Anti Depressant Type and Experiances Needed

[settecasi1]

I will start my 2nd TX in April. During last TX I used Lexapro 20mg. I believe it made me nauseous more than the TX. I would still get Ribavirin rage a little at times too.
I think the choice may be more individual than TX related but would like to hear what some of you folks tried and used.

[moveabove]

I agree it would not be good for kids to be around a severly dpressed parent.  But with me, I was able to observe myself and even though there were moments I got lost I was blessed to put one foot in front of the other, that it will not last forever.
  I told my kids what was happening to me, not in great detail but enough so they knew what was happening, I did not burrden them with the deepest pain but did with others.
  If I need to go through something in life like a broken heart {3 the past yr} or tx with sx or many of the wonderful things that happen in life I would want my kids to see that pain does happen and they can get though.
And I'm sorry everone but my opinion is that to many people are taking the easier softer way out instead of going through. But at the same time I watched my mother die after a lung transplant, standing there as her new lungs could not breath any more. I would never think of not having something to ease her pain the last days of her life.

[sfbaygirl]

If I rememeber correctly, you don't take AD's because of your sobriety. I can respect your opinions and thankfully you came out of that 5 weeks of awful depression okay. AD's aren't addictive anymore so than Inf/Riba is. We sure don't desire to continue taking them. My dr wouldn't tx w/o me being on AD's, which was okay since I was on them anyway. Some have strong reactions to them and can't handle ad's. There have been reports of suicide of tx'ers. 1/3 of people are prone to this depression on tx. I would/could get off after tx, if I wanted with no problems. They sure aren't like coke or pot or alcohol.... We are already taking major drugs on tx, if one needs an AD, I think it is to them and their families benefit. Watching and being around a severely depressed parent can't be good for the kids.

[GoofyDad]

I know thios thread didn't start out as an AD vs non-AD thread, and I don't think that that should be a devisive issue. I filled out a Psych questionaire and was offered to start on ADs before tx. I to the wait and see apporach and was enciouraged to watch things vey closely and react quickly to additional signs of depression or anxiety. I didn't end up wityh a need for AD's but did see a shrink for a while, mostly just to spew  into a paid bitching receptacle.

For those who need the ADs, I say go for it, and 'stay in front of the curve' -- you don't want to play catch-up. But you may surprise yourself and do fine without.

[moveabove]

Hearing the pain you go through sometimes, maybe all the time, as I have on tx, makes me want to hug you and some how take care of you.
I am not at all expirienced to tell someone what to do. I do how ever give my expirence and CUTEUS said it better then I.
  I have seen young kids put on drugs, many with sx that has harmed them emotionaly and other ways only silence could tell. {not much of that in todays world}
I'v seen people sober for 10 or more yrs get on drugs.
I can only give anyone my expitence. And that is some times pain is worth it, some times it is something trying to tell us something, maybe its trying to get something out.
  And when someone asks what type of AD they should take I think they should he the other side.

[cuteus]

given some of the responses given to 'move' by some members makes me wonder if the meds are working well for them?  Honestly, all he is saying is that some people might not need them and there is medical backing in the inserts themselves.  I don't see him as attacking anyone for choosing the AD to help finish tx, only of warning that they might not be needed.  If you feel you need them, don't feel attacked when the warning is expressed.  So many are taking this as a personal attack to their choice, that it makes me wonder how well the meds might be working?

here is a recent article to ponder
http://www.narsad.org/dc/depression/featured.html

perhaps some proof that "move's" way of coping has some medical basis
http://www.narsad.org/news/press/rg_2004/res2004-09-17.html

whatever therapy works and you feel comfortable with, use it; but make sure you have read the pros and cons.

[cuteus]

ADs are not needed by everyone on tx. If you have had a hx, you MIGHT need them, but you might not.  1/3 + subjects in the trials experienced adverse mental health issues severe enough to need them.  That would mean that 2 out of 3 did not.  If you want to play it by ear, tell your GI so.  I did.  She did not insist.  There was a couple of weeks when I felt I needed to call her for help, but it eventually subsided.
The main things I dealt with was irritability, impatience, and mental fatigue from feeling sick on a daily basis.  Nothing I could not deal with.  Apathy was scary, but manageable.  The sides from ADs was not something I wanted to deal with again.
Once my anemia and pains were controlled, it was 'easier' to deal with the other issues.

