Has anyone on here had positive experiences with antidepressants?

I’ve tried many meds for bipolar depression but most recently have mbeen maintained on bupropion and aripiprazole. I also take oxcarbazepine but that’s a mood stabilizer.

I have been taking Prozac successfully for many years. I also take Wellbutrin to boost its effectiveness. I have Major Depression which is mostly under control with the above medication. Although, it wasn't until I started on brand name thyroid pills that I felt much better. The generic didn't work for me, which I found out after years of being on it. This was a common reaction for many people in my family. I take my medication not only for me but for my family's sake. Quality of life does matter and how my illness effects my loved ones matters equally. I understand your concerns about weight gain but and maybe other side effects but how I function matters more. Pray about it to the Great Physician in any case. Don't give up.

As others have said, individual reactions to antidepressants vary so much that it’s like asking someone to recommend a perfume or underwear for you! The DNA testing can point a psychiatrist in the right direction, but even that is not perfect.

Unfortunately, they are not fast acting so trial and error can take months and be very frustrating. Don’t give up, though. Once you find one that works, it can be a life changer.

Make sure you are working with a psychiatrist or a neurologist who knows pharmacology. Don’t be like my sister who got her prescription from her OB/GYN!

Good luck!

Everyone has different reactions. But I've been on Zoloft for six months and have, to my awareness, no side effects.

2003 severe major depressive disorder episode. Started on 10 mg Lexapro & experienced severe mood swings--terrible anxiety in the mornings & euphoria in the evenings. Dr. switched to Zoloft (sertraline). Started at 25 mg. Increased by 25 mg every few weeks, each new dose created morning anxiety which subsided in a few weeks. At 75 mg had a sudden moment of feeling OK, knew it was beginning to work. Stabilized at 100 mg. No negative side effects. Very weird to feel "okay". Meanwhile cognitive therapy w/good therapist, don't see how I could have gotten better without therapy. Ok by 6 months. Took for a year & a half. Decided to see if I could go off it. Decreased by 25 mg once a year. At 50 mg I recall saying to my husband "I think I have more access to negative emotions". To 25, then to zero. Within a few months (2007) had gone into another severe episode of MDD with extreme anxiety. Went back on Zoloft, anxiety increased at first, up to 200 mg, started grinding my teeth and shaking, backed off to 100 mg, Dr. prescribed Valium for insomnia, took small dose at bedtime for a few months, which made it possible to sleep for a few hours at night, Zoloft began to kick in, withdrew slowly from Valium. This was in 2008. Now on 100 mg Zoloft. The tooth-grinding was solved with a dentist's designing a "deprogrammer" appliance but not before I broke a tooth. I'm aware of a certain tendency to tap my foot or some such rhythmic action at times which I ascribe to the Zoloft but I have no intention of even considering stopping it while I'm a dementia caregiver! I can tell that it keeps me from falling into a real depression, because my thoughts still start to want to go there, but it's not so compelling. I'm very grateful for it. Before the actual diagnosis I'd been falling into a black hole for a long time without even considering that there might be pharmaceutical help. Please note that depression is also a big threat to your health & increases the risk of developing dementia, among other things (like suicide).

Should also report that I haven't had insomnia for many years. I sleep like a rock. I used to get up in the night to pee several times, but now even if I wake up I don't care & just roll over & go back to sleep. I attribute this to the Zoloft (it's an anxiety reducer as well as an antidepressant--in my case the depression and anxiety go hand in hand).

Thx so much you guys! I truly am grateful for these responses. My dr.'s appt is on Wed. and I still am not sure what to ask, to do etc.

I don't have health insurance and although we do have government healthcare here I don't think it covers psychiatric care. So while I agree it would be better to be prescribed something by a psychiatrist it may not be a viable option.

I'm still undecided about the antidepressant but you've all given me food for thought.

By the way, I did try the ashwagandha and it was sort of helping but then I noticed it was causing blurry vision so I stopped it and the blurriness stopped so it was definitely that.

Anyways, I've got to think about this more and make a decision one way or the other whether I try another pill or keep toughing it out on my own. I've been praying about it. God will give me the answer.😊

Zoloft is said to be good for OCD symptoms, but I would check that out with your doctor.

Recently trying Viibryd. So far so good. It has helped with my adjustment to my mother’s dementia and rage periods. Although she is not living with us, we are in the same retirement village. So, it’s hard to remove myself sometimes.

Send, I don't have OCD as far as I know, just some depression and anxiety.

Dear Gershun...
I am a living miracle. I am an empath intuitive and was on 325 mgs of Effexor for more than 10 years. Oh... the weight gain! Fast forward to June 2019. Life was going really wonky... work, looking after my mom, my living situation. I found a wonderful new doctor! What a god send! I had read long ago on another forum that a woman successfully got off the Effexor, bead by bead and then transitioned to Prozac. So, I talked to my doctor and he guided me. Over a period of time, I was released from the clutches of Effexor and am now living beautifully with only 40 mgs of prozac a day. I dropped 25 pounds! I am an intuitive who meditates and lives a very conscious lifestyle. Another helpful component during all this, is that I also took cannabis. It is legal here in Canada. I floated effortlessly through all the storms at that time and found such deep insight during my meditations. What a huge miracle! Now I am helping others do the same. I send you love and light. Bless you!

