Serious post for people who suffer chronic depression

[Connonym]

Firstly, this is not a request for medical advice, I'm under close supervision of my doctor, I'm just looking for anecdotal stories here.

I switched to a new antidepressant "Prestiq" a couple weeks ago and I'm about at the point where all the Prozac (which I had been taking before) is out of my system. Life has been pretty stressful, if you've ever read any of my posts I'm sure you're familiar ad nauseum with that BS. Anyway, for any of you with experience changing meds, is it normal to have a bit of the blues (not suicidal kind of blues, just blah and feeling like crying blues) while one is wearing off and the other is still settling in? I'm just having an awful day and I've been fighting the urge to cry all day. I don't think it requires a 2 am call to the doctor (as I said, just blues, not suicidal or anything). I guess what I really need is a hug. Can I have a hug?

[bluesbassman]

1. Sure you can Connonym!

Here you go.:hug: Hang in there, it'll get better!

[TZ]

2. You can have a hug

And yes its normal to go through this while transitioning from one drug to another..It takes some time to get the first out of your system and for the new one to kick in..I think a couple of weeks probably.
Even on meds it can happen..I'm on Lexapro, which works really well for me generally...but these last few days I've had a bad case of the blues..and my sleeping pattern is off (why I'm up right now) a sure sign of a depressive episode..I think I have some PMS kicking in here affecting this....
Here's your hug....:hug:

[Lil Missy]

3. I've never heard of "Presig". I have had chronic depression for years, sometime severe.

I started out with Prozac several years ago, and it really changed my life. I felt so much better, and could actually see things around me, like plants and trees. And I went on a whirlwind doing things like making my house and yard "happier".

It's like I never had any peripheral vision before that. I told my Dr one day that I had never noticed before that there were plants and trees an flowers in front of his building. He explained to me that I had been so depressed that I had tunnel vision, and was was just putting one foot in front or the other just to survive.

After some interruptions with illness and surgeries, the Prozac quit working for me. He switched me to another Prozac clone that continues to work well for me.

You mentioned that life has been pretty stressful for you lately. Sometimes depression is situational. Like a death in the family or some other major life event. Antidepressants cannot help that. But for me, the difference is that I can be depressed and still sit up and function, rather than just sleep all the time and become practically catatonic.

I am not familiar with your previous posts or what you are going through. But I do know that sometimes it takes a few weeks for a new med to get into your system and work effectively. If that doesn't work, you can always be switched to something else that does work.

Good luck.

:hug:

[Ellipsis]

4. Buck up bunky.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=hug&hl=en&sitesearch=#

[Connonym]

5. that's awesome

thanks for posting it. I've never seen that before. It makes me want to go to a senior citizen residence and hold out "Free Hugs" signs because I bet they don't get hugged enough.

[Adsos Letter]

6. Here is the biggest of hugs for you!

:hug:

As a fellow-traveller regarding depression for over 25 years I have found that the "changeover" time can allow some depression to creep back until the new med attains the proper blood level.

On a positive note, when my depression got really bad I found that i could not display any emotion. I don't know your history, but being able to cry for a bit would have been a good thing for me.

Hang in there, stay in close touch with the doc until the meds have kicked in, IT WILL GET BETTER! :hi:

[Roon]

7. Hang in there Connonym

I suffer with depression too. One thing I have noticed about it is that it sometimes takes 3-4 switches with the meds before you can find one that works for you.Just hang in there,it will get better.I am currently on four physce meds.

[LiberalEsto]

8. Hugs and blessings

I'm taking antidepressants myself. They've helped me a lot, and I can't imagine what my life would be like without them.

Sometimes all it takes is a little tinkering with your dosage to get it right. Maybe a little more is needed; maybe a bit less. Maybe taking a second med helps.

[zanne]

9. I have definitely been there before.

In my experience, it took a few weeks to a month before the new meds had a chance to kick in and the old meds had a chance to exit the building. When I get the blues (not a real depressive episode) I find that keeping a list of the "Ten Thinking Errors" really helps. When I'm down it's hard for me to see the forest for the trees and these ten tips keep me going. Hope it helps you!http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=2252

[Pharaoh]

10. just an effexor clone

Prestiq is a patent-extender. It was invented to make lots of money, not to benefit patients. Even the manufacturer hasn't been able to come up with any possible advantages that it might have over Effexor. It's a shame that Wyeth didn't decide to invest money into a novel drug which might actually benefit someone..... but then that would be difficult and might not make as much profit.

Prestiq will be an effective AD....... but will present all the same problems as Effexor. Patients who have had side effects from, or who have not benefitted from Effexor will almost certainly find that Prestiq is no better.

[zanne]

16. Interesting.

I'm going to read up on that. Thanks for the info!

[Connonym]

17. According to my shrink, it doesn't have the same side effect of raising blood pressure

I stopped Effexor several years ago in part because it raised my blood pressure and since the Prozac had become less effective (and I've tried everything else under the sun in the past 25 years) we decided to go with this. Doc is keeping me supplied with free samples indefinitely. I'm hopeful this will work because everything else has either not worked or has stopped working and/or given me unacceptable side effects. If it doesn't work after 3 months my shrink is going to send me to a surgeon in Madison to discuss an implanted nerve stimulating device.

[femmocrat]

11. Hope it evens out for you soon.

:hug:

The only experience I have is with Prozac. Once I went off it (because I was sick and on other meds and basically "out of it"), and experienced a severe panic attack. I hyperventilated and ended up at the ER.

If the blues continue, you should definitely call your dr. Those drugs are great when they are doing their job, but everyone reacts differently. Good luck!

[malta blue]

12. hugs

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[YankeyMCC]

13. A virtual but heartfelt hug! nt

[Redbear]

14. Yes.

Ive switched twice and it happened both times.

[AwakeAtLast]

15. I have not been diagnosed

but different forms of depression run in my family, especially SADS.

I would think that there has to be a withdrawl period from most drugs, no matter what they're prescribed for. I had that happen to me when I was coming off the pitocin they jacked me up with when I had my daughter. I *would* make a call if you still feel this way after a week or so.

Hope you are better soon! :hug:

[Parche]

18. Big hugs

We all need a big hug every once in a while
I feel your pain
there are good times, sad times, and empty times, but we get through them the best we can....

:hi: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[laylah]

19. Absolutely,

been there, doin' that :hug:

[applegrove]

20. (((Connonym))) and vibes being sent your way while you adjust your medication.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

21. ofcourse

:hug:

[TrogL]

22. Yes and yes

[Shine]

23. Here's a hug for you.

:hug: I'm sorry you're feeling down.

Sorry, I've never used antidepressants, so I don't have any advice to give....just moral support.

Hang in there. Would getting some counseling help, perhaps? Kind of a two-pronged approach, so to speak.