Since getting hired on my current unit (I have been a nurse for 6 months) I have slowly felt myself go down the tubes. At first it started with anxiety, then gradually developed into irritability, not wanting to go to work, becoming more intolerable with family members, and some patients, and being a you-know-what to my husband. I felt keyed up at work, and on off days, I would ruminate about having to go back in. There was a charge nurse who told me that my feelings were all due to being a new nurse, and that things would get better after the first year. I was glad that she told me this(finally, someone could relate) but a year...that's quite a while to feel this way. Anyway, 6 days ago I went to my doctor. She prescribed Lexapro 10 mg. I have taken Lexapro before, with no problems to speak of. However, I noticed from the first day that I had decreased urine output, GI upset, and lack of appetite. I only noticed the urine part because I had to do a urine test for a job, and I thought, "I drank that whole bottle of water 2 hours ago, and no results." This is VERY uncommon for me. Moodwise, I feel better, not touchy and irritable, and my husband LOVES the new me, he says I am easier to get along with. But I am concerned about what this pill might be doing to me internally. My question is, does anyone know of anything that I could do that would naturally enhance my mood? Even reading certain types of books...self help, etc. I think I need to set some clear goals for myself and work like mad to meet them, if I am not going to continue on the antidepressants. Before becoming a nurse, I had a tendency toward negativity, from time-to-time. I feel like there is a better person inside, I just don't know how to get her to come out without a little coaxing from medication. I am starting Yoga for the first time today. I just do not want to have to rely on antidepressants to make me feel good (no offense to anyone who currently takes them). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!
Give the antidepressants a try. I was standing in your shoes 8 years ago and now I gladly take my Zoloft. I have tried going off of it 3 times in the past 8 years. No withdrawals or anything near that but after about 2-3 weeks the depression crept back in. Sign me happy on antidepressants!
I also did not want to take any depression meds, but I did and it was the best thing for me and everyone around me. My little brother was in a bad MVA and was in a coma for awhile and we had to care for him at home, and without noticing I had turned into a evil beast of a person. My coworkers at the time had one of the docs talk with me and well that just made me mad. But I eventually caved, they had my best interest at heart. I have been told it is probably post traumatic stress, and I thought since I did not have the trauma then I should be happy, well the trauma was mental not physical. Anyway, I take 50mg of zoloft everyday and tried to go off of it once but went right back on when the evil woman returned.
As far as antidepressants go, I don't have much advice and I think they ought to be taken more as a short term fix and combined with therapy of some sort. I myself have considered taking them, especially when I go through periods of major stress. Long term use, as I understand, can have some risks. I am not a doctor though so I really can't say. I can relate to how you feel though. It is really hard to be going through life, trying to have a career and working hard, all the while not really having a clear idea of what the end goal is. I tried searching for meaning, battled depression and anxiety for years, got involved with all sorts of yoga and eastern meditation practices so that I could "center myself" and get some peace and calm in my mind. Long story short, it got me into more trouble than I care to share. It was not until I found Jesus Christ that I began to have a sense of real meaning in my life that no one can take from me. I joined the Catholic Church and it has been an amazing journey ever since. It is not that I don't suffer from depression anymore but just that Christ offers to those who believe in Him the "peace that passes all understanding" and gives us the chance to have Eternal life in Heaven with Him. If you have never heard the gospel or "good news" allow me to explain: that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died to pay the penalty for our sins (which we all have committed in one way or another) and rose again from the dead so that we might become the children of God through faith in Christ. I don't know if anyone has ever shared this truth with you and I hope you will believe. . I know it took me a lot of pain and suffering to finally realize I needed a savior and God was there all along, just waiting for me to recognize him and ask for help. He really loves us so much, more than we can imagine. Feel free to ask any questions too about Christianity and Catholicism
nursejennie76
154 Posts
I also did not want to take any depression meds, but I did and it was the best thing for me and everyone around me. My little brother was in a bad MVA and was in a coma for awhile and we had to care for him at home, and without noticing I had turned into a evil beast of a person. My coworkers at the time had one of the docs talk with me and well that just made me mad. But I eventually caved, they had my best interest at heart. I have been told it is probably post traumatic stress, and I thought since I did not have the trauma then I should be happy, well the trauma was mental not physical. Anyway, I take 50mg of zoloft everyday and tried to go off of it once but went right back on when the evil woman returned.