Perhaps these drugs are less than necessary.

I had heard about a doctor who prescribed supplements of calcium w/ magnesium, as an effective treatment, which didn't have any particular side effects, so I tried that.

To make a long story very short, it worked just fine. I feel fine, and have no known side effects.

Apparently, the body can develop a shortage of these two elements, which can lead to depression, which is of course easily corrected by supplementing those elements.

I avoid real drugs, whenever possible, as almost all of them have detrimental side effects of one sort or another, often with side effects worse than the ailment it is supposed to treat.

I shudder every time I see drug ads on TV, as they are basically trying to make addicts of us all.

I bet Rick is right.

Jac, what did your doctor suggest you *do* about these problems???

I hate doctors:
they get their continuing education from the drug companies.

and they'll prescribe anything to get you back to the payment desk...so they can "see" the next patient.

She called back at 4:00 and said she called in a prescription for Wellbutrin. (No thanks)
I told her I intend to work my way off Zoloft and see how it goes from there. She was concerned but she understood.

There is a difference in someone needing a medication for an imbalance and someone with situational depression. At least I think so, guess we'll find out.

Someone who is suicidal should take a different approach.

Jac, I'm sorry, you're having to go thru this. I wish none of us had to take some of the poison they prescribe.
I like passionflower for making me *feel* better
""Wellbutrin"" ??? Is she crazy??

I'm worried about you Jacqueline. Please check in often and let us know how you're doing. Forgive me, but I don't recall the circumstances surrounding your grief. I must have been off Gardenweb at the time or something. Don't feel obligated to explain to me, but I just wanted to know if you're familiar with The Compassionate Friends (a group for anyone who has lost a child to any circumstance). Is there a Compassionate Friends group in your area? Have you tried it? I don't know what support you have, but I would love to help find contacts for you if you're not familiar with the group. My parents seem to get great relief in just being able to talk about my sister.

I was happy as a lark on Zoloft. My husband on the other hand wasn't nearly as happy with me on Zoloft if you get my drift.

My doc went ahead and switched me to Wellbutrin and I did ok on it, but not nearly as well as Zoloft.

The amazing thing is, I hadn't realized how my sister's situation had been stressing me out over the past 3 years and I'm sad to say that when she committed suicide it was such an abrupt end to the emotional roller coaster I had been on, that my depression has been eliminated.

I got off the Wellbutrin in January and have noticed bad knee pain. I had just assumed it was my increased weight from eating all those "comfort foods" during my grieving process (basically I didn't care what I ate for a couple of months). Now, with your posting, I'm curious to research if Wellbutrin withdrawal causes joint pain as well. (I realize it's a totally different class of drug than Zoloft.) Whatever the cause, I still need to lose weight and am confident that I will feel even better when I do.

I'll pray for you to find relief of your pain at all the levels you're feeling. Peace be with you over the next few weeks.

I am presently taking Paxil along with Xanax XR for relief of panic anxiety disorder and menopausal "distress"...?
I allowed myself to be put on these medications because my "symptoms" were so severe I was not functioning. I was in a constant panic, couldn't sleep, and was wound tighter than a loaded spring! I am also in therapy (which has helped tremendously to uncover the "cause" of my panics) and attend weekly group meetings to help modify my thought and behavior processes.

I am on very low doses of both medications; but, I hate being on any kind of medication! I am going to talk to my doctor about slowly weaning off the meds, one at a time. I think it will probably take months to do this without extreme withdrawal; I've been on this medication almost two years! I'm scared....of panic attacks, and, getting off the meds!! But, I'm determined!

My joints have been hurting since I've been on this medication, and at first I attributed it to the weight gain the meds cause, or to menopause. But, I have done a bit of research (especially on Paxil, which is an SSRI) and it seems to "settle" in your bones and joints. And I have heard and read that it is extremely slow going if you want to wean off the SSRI, and some say they just couldn't. That's scary!

Anyway, I've started a "super healthy diet" rich in fruits, vegetables, and all the "super foods" I've researched to prepare myself for the withdrawal. And I've started exercising to release those natural endorphins, plus I drink lots of water.

