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Should I go back on antidepressents ?

Posted , 2 users are following.

ellebi
ellebi

I have been on/off antidepressents for about 10 years and most recently was on Effexor Xl which didnt help my anxiety/depression in any way (made things worse :o) so I had to withdraw which was torture to say the least.

Now on Lyrica which I was put on towards the end of withdrawal and after and the dose has been raised twice, most recently to 150mg a day.

My phychiatrist now wants me to return to antidepressents as suffering really bad with depression, anxiety and panic attacks at present, this time to try a drug called Lustral.

Im over 2 months off the antidepressents now and dont know whether I should give my body to readjust or whether Im not going to get better till I go back on them.

Doc said I have a chemical imbalance and these tabs are something I need?

Im confused, need advice guys

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • oldboy
    oldboy ellebi

    Posted

    It would be helpful if you used drug names not brand names.

    Effexor is  venlafaxine (an SNRI) .   Lyrica is pregabalin (an anticonvulsant) .    Lustral is sertraline (an SSRI)

    I think after 2 months off venlafaxine your body has  got used to the status quo.  I think you need therapy for the anxiety/depression.   Some people will suggest a talking therapy.  I suggest a medication, but which?

    Sertraline acts rather like venlafaxine so may not help you.   You could try mirtazapine - as that acts differently. 

    The fact that you have been on/off antidepressants for 10 years makes you  a better judge of what to do than most people on this forum! 

      

     

     

    • ellebi
      ellebi oldboy

      Posted

      The Physchiatrict suggested mirtazapine but said it makes you really heavy which I dont want as am after gaining so much weight already :o

      I have always nearly been on ssris and they work for a certain amount of time and then stop working

    • oldboy
      oldboy ellebi

      Posted

      I am surprised you are putting on weight if you are anxious.  I found I lost weight.

      My doctor suggested mirt to me but I initially declined because I too am overweight.  However I agreed because SSRIs gave me insomnia, and I am glad I did.  I take about 11mg.   It restored my appetite but not to more than before I became ill.        

    • ellebi
      ellebi oldboy

      Posted

      Yes I must be one of few who gain weight instead of lose weight when crippled with anxiety and depression, its awful gaining so much
    • oldboy
      oldboy ellebi

      Posted

      Perhaps the reason is that you have more depression than anxiety.

      You need some sort of therapy.

      Perhaps a combination of meds will work.  A combination of mirtazapine with an SSRI or SNRI is well though of.  I myself take it (sertraline plus mirtazapine).  

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