Anti-depressants anyone?

Nurses General Nursing

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Over the years I have taken Celexa and most recently Paxil for my depression. I am now on Wellbutrin. My Celexas quit working, and my Paxils made me gain weight!(Like I needed that!). Anyone else taking Wellbutrin? I have heard people also use this for weight loss and to help them to quit smoking! I could only pray that it would make me lose weight! I had my first one today(been off my Paxil for two days). Am not asking for medical advice, just wondering if anyone else has had good luck with Wellbutrin!:stone

Hi,

Do they test for anitdepressants in Drug tests?

IF so can they discriminate against you if you are on them?

How does this work

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Specializes in cardiac ICU.

No, they don't test for antidepressants when doing drug testing. And I would think that any overt discrimination would be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act--mental illness is included in the disabilities. But you're right--the stigma is real. How do we fix that?

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I took Wellbutrin to quit smoking and suffered from severe anxiety and nightmares. I smoked twice as much!!! LOL. I did eventually quit I am pleased to say........but with good old fashioned determination, not Wellbutrin.

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Just my personal opinion, which means nothing, but to quit smoking.....you just need to quit with other types of support, than drugs. Antidepressants are for depression.

Any medication has side effects, and should be taken only with very serious consideration Check out the nursing and depression thread which also talks about the stigma of depression,etc.

As far as drug testing, I am probably repeatin myself from this thread as well as others.....just list what you take..........no problem here.

micro

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Does anyone know if you need to disclose this information to your employer. for ex. Please list all meds????

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FutureRNTerri, I wouldn't. The meds you are taking is none of their business. The one exception is narcs if they do drug screening. But, if you're on an anti-hypertensive, anti-depressant, whatever, it isn't required. If they insist, you don't need to work there that badly. See some of the legislation that prevents employers from even knowing about HIV drugs in most cases (some exceptions, but that's another post).

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has anyone who have had anti depressant experienced an improvement in thier general aches and pains - ie back pain?

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OMG, i could go on for days.....

The Dr. started me out on Paxil, and i gained over 50+ pounds, and it gave me serious sweats, all the time! When they tried to take me off of it, I went into serious w/drawls, and was put in the hospital. So, they put me back on, when they tried to give me others, (effoxor, c...somthing or another) I still went through the horrilbe w/drawls. I could feel the blood go through every vein in my body, my head felt really weird, very hard to explain. They tried Wellbutrin, to help quit smoking and hopefully increase sex drive, neither of which happened. So then again, went through horrible w/drawls after 2 or 3 days. Then to where i am now, taking Zoloft. I still sweat constantly, summer, winter, whenever, all the freaking time. No sex drive, could care less if i get any. :confused: I cant even put makeup on to go to work, always have to have my hair up, its way too hot, and i will sweat it all off. I know this has been long winded, and i am sorry. If anyone else has felt this way, please let me know.

Love ya'll!

P.S. I have had severe back pain , it doesnt do anything for it. Sorry.

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Hello again. Just wanted to let you know that all of this has been over a 4 1/2 year period. Never did help with pms either. Please, if you have never taken these pills, dont. i will never be able to get off of them. And yes, i actually think that it makes depression worse.

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Specializes in Med-surg; OB/Well baby; pulmonology; RTS.

I have had a history of depression since I was a sophmore in high school.

First I was on Paxil-CAN'T EVER TAKE IT AGAIN!!! I am allergic!! It didn't even help me anyway! Did well on Zoloft, for a while. Then, it would not work!!! Stayed off of antidepressants for a couple of years, then had MAJOR setback-took Celexa-it helped some, but it triggered migraines for me. So then I went to Effexor XR-did better!!:) My ob/gyn told me it is not as bad to decrease the sex drive as others:) !!

I weaned off of the Effexor EARLY in my pregnancy-now I'm back on it. I don't have any problems with it!!!!

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Originally posted by Sandra m. Took

has anyone who have had anti depressant experienced an improvement in thier general aches and pains - ie back pain?

Sandra,

Elavil helped with the stabbing muscular pain I had in my right shoulder (not the joint). I had the pain for twenty years. A rheumatologist stated that is was probably myofaciaitis, stay on the elavil. It is standard treatment for fibromyalgia-please see:

http://www.neurologychannel.com/fibromyalgia/treatments.shtml#treat

Also, click on causes, apparently there is a disruption in the sleep cycle which procuces extreme fatique upon wakening, pain, brain fog, and many other symptoms.

Elavil virtually stopped my pain. I started with 50 mg, but had heartburn, sugar cravings and constipation. Went to 25 mg and take two if the pain starts. Usually that is the last of it!

Blessings,

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Paxil was the second antidepressant I tried (first one was Prozac, which helped my husband lose 35#; I GAINED 35# and then I was REALLY depressed!!). Luckily, it works for both the depression and the free-floating anxiety I used to have. I have gained weight with it too, and I am absolutely hellish to be around if I've been without it for longer than 24 hrs. But I'll put up with the side effects as long as the drug helps me to stay on an even keel emotionally (I've long suspected I'm actually bipolar II because I've spent most of my life on an emotional rollercoaster), which it does.

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