Paxil Doesn't Work Anymore---What's Next?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been on this drug for 4 years, and until recently it's served me well. Now it doesn't seem to be doing its job anymore, and I'm already at close to the maximum dosage (I'm taking 40mg QD, and I think the highest safe dose is 50mg).

Now, I know there's a whole wide world of antidepressants, and newer ones than what I'm taking.......which one(s) do you guys think is the best, and tell me what you like about it? I want to have some solid information before I go to my PCP and ask him to switch me to something else.

Thanks!

Exercise is my Godsend too . . . especially something outdoors in the sunlight. But I'll jog in the rain or snow if it gets me out of the house for awhile.

steph

I was a runner too before I got hurt at work (when I was 35) then I could not run anymore. The running WAS a great stress reliever, and also kept me in shape. Unfortunately I can no longer walk fast enough to gain anything weight/shape wise, but I do enjoy being in the outdoors, and I walk when I can. :)

Exercise is a great stress reliever and we should all strive to get some everyday...good for us physically AND psychologically!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehabiliation Nursing.

Hi everyone!

I am a new member, and this is my first post. I just finished my second semester in an ADN program in Maine. I love the forum, the advice and the knowledge I pick up. I have been on Effexor XR for 1 year now. After the suicide of my father and the death of my only brother, I went through so many different antidepressants, nothing seemed to help, plus I got pregnant, and finally gave up on them. Then I had two boys, 3 years apart. After my second, I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression, which is when they put me of the effexor. It has been a lifesaver for me. I thought I was the only one. Somehow I thought that being on an antidepressant was slightly shameful, and that real nurses had it together to much to need this. I feel SO much better after reading all your posts. I knew being ashamed was foolish, but I felt so alone with this. Everybody sharing their experiences is so helpful. I love this site. Thank you all!!!

I love nursing, and the encouragement I find on this site is invaluable.

I will be reading and posting on a daily basis now, I am sure.

Thanks again.

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welcome aboard kbraker!

welcome to the crazy world of nsg- some on ad's, some not, some should be. :)

we welcome your observations, comments and problems. just jump right in.

leslie

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

Well, I'm glad to hear that this thread has helped you! Thanks for posting! :)

You are SO far from being the only student or nurse with depression......in fact, it's such a common affliction among healthcare workers that there are entire threads on this site dedicated to depression and its sequelae (you might want to search the archives for them). I think, statistically speaking, that the studies show 1 out of every 4 healthcare professionals suffers from some degree of it (and that's just the ones who will admit to it).

You've got plenty of company. And BTW, welcome to allnurses! :p

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehabiliation Nursing.

I know this is off the subject, but how do you get the pictures beside your names? Also, when I tried to use the smilies, it just :rolleyes: added a little blurb with the description. I guess I will post this one and see if it actually adds the smilie? :)

Again, the encouragement is wonderful.

Thanks. :p

K Braker35

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehabiliation Nursing.

Any tips for a new user on the icons and other fun stuff?

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Hi everyone!

I am a new member, and this is my first post. I just finished my second semester in an ADN program in Maine. I love the forum, the advice and the knowledge I pick up. I have been on Effexor XR for 1 year now. After the suicide of my father and the death of my only brother, I went through so many different antidepressants, nothing seemed to help, plus I got pregnant, and finally gave up on them. Then I had two boys, 3 years apart. After my second, I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression, which is when they put me of the effexor. It has been a lifesaver for me. I thought I was the only one. Somehow I thought that being on an antidepressant was slightly shameful, and that real nurses had it together to much to need this. I feel SO much better after reading all your posts. I knew being ashamed was foolish, but I felt so alone with this. Everybody sharing their experiences is so helpful. I love this site. Thank you all!!!

I love nursing, and the encouragement I find on this site is invaluable.

I will be reading and posting on a daily basis now, I am sure.

Thanks again.

NEVER, EVER feel ashamed about being on medication. I used to have a lot of "issues". While I AM ashamed of some of the things I put myself and others through, I will never be ashemed for having been on meds in the past. I used to be a cutter. I'm sure you all know what that is. It started in my teen years and ended right before I got pregnant. Thank God for that! But if it wasn't for being put on medication and having a wonderful primary care physician that also counseled me during my visits, there's no telling how my life may have ended up.

I've been on Zoloft, Welbutrin and Effexor XR. Welburtin worked best for me. But then I was switched to Effexor by my gynocologist (I tell my gyno EVERYTHING... :rotfl: ) and she thought I could benefit from it. It was pure hell for me though as was getting off it.

There are times that I really wish I was on something. Like today for instance, my kids have stressed me out to the point that I feel like just leaving the country. :uhoh3:

I'm a mod on a Christian forum and many believe that God can help cure depression. While, I too believe that, I also believe that God gave people the wisdom to make these drugs. Don't make drugs a first attempt for help, but never refuse them entirely. They may save your life. They did for me.

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hi everyone!

i am a new member, and this is my first post. i just finished my second semester in an adn program in maine. i love the forum, the advice and the knowledge i pick up. i have been on effexor xr for 1 year now. after the suicide of my father and the death of my only brother, i went through so many different antidepressants, nothing seemed to help, plus i got pregnant, and finally gave up on them. then i had two boys, 3 years apart. after my second, i was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression, which is when they put me of the effexor. it has been a lifesaver for me. i thought i was the only one. somehow i thought that being on an antidepressant was slightly shameful, and that real nurses had it together to much to need this. i feel so much better after reading all your posts. i knew being ashamed was foolish, but i felt so alone with this. everybody sharing their experiences is so helpful. i love this site. thank you all!!!

i love nursing, and the encouragement i find on this site is invaluable.

i will be reading and posting on a daily basis now, i am sure.

thanks again.

welcome to allnurses!!!

feeling all alone is one of the issues that support groups are designed to overcome. there are a lot of us recovering depressives out there--thank god for the improvements medications have made in the last 50+ years--otherwise a lot of us would have been consigned to sanitoriums for life!!!

nursefirst

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