Anti-depressants

[Diane12855]

I was wondering what kind of anti-depressants everybody is taking? My doctor prescribed Zoloft for me and when I was reading the patient info it had warnings about being taken with liver disease and not clearing the body like it should. Has anybody seen that with other ADs?

[Rockerforlife]

BTW...im depressed.

[Rockerforlife]

Is depression caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain?



You’ve seen it in television ads, read it in newspaper articles, maybe even heard it from your doctor: depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that medication can correct. According to the chemical imbalance theory, low levels of the brain chemical serotonin lead to depression and depression medication works by bringing serotonin levels back to normal. However, the truth is that researchers know very little about how antidepressants work. There is no test that can measure the amount of serotonin in the living brain – no way to even know what a low or normal level of serotonin is, let alone show that depression medication fixes these levels. ................................

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm

[fashion345]

I am using 20 mg prozac and helping lots!

[susan400]

I've tried many different A/D's in the past and none of them set right with me in my body, I had too many side effects.  I gave it a good amount of time, too.  I was under the care of a knowledgeable psychiatrist to try these out (prior to my Hep C) and after try about 8 different one's, I decided that I wanted to try different ways to deal with my depression.  Then, when I went on treatment, I got very depressed and decided to try A/D's again and once again, the side effects were such that I couldn't deal with it.  So, once again, I resorted to different ways to deal with my depression.  My way of going about it may not work for everyone, but I've treated 10 times and have done myself in, so...., this must work for me.  I have tried Zoloft in my long list.  I was on Wellbutrin, too in my list.  Prozac was on my list, too.  All of these side effects that I just couldn't handle.

Susan400

[eureka254]

My husband started on 20mg of Lexapro (basically a non-generic Celexa) 2 weeks prior to starting treatment, and increased to 30mg by the end of the 1st month of treatment.  (I should mention he was recommended to both meditation and yoga but was not interested in either.)  

A few other alternatives were offered, including Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Nortriptyline, but the nurse felt that in her experience with treatment patients, she had good success with Lexapro/Celexa. Don't know much about Zoloft, but hope that helps. ~eureka

[Marcia2202]

This is my experience, I had never been on AD's before tx.

I was on Celexa. I got onto 10mg on my 2nd week of tx. It worked within 6 days. It was upped to 20mg towards the end of tx. It was quite easy for me to wean myself of it after having been on it for 8 months.

[justme53]

I didn't start on AD's but 12 weeks into tx thinking I didn't need them, but about 12 weeks into tx, I did. Was put on Celexa 20 mg, then was able to halve it later on. Late last fall, I got a wild hair thinking I could wean myself off them and did. Felt great for about 8 weeks or so then crashed again. I don't fight it anymore. If it gets me through this, so be it. No sx to speak of. Also take Ativan 0.5 as needed for panic attacks.

I've also seen the liver warnings, but a knowledgeable Dr. will know what the safe doses are. Hope the Zoloft works well for you.

[charm27]

was taking Celexa..during tx. My hepatologist suggested it. I was taking a low dose,,,and he felt and so did I that it was necessary at the time.

Wasnt easy getting off them..took about 5-6 months.
Good luck