Anxiety and Depression meds?

17 years 3 months ago #2619 by amy
Replied by amy on topic Anxiety and Depression meds?
Hi Vin

I am 26 years old with a ta grade 2. I received the diagnosis two weeks after I had my son. The stress from the birth, then the surgery, then the diagnosis, and then another surgery was to much to bare. Every ache I felt I invisioned cancer spreading through my body. I was plagued with negative thoughts and depression. I became so afraid of life and experiences and I had a somewhat nervous breakdown. I saw a psychiatrist and started on Zoloft. I have also been working in the anxiety and phobia workbook and seeing a psychologist once a week. Now, I have my life back. I am smiling and laughing and enjoying my precious children and wonderful husband. Hang in there. Go to counceling and get some medication if you need it! It helped me get my life back. How is your wife holding up in the mist of this?

Alyssa

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

17 years 3 months ago #2603 by Mike
Replied by Mike on topic Anxiety and Depression meds?
Hi,

if the book is any good it will be real difficult to buy second hand ;D

Regards,
Greg L-W.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

17 years 3 months ago #2601 by Mike
Replied by Mike on topic Anxiety and Depression meds?

I wanted to also mention that my treatment for panic attacks and depression was not only handled by popping a pill. I also sought counseling. WOW! Do I have some stories I could tell about that experience. Someday when I have time would you like to hear about the therapist who never showed up to the office for the appointments or the one who burped constantly during our sessions?

Seriously though--if you can find a good match it is a big help. Also either your employer or health insurance may have services that you can take advantage of. A new cancer diagnosis is a HUGE life stresser.

Did you get the book by the way? I got mine yesterday and have been thumbing thru it. It's written in plain english.....so far so good.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

17 years 3 months ago #2583 by pweization
Replied by pweization on topic Anxiety and Depression meds?
Thanks Guys,
It looks like I'll probably me taking something soon. More for anxiety than anything else. I'll be judging it's affectiveness by ability to smile or laugh. If that doesn't improve then I'll try something else.

34 yr old male
diagnosed 10/13/06
T1G3 CIS

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

17 years 3 months ago #2581 by Mike
Replied by Mike on topic Anxiety and Depression meds?
"toughen up and get a hold of yourself!" But I've just never experienced such an ovewhelming loss of control before..

Oh those words are so familiar.  I used to be so mad at myself and do a self bashing session everyday......I would say in mind "This is so stupid.  Just get in the car and drive!  What are you an idiot?  How hard is it to get a grip?".....I wasn't hard..........it was impossible.

I know someone who did get off of Paxil and it was a tough road as Wendy described.  The drug companies insist that their medications are not addictive but I disagree.  They are not addictive in the "craving sense" but they are addictive in the features they exhibit when trying to stop taking them and have all of these whacky internal symptoms.

I could not concentrate on anything.  I couldn't sit down and write a check to pay a bill.  It was too overwhelming.

For people who have not had a real depression response it is almost impossible to comprehend.  
I have also talked to others who have tried to get off of their anti depressants and they had simliar internal effects as I explained earlier.  It's a personal decision.  I hope I have helped you in some way.  It is sometimes a Taboo subject to admit that you take anti depressants but I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't taken something.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

17 years 3 months ago #2580 by wendy
Replied by wendy on topic Anxiety and Depression meds?
I see you've received some good responses. I have some experience with antidepressants, used them for five years. I'd started out on Prozac and it helped me out of a terrible deep pit. Just in time to get diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt it really helped me have the courage because I did what I had to do in spite of {{{{phobias}}},esp. needles. I'd avoided medical treatment my whole life.

I did some research that connected Prozac to cancer in mice and small mammals. I'd read about a new drug Effexor, that helped BC patients with hot flashes from the tx's and from induced early menopause (i was 43). So I switched. I had to keep raising the dose.

I didn't know Effexor was impossible to come off of. And in all my searches I never found info saying you couldn't quit the drug...but after stopping (because I wasn't depressed anymore) I was a complete basket case for a couple of months and then stayed sick physically for a total of EIGHT MONTHS of my life! I had an extended bad case of the flu, only wasn't sick. I was virtually house bound.

The first day I stopped, I didn't have a nightmare for the first time in many years. I had thought I was insane and sought therapy for those nightmares! But now I know that they were side effects. When I remember how I suffered...poor me! Also chronic constipation. I thought that was a side effect of the drugs I had to take for 5 yrs. But it was the Effexor all along.

I don't think the average person can spare 6 months or more of their life just to stop taking a drug. I think most people have to stay on them for life and are treating symptoms and side effects.

That all being said, I'm glad I got myself out of the deep pit. The Prozac helped. I just don't like some of the research. And from what I've read, Effexor is a last ditch drug for those who have tried everything else.

Paxil is also terribly hard to stop. Prozac is said to be the easiest to stop, and it's given to help people get off Effexor, Welbutrin, Celexa and others.

Paxil has research connecting it to breast cancer.

The best site on the web, with forum, is crazymeds.org

Whatever you decide, there are ways to use the stuff wisely and get real help. Just know what you might, or might not be in for.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Cynthiaeddieksara.anne