How many nurses take antidepressants or antianxiety medication?

lsyorke, RN · Jan 30, 2005

Thanks Earle, there are times when I think I'm the only one who questions things. Another concern is that while billions of dollars are being made on the sale of ssri's, that we are slowly discovering don't work all that well, the drug companies aren't motivated to research new drugs that may work better, have better outcomes,less side effects. Why do new research when you're already making a ton of money on IMO an inferior drug.?

leslie :-D · Jan 30, 2005

Thanks Earle, there are times when I think I'm the only one who questions things. Another concern is that while billions of dollars are being made on the sale of ssri's, that we are slowly discovering don't work all that well, the drug companies aren't motivated to research new drugs that may work better, have better outcomes,less side effects. Why do new research when you're already making a ton of money on IMO an inferior drug.?

but they're not going to continue to make a ton of money if there are more and more dissatisfied customers- which there are. i'm hearing and reading alot more complaints about the short-lived effects of the ssri's.

there also seems to be a trend to returning to the tricyclics but i think that will be temporary until they come up with a new and improved. God knows there's plenty of chemists and researchers that would love to create that perfect pill.

i understand the politics of which you speak. but the bottom line is i've been hearing a lot more complaints about the ineffectiveness of various antidepressants. some doctors are actually prescribing mood stabilizers rather than the antidepressants....

leslie

huganurse1203 · Jan 31, 2005

I'm so glad to see this thread. I started on Prozac 10mg maybe 2 months ago, upped it to 20mg a couple weeks ago. I started on it because some days, I would just snap, had no patience at all, etc.... And it seemed to mostly center around my period, so my Dr thought that would possibly help even me out. I don't think it is though... some days, I think it is helping, others, I really don't. I know I have a lot on plate in my life (raising 3 kids alone, 3rd semester nsg school, freezing cold upstate NY weather! etc..), but I wonder if there is a better alternative out there? Plus, my jaw is pretty sore since I started taking it. I know I need to chat with my Dr about this, but I wondered if anyone here could share any tips? Thanks ( hope I didn't hijack the thread too badly)

I know exactly how you feel.. some days i felt the meds were working and other days not ask your dr about paxil cr (continous release) 37.5 mg... it works like a charm... Hang in there...

Gorngi · Jan 31, 2005

I take Zoloft daily and am not ashamed and don't care who knows. If not I would be a nasty, moody person to be around:smackingf I feel like it just makes me feel "normal"

LindaMarie76 · Jan 31, 2005

What is causing the problem is me working on night shift. Those of us who work night shift often cannot get the required adequate sleep necessary for normal hormone regulation. What would fix it? Probably day shift which is when the rest of the normal world operates. However, that is not feasible at this moment. Thus, I am on Zoloft as prescribed by my neurologist for headaches. Thank goodness for Zoloft.

"I'm not saying that pathological depression doesn't exist. It absolutely does and can be debilitating! Where I have the problem is when I hear of people jumping to the ssri's because there "Going to get you over the hump" of a situational depression with a specific cause, ie, grief,bad job,bad husband,not enough sleep, bad diet, etc... When did we as a society become so reliant on drugs instead of taking a look at our lives and changing what is causing the problem?

LindaMarie76 · Jan 31, 2005

Yes!!!!!! You hit the nail on the head.

It's unfortunate that mental illness still carries the stigma that there must be something wrong with the individual. There is enough physiologic evidence which points to a chemical imbalance regardless of the diagnosis.

lsyorke, RN · Jan 31, 2005

LindaMarie, The chemical imbalance theory that they have determined to cause depression/anxiety is the same series of physiological events that ssri's cause to happen artificially. If Zoloft is working for you go for it, that's your right to make your own health decisions. But just be an informed consumer and recognize that these drugs have side effects and getting off them when your life circumstances change may not be easy. My goal is continuing my outspokenness on ssri's is to make those who choose to take them realize that there is a downside. It's now reported (by the drug companies) that 65% of those who take ssri's will experience withdrawal(they call it "discontinuation syndrome"!) 1-2% will be unable to get off ssri's because the withdrawal is so debilitating.

robred · Jan 31, 2005

As a teen who suffered from clinical depression and contemplated suicide, I feel I can comment on this.

I refused to go on any meds as a 16-17 yr old. Instead, I chose intensive outpt counseling and the effects of loving relationships. Today, as an adult, I think we need to concentrate on keeping our lives simpler and lowering stress and steer farther away from antidepressants and anxiolytics. Don't misconstrue; there is a need for those meds, but I think we are too quick to seek a fast fix rather than removing the causes of our ills.

lsyorke, RN · Jan 31, 2005

Good for you Robred! If I'd not fallen for the hype of ssri's my son would not have gone through the nightmare of paxil use and withdrawal. This is a decision that I will regret for the rest of my life.

medpsychRN · Jan 31, 2005

Actually, SSRI's are pretty good drugs. Fewest side effects, work quickly. When they "stop" working it doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel. It may be something simple like raising or lowering the dose. Sometimes drugs are combined e.g., Wellbutrin/SSRI. There is a new antidepressant on the market - Cymbalta. It is similar to Effexor XR. Benefits are same effects at a lower dose which equates to fewer side effects. The best bet is to have a good psychiatrist and see them regularly for med management.

skislalom · Jan 31, 2005

Has anyone used Paxil CR for PMDD...in luteal phase dosing? You only take it 14 days out of the month..the last 2 weeks of your cycle. I just started taking it and feel kinda loopy or spacey...hoping it will help with the severe mood swings and anger that seem to be getting much worse as I get older. Anyway, just wondering if it's worth sticking it out for the 14 days to see if it works...anyone with experience?

I took Celexa for a while for Postpartum Depression..it worked fine, but I did have to keep upping my dose. Eventually I just decided to stop taking it and made a point of becoming more involved in activities and I went back to school. That seemed to work very well for me.

My family does have a history of major depression, my father committed suicide when I was 17. So, I try to keep this in mind and know when to ask for help...although I should ask sooner sometimes :rolleyes:

I agree with the stigma that goes with anti-depressant use..I've never volunteered that information except to my fellow sufferers (who are usually the ones to point out that "it's time to ask for help")

~T

MamaTheNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2005

I know lots of nurses on anti-depressants - no big deal

I had a drug rep job inbetween nursing jobs and that's when I needed an anti-depressant and took Effexor :chuckle - most reps I know were on something too......