I just came from the doctor and he perscribed (err I will tell you all when I pick up my perscription). It is something that he wants me to take with the wellbutrin xl 300mg. I hope it works. I am really longing to be myself again. I really am....
Wishing you luck. I think anyone who seeks out help is a strong person and anyone who says just "cheer up" has no clue what living with depression is like. It has run through my family, starting with my grandpa and on downward. So I agree it can run in families and it hits people from all different walks of life. Really hope you feel better as soon as possible.
Great thread. Depression is a very treatable illness but it needs to be addressed. Medication can help, but I cannot stress the importance of psychotherapy as well. I honestly don't think anyone should be on any sort of anti-depressant without seeing a therapist on a regular basis. I really don't like the trend of GP/family physicians prescribing ADs like anti-biotics. There is no shame in seeking help. It takes strength to overcome your pride and reach out for what you need.
Lexapro is the name...I will see if it makes me feel better. Wish me luck.
I was originally prescribed Lexapro but i asked to be switch to celexa bc i am paying out of pocket and there was no generic version of lexapro. They are very similar drugs but from what I hear Lexapro kicks in faster.
For me, its been about 2 months and I am starting to feel a bit better. After the 4th week the doc suggested wellbutrin as well, but also gave me the option to wait a few more weeks. For me, wellbutrin would be sort of expensive (im still a poor student), but I might give it a go. From my research, the Lexapro/Celexa and Wellbutrin combination is very common and works well in many people. Wellbutrin is also supposed to combat some of the side effects of escitalpram/citalopram - ei. lethargy and sexual side effects. As a male, I can tell you that thats my big complaint right now. I can seriously go for an hour with no...lets just say finale.
However, I must say that I believe that therapy is what has helped me more than the medication. It is difficult to pinpoint any sort of causal relationship b/w therapy, medication, and my feeling better. Maybe its a little bit of both. But im confident that just going to therapy to talk about my "issues" (and we've all got em) is immensely helpful. I honestly thing everyone should go to therapy at least once. Politicians, CEOs, and other people in positions of great responsibility should definitely take some time to examine themselves.
Anyway, good luck. Here is a good forum for info on depression, medication, and other info. Also a good sites for info on therapy in general.
I too know the feelings of depression. I have been fighting it for 11 years now. I am on medication, but it doesn't seem to work. I have good and bad times, but depression takes such a toll on you physically and mentally. I am on Cymbalta, but after about 6 months, I feel no different.
Have you talked to your doctor and tried medication? Sometimes it helps just to let out your feelings and have someone to talk to like a close friend, or even here on this site. You will find many people who have similiar feelings and share your concerns. :heartbeat
great thread. depression is a very treatable illness but it needs to be addressed. medication can help, but i cannot stress the importance of psychotherapy as well. i honestly don't think anyone should be on any sort of anti-depressant without seeing a therapist on a regular basis. i really don't like the trend of gp/family physicians prescribing ads like anti-biotics. there is no shame in seeking help. it takes strength to overcome your pride and reach out for what you need.
been there and tried the therapy, didn't work. i didn't need some shrink telling me on the very first visit that i needed to pray and have faith. well i do pray and have faith, told him that and also told him i could pray and have faith for free not at a whopping 150.0 per hr for you to tell me this!!
now mind you , i do have respect for those docs that really help people that need therapy, it just wasn't for me.
after that visit, went back for 2 more and the exact same thin, never went back again. my zoloft works just fine and i know enough now that if i need more help my gp is there to help me!
been there and tried the therapy, didn't work. i didn't need some shrink telling me on the very first visit that i needed to pray and have faith. well i do pray and have faith, told him that and also told him i could pray and have faith for free not at a whopping 150.0 per hr for you to tell me this!!
now mind you , i do have respect for those docs that really help people that need therapy, it just wasn't for me.
after that visit, went back for 2 more and the exact same thin, never went back again. my zoloft works just fine and i know enough now that if i need more help my gp is there to help me!
if this therapist really told you to have faith and pray, i can't imagine him being a good therapist. in fact, i think it is professionally unethical to tell a patient to pray. i think that was really inappropriate and would have probably contacted the state licensing board.
make no mistake, there are plenty of bad psychotherapists out there. then again, there are plenty of bad apples in other professions. i had to go through plenty of bad mechanics, plumbers, and barbers until i found the right one for me. i think you need to do the same and find the "right" therapist for you. i think after the first 3-4 session you will know if it is a good fit. i just really believe in the value of psychotherapy and hope people will give it a chance and not rely totally on pharmacology. just my .
Specializes in aged, palliative care, cardiac, agency,.
WOW!
Am astounded at how many of us are dealing with depression. Kind of makes me feel better - but in a wierd way cos it's sad too. It is odd but good to feel better knowing that other nurses have this too - what, am I some kind of stupid that I thought it was just me??
Havent yet discussed this with my GP - chickened out the other day but will see her in a few days and am now feeling so much better about reopening that discussion. I have been hiding what I know to be depression for a few months now. Honestly, having read all the responses to the initial posting I feel better equipped, not so ashamed. And you people are right - it is no one else's business. No need to feel ashamed of a chemical imbalance.
So - in a strange way - I'm glad to hear that you are all depressed too! Glad to hear that you are seeking treatment, sorting out your meds, finding out what suits you, getting therapy if thats what you want.
I really hope this discussion is as helpful and reassuring for other people as it has been for me.:loveya:
Thank you everyone who has opened their hearts about this. I would have responded earlier but taking this new medication had me so nauseated I could not stand. I am feeling better now and I am not as down. The headaches have not left because I am stressing about my mother who is in the hospital with perotonitis so I will be traveling to Memphis on Wednesday to help her out. It's always something but I love that lady and she is the only parent I have. Well, thanks again and I will give updates on how I am doing.
Thank you everyone who has opened their hearts about this. I would have responded earlier but taking this new medication had me so nauseated I could not stand. I am feeling better now and I am not as down. The headaches have not left because I am stressing about my mother who is in the hospital with perotonitis so I will be traveling to Memphis on Wednesday to help her out. It's always something but I love that lady and she is the only parent I have. Well, thanks again and I will give updates on how I am doing.
Just take it slowly and don't expect to feel better straight away, it took me just over a month before I started to feel a little bit like myself again.
Please let us know how you are doing, as someone else has mentioned I think this thread has helped quite a few of us realise that we are not alone and that there is support out there from people who are going through what you are.
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rnmomtobe2010
1,051 Posts
I just came from the doctor and he perscribed (err I will tell you all when I pick up my perscription). It is something that he wants me to take with the wellbutrin xl 300mg. I hope it works. I am really longing to be myself again. I really am....