Anti depressants

[Guest guest]

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a

lot and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

Finding the right Antidepressant is like finding the right Rx for

neuropathy. There r a lot out there. Just a matter of trial & error 2 find

the one that alleviates the depression with the fewest side effects. There r

antidepressants that also work 4 neuropathy, such as Cymbalta & tricyclics.

U might b able 2 kill 2 birds with 1 pill.

Jenn

Sent from my iPhone

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a

lot and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

Hmm well you said you are depressed because you are on pain meds? Do you have

" clinical depression " ? Or are you simply sad and lonely because what you are

going through, which is justified.

I have had clinical depression. In some cases 2 drugs are combined, so Lexapro

and a drug like Cymbalta or Pristique.

However I have been tested for depression now and I'm not depressed. I was more

annoyed/frustrated/lonely. Compared to hopeless and not functioning due to

clinical depression.

In this case if I started looking for a therapist I think I would look for

someone who works with patients who have an illness. Vs a typical

counselor/shrink I had 8 years ago.

Def. Talk to your therapist about adding a second drug. I was also on a 3rd

drug- Sorequel for 2 months at night, as the other drugs take time to kick in.

>thanks I will talk to my dr about those. I tried Lexapro but didn't seem to do

a lot but I constantly have a infection so that could be some of the reason I am

tired all the time.

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>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a

>lot and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

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[Guest guest]

An infection can definitely cause fatigue. Especially if u have a fever.

Lexapeo isn't one that works 4 neuropathy. The only ones I know of r the

tricyclic family & Cymbalta. Maybe someone knows if there r others.

Jenn

Sent from my iPhone

thanks I will talk to my dr about those. I tried Lexapro but didn't seem to

do a lot but I constantly have a infection so that could be some of the

reason I am tired all the time.

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a

lot and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

Hi Pamela This stuff can make you feel crazy sometimes! First I want to say,

the people on this list are dealing with ALOT! It is " normal " to feel " tired "

and  " hopeless " etc sometimes. There is a difference however between normal

feelings and clinical feelings. There is also a difference between clinical

" Major " depression and situational depression. Some people have actual chemical

imbalances in their bodies that require the assistance of medications to be

" normal " (if there really is such a thing!) Usually these people will require

meds for the rest of their life to function well. Then, there are people that

need help with coping skills when dealing with a situation in their life that

they are having trouble with. Sometimes they need meds too but only for a period

of time and then once they get their coping skills in place they can come off

them safely (under a doc's orders and guidance). Of course each of us is

different. Personally, I started

seeing a Psychiatrist and was diagnosed with Major Depression. This was based

on the fact that I was in so much pain that I was considering suicide. Now, to

most people (and most physicians), suicide is a big red flag and therefore I was

deemed clinically depressed and we started the long and tedious road of trying

to find an antidepressant that would " cure " me. Guess what? I dont have Major

Depression. I have pain. Big difference. We tryed numerous meds for a period of

about two years and I did not tolerate any of them (nor did they help alleviate

my " suicidal thinking " ) because I do not have a chemical imbalance, I have pain.

I did however receive counseling which was very helpful and fortunately for me

had a surgery which has decreased my pain to manageable levels. I had a friend

who's (long story) husband was arrested and jailed for a very serious offense.

She was diagnosed with Major Depression and onto all these meds she went, she

didnt tolerate

any of them, guess why? She does not have a chemical imbalance, she has stress

and heartbreak! So, I guess the point I am trying to make is when these

medications are needed, they are life changing. But they are prescribed like

skittles for a sweet tooth and these are very strong and life altering drugs

which " can " some of them, have non-reversible side effects. Please Please be

careful, make sure your words are not misconstrued, find a Psych that is used to

dealing with patients in chronic, debilitating pain and mobility issues. Maybe

find a support group in your area or something and see if that helps first. Do

not expect a " pill " to fix this. The emotional aspects of this condition are

sometimes as challenging if not more so than the physical. You may need

medication, and if so, please use it but realize, there may be side effects.