So....say a prayer, and have faith! And take it sslloowwllyy. :-) We can do this!

Lol...told my DH, he says he's kinda glad he'll be outta town for a while! (chicken)

I'm lucky in a twisted sort of way. The wreck in October caused me to lose almost all my memory from the past year or so. I understand it was the year from hell. Unfortunately, nothing 'new' seems to stick either! That's ok, got plenty of pens and note paper. I'm now the Queen of Lists! Seriously, even when working in the yard I have a few pens and whenever something needs to be done, I write it on my hand or arm so I don't forget. (lol)

Thanks for the concern, but I'm fine, as long as I don't go in my son's room.
After years of doctors, medications, therapists, hospitals and taking every protective measure, nothing worked for him. His room was stripped down so he couldn't hurt himself. Anyhow ~ got him home because he was "stable". I should have searched him and I should have taken his weight into consideration. A hook that will hold an R/C plane will hold a 13 year old boy as will a pair of shoelaces twisted together.
All the protection, love and medical intervention will not stop someone if they really don't want to exist.

Time and Faith will heal the wounds ~

Jac and Jolana why not wellbutrin? I take wellbutrin XL.

Jac, I know next to nothing about those medications, so I can't advise you as to what to do. However, I do send my best thoughts to you as you go through this time.

I do not at all discount all doctors nor all medications. There is a time and place for medications, and sometimes they are necessary. Yes, there are definately plenty of doctors that over prescribe, and are more out to make the pharmacy salesmen happy than their patients well, but not all of them are like that.

Jac, again, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sally

Don't get me wrong! Zoloft worked wonders as did Effexor.
The circumstances that led to the precription have changed. Those 'stressors' are gone.
I'd NEVER tell someone not to take a medication they need!

My complaint was the lack of warning - not that it would have made a difference, I would still take them. But I want to know a drug may be causing certain 'ailments' so I don't wonder what is wrong with me!

*Don't know anything about Wellbutrin except that's one of the drugs my son was taking.
I just don't want to keep going around and around with these meds.

Jac, write this down.

"You're a strong person and well loved by a lot of people."

Hugs and prayers, Carol

P.S. eat some dark chocolate. I heard it helps with depression.

Jac, you're absolutely right. I can think of 1/2 dozen ways to die in an empty room. If someone wants to die there is really nothing you can do. I have a religious phrase that I hope will help. "God has no grand kids". Your son had his own higher power and his own free will. My heart really does break for you.
I'm sorry your Dr didn't give you a list of possible side effects. Every box of meds I've gotten has a list of possible side effects on an insert. I always check that.
Lists,lists and more lists. Ahhhh...the life of someone who can't hold on to a thought very long or remember things. I do know how you feel. That's a main symptom of ADHD. There are post it notes all over my house. Kind of like textured wall paper. It's so festive! I am using what's obviously a method for people with attention deficit problems on line. It's called Flylady. Without it I would get nothing done. I have something called a "control Journal" that I check with throughout the day to stay on task and get my stuff done.
I always helped my depression(caused by celiac/wheat) with lots and lots of water,decent amount of sleep and exercise. Nothing else helped more.PJ

Jac...I have to say, zoloft scares me. I know several people with bad zoloft experiences. I hope you have lots of confidence in your doctor.
My dad was on zoloft and had problems with it, but has been switched to welbutrin & is doing great.
He has a problem with extreme highs then extreme lows in a short time span. We never know what will set him off.
I've been on effexor for 11 years to control my panic/anxiety attacks. I'll probably be on it forever.
I'm grateful that it helps so much.
I have bad joints & bones and pain from osteoarthritis & osteoporosis, so don't know if I'm having pain from the effexor.
I'd like to learn more about the drugs I take. I read those inserts and they all say about the same thing! I guess the pharmacutical companys list all possible and then some to protect themselves.
What Rick mentioned about magnesium...I understand we can all use supplements of it. Lack of it can contribute to lots of problems.