[ladybug52]

One m,ore thing about depression. You stated that you knew the bad days would end. That's the difference, I would lay in bed awake every night for hours, worrying about things. I didn't see an end in sight. Normal things would hurt my feelings and I always felt like I wasn't and couldn't do anything right. I still feel bad sometimes, ad's don't cure everything but I feel more in control.
Thanks for listening
Bug

[ladybug52]

Yes, you definitely hit a nerve! Everyone has to do what is right for themselves (even when it's wrong) When someone suggests that they don't need to take prescription meds for depression, it's perceived as judgement.
That's why I feel if someone is asking for advice on which ad works, making comments that they're not always warranted is not well accepted by those who are helped by the meds.
I understand the whole over medication philosophy but the question wasn't "Do you think I need to take an ad" as you replied as if it were.
Apologies if I seem rude or come on too strong, I am much more anxious and ugly when I'm not taking my ad! I have tried to go off mine several times and my co-workers and family have noticed immediately and begged me to stop trying to think I don't need the meds!
Have a great day.
Bug

[moveabove]

I never tried to give the impression that I was strong, because I was not and I wrote down on here alot of the days I wasn't.
I am not angry.
I was bring up a piont that in sone situtaions ADs are defenitly over used. And that they take an oppertunity in life that can be used instead of glossed over.  And I was saying that we take those type of drugs and we give them to our children when perhaps a strong support group and a different perspective on the situtation can get us through those times better in this human experience.HUMAN BEING.
  I would never wish harm on anyone {well maybe Bob S. becuase thu his actions I lost 100 grand a yr ofwork}
as some one did in a post up there.
I have noticed that even sugesting what I did in this thread that people get realy defensive.  And I would bet its because it hits a nerve.

[ladybug52]

I'm always amazed at the lack of support this forum can display.
Days go along with just questions and answers and no bickering and then someone innocently asks for help and all h**l breaks loose. There is one thing I have learned from this forum: There's always someone smarter and stronger than me, someone who has more compassion than me or less, and someone who's opinions mean more to them than others feelings.
I had your attitude when my niece came to live with my husband and me and our 4 kids. I was so angry all the time I didn't even see it as a sign of depression. I thought I could handle everything on my own. Thank God my doctor got me on an antidepressant and a family counselor helped us out.
Too bad I wasn't strong like you, the family would have had to suffer more, but hey, at least I could show how strong I was.
I will never change your opinion, ad's have a stigma to those who don't believe in rescue drugs for the brain.

[moveabove]

You are wishing bad to come to my family?  If you are then it proves you are in deep need of getting off your drugs and working on fixing the problems you have created in your life. Obviously your ADs are just keeping your anger under the surface.

[moveabove]

You don't get it. At least what I was saying, Thoughts are thoughts and not acting on them is the difference.
  As humans we go through many things in life and to turn to dopping as an answer because of diffaculties is just another exsample of removing the human race from being human.
If I have thoughts of killing myself then thier is obviously something deep down thats wrong and dopping isnt goinmg to fix it, its just going to cover it.
I would never suggest that someone who has to deal with depression through out life should not take ad but most of us in my opinion take the easy way out. I have seen many parents let doctors drug thier kids because the kids are out of hand yet can not see that it was the parent that meesed the child up.  But the parent has built walls because of thier own pain, own pain so drug up.
I'm sorry I'm getting so many people mad, but come on, think for a second, Doctors treat symptoms. They treat with either cutting it out or giving out drugs.
But I am no way saying to trow out the baby with the bath water. I am saying maybe the bath water needs to be changed.

[MissMiss]

You said:  My red-headed, 16-year-old, disrespectful, quick-tempered son

You got one of those too?  Only mine is now 22.  It was about the time he was 16 my husband looked at me and said something about those lines on my face.  If ya get my drift.  Even without genetics, it isn't always parenting.  They are in our direct control such a short period and the outside influences can be so very bad.  I've known lots of "well bred, educated" folks, (teachers, counselors, professors, etc) having the same kinds of problems.  

moveabove:  I sure hope you never loose control and actually do hit someone.  If you do I hope they sue you for all you and your family have since you did have a choice.

[PasoPerson]

A couple of your comments interest me.  One where you said, "Tx put me into a deep depression, it was very difficult I mean very difficult. My Doctor really wanted me to get on antidepressents. I did not and even though there were a few days I thought I could not take it any more, I knew tx was not going to last and all these symptoms of tx would end."  And the other was where you basically said you wanted to go out and crash into someone while driving.  I applaud you for making it through, toughing it out without ADs.  However, we do not have the foresight to know if it will or will not work for us.  No one does.  I thank God you didn't slit your wrists or kill someone.  But just so you understand, "knowing" treatment is about to end and "getting through to the end" are two different things.  One is head knowledge, the other is reality.  You, my friend, need to COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS you made it okay.  And today would be a good day for that.

I think you're an answer to my prayers, too.  My red-headed, 16-year-old, disrespectful, quick-tempered son made Paxil more than necessary for me.  <b>Want him for awhile?</b>  Maybe only about a month or so without ADs?  Now that would be interesting to hear about from you.  Knowing he will be 18 someday and not living here ... didn't help me while on treatment.  He's a real piece of work, still is, and it's a shame.  And, before someone suggests, it is NOT due to poor parenting.  Both of our kids are adopted, genetics comes into play with a lot of things in life besides your looks.  His birthmother was exactly like him; I know from talking with her, not making this up.

