Well, I am now trying to get on Prozac and am just so worried that it won't help me. I am taking such a miniscule amount because I have had such bad reactions to previous AD's I have tried. I am now starting my second week and I can tell already that my vision isn't as it was. As I am looking at this screen right now things just aren't as clear. Has anyone else had this experience and if so does your brain get used to it and then adjust. I feel dead inside. I have absolutely no feelings of joy or happiness anymore and am hoping the Prozac will bring this back. Has anyone gone from totally joyless to happy again from the AD's or do they just numb you so you don't feel as much sadness anymore. I don't want to live like this forever. The BHRT which I have been on for almost 2 months have not helped my situation at all and I am on quite a large dose of them. I would appreciate any help with my situation.

Bev

The first time I went on Paxil CR, I was a mess ... I had nights of no sleep, heightened anxiety and the whole works - in my opinion I did that to myself as I didn't want to take the AD because of all the negative googling I found. I was on a really low dose and it eventually helped me clear up my mind to help with the counselling I recieved.

After a year of being off it, I had a terrible couple of weeks and I made the executive decision to go back on it ... so far - two and one half weeks - I have not had the same reaction as the first time - IMHO I believe that I was better prepared to take it. If that makes sense.

It will not make you 'happy' - It should help you calm down, and get the help you need to get to the source of your depression.

Hope it works for you, just try to relax and understand that you are now getting the help you deserve.

TM

My dear Bev
I have followed your Posts and know what you have been going through.The amount of Prozac is rather too small to enable you to feel the benefits.Also agree with The Moll that ADs help but do not create a happy feeling but more the ability to be able to cope with life

The fact that you mention feeling dead inside does suggest to me that you are severely depressed.All ADs take at least three months to be absorbed into the system.I think it might be worth your while to go back to your prescribing Doctor who might want you to up the dose .

Also go to your Gyno.to check that your BHRT is right for you or needs adjustment.One last thought.have you had your Thyroid fully checked out as problems with this gland can mimic feelings of depression.

Please do not give up
We are all behind you.
You are always in my Prayers so please keep posting.

Big Warm Hugs
Elizabeth

I am upping the dose, but very slowly so I don't freak out and quit taking it. So are you saying that even though I get reflief from this I will not feel happiness again? Just numb? I don't mean the kind of jumping up and down happy but normal happiness that you feel in your day to day life. I sure hope that comes back.

I've been on Prozac for years. ADs can act different on each person but I found Prozac doesn't have any side effects for me. I can't say it's not a "happy" pill but if I go off it I can tell a difference. My opinion is that these stupid hormones are fighting for control over the ADs and sometimes win! So even though you may not feel it is working the way you want it to, it is working.

Have you tried Lexapro? I took it for a short time and it made all the difference in the world. Worst side effect was a few pounds around the middle. Good luck, Hope

Dear BevNo my love,I am not saying you will never feel happiness again.Of course you will but it will take time and the ADs will help you.If an AD just leaves you feeling numb then it is not the right one for you
Sorry if you misunderstood me.All I want is happiness for you!

God Bless
Elizabeth

I did the AD and BHRT route also....and yes they have helped TREMENDOUSLY!!! But you know what has helped the most??? Eating healthy, cutting out simple carbs, most sugar (still gotta have it in my coffee!!) sticking with fresh fruits, veggies, lean meats, whole grain products, low fat cheeses, 0 fat yogurt and milk.....and exercising most everyday!! THAT has made the greatest difference in my feelings of "happiness"!

I hate to say this, as we have all heard it most of our lives!! My reaction was always..ya, ya whatever! I just didn't wanna hear it, you know??? I wanted to eat my junk food and drink my sodas and not exercise!!!

But because of new health issues which have arisen from living that poor lifestyle....I have made some huge, dramatic changes....and I am feeling better than I have felt in years!! My S/O has commented that I am smiling and laughing more than I used to, I look better too.

My dear Kathie
Am extremely pleased you are feeling so well.It is always lovely to hear some good news.I also am more careful of my diet and never drink Soda.It is so full of sugar.I also exercise with Yoga and walking so that together with my HRT and AD have helped me tremendously.

Had a little scare last Thursday.At my Gyno.exam he found a wart on my cervix.He said it could possibly be cancerous so sent of to Pathologist who has just called to tell me it is benign and will need just a small procedure to have it burnt off.Oh! the relief!

So all the best,dear friend
Stay Well
Elizabeth

Thank you everyone for your understanding and help as I am working on getting the the AD. I just get very frightened at times as this is such an unbelievable time of my life. Who would have ever thought that hormones could do this to a person. I am taking only 5 mg of prozac at this time but feel my body needs to get used to it before I take any more. I have been crying pretty bad since getting on the AD. It has been making me more depressed for some reason. My husband told me to not take it anymore because he sees how badly I am hurting. I was going to quit but I feel that I don't have any other choice so I will hang in there. Today I am not as emotional yet so we will see what happens today. My body does feel pretty strange though along with my brain. I am really hoping this will pass. Thank you all for being there for me in this really dark time.

God Bless,
Bev

Bev,

The same thing happened to me. I got much worse before I got better when first starting the AD.

I wouldn't go off of it now for anything in this world!

It has literally saved my life! I was ready to have myself committed to a mental institution, if I even made it that far.

It was BAD!

I still have my ups and downs. Times when anxiety hits, but I have Ativan for that and "toughing it out" is no longer an option for me.

Positive thinking is GREAT!

