SSRI antidepressnats seem to make me feel worse

[mr.lucky66]

I was initally treat successfully for depression in 1993 with zoloft. I got better and so did my life but for some reason I can't remember, I changed to some other similar meds and then in 2007 stop taking them altogether. I was surprized that I was able to function much better than before without antidepressants, after getting over some initial problems getting off effexor. Now, a few years later I having some serious depressive issues again and try lexapro for winter blues or SAD. They make me feel very strange and worse so my doctor and I decide to try zoloft again. I thought it was helping at first but now realize it isn't, and I feel wierd, anti social and depressed. I will talk to the doctor soon but doubt I will continue taking zoloft. Anybody have a similar experience?

[mr.lucky66]

Jade thanks for the good words. It has been about 1 year now and it gets easier. I still miss a smoke at times but my health is so much better and I haven't had a cold in a long time and that's huge for me. I lived in LA and the sun is much better for me but I'm getting by and will continue on the zoloft for the time being. all the best

[Jade59]

REALLY glad to hear you're still quit!  Right On! :)  That is one tough thing to do, but you're up over a year now, right?  After several years on the smoking forum and reading everyone's posts, I can see it may take a year or longer to really feel "right" after quitting smoking and you're doing just an awesome job guarding your quit so well...really great, I'm impressed and you sure do give me hope!  

It's nice here in CA and I can feel the difference in my mood already just from the longer days, but I would imagine it's still pretty cold or snowy in PA so you just hang in there tight and you'll feel better soon.  If you have to continue with the Zoloft and they make you better able to cope, then that's what you have to do.  

[mr.lucky66]

Thanks Jade and Jude for your thoughtful repsonses. I am still quit from smoking and you may have a point. I felt better last summer and fall and hope to feel better by spring. I did take a zoloft today and will probably contine taking them until april unless I get that creepy feeling again.

[Jade59]

Hey there,

Your depression could have much to do with your smoking quit.  Are you still quit?  I wasn't successful with mine because of the depression.  If you can just hang in there, Mr Lucky, I bet the depression will improve the more time passes.  Plus, we're into Spring and your mood may start to improve simply due to that.  

I was on AD's for 24yrs, but quit them in 04 and like you, I really do feel better without them, overall.  A serious depressive episode only came back with my smoking quit and I couldn't hang.  

[heyjude1]

Yes, if you can get by without medication, that is wonderful but some people cannot.  If you find that you are going back into  a deep depression I would advise you to get back in to see your doctor.

[mr.lucky66]

Thanks for your responses. Yesterday I took no zoloft and felt a little better. I think I may skip it again today. I have my doubts about these meds (ssri's) being effective for me anymore after being off them for a couple of years and doing ok, what do you think?

[M4Y0U]

Better be medication free. The withdrawals are awful and we we didn't evolve to be on medication but to eat well and exercise and having the sun to give us our vitamin D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfQUTHrWnRk

Just a thought,
M4

[heyjude1]

How many antidepressants have you tried?  Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to fine the best medication for you.  I do recall reading a post from someone that stated they had been on a medication in the past and came back to it years later and had the same issue you are having.  I believe he had to up the dosage and it took a little longer to work for him.  There are so many good antidepressants on the market now and I am sure the p-doc will find the one for you...just be patient.  Best of luck to you

[mr.lucky66]

Thanks. Zoloft did work for me before but none of these meds seem to make me feel better anymore, maybe worse. I have developed some other strategies that seem to help like excersize and will rely on them and people mpre.

[M4Y0U]

Hello there,

medications can work wonderful for some and some can't stand them. One thing you must know tho is that it's not the only option. To treat SAD you can try healthy diet, vitamin D supplementation, luminotherapy and exercise. Those are all factors implied in the winter blues and I won't get into the details but you can google how sun is affecting your mood and how sun is our only good natural source of vitamin D which is a steroid hormone by the way. Better take care of it to the root rather than try to treat the symptoms considering the meds seem to make you feel worse.

M4