OT a little, Anti-depressants

I have a personal question, for anyone who might want to share... What kinds of anti-depressants are any of you on?

I tried both Prozac and Zoloft, and felt like more of a space cadet than usual. They put me in a fog, and who knows if they elevated my moods because I was too spaced out to notice. So, my current PCP prescribed Cymbalta, which worked great. BUT... then I changed insurance and they won't cover it. This isn't a total tragedy, considering my old insurance wouldn't cover WLS.

My PCP told me about Effexor, which is along the same lines as Cymbalta, which provides not only seratonin, but also norapanephrine (sp?). But, it's an extended release, so I don't know if it work right for me. He thinks it would, but isn't 100% sure.

My insurance company considers anything except Prozac and Zoloft step 2 drugs, and won't cover them until you try their first step drugs . I'm sure my doc won't have a problem saying I have tried them, even though he wasn't the original prescriber.

I just want to feel better. I don't care what it takes at this point. I'm going through so much at work, and I have to do it all in a constant down mood. I haven't gotten any interview calls YET, but I can't imagine going on interviews feeling as defeated as I do all the time right now. So, hopefully, something that my insurance will cover will work for me.

Kathy,

I am sorry that you are going through a rough time. I can totally relate how you feel since I have been there.  I only used Prozac in the past so I wouldn't be able to give you aby guidance on the other meds.  But one thing I wanted to suggest is that if you used prozac when you was pre op you might feel different on it since you have lost weight and have more energy now.  You can try it again and if it does not work then try the effexor.

I am sorry i am not much of help.  But know that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers so that things get better for you.

hugs

I am on Paxil for anxiety.  But if I go off of it, I get extremely depressed.  It helps me so much.  Zoloft did nothing for me.

My H has been on a few.  He took Wellbutrin, which made him anxious.  He took Cymbalta, which made him seriously nutty, having panic attacks.  He took Lexapro, which made him insanely tired.  Now he takes nothing, which is not good, but he's afraid of more meds.

 i've been taking paxil and it has helped my anxiety too. but i was told it's not the best medication for people who compulsively eat, that there are better meds for that. has anyone told you that? i'm seeing a new psychiatrist thursday and want to have an idea of what i want to change.

No, no one has mentioned it to me.  But I don't see a psych, I just get it from my PCP.  Originally it was prescribed by a psych, but I stopped seeing her. 

Right now, I could use anything that will help me to eat!

HI Kathy,

I'm pre-op so I'm not sure if my experiences will help.  I was on Zoloft for 8 years and did great.  Last year it just stopped working, which can happen.  In the last year I tried Prozac which worked for a bit, Lexapro which did nothing for me, and I'm now on Effexor XR.  It's been great so far.  I'm pretty sure that it comes in a non extended release form as well that allows you to take it more than once per day.  You might check out the Effexor website for more info.

Good Luck,
Heather

 i've tried all types of medications. the one i am using right now is paxil cr but i am looking to change that on thursday to zoloft possibly because it's supposed to help the urge to eat. depression is hard to figure out, especially if it's situational. i think it might be hard to find a medication to make you feel better when you are in a situation that makes you so unhappy. you might need more cognitive behavioral therapy with the medication for it to work.

You are right. But, I think I need the combination, and my therapy wasn't working without meds.

I have been through quite a few anti depressants until I found the right one for me.  Wellbutrin did nothing, Cymbalta which was supposed to restore some energy to my life, did just the opposite, I was exhausted even more than before.  I took Prozac, but had severe mood swings with it.  Some of these medications I took together, Wellbutrin and Prozac, my dr. said that sometimes the combination of medications is what is needed, not for me though.  I now take Celexa, which seems to give me the best emotional balance.  My energy level has increased, my mood swings are pretty much non existent and emotionally I am stable.  I do notice that if I don't take it then all the mood swings, emotions and lack of energy come rushing back full force. 

We all are different and we all need different things.  I had to experiment for a while with all of these before I found something that was the best balance for me.  My dr. always had me write down my feelings and thoughts while taking each medication, kind of like a journal, so that when it was time to review my medications he and I could determine together what was working.

I know it sucks when insurance dictates your healthcare, but stick in there, listen to your dr. and document your feelings and emotions so that you and your dr. can find the best combination for you.

Good luck!

hey you, haven't talked to you in awhile. i hope things are going well. i've been struggling a bit but have been back on track for a week and a half. thank god! keeping fingers crossed i stay on track. let me know if you wanna get together anytime soon.