Experiences with anti-depressants?

I posted awhile back about being diagnosed with depression, and being put on anti-depressant. I've been taking citalopram for about a week now, and other than maybe being a bit sleepier, I haven't noticed much difference. I've also been delving deeper into cognitive behaviour therapy, and I'm hoping it helps me with my depression and anxiety.

My reason for posting, is that I would like to know your experience with anti-depressants? Has anybody taken citalopram? How long did it take to make you feel better or worse? Was there a dramatic change in how you felt? Are you still depressed?

I just want to share some experiences, because this is all new to me.

I do know that with antidepressants and other drugs like anti-anxiety drugs, it can take 5-10 days for them to kick in. Sometimes you try one, and it doesn't work well, so you have to try another. Definitely talk to your doctor or therapist about how they are, or aren't, affecting you.

but the name brand did not. Not sure why that happened, but I had to quit taking it.

I'm glad it works for you!

The people around you are going to notice a change before you do.

I think with most of these sorts of things it's the self-awareness that first flies out the window. When I'm sliding down the slippery slope to full blown depression (with a delightful side dish of nightmares and hallucinations) people become much more irritating to me than usual, and I start to feel it's because they actually are more irritating. What's wrong with everyone? Why have they all changed?

Having been down this road before a few times I understand, at first, it's most likely people are no more irritating than they've ever been and it's just my perception that's changed. But then that self awareness vanishes too and I'm back in the pit living in the shadows.

It sucks, but off my meds I honestly can't trust that my own mood has any correspondence with reality. There are times in my life where everything was great but I remember being hideously depressed and having to force myself through each day. And then there are times where I was functional, not depressed, and solving problems with some measure of optimism even though my living situation was pretty hideous.

Anyways, if I happen to lose it and go all feral human I've got a few people I trust to hunt me down and drag me back into ordinary human society.

So why am I posting it? Just in case it is.

Over the past 3 years, I've been put on different anti-depressants for my chronic pain, both in the hopes they might help with the pain and for my moods (I don't have depression, but being stuck unable to work or do anything, crushingly poor and in constant pain doesn't exactly elevate your mood).

The first couple gave me horrible panic attacks. Then they put me on Prozac, which turned me in to a total zombie. My childhood pet died, and I couldn't even cry. It was really awful, I felt like I was watching my life from far, far away, not actually engaging in it. I'd rather be miserable than a robot. Recently, they put me on another one... Effexor/venlafaxine. Again with the panic attacks, though they were much milder than the ones brought on by the first ones ( I don't remember what they were ) but the sexual dysfunction aspect of this really really bothered me. I've just never had luck with the things.

NOTE:
I don't usually have panic attacks. I've had a couple in my life, but those were brought on by severe circumstances. When on the anti-depressants, every single night I would lay down to go to sleep, and start having horrible, overwhelming panic attacks that lasted 5+ hours at a time, and I was too terrified to even get out of bed.

I think that they're probably way better for people who actually have depression. Every time different Drs have suggested them, I've been a little less than enthusiastic, especially after my bad reactions. I really hope that these drugs help you to deal with your depression safely and without problems.

Made me clench my jaw so hard I damaged teeth. My sexual function still isn't right even though I've been off it for years. The doctor finally took me off it when tardive dyskenisia started.

I haven't taken Citrolopram (often known as Celexa), however I know it takes a period of weeks to build up in your blood stream.

I have suffered with depression with episodes of major depression and mood swings all my life. I tried to self treat for years through running, meditation, diet, etc...It wasn't until I went on meds that I experienced any major change. I credit them for saving my life.

Things you should know:

It can take a few tries to get the right medication or medication combination to work effectively, so stay with it. Some minor side effects will go away after a few weeks.

If you have any episodes of mood swings that go with your depression (rapid cycling, high to low moods in a short period of time, manic episodes, or other symptoms besides just depression, you must IMMEDIATELY report this to your prescriber as it is imperative for obtaining the right medication and avoiding prescribing a med that may set off a manic episode). Many time, people need a mood stabilizer along with an antidepressant. Be sure to report ALL your symptoms, even if you are currently only experiencing depression.

Take them as prescribed. If you have a very sensitive system, you may have to start out on baby doses and work up in smaller increments. If you are having a lot of mild side effects, stepping back to a smaller dose and gradually increasing can help introduce a drug into your system slow enough for it to produce benefits without making you ill.

I'm at a very low dose, so I guess I'm not expecting any big changes (10 mg - half a pill). Seeing as how I'm a big dude, I'll probably need more. My doctor wanted me to be on a low dose to "get used to it" before upping my dose at my next appointment (tuesday).

I'm not manic and I haven't had any mood swings.

We'll see, I guess.