Yes I started Zoloft 8 weeks ago . I feel so much better, I am thinking more clearly, sleeping much better , not forgetting things as easily. My anxiety is completely gone I was having anxiety everyday. I have tried many antidepressants over the years , al of them had terrible side effects on me. I am so happy I started taking Zoloft

Dear Gershun, I'm sad to see that you see "toughing it out" as an option when there is help available. Unfortunately, it appears that people react differently to the different antidepressants. I've read that there's some research being done to try to figure out how to tailor the choice of antidepressant to the patient, but I don't know anything more about that. I did read somewhere that it takes the average (depressed) person four tries to find one that works, which is kind of a painful process since they take so long to kick in. According to my nurse practitioner, nobody knows why it takes so long for the SSRIs to take effect since the brain is immediately flooded with serotonin. She pointed out that someone could become very wealthy by designing an antidepressant that works immediately! One reason I don't want to stop the zoloft is because going back on it was such a horrible process. It does make me realize that I must have been VERY sick to be willing to go through that.

I have been on Effexor with fine results. From reading responses here it sounds as though Elavil would help with migraines and sleep both of which I can have issues with at times. However a doctor I saw yesterday said weight gain was a more likely side effect. Does anyone who might have used this medication know of that as a significant side effect? The doctor I saw yesterday felt it was a more significant effect than Effexor causing possible same. Thanks for any input.

gershun - I am surprised that you hear nothing but bad reviews about antidepressant. Depending on what we are looking for we can find many different answers on the internet. One person's experience with a particular antidepressant does not guarantee the same experience for someone else. Have you googled "good results from antidepressant use"? My dd has tried several and is delighted with the combo she has now. She does not gain weight and feels much happier and less anxious than she has in years. It took a lot of time for her to arrive at the combo she has now. She gets her prescriptions from a psychiatrist who is better equipped to manage these meds than a GP. Re insomnia at one point he added a little elavil which counteracted the insomnia well. Dd reports her reactions to the meds and then she and the doc work out what is best for her.

I gather from your post you don't have much confidence in your doctor. Perhaps trying a different one would help. I don't think any dr is just going to throw a pill at you, For any patient, finding the right anti-d is a trial and error process. Every anti-d, indeed every medication, has negative side effects. That's life.

I am delighted with the anti-d I am on which deals with fibromyalgia pain and also has a very slight anti-d effect. At this low dose I don't have problems with side effects.

Wishing you the best results for your current search.
I have much sympathy for you and your ongoing depression and anxiety. Prayers for a good solution. ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

I started on Effexor but my insurance wouldn’t pay for two pills per day and that’s what it took. My doctor switched me to Cymbalta. I have had no side effects from it. Shortly after I started on it approval for the treatment of Fibromyalgia was granted. It has help me tremendously. Good luck.

Well, I got my prescription for Prozac today. Lowest dose.

I'm not going to start till after Christmas though cause I know the side effects might be bothersome for the first week or two.

Thx everyone for the advice and your experiences. I'll let you know how it goes.

Vistaril, very short term for anxiety and tension.

I'm taking Wellbutrin, one of the good antidepressants that doesn't cause weight gain for me. It became less effective so my Dr. added Pristiq and I'm doing great on the combination of these 2. I talked to my Dr. about adding SAM-E which has helped even more over the past few months. Good luck, it takes awhile to find the right meds for each individual.

I took Celexa...gained 30 lbs. and had weird dreams. Stopped taking them...lost 30 lbs. A year later, took them again...gained 30 lbs....stopped taking them....lost 30 lbs. Gaining weight didn't help with the depression at all. Nor did I notice the meds help. I have also taken Lexapro prior to the Celexa....also didn't notice any improvement with the depression/stress issues. The Celexa was prescribed to help with stress after my husband's strokes. I have found that doing something physical helps more than anything.

I posted here earlier about being on Effexor. After reading responses and getting a message I contemplated trying Elavil because it helps with sleep. However the interactions with other medications and the side effect of being more likely to gain weight has made me give that choice up. I do have pain in parts of my body and it sounds as though Cymbalta could help with that. I was wondering if anyone who has been on it could tell me their experience with it. It is really helpful to hear from others. Effexor has been fine for me in certain ways but I still have sleep issues as well as pain and I would like to avoid surgery as I still have jaw issues and my husband is having prostrate surgery in a month that takes precedence. Thanks to anyone who might be able to share their experiences.

I have been taking Imipramine for 30 yrs. Take enough and it keeps away thought of suicide. Side effect, doggone weight gain.

H, I've been on a various dosages of Paxil for about 20 yrs and have had no side effects.