After my two year period of going on and off this med and that I find I really

have no memory of those years. I can

honestly say I shouldnt have even been driving during that time and these were

not " antipsychotics " they were just run of the mill antidepressants but they had

a very strong effect on me because I had no chemical imbalance. Interestingly

enough, now that I have worked with this doctor and counselor for a few years

and they " know me " and have actually seen how much pain affects my life and the

severity of it at times, they are much more understanding of my " right " to

choose, when and if my quality of life deteriorates to that point, of making

that life ending decision. To me, it is no different than having a living will,

which I have had since age 16. I want a certain quality of life, not just

quantity and I feel it is my right to make that choice when and if I have

extinguished all avenues of treatment. They understand this now, but when I

first went through the door they didnt so please, just be careful and make sure

they " get " what is going on with

you.   

Subject: Anti depressants

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

 

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

,

 Thanks so much for caring enough to write me. I have a therapist I was talking

too for years. I haven't been to her in a while. I do need to go back. I think I

have always had some depression even before I got sick I just didn't want to

take pills. I am not sure yet if I do or not. I am trying them for now if they

work that would be great if not then I want to be off of them. I think my dr

knows the pain I am in. He has given me countless number of pain shots and pain

pills both to help ease it up. I do think he is a good dr and would do anything

to just medicate me. When I talked to him about it he told we that I am dealing

with serious medical issues that are really depressing and he thinks I have a

valid reason to want them.

 Can I ask why you didn't remember 2 yrs of your life? How did they make you

feel? The new one I just started is Symbrax 6mg/25mg it is suppose to have

prozac in it too. Today I am feeling really good. Not sure if it's because my

infection is more manageable since I am taking more antibotics or it's the pills

or both.  I have a little boy at home and I do not want anything that is gonna

put me in another world by no means.

 I am so glad I found this group everyone has been so helpful.

Pam

Subject: Anti depressants

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

 

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

He put me on Symbyax now I have taken 7 pills now. I am going to ask him about

Cymbalta at next visit. I am seeing him more than most of my family now days.

Thank God he is giving me samples to take. Do you feel so tired most of the

time? Most days when I wake up I feel like I am coming off of a sleeping  pill

that is not out of my system. I have no energy and drive to do anything even

talk a shower seems to be a chore.

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a

lot and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

Lexapro...while definitely helped in the beginning, I was tired and it

caused weight gain and it was not easy to get off of. I am currently using

Celexa which I really like. Everyone is so different though my mom taked

zoloft and does great it made me climb the walls.

In a message dated 10/3/2010 5:48:21 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

lewis511@... writes:

thanks I will talk to my dr about those. I tried Lexapro but didn't seem

to do a lot but I constantly have a infection so that could be some of the

reason I am tired all the time

[Guest guest]

, I think you explained this better than I did!

Exactly... Docs (all 35!) Were trying to say I am depressed. I don't go out

etc... Um because I'm in pain!

Clinical depression was, for me, everything is fine in my life but I can't

physically get out of bed, I don't want to do anything- for no reason. I slept

16 hours, missed work, was in a fog. When I got on meds my mind just cleared.

Now I'm just experiencing things because of the pain.

I hope we all can figure this out...

>Hi Pamela This stuff can make you feel crazy sometimes! First I want to say,

the people on this list are dealing with ALOT! It is " normal " to feel " tired "

and  " hopeless " etc sometimes. There is a difference however between normal

feelings and clinical feelings. There is also a difference between clinical

" Major " depression and situational depression. Some people have actual chemical

imbalances in their bodies that require the assistance of medications to be

" normal " (if there really is such a thing!) Usually these people will require

meds for the rest of their life to function well. Then, there are people that

need help with coping skills when dealing with a situation in their life that

they are having trouble with. Sometimes they need meds too but only for a period

of time and then once they get their coping skills in place they can come off

them safely (under a doc's orders and guidance). Of course each of us is

different. Personally, I started

> seeing a Psychiatrist and was diagnosed with Major Depression. This was based

on the fact that I was in so much pain that I was considering suicide. Now, to

most people (and most physicians), suicide is a big red flag and therefore I was

deemed clinically depressed and we started the long and tedious road of trying

to find an antidepressant that would " cure " me. Guess what? I dont have Major

Depression. I have pain. Big difference. We tryed numerous meds for a period of

about two years and I did not tolerate any of them (nor did they help alleviate

my " suicidal thinking " ) because I do not have a chemical imbalance, I have pain.