I was a psych nurse for 10 years, in addition to my own life long experience.

Take excellent care of yourself, and congratulations on seeking help.

Positive light and energy to you.

I think you have a lot of hope...if not with what you're on now, something else. Anti-depressants have literally given people their lives back. I've heard good things about Celexa. Just keep in close contact with your Doctor so that if it doesn't appear what you're on now is helping in the time-frame he/she feels is appropriate, you can try something else since everyone's metabolism is different. I honestly believe you'll really get much better. I think in a a lot of cases, the mood elevation can be somewhat gradual but still you should really notice a difference. You're on the right track! :-)

As stated before, be patient at first, but if you are not getting the results you expected, tell the doc, there are other meds that may work better for you.

Good luck to you.

mark

Its the ideal treatment for me..has a strong anti-anxiety element which really helps me. I actually don't notice it while I'm on it, but I do get very stressed and upset easily if I'm off it.
Sounds like you will need to up your dose. It takes about a week for it to really kick in with me.

It has been a wonder drug for me.

One must give the drug some time to become effective. And you may have to up your dose....just what everyone else in this thread has said. :)

I'm on two now, plus Buspar which is technically an anti-anxiety drug. This combo works for me. This isn't to discourage you, just to let you know that sometimes Drug A gives you 75% relief, maybe Drug B is 85%, Drug C is 60%, then bingo! drug D is 100%. I think the disease process can shift over time as well, so what works today may not work 5 years from now.

along with zoloft,risperdone, and seroquel..I have been on this combo for years and it works for me 100%. I went years without and I suffered immensely.

made me feel like myself again. I've been off it (after tapering for a LONG time, and having no problems) for more than five years and haven't had a problem since. Good luck!

It took about 3 weeks before I noticed any effect. I have moderate depression & anxiety and it helps with both. I feel pretty good most days in spite of having to deal with an evil ex-wife.

No one would ever hand a diabetic a prescription for insulin without also careful counseling about diet and exercise!

I have been in it for well over 5 years now -- it was a godsend for me, literally saved my life.

My depresson with anxiety was extreme -- I began noticing a difference within the first time I took a dose -- I could feel the the speeding thoughts actually slow down -- it was freaky as hell.

I have done very well over the years, with minimal side effects (I still get the yawns) and a few dosage changes.

All anti-depressants need to be tweaked -- to get the right variety (I tried several before this worked) and the right dosage.

Do I still get sad or depressed? Sometimes, but is in proportionthe event causing me the emotional pain. I liken depression to this: a swimmer in a pool, who has lost their footing and is now struggling/starting to drown. Antidepressants help raise the floor so you can get your footing again. They do not make you "happy", they do not make all your cares go away, they do not make it so you do not feel anymore sadness or pain. They just help you manage it all much better.

Hope this helps -- PM if you want to chat more.

But, my experience was just the opposite.

I tried several (Lexapro, Paxil, and Prozac are the ones that I can remember) and had awful results. I went from being depressed and sleeping too much to thinking constantly about putting a gun in my mouth and doing everything I could to stay awake because of the horrible nightmares. It didn't take long before I decided that just being depressed wasn't so bad.

I'll take it over psycho. The mood stabilizers help a little too but are still "meh."

It was wrong. My ears rang constantly. I could not stand the texture of some things. I was eating pancakes off a paper plate and using real silverware at a church dinner. The texture of the pancakes, the silverware and the paper plate nearly drove me into a screaming fit.

Then I broke out in hives. They were so bad that I have scars from some of them. The doctor put me on a decreasing dose of antihistamines. He thought I was going to have breathing problems from the Wellbutrin.

It was a nightmare. Was this because I am not depressed, merely a stupid life-long smoker?

p.s. I do have some anxiety and insomnia. But I have been an insomniac all my life. The anxiety seems to be proportionate to the situation, unless I have caffeine.

years. When I start a new regimen it takes at least four weeks for me to start feeling a real different... it's a tough four weeks. Does it help? Basically it's the difference between lying around weeping and thinking about killing myself, and functioning pretty much normally. There are small side effects and I'll take 'em any day to serious depression. I've used Prozac for about nine years now and I'd like to switch to something newer but must wait until I have health insurance because I can't afford the seventy bucks a month minimum for newer meds.

to kick in, I think it was about 2 weeks. The doctor put me on Citalopram after a very bad reaction to Effexor. I did not notice a dramatic change, in fact, I think it took a while for me to realize that my attitude was better and that I could face things without as much anxiety.

I know it has helped me, especially through some very tough times these past two years. I don't think any anti-depressant will make you feel better immediately.

Since taking Prozac
Masturbation gone lately
Not feeling myself.

Also reduced my OCD behaviors.