I have had success with a number of antidepressants, but eventually my brain outwits the meds and we have to try something else. Pristiq and Latuda worked for long periods of time and didn't lead to weight gain in my case. But remember there are more antidepressants than just SSRIs and SNRIs. Tricyclics work for some people -- the poet Jane Kenyon was treated with tricyclics -- she mentions Nardil in one of her poems. And there are MAOIs, if you can tolerate the dietary restrictions. Something will click, but finding it can be an exasperating process.

I wish you well --

Now that I look back on my life, I believe that I had been suffering with depression, unecessarily, for years. What a waste! Married and divorced 2 times. Bad decisions and choices. Substance abuse. Feelings of worthlessness. Wanting to die. Almost divorced for a third time.

In conjunction with therapy, Wellbutrin completely changed my life!
The relief was immense. I discovered sides of myself that had been hidden by the depression.
I started painting, quilting, jewelry making!
I felt happy. Interested in life and people. I actually felt like a kid again!
It wasn't a feeling of being high. It just felt "normal". Stable. No more lowest of low feelings. No more guilt from feeling unmotivated all the time. No more wanting to die.

I am 56, and have been on Wellbutrin for 15 years. There is no way I could have coped with assisting my elderly parents, and dealing with my Mom's dementia, had I been depressed. No way.

You will probably have to find an anti-depressant that works for you. Initially, I tried Zoloft, and felt like I was having an out of body experience.

The Wellbutrin took awhile to start working...like a month. I'm thankful I hung in there. And my husband did too.

Don't let people who do not understand what depression feels like to dictate your choices.

I wish you all the best. Life is tough, but it can be so sweet, as well.

Thx katgrab, very well said.

I have my Prozac here but haven't taken it yet. Waiting for some things to resolve in my life first. Sick cat, etc.

Not that I have used it personally, but I swear by Zoloft as a very good defence mechanism against depression.
1. About 20 years ago my husband was diagnosed with depression and prescribed Zoloft. It worked very well, although his behaviour was still a bit strange at times. After about 3 years he could not see his usual GP to get a new script, the GPs partner said my husband did not need the drug, refused a script, said he would be fine. Within a couple of weeks my husband was spiralling out of control. In fact, he was suicidal. His regular GP was angry this had happened, and put him straight back onto Zoloft, and referred him to a psychiatrist. Cutting a very long story short, it transpired that my husband is bi polar, which means very deep depressions but with manic spikes not as marked. Apart from medication there is still a need for behaviour modification. Regular exercise, little to no alcohol, regular and plenty of sleep, routine, routine, routine. That little white pill has been magic but should be stopped only gradually.
2. My sister suffered very much from anxiety and depression. Her GP prescribed Zoloft, she was great, but periodically she could not afford to fill her script, did not tell anyone, just went off the drug. She went into this endless spiral of taking the drug and being fine, then not taking the drug and deteriorating. Each time she went off it, she went downhill quicker than the previous occasion; each time she went back on the drug it took longer to take effect. Zoloft works for her and when she cannot afford a script she knows we will pay without judging her.
3. A cousin's wife suffered from post-partum depression for 12 months, was put onto Zoloft, it did its magic. When she fell pregnant she went off the drug against medical advice, went downhill, was deeply depressed before she even gave birth. Following the birth she begged to be given the drug again and hey presto, magic. It did help to have a calmer second child but that does not account for the immediate about face.
4. A friend had school aged children, for no reason fell into depression to the extent she could not raise herself off the lounge or bed to even feed her children, shop, do housework. Zoloft kicked in very quickly, tickety boo! Has not looked back and that has to be 20 years ago.
None of the above gained weight on Zoloft. Whether it is the nature of the drug or the positive effects of regular exercise and proper meals is debatable. I asked my husband how he would feel if he put on weight using the drug. He said give him the drug any day. After all these years he still recalls the depths of despair he experienced, and he said he would put up with weight rather than go there again.
In brief, anti depressive medication needs to be accompanied by a modification of behaviour and lifestyle. Eat well, exercise regularly, have a very good daily routine. Steer clear of anything that might upset your psyche. Toxic friends, social media, dark movies, alcohol etc. Spend time in the fresh air and sunshine, but above all, find an empathetic person to talk to, preferably someone who has already travelled the path of depression. It is a bit like an alcoholic needing to speak to a dry alcoholic. They do not judge.

The reason I am waiting is I've got things going on that require not being distracted by side effects that you get initially with most antidepressants. I'm not a newbie. I have taken them before. But thx for the advice.😊

So I started taking prozac 10mg. once a day. Just two days. So far I've experienced tiredness and irritability. I was told to take it mornings but with this tiredness I'm switching to bedtime.

I'm wondering if the irritability is normal and will go away. I know its early to be concerned but I've read that irritability is not normal. Has anyone on here had this experience?

gershun - my gdg experienced irritability at the beginning of taking prozac for a while - days not weeks - maybe one week.