Can anyone recommend a good anti-depressant for Parkinsons ?? THX

[3willy]

[etterus]

From my experience, NO. Everybody is different. I've tried them all and not found success. The evidence is the pre SSRI's might be best... welbutrin and trazadone are possibilities. At least that's what the research I've heard says.

[Hidden]

Always, always ask your Dr. It can depend on what other meds you are taking and you have to be careful what you mix together!

[Bitbit]

My neurologist stopped my Prozac and tapered up Zoloft. My mom with advanced pd has had good luck with Zoloft too. Supposedly it is milder than some other saris. Not a miracle by any means, but helps many and ok with azilect. Ask your doc, it is usually trial and error. It will take a month to really kick in. The depression still hits me hard some times, but nothing like before.

[Jeansm in reply to Bitbit]

Do you know why there was a need to change from Prozac to Zoloft?

[bmakla54]

The best anti-depressant I have ever experienced is the controversial Low dose Naltrexone. While taking it you are constantly upping your production of endorpins......and it is great for your immune system and I know it has halted my Parkinson's progression.....the only problem is it is not FDA approved at low doses and you must find a physician to prescribe it.

[Hidden]

Well to be honest I have never taken any. I suspect my personality type has a huge amount to do with this, you know the annoyingly cheerful in the face of fire balls, dragons and a tornado. But I do understand what it is to feel a consuming blanket of darkness start to shroud you. I do as much as I can to avert it. If I sense the cloud I start to pick up tempo, put louder funkier music on, turn my attention towards being creative, ditch the chores. Speak to more people especially those who are motivated and fun. Try and focus on things you are good at, and do something you haven't got ages! Today I'm going to see how long I can keep up speaking like Penelope Pitstop 'heaaaaaaaaulp'

Hope you have a better day!

Kindest

HH

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

this is not a pull your boots up post, but depression can be tackled on many levels

[Alipre in reply to Hidden]

Was just starting to enter into a wee self pity moment - read your post. Music is now on full blast and I'm getting ready to go out and hit the world in the face with a smile! Thankyou

[christinemc]

Hello, I have tried out several anti-depressants since my diagnosis, and the only one that seems to work is Fluoxetine. Others I have tried have all either not worked or I have had a reaction to. Your doctor will be the best person to discuss this with. Good luck, depression can be hell at times xx

[Hidden]

Please try to combat your depression by other means if possible.

[hilarypeta]

you wontneed anti depresssants if you see a good nutritionist-avoid caffeine; alchohol, sugar. Take omega 3 organic supplements- krills the best; vit c magnesium andget plenty of B vits in diet,sunshine minimum 20 mins a day. exercise several times a day; smile and laugh even if you dont feel like it; say positive affirmations- talk to yourself kindly, lots of praise; It works for me;

[Karen3]

I take Citalopram (paxil) but I started taking it because of depression resulting from a divorce. I have taken it for 17 years (40 mg once a day) It has worked for me from the beginning. I do not think you can take it with azilect.. I was diagnosed with PD in 2000.

[soup]

Depression is not your 'fault' so don't go thinking it can always be cured by positive thinking and good nutrition. Everybody is different and everybody has to find their own way forward. We accept this about Parkinson's so why can't we do that about depression and other non motor symptoms?

If you come across somebody at the bottom of a deep hole in the ground it is not helpful to tell them they should have kept their eyes open, or that if they got fitter they could just jump out. Sometimes a ladder is just the job and with depression the ladder is analogous to an antidepressant. Once they've climbed out of the pit, that's the time to teach them about keeping their eyes open, staying fit, eating well and laughing. It will all help but perhaps not at the stage you are in at the moment.

Citalopram worked for my husband. He is off the antidepressants now and I can hear him outside singing and chopping wood for the fire.

See your medics for advice in consideration of the drug combination you are on. When you feel better try to make those positive changes and engage in recommended therapies if offered.

Good luck and don't accept the blame.

Sue

[Drevy]

I trying this herb called Rhodiola Rosea . You can't be on any MOA's like azilect.

foxnews.com/health/2012/03/...

[jernor]

My husband tried an antidepressant for a couple of months, without any measurable results. Physical activity and playing with the grandkids seem to alter his disposition, he is no longer called "Grumpa"! We also returned to the chiropractor, and see a physical therapist once a week, the new exercises have really helped.

