Which anti-depressant would you recommend?

[Northcoast]

I am seeing my regular doctor on Thursday and am thinking he might recommend an anti-depressant.  He recommended it to me in April when I burst into tears in his office due to a very stressful time for me.  He suggested Paxil but I didn't think I was depressed and asked for just a Xanax prescription.  Well, after talking to my sister, she recommended I go on the one she takes which is Lexapro at a low dose.  So I called and the doctor agreed to write me a prescription.  After three weeks I was having involuntary finger and foot movements and vibration/trembling feelings and my doctor said to go off for a week to see if it goes away.  So now I've been off it for several weeks and when I think about it I do think I've been mildly depressed for several months.  So, I'm thinking I should be on an anti-depressant but don't know which one now.  If Lexapro has weird side effects for me, maybe I should go with Paxil or something else.  I've heard terms like SSRI, MAOI, etc.  and have no idea what these things mean.  Or what brand names fall into which category. I'm primarily suffering from generalized anxiety, but looks like depression has crept in. Another thing I am concerned about is getting OFF this drug eventually.  I've read some worrisome things about the side effects of quitting.   Anyone have any insight they could pass along?  Are they worth all the potential trouble?

[DakotaGirl76]

I had a terrible experience with Effexor...coming off it was horrible.  The electric shocks that you read about are real.  I also just went off of lexapro.  I had a hard time with that also.  A lot of feeling like I was going to throw up, hot sweats and the electric shocks also, although nothing like what I experienced on Effexor.  Proceed with caution on these anti-depressants.  They affect each person so differently and they really are very physically addicting and hard to come off of.

[Northcoast]

Well, my doctor ended up not putting me on an anti-depressant.  He thinks I need anti-anxiety medication more.  So he gave me a prescription for Klonopan.  Haven't taken it yet since I have some Xanax to go thru first and my dr. told me to start the Klonopan after my "stash" of Xanax is used up.  Thanks for your advice.  

[Topher7]

I know it isn't a popular choice right now but at one time I was on Prozac and it was the one that didn't give me any side affects.

[annie1927]

i have just recently been put on wellbuterin sr about 6 weeks ago and i didn't think things could be as good as they actually were.  I had taken zoloft but it just quit doing anything after about 5 years.  I had just gone through the death of my father, hurricane katrina and other traumatic experiences and didn't think there was an end in sight.  i finally gave it up and went to a doctor and i am so glad i did.  doing great!!!!

[Combat_squirrel]

i was just perscribed prozac...it's only day two but i at least THINK i feel somewhat better...the side effects have been strange for me like:

small stomach aches,dry mouth, a fever in the first few hours....

but i have depression with ALOT of anxiety...and my mother took this with great results for years (she's bipolar) so i have confidence in it..

[Baileygirl]

I have to agree 100% with Dakota Girl re: Effexor. It was awful being on it but the worst part was getting off of it. The side effects were HORRENDOUS and went on for week after week. (Brain shivers, nervous system 'zaps', rapid heartbeat, diarheah, nervousness/ anxiety, insomnia, sweating, shaking....i could go on & on.) If i can possibly prevent this type of suffering to someone else, i will. I realize that not everybody reacts the same with every drug though. I had been on Paxil for years & have had NO problems whatsoever. I have been on others as well, but Effexor was the absolute worst of the lot. I would recommend starting low on ANYTHING but Effexor. Good luck & let me know how it goes...
Bailey  

[creston1966]

I would not recommend any.  Long term, you have to wonder about the impact of antidepressant on your mind and body.  Dr's these days are so quick to prescribe drugs before considering other options.  I know, I've been put on so many different antidepressants and anti anxiety drugs over the last 3 years.  Sometimes I wonder if Dr's are lazy or have stock in drug companies.  Shameful.  I put Dr's right there at the bottom of the ocean with lawyers and politicians.  

Diet, exercise, talking with others--try those first.

[wickedwanderer]

effexor = bad, i agree with everyone who said that.

i don't know what your regular doctor is (like general practitioner?)...you migt want to consider seeing a psychiatrist.  they are much MUCH more knowledgeable that your family doctor about depression and ways to treat it

[we believe]

i believe it's different for everyone
i was on celexa, and now i'm on zoloft
zoloft has been very good for me, and i'm still on it
unfourtunaltly, i think you just have to try some until you find one that works for you...
also, trying whatever someone in your family is on might help too...
but i agree with wickedwanderer. see a psychiatrist, just to be sure
good luck

[julzzar]

If you are a young adult, then lexapro is probably not for you. i was on it for a while and it made my depression even worse, even made me suicidal.  As of 2006, it was still being tested as a depression medicine you children and young adults, im not sure what the status is now but id be careful

[julzzar]

I totally agree with you, def  those 3 things are the healthiest way. Dr's can be stupidheads