It is scary that sooo many people in here have mental problems...I am one of them! - Big Big Forums

jalex · 02-20-2003, 04:24 AM

Some of you know that I was gone for a little while because we got down with orders for Germany. I just had a little time to spare and checked out this forum and was shocked that so many people have some kind of mental problems. That is somehow good to know (makes you feel like you are not alone) and somehow really bad.
I stopped my meds (prozac) last July and was feeling awesome without them until we got to germany. There it did strike again. Full blow. My first action at the new duty staion was going to the hospital!! How sad.
The new meds worked for a couple of weeks (if even) and than it started again. After a lot of mental pain, exhaustion and freaking the doctor put me back on the drug I never wanted to be on again. EFFEXOR! It worked for me before pretty good but the withdrawl was hell.
Now, I am scared that this will also stopp working after a couple of weeks. I am feeling pretty good right now except that I (and my 2 year old Tyler) am having a cold. That makes me feel weak, kind of when the depressions start. That is why I am scared that the meds stopp working. I keep telling myself that it is just because of the cold, but the fear is always present.
I really don't want to try more and more meds (since I have been through most of them anyways)
What do you think?

shelhop · 02-20-2003, 05:11 AM

I don't really have any advice for you, not much experience really with meds (however I am currently on Zoloft for depression), but I do want to say hang in there, because sometimes all we can all do is tie a knot and hang on.
{{{{{{{{jalex**************

Peri · 02-20-2003, 05:51 AM

~giving you a tight close hug~ I was diagnosed with major clinical depression nine years ago, though I've had it much longer. Prozac is and always has been my miracle drug. I was started on Zoloft and all it did was make me sleep more and I asked to try Prozac and luckily it worked for me. I am not currently taking it and haven't been for about a year, and it's hell to fight the depression every day. I really do need to go back on it, but my situation with no car and not being near my doctor (we moved back in August) has made me extremely hesitant about finding another doc (the hassle of getting to know another doc, going to weekly appointments, all that jazz). Since the withdrawels from the Effexor is so bad, could you go back on the Prozac again? (You could always try a higher dose of Prozac if it wasn't enough.) Either way, if you're not able to find a way to dig yourself up out of the "funk" every day, I would definitely try new medications. Do you ever try aromatherapy? I use scented candles and incense a lot these days, and I find it helps immensely. I also have been taking a xanax now and again when I find myself feeling overwhelmed. ~shrugs and says quietly~ They weren't prescribed for me, my Mom gives them to me sometimes, I don't take them daily, only one when I really need it, but the relaxation I get from one helps me to get the much needed sleep I rarely get anymore. I have insomnia horribly bad. (Who'da thunk that, it's only 4:34am here.) I've also used Valerian Root tea, which is an herbal tea and is what valium is derived from. You have to be very careful with things like xanax and valerian root, but the conclusion I've come to is this. I've been under enormous stress in the last nine years. Normally, I'm okay, but when something big happens, it sets off my depression. The stress induces the depression, the depression wipes me out in every sense, physically, emotionally, mentally, and that in turn leads to health problems with my arthritis, migraines, etc. (In other words, when my mental state gets weak, my whole body does.) So, I have to get relaxed and dump some of the stress before I can even begin to fight the depression. So that's why I use the xanax occasionally, and the aromatherapy, etc.
Most importantly though, I want you to learn to stop being afraid of depression. Once you get over your fear of it, you will have a kind of power over it. (Not physically of course, because depression IS a chemical imbalance in the brain.) But emotionally you will and that will go a long way toward you fighting it off. Just try to embrace the fact you have it, accept it, but never give up on fighting it. If the new meds don't work, then try another. I wish you all the best, hon. If you need to talk, please PM me. (((( Jalex ))))

the1bea · 02-20-2003, 11:01 AM

Hubby was taking meds for his nerves, but he has a little of everything wrong with him, depression, anger, pain from his back, starting to have a nervous breakdown in the hospital when my son was in ICU, post tramatic stress disorder from my son being sick ect... the doc put him on Gabitrl and Seroquil at night to help him sleep. He has a messed up sleep schedual because he is also an insomniac. They were helping pretty good, but then he started getting bad side effects, shaking really bad, not able to get up in the morn, the shaking was the worst. you woulda thought that he had parkinsons. he stopped the meds because being sad and angry is better then not able to function properly. He needs to be put on lithium. its the only med that has not be perscribed for him. prozac, xanax, zoloft just dont work for him. I really dont have much advice for anything new to try other than the natural herbal remedies, get enough rest, exercise, get natural sunlight. taking walks outdoors on the Boise Greenbelt always puts me in a better mood.

jademyst13 · 02-20-2003, 11:13 AM

I have been on Prozac (and I tried a few others). I took myself off about a year ago and I take Xanax occasionaly. I get really depressed around my period, I know that it is more than just PMS, but I don't have a clue how to control it. I used to me alot 'meaner' when I got depressed, but thankfully I am not nearly as mean now. I used to throw stuff and say mean things that only made me look like a total idiot...well anyway I just wanted to let you know that I understand how you are feeling. I hope you can get over that cold soon.
{{{jalex******

02-20-2003, 11:16 AM

Like shelhop and Raven, I am also on Zoloft® (100 mg daily) and it has dramatically improved my motivation. I'm also on Elavil® (10 mg) nightly. These drugs are a Godsend in my humble opinion. I thank God daily for them.

smeans · 02-20-2003, 11:43 AM

((((((jalex))))))))

newwiccan · 02-20-2003, 12:45 PM

I'm on Effexor and Neurontin(sp?) for my bi-polar. It was working really well but with my husband gone, it seems not to be working as well. I go back at the end of March to be checked and I'm going to have him re-evaluate the meds.

See if your doctor if you have any questions. That is so important.

jayhawkfan · 02-20-2003, 12:46 PM

{{{jalex****** No advice but a big hug! Glad to see you again

Iluvbears · 02-20-2003, 12:58 PM

Quote:

It is scary that sooo many people in here have mental problems.

I've never suffered from at type of mental illness. I don't know anyone personally who suffers from any of the mental illnesses, I have read on many webboards. It shocks the hell out of me to see so many people suffering from so many mental illnesses.

I can't even imagine what a lot of you go through in a day.

hazeleyedgal · 02-20-2003, 02:28 PM

((((((JALEX)))))) I have had my meds changed almost every other month. Can't seemto find the right dose. the only thing that really worked for me was the Effexor. he took me off of that because I was having bad side affects. Now we had tried Trileptol Wellbutrin and now he gave me Provigil in place of my zoloft. I wonder about this doctor. I ask to try Prozac and he just ignores me. I am going to talk with him tomorrow and if he don'tlisten to me I am going to ask to see another Dr. Just hang in there like everyone told me.