Changing antidepressants

thank you! If it is withdrawl how long do you think it will last?

Maybe a few weeks? Gradually you will feel better. I lost my appetite which was the worst for me.Gradually it all came back.....It's too slow of a process for us but eventually you WILL be better.

Keep in touch with us & let us know how you are getting along.

Hello Barbara

Yes I agree I also couldnt eat it was just awful, I lost 2.5 stone, and I couldnt sleep either, but I seem to be better from that after almost six weeks and hardly eating anything, the side effects were just awful.

I am just past 9 weeks feeling much better, but lost my confidence in going out, we use to enjoy going out for a meal, but I havent got that up and go back yet

sorry it went to fast.

How long did it take you before you felt completly better, its a long hard journey, its taken me 9 weeks and I feel I am not there yet.

I would not have changed from one drug to another, these drugs take time and are different for everyone, you have to give them time sometimes weeks sometimes months.

I just dont understand why Doctors jump from one drug to another, just increasing the dose I had all the side effects again and that was bad enough, I think they all do the same job at the end of the day, but it takes time and a lot of suffering.X

Shadow, glad you are feeling better. You will get that back-you will. I did. All of the weight I lost???? I gained it back & then some!

I would say it took me about 12 long weeks to really start feeling like myself again.

Oh thank you Barbara thats so kind.

I will give it a bit longer to feel like I did before, I am just past 9 weeks, just havent got my confidence back to go out, I feel I have lost a bit of interest in the outside world, I havent been far in 9 weeks maybe just a ride in the car with my Husband to post office, this time of year doesnt help much either.

To be honest I needed to shed some weight, so only very small portions now, I dont want to put it back on.

Its nice to talk with someone who has been through this, its a long journey.

Yes---LONG journey. We want things fast. I wanted to feel better right away. Too much to do. I couldn't do anything. But that's in the past now. And yes, this weather & time of year doesn't help either.

I am in the US. Are you?

No I am in the UK England, but I have relatives in the US, in California and Las Vegas.

Yes I think its sole destroying when you have depression, I had the terrible low mood, and like a black cloud hanging over me, it was horrible, I am going to stay on a low dose for ever, I only came off the fluoxetine two years ago, I had been on them for years, but my Doctor wanted me to ween off them, it was the worst thing I ever done, I had some health issues and I struggled to deal with them, and it pushed me over the edge.

I would like to keep in touch, I am 77.X

the shaky flu like symptoms is deffinently what I felt

my husband always said to stay on it formy daughters sake and I did

then I thought I would slow get off to see if i could live with out it. Then I thought stay on for my husband sack

butI really need it for my self

to give me light from the depression

p.s.

at one time i tried Effexor

i dont remember why i didnt stay with it but doing some research it seems like it might be what I need

but I am going to wait tell;I see a new Dr. the end of this month to really get evaluated

Hello

I think its a good idea to stay on these drugs even if its a low dose once you feel better.

Effexor is a SNRI its a older type of drug for depression, SSRI are used more now, like fluoxetine, they have less side effects.

Yes I also felt shaky with one minute very hot and the next minute I was ok, I felt very hot in bed, I wasnt able to sleep and no appetite, and a dreadful low mood feeling, but I am getting there now, buts its been a slow journey.

When I am 100% I intend staying on the fluoxetine.

Are you better now?

My mother struggled with depression for the first time in her life at age 75. She had to try many different meds before finding the right one. She is actually on fluoxetine. Her psychiatrist actually gave her something to help her mood and motivation while waiting for the fluox to kick in. I will find out the name for you… Maybe you can look into it. It really helped her.

I took your advice and went back on 10 mg of fluoxetine. I woke up feeling better. I think you were right… Too soon to change drugs. I hope that all turns out well for you soon. It is so comforting to come on to this forum. Thank you for all of your input and stay in touch.

Hi Shadow! I am 61.If I have to stay on Fluoxetine & Alprazolam (xanax) the rest of my life, who cares!!!?? I have isssues with Anxiety & the xanax helps me with that. I will never change meds again.

And California & Las Vegas, Nevada are beautiful! But I've never been to either, maybe someday when I retire. Still working full time.

Sister--stay on them! If they help you, why get off of them? Even though that's exactly what i did... thought I could be med free. Biggest mistake of my life because getting back on a second time was rough to say the least.

Be well...and keep in touch with us.

Hi Stephanie

Yes you will get better its best to stick it out, you can slowly increase the fluoxetine now, until you are on a stronger dose, but do it gradually, even after 9 weeks I still get down days when I dont feel so good, but will persevere.

It would be nice to know what your Mum had to take along side fluoxetine, how long did your Mum take to get better and feel herself again, its the most horrible feeling that anyone can get depression, especially the low mood.

Your Mum is just a few years younger than me, I had some health issues and it tipped me over the edge.

Have you got your appetite back and can you sleep ok, the low mood no appetite and no sleep was the worst.

Did your Mum get the awful side effects, that takes some sticking.

Yes I will certainly keep in touch, keep me up to date on your progress X

Hi Barbara

I agree I am to old to have to worry about what drugs I take, I was always happy and didnt worry while I was on the drug, but then I went down with a bang, and recovery takes so long, there is no easy road to get better fast, I only take fluoxetine 40m I asked my GP if I could have something to help me in the first weeks, but he said no, because I take 10m of amitriptylin for ankle pain he said that would help, but nothing helped me for many weeks, even now Instill get some down days, the drug hasnt fully kicked in yet.

No I havent been to California or Las Vegas although we have been invited, my Granddaughter has been and stayed with them, but its to long a flight for me.X

Wow! I am on amitriptylin also! For nerve pain. I have to have surgery soon-a spinal fusion. I'm terrified.

Sorry Barbara I was meaning to reply yesterday.

Anyhow I had qtwo spinal fusions about 20 years ago, I was in hospital for ten days, at first I was on a morphine drip, but after a few days it was removed, the worst thing for me was the first time out of bed, it was painful trying to stand up straight, but after a while I was having supervised showers, the surgeon took bone from a place near the hip and it was grafted in between, he said my back wasnt strong enough to put screws in, anyhow it stopped the dreadful leg pain, but he told me I would continue to have back ache and I do if I stand to long, and I cant walk far.

The strange thing is I keep getting bursitis in that hip and had to have injections in it.the last time in June when I had bursitis it was agony and my thigh went numb, I couldnt walk at all.

My back would go into a spasm and I couldnt move, until the spasm stopped it was frightening.

I wish you all the luck if you have it done, its your body you have to decide on whats best for you.