Jaq, same thing happened to me but with Paxil, doc never said a word about withdrawal. Which was unfortunate since I got laid off and he wouldn't see me anymore without insurance. I was miserable for about a month and a half. I should have sued him.

My advice, DO NOT take these drugs unless you are fully aware of the side effects etc...

PJ... i do flylady!! I absolutely love it. I'm not as religious about it as I used to be, but the bed still gets made everyday, and the sink is empty..even if there's a load of clothes in the dryer that have been there since yesterday.. lol I'm doing a heck of a lot better than 2 yrs ago. Anyways, didn't mean to get off subject, just wanted to say Hi! Courtney

I'm a newbie flybaby. I've only been doing it for a short time but it's keeping me afloat! My DH works 53 hrs a week and goes to school so I'm on my own homeschooling 2 special needs kids. I'd sink without it! I just read a funny sticker that said,"Remember, housework when done correctly will kill you". I nearly dropped the package she put it on laughing! PJ

(giggle, snort) Glad you liked it!

*Update - the pain is still awful but everything else is much better.

(((Jac))) I'm sorry you hurt. :^(. I'm glad you still have your sense of humor! :^) .
The Beauty Berry has announced (don't ask I'm weird) that it likes it's spot. It was all perky and happy-looking. I'll give a good home.PJ

Jac...I was reading this article this AM, You might find it helpful. It relates to ssri meds & then adding wellbutin for depression remission.

Here is a link that might be useful: depression article

Jac,

You probably don't remember me, but you sent me a butterfly bush last year! I was (and am, but not practicing at this time) a Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist for the past 22 years.

Every antidepressant has problems that can be associated with it, from sexual dysfunction to life-threatening electrical changes in the heart. I also consider that every time my son had strep throat, the antibiotics I gave him could cause Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. A tylenol with a viral illness could lead to Reye's Syndrome, or just a plain tylenol with a fever could be "the one" that causes liver failure in a person with a hidden hepatic illness.

I totally agree that you should have been told of the potential for Serotonin Withdrawal Syndrome, and the possibility of another associated problem called Serotonergic Syndrome that can be associated with all SSRI's. Thats where having people who are trained specifically in the treatment of depression is invaluable.
Primary Care Physicians can spot and begin treatment of depression very well these days (thank goodness for everyone who, like myself, uses a GP), but if I had cancer, I would want to see an Oncologist, not an OB/GYN. The same thinking should be applied to any illness requiring special training, in my opinion.

For as many people as I have seen who have had problems with a particular antidepressant, I have seen four times as many do beautifully. My hope is that one day, the science of the mind/emotions will advance to the point that a swab or a blood test will be able to identify the type of depression a person has and tell us, like a culture and sensitivity test does for bacteria, which medication has the best chance of treating the disease.

Until that time, even the most well-trained and brilliant minds will continue to do their best and offer medications in the treatment of depression. Not all will be sucessful or pretty, but for those who have truly had a case of Clinical Depression, at least someone is trying. Not to try when a patient is asking for help would be worse. I will take a patient who is suffering side effects from a medication (though never the goal) over a patient who is no longer around to have a side effect, anyday.

Do I think medications are over-prescribed? Absolutely! Do I think that people who have no business prescribing them are doing so? Absolutely! Do I think even the most highly trained Mental Health professionals sometimes miss the mark or over-prescribe? Absolutely!!

I also know a woman who was told she had the flu and had an Aortic Aneurysm which ruptured on the way home from the hospital. I cared for a woman who convinced herself she had a yeast allergy, treated herself at home with vitamins and dietary restrictions, and all the while had a brain tumor that took her life. Her diagnosis came after she had killed a man and was court commited for evaulation to stand trial.

Most people are amazingly resilient. Some are not. I am championing for those who are not and need a little help along the way (myself included at one time).

I know my thinking is in direct opposition to many, and I never wish to challenge someone's right to choose treatments that that they deem right for themselves or their families. I just wanted to say, these medications, warts and all, make it possible for many people to work, maintain families and relationships, and in some cases, just survive another day of depression. I just hope that someone who needs treatment sees this and doesn't decide to throw the baby out with the bath water.

Lea