, never been on meds. Someone here can relate to what you are going through. I just want to offer my support and welcome you here. I am hoping that you will get many more replies.

[Hidden in reply to gajh]

Hi gajh thanks for your support and care. I’m sorry too that you’re getting depressive symptoms despite your meds. I hope you feel more stable soon

[BlueAgave]

Sorry you're having troubles with medication. Unfortunately I've been on so many different meds in my life because eventually they don't work anymore. They have given me some relief, but on that note I'm going to be on them for life. Be assertive with your providers, advocate for yourself and maybe try some good therapy. There are many who can get through this without medications. I wish you the best!

[Hidden in reply to BlueAgave]

Many thanks BlueAgave. Yes, I’ve gotten through tough times myself so many times with rest and self care, I guess I feel we’re not allowed to go at our own pace due to societal pressures but in reality encouraging meds slows me down personally. I started counselling last week so hopefully that helps x

[fauxartist]

At my age, no sex drive, and all the other side effects of my SSRI I already have from menopause, and now with Long Covid added to the mix...the SSRI benefits are helpful, but if I was younger and in a relationship and working on a career where brain fog wouldn't be helpful....it would be tough dealing with the side effects.

[bethelbee]

I was on meds for decades. Some worked great with minimal to no side effects, some didn't work, and some gave me intolerable side effects. I was on Prozac for about 10 years, starting shortly after it came out in the late 80's and for me it was a 'miracle' drug. I had minimal no side effects with it. After it stopped working I was on Celexa for about the same amount of time til it, too, stopped working. For many years it was hit or miss. A few years ago nothing I tried worked and was deemed treatment resistant to meds. Luckily my therapist recommended TMS(transcranial magnetic stimulation) and it changed my life. It's a noninvasive, non drug treatment that uses magnetic pulses on a part of the brain to reduce/eliminate depressive symptoms. My last round, over a year and a half ago is still working. Other alternative treatment options are ECT and ketamine neither of which I would personally try due to high risk of memory loss with ECT, and ketamine is risky if you have other health issues . Hope you are able to find the right treatment option for you!!

[Hidden in reply to bethelbee]

Thanks for sharing your experience bethelbee and for your well wishes x

[Sailingtoabetterday]

If SSRIs worked for you (or SNRI,s). You wouldn’t be her asking these questions. Obviously they don’t. I had/—have major depression for 5 years- first two years I was suicidal and they kept trying ssri’s. I had an internationally renowned pre-Madonna psychiatrist. I tried ketamine, you name it. Nothing worked. Finally about 2 years ago I switched to a young Pyhsicians assistant who did emergency room psych treatment. He looked at my record and said WTF? You have been beating a dead horse. He suspected I needed to try something totally different. He put me in Lamictal. There was finally a light at the end of the tunnel within the week. An NO side effects!!! No weight gain, no lack of orgasms, no psychosis starting. After 6 months of continuous steady improvement, I started to said depressed in the past tense. Now I’m not saying Lamictal is some miracle drug- but it was for me! You are not on the right meds. I’d try Lamictal-it’s worth a shot. I just tapered off a month ago and I’m doing well, med free. But I know I can go back if I need to someday. Lamictal is especially helpful if you ruminate. It turns off the noise and anxiety. Keep me posted, but don’t let the doctors tell you that you aren’t trying enough. Tell them to try harder and think outside the box.

[Hidden in reply to Sailingtoabetterday]

Thank you, it’s great to read your experience. That’s not a medication I’ve heard of so will look it up

[Hidden in reply to Sailingtoabetterday]

totally second the sentiments. lamitical has helped me also. keep trying. keep battling. so many of us will have different success in getting help with symptons and also adverse side affects. i was completely ignorant in this mental health world especially after recently joining here and reading these experienced souls.

for 27 years waaay to passive. for 45 years clueless!

not anymore

[Nothing_but_books]

It's your choice, not anyone else's, if you take medication.

That said, you may be medication sensitive. If you choose to try again, the solution is to have a psychiatrist go over a list of every antidepressant you've taken, including dosage and your reactions. Do not have a general doctor do this. Make sure you are started on the lowest dose available, maybe even ask if you can cut those pills in half. Some side effects will go away over time. Some will not. Your reaction is unique to you.

[Trainchaser]

Your the Captian of your ship. Take it where you feel you need to go. Over the years been lucky with minimal side effects. Hope today you are feeling better Rick