I'm old enough now to let you know (surprise, surprise) there are all sorts out there.  We all have different looks, we all have different minds, we all have been on different roads to get us to today.  You walk a mile in my shoes, my friend, before you throw rocks at me.  And ditto for everyone else on the board.

I am an alcoholic and drug addict and used to smoke two packs of cigs today.  All that ended 27 years ago.  I did not want to go back to any of those things while on treatment ... but I did need an AD.  Keep my son for a month or so ... you'll probably need one, too.  LOL

God bless - Happy Thanksgiving everyone -
Carolyn

[moveabove]

yes they do

[MissMiss]

Enough already!  No politics allowed!

Good for you that you choose to "deal" with your problems without "another pill".  Now go deal with this problem!

Noone here needs to defend their choice to take an AD.  NOONE!

[moveabove]

Did you know when shooting dope at age 20 that you would have to do chemo at age 40 with your kids running a round. No, you didnt even think about it, But when you found out you had hcv you took action to try to make your body healthier and family happier.
Events happen and we make to best decisions we can at the time.
Did we know fully that when the u.s. goverment supplied Osam Bin Ladden during the Russian war against Afganistan, that he would in turn possibly take part with cia and fly planes into the twin towers?
Its not what we didnt know then, its what we know now.

[jboyhk]

Yes you are right.

btw since you are always correct, perhaps you can tell me how many people died in Iraq with Saddam and B Clinton in power?

Was it 500,000 or closer to 1,000,000?

Did you care about the Iraqi children then?

[settecasi1]

Well, moveabove, heh, good for you.
I am a bit high strung anyway. I do not take anything but on TX I have too, to keep from loosing all my friends and my job. Heh.
Thanks for all the replies.
And Rev, I'm an old pot head but I just have to be safe and not got there. I find it all the time during hunting season, all budding and such. My will power is amazing.

[cajunlady]

MUST BE NICE to conquer all.  Invensible are we.  Judge yourself, but do not judge others.  You haven't a clue what you are talking about.

I have been given the tools to make it through situations in life and I learned very well from them.  But that does not mean I do not need help in certain situations.  When I first started tx, I also refused to go on AD's, finally gave in at 13 Weeks of tx.  I could not stand myself, so how could I expect anyone else to put up with me.  And how incrediably SELFISH of me to continue to put everyone around me through h*ll.

So, do you have the same opinion of people on CANCER TREATMENTs, if you do, you are truely clueless to life and all it brings including the rescue drugs.  I have had many, many very close family members with cancer and let me tell you the rescue drugs are needed.  My mom and sister had breast removed and my husband had a hard bout with Hodgskins and the rescue drugs were needed, and not like you had a choice.  TX is no different, it is it's own form of CHEMO.

Good ONE MIKE SIMON; I much agree with your statement.

Don't mean to offend anyone, just trying to make it seen in a different light.  REALITY

Cajun

[Penelope1911]

Awe, I hear ya, but I guess since my Dr. won't give me an AD, and I REALLY need one, I get upset about the "tuffies".
This has been so UNNESSESARY to go through w/out any meds for me, why do it like this if you don't have to???? I mean, this SUX!!!!!!!

[moveabove]

I did not tell anyone not to take more drugs and I do not think I conquered anything.  I am giving another point of veiw and I think One that is needed.  Drugs or given out or should I say accepted to easily. Kids are given speed to calm them down and we grown ups seem to be taking anything in order not to feel.
  I would not tell anyone not to take drugs but am saying that even with tx depression there is another way and saying big time that it certinly does seem that way to many people are taking drugs to ease life

[moveabove]

I have shared what I did since being on here without holding back and some of thoughs moments were very tough. Even yesterday I was giving myself the worst messages. I was ripping myself apart. Very low self esteem.  I am trying to say that those moments pass. I am trying to say that life does not throw blanks. That even in the worst of times the is good that can come out of it.  I shared those bad moments because I knew that would not last {though at those moments it didnt seem like they would} And I knew I would be back on here recovered {in a sense} from that last moment. And that by sharing someone else might see that no matter how bad the bad can get, that it will end so hold on. And in my case adding another drug because of moments that will not last is worth it, and more then not worth it, it is numbing to where my life has brought me, to get throught the other side without being altered more.
  If you read my first post in this thread I did not include people that maybe life suffers of depression and since tx I have gained alot of what it must be like to live like that

[moveabove]

I never though during these tough times that I would be down to onlt 2 shots left.  I must tell you the truth, for me it was hell.  But for some reason I have a love inside me that even though I hated myself at moments {days and weeks} I kept butting one toe infront of the other