I did however receive counseling which was very helpful and fortunately for me

had a surgery which has decreased my pain to manageable levels. I had a friend

who's (long story) husband was arrested and jailed for a very serious offense.

She was diagnosed with Major Depression and onto all these meds she went, she

didnt tolerate

> any of them, guess why? She does not have a chemical imbalance, she has stress

and heartbreak! So, I guess the point I am trying to make is when these

medications are needed, they are life changing. But they are prescribed like

skittles for a sweet tooth and these are very strong and life altering drugs

which " can " some of them, have non-reversible side effects. Please Please be

careful, make sure your words are not misconstrued, find a Psych that is used to

dealing with patients in chronic, debilitating pain and mobility issues. Maybe

find a support group in your area or something and see if that helps first. Do

not expect a " pill " to fix this. The emotional aspects of this condition are

sometimes as challenging if not more so than the physical. You may need

medication, and if so, please use it but realize, there may be side effects.

After my two year period of going on and off this med and that I find I really

have no memory of those years. I can

> honestly say I shouldnt have even been driving during that time and these were

not " antipsychotics " they were just run of the mill antidepressants but they had

a very strong effect on me because I had no chemical imbalance. Interestingly

enough, now that I have worked with this doctor and counselor for a few years

and they " know me " and have actually seen how much pain affects my life and the

severity of it at times, they are much more understanding of my " right " to

choose, when and if my quality of life deteriorates to that point, of making

that life ending decision. To me, it is no different than having a living will,

which I have had since age 16. I want a certain quality of life, not just

quantity and I feel it is my right to make that choice when and if I have

extinguished all avenues of treatment. They understand this now, but when I

first went through the door they didnt so please, just be careful and make sure

they " get " what is going on with

> you.   

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>

>

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>Subject: Anti depressants

>To: tetheredspinalcord

>Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

>

>

> 

>

>

>

>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well...thats the thing...I didnt (at the time) feel like I was messed up! I

certainly wasn't " high " , I do remember being forgetful and some word searching

but I didnt feel it was anything major. They didnt help my pain or help me deal

with my pain so basically I just noticed the side effects like vomiting or

diarrhea or weight gain or loss of appetite or insomnia or sleeping 20 hours a

day, stuff like that lol. To this day someone can ask me about something during

that time and its like I have alzheimers or something. After coming off of

everything (I never was on narcotics because I dont tolerate them either) I even

accused the IRS of stealing money from my bank account on a bill that (I had

signed a contract with them allowing them to autowithdrawal) had been in effect

all that time. I didnt remember a thing. I know I am wierd. I react to meds very

strangely and there are probably millions of people on these meds that it doesnt

affect them that way.

Im just saying " be careful " and if you have a small child I would make sure

someone else was around for awhile to see how you react and sort of monitor if

there are changes that " you " dont notice. That sounds sort of paranoid I know,

but better safe than sorry with little ones, they can get into a lot of stuff if

Mom nods off for a few hours...I actually have first hand experience with that

too as I drank Drano as a toddler when my sitter fell asleep (and yes, it was on

the top shelf, I had to open the cabinet doors and climb up the shelves to get

to it......dont ask why???, I have no idea LOL)

Subject: Anti depressants

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

 

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

Yes, each one of us is very different...and to complicate things even more...it

is a known fact that chronic pain can and does change body chemistry and brain

function (it destroys grey matter actually). So, just because someone has never

had a chemical imbalance doesnt mean that they cant develop one due to the

longstanding assault that our bodies take from this. So, we all just have to

" know ourselves " well enough to recognize when we need help and seek it if we

do. The tricky part is knowing what helps and what hurts and sometimes we have

to be a strong advocate for ourselves and make sure that the " treatment " isnt

worse than the condition. 