I have always tried my very best to think the very best in every situation, but there came a time when I was no longer able to control my thoughts or my emotions.

When everything I have ever believed was shot to pieces and I had no choice, but to look outside of myself.

It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I am so glad I did it.

You are taking baby steps and sometimes baby steps are all we can take.

You WILL get there, just don't give up! Hang in there! Come here OFTEN! You WILL get through this!

Many hugs,

bev

You are so right Bev. When I first started ADs it was awful. And it was the middle of winter-COLD- I felt like I wasn't getting any better even after 2 months on it. You also have to find other ways of dealing with the "down" feelings , like therapy or meditation. Just talking to people who understand the way you feel. I did so many other options along with meds....reiki, massage, talk therapy, tapping. It takes time and effort. (exhausting) I've been on paxil for 7 months now and it has done wonders. Don't get me wrong I still have my moments. But hang in there and get out for a long walk. That helps me too.
Hugs Char

Hi All,

I think another important bit of advice that should not be missed, is in the beginning, you need to have regular scheduled appointments with the prescribing doctor ... you need to discuss how you are doing, are you getting better, worse, side effects, etc .. they should be able to help you find the right one, or change dosage to better suit your reaction.

All the best

Thanks everyone,

Well after all that, I called my Dr. and told him I was much more depressed since being on the prozac. He told me to get oof of it immediately and call him back in a week. I guess it takes longer for prozac to get out of your system than most AD's. I think he will try me on another one, but I just don't know if these drugs are for me. I have tried 5 different ones now and none of them have helped me. I don't know where I will go from here. I am hoping for a more natural approach to this problem so maybe SAM-e?? I have even tried 5HTP and SJW which both made me feel worse. I am very depressed and since the BHRT and thyroid meds haven't helped either I am at a loss. Maybe exercise and contiuing with a good diet might make a difference but as of yet it hasn't. I do need to up the exercise though. Thanks to everyone for all of your help.

Bev

Bev,

I am so sorry you are suffering, I too have been in your place. I was on prozac (10mg for 8 months) and BHRT at the same time and then when I got better I weaned from the prozac. Have you tried rhodiola and MACA, they are both adaptogens which help the adrenals, thryroid, etc. balance hormones. I am no longet taking BHRT, but taking numerous vitamins and herbs. Rhodiola, MACA and fish oil are all good for anxiety and depression. Let me know if you would like to know about brands and dosages. I have been on the rhodiola for almost 5 years now and the MACA I just started on April 30. I still have moment of sadness and crying, usually a few days before ovulation and period but other than those times, I am fine.

Please take care and don't loss hope.

Plumeria

Oh Bev, I have been there so many times i've lost count.
Im turning 52 june 3rd (2009)
and I FINALLY feel like i'm turning the corner...................................

Last summer, I was on these boards, and they were a god send. I had gone off my Paxil, and was just so-so for about five months.
Lots of stressful things happened
My husband lost his job, our dear beloved Boxer Katie had to be put down, we lost our house, and our health insurance...................I was a wreck.
We MOVED into a condo in the blistering hot california desert. I went into such a deep deep depression I laid on the couch all day, unable to look forward to anything.......

I tried getting on a new med.............I can't even rememer now...............think it was Zoloft.................anyway, it was terrible, I couldn't take it..............I was up all night, oh it was terrible.

WE all go thru the sheer horror of taking a new med. I am back on paxil (generic - Paroxetine) FOR GOOD.
No more tampering with the AD's.

Unfortunately, you are the guinea pig when it comes to these meds, and you have to take them, and try to put up with them for at least two weeks (seems like two YEARS) to see how or IF they are going to help you.

I can't tell you how many times a new pill would literally melt in my sweaty palm, because I was deathly afraid to swallow it. Oh, it was hell, pure hell.
That's only the tip of my mental iceberg, but I wont go on. It would take pages and pages to tell you what i've been thru.

But these boards were so comforting to me. I honestly don't know what I would have done without them................Please email me at
mcmichael_realtor@hotmail.com
if you need to talk. I'll be here for you in this scary time.
How old are you?

Terri : o )

never give up on the meds...i take an AD daily and it helps tremendously..i will never stop it..unless they make me..and i take an older one--$4 walmart...dd was in the condition you were..she has tried soo many and the dr was to the point of sending her to a psychiatrist--she resisted that and finally the celexa was upped to 40 mg and she is doing wonderfully now..it just takes time to get it right...Positive thinking is a good thing, as well...I WILL GET BETTER, I WILL GET BETTER....

Dear Ladies
I really believe that ADs do have a place in our lives at one time or another.Of course there are many people that cope well without them but some of us are more vunerable.
It is often a matter of finding the one that works for you.Starting with a low dose and then building up gradually to the dose your prescribing Doctor or Psychiatrist would like you to be on.It is also very true,as many have pointed out,that things appear to be getting worse before getting better.Yes,anxiety is hightened and this is where a small dose of an anti anxiety Med may help you cope.
It is also very important that you be strictly monitored whilst on these drugs to make sure there are no adverse reactions.Which may mean you have to slowly wean off that AD and try another if that is what you wish.Some people will need to stay on these drugs for life,others will be able to wean off very,very slowly and find that all is o.k. with them.
I remember feeling so ashamed of being on Prozac.Now I really don't care if people think I am weak or mad.I have tried to wean off it but have never been sucessful so will continue on.

God Bless all of you
And may we always have the strength and compassion to hold each other up

Warm Hugs to all
Elizabeth