[Bitbit]

I second that pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is poor advice. Depression is a brain disease that is treatable. It is different than a sad occasional mood. We wouldn't tell a diabetic to put some music on and skip the insulin. Same thing. Those who have never been hit with true depression are often stigmatized by those among us who have been blessed with the correct amount of neuro transmitters. Must be nice!

[cabbagecottage]

Long before my husband was diagnosed with Parkonsons I would OCCASIONALLY ask if he was depressed YES A LITTLE BIT ., ! BUT I AM NOT REALLY DRESSED . He knew he didn't feel quite right not why .

It will hit him in waves no sooner in than out ... If I think he is I will start singing a silly song and he will join in with me and he is out the other side

[judam9]

a lot of good advice, fluoxetine, [prozac] and trazadone, are great ! prozac got rid of my migraines which i've had all my life. just don't take everything so to heart. along with 600 mg of ibuprofin. 3 x's a day. trazadone is an excellent muscle relaxer , and helps to stop some of the cramping. i think 1 1/2 would do better. i just don't want to sleep too long. the trazadone i take before bed. good luck.

[maccatttack]

I have always found excesise the best thing for depression tai chi on you tube is helpful

[MGirardi]

Zoloft! Non other.

[export]

HOW CAN ANYONE SAY THEY WORK FOR ME , IF YOU ARE STILL TAKING THEM .

DO YOU THINK ANY WHO DEPRESSION WOULD STILL HAVE IT IN 20 YEARS.

yours EXPORT.

[soup]

If depression is one of the symptoms of Parkinson's how can you not still be prone to it after 20 years? You'll still have the tremor and slow movement and freezing. They are all a result of Parkinson's.

People with intense motor symptoms might very well benefit from a course of exercises but they are advised to choose a time when their physical symptoms are as well controlled as possible. Just the same with depression then. All the talking therapies, friuit and laughter will not work if your symptoms are out of control. Try medication and then lifestyle changes when you have the emotional energy to spare.

Keep going, breathe in and out, and get help from somebody who will listen.

Sue

[export]

soup I am not saying that PDs don't get depression . but when it come,s it also goes . I HAVE HAD IT MANY A TIME and not taken anything You fine me a PD who has been down for 10 years .

yours EXPORT.

[Pete-1 in reply to export]

Yes I have read that anti-depressants take as long to start working as it does for the depression to go on its own, more-or-less anyway.

I think the real problem with these drugs is the way they are managed by your GP, that is the need for whichever drug should be reviewed regularly and a programme to discontinue their use put in place, at the right time, so that no one is left for years and years taking them regardless of need.

[ShakeDaddy]

I have used 2 0r 3 different ones but I find that Buspar works well for me. as always check with your neuro first. Good luck!! :0))

[IamIsaid2NooneThere]

Here's my advice - firstly forget all anti-depressants, surely you don't want to scramble your brain even more with extra meds (many of these a-d's are even stronger than the parky's ones). Half the problem, I've discovered, especially in the earlier years, was that I had so much 'new' time on my hands and needed to focus and channel my energies (yes, believe it or not us Parkies do still have a few left, lol). I began light exercises; some in the garden on my "Gazelle" and some inside the house. [Particularly when 'Er-in-doors was outdoors doing shopping and such like, lol].) I did a bit of Yoga, Tai Chi and a couple of others whose names escape me just now, but these became phased out over time for various reasons.

I do painting, although I would be skinny and destitute if my income relied on my selling them.

I must have painted (I use water colours, acryllics and oils) tons of stuff, mostly seascape. Laugh, in all this time, I've only got one hanging on my wall - I don't know what happened, but I sometimes look at it and need to convince myself that I actually painted it.

One other thing I did was poetry. I'd always be jotting down snippets of rhymes on notebooks

so I decided to get my act together, joined a poem group online and write text other 'poets' (and the public) could read and give a critique and vice-versa. I'm about to get some advice on getting my poems published in a book from a "proper poet" in the group. I need a few more poems to do this though.

Lastly, if I'm feeling low (can occur whenever the choccy digestives are gone, grrr who ate the last one?), I simply get my tiny mp3, don my earphones and blast my eardrums with whatever is my favourite sound at that time. I find this nearly always works for me, but if you are trying it out for the first time, you'll have to learn hand signals to communicate with your loved one - that's if he or she can get your attention in the first place.

Now I've written all this I've realized this might be better placed in some alternate answer section - Wassat? The recycling bin? - Oh, flamin' cheek ... but yea.