>

>

>

>Subject: Anti depressants

>To: tetheredspinalcord

>Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

>

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> 

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>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

>

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[Guest guest]

I didn't know that. I am learning so much on here. I didn't start really hurting

until this last year really bad but, have had problems for about 15.

>

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>Subject: Anti depressants

>To: tetheredspinalcord

>Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

>

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> 

>

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>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

>

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[Guest guest]

I have been having people around with the pain meds. We usually go to my moms

and she watches him in case I need to sleep. I never thought about falling

asleep on the antidepressants but when I first started talking this new one I

slept most of the day but thank God my husband was. I like probably 20 hrs that

days. That has only happened once. Thanks for all the warnings.

Subject: Anti depressants

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

 

Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

[Guest guest]

That is me all together. I never want to get out of bed and the only reason I do

is I have too I have a little boy. I always want to run and hide in my room. I

done that a lot as a child so now I still want too. Sometimes I just feel like I

just can't make myself go to work not sure why. It's like something has a hold

over me. I am on day 2 of feeling really well so I hope it's the meds working. I

will take pill 8 today.

>

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>Subject: Anti depressants

>To: tetheredspinalcord

>Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

>

>

> 

>

>

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>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

>

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[Guest guest]

Isn't it weird how it does people so  differently?

Subject: Re: Anti depressants

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Monday, October 4, 2010, 3:17 AM

 

Lexapro...while definitely helped in the beginning, I was tired and it

caused weight gain and it was not easy to get off of. I am currently using

Celexa which I really like. Everyone is so different though my mom taked

zoloft and does great it made me climb the walls.

In a message dated 10/3/2010 5:48:21 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

lewis511@... writes:

thanks I will talk to my dr about those. I tried Lexapro but didn't seem

to do a lot but I constantly have a infection so that could be some of the

reason I am tired all the time

[Guest guest]

I hope you continue to feel better

>

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>Subject: Anti depressants

>To: tetheredspinalcord

>Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

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> 

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>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

>

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[Guest guest]

Just passing this info along in case anyone is interested -

I was watching a pbs special last night featuring Dr Amen -- he is a

pshyciatrist and has done amazing work with brain spect imaging over the last 20

years and has treated patients with all sorts of brain conditions. He said that

one problem with traditional diagnosis is that someone goes into their doctor,

in just a few minutes gets diagnosed with depression for example and is given a

pill -- one size fits all. He said diagnosing depression is like diagnosing you

with chest pain -- there are several causes and that is most likely why some

meds work for some and not for others -- as there are several forms and causes

of depression affecting several different areas of the brain. Same with ADD.

Anyways, food for thought -- anyone interested in more info he has a great

website http://www.amenclinics.com with several great resources available.

Among his books, he does have one that specifically deals with Healing

Depression and Anxiety -- just look at his online store under books. You can

sign up for his newsletters or look on his website for archived ones.

I have seen some of his other lectures before on tv and I find his work is

fascinating.

Cheers

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: livedream_believe@...

Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 21:52:13 -0700

Subject: Re: Anti depressants

Yes, each one of us is very different...and to complicate things even more...it

is a known fact that chronic pain can and does change body chemistry and brain

function (it destroys grey matter actually). So, just because someone has never

had a chemical imbalance doesnt mean that they cant develop one due to the

longstanding assault that our bodies take from this. So, we all just have to

" know ourselves " well enough to recognize when we need help and seek it if we

do. The tricky part is knowing what helps and what hurts and sometimes we have

to be a strong advocate for ourselves and make sure that the " treatment " isnt

worse than the condition.

>

>

>

>Subject: Anti depressants

>To: tetheredspinalcord

>Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

thank you, i wish the same for you and everyone else in this amazing group

>

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>Subject: Anti depressants

>To: tetheredspinalcord

>Date: Sunday, October 3, 2010, 1:08 AM

>

>

> 

>

>

>

>Has anyone take anti depressants? If so are they working. I get depressed a lot

and when I have to take pain meds I feel like I am going crazy.

>

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