quandary re: meds

[cowboyup]

I am currently on an SSRI antidepressant; have been taking it for a few years.

The situation is that I had run out and couldn't afford to refill it for over a month or so. At first I was cranky, unable to sleep, feelings of real sadness crept back in big time, sick to my stomach, dizzy, agitated, you name it, I was it...basically a Bi.t.ch to live with.

But then after a couple weeks/few weeks or so, those feelings began to subside with only feeling sad/blue. I was able to think more clearly, finish sentences - basically articulate what I was trying to say in the first place without all pausing and such. All in all, I felt OK. Like I said though, I did feel sad and depressed when I was alone.

Well, I finally got paid and went and picked up my RX. Been taking them and now I feel - well like I am back to square one. I don't feel so sad or depressed, but I traded that with no mental clarity or energy or motivation.

So, what's your opinion on what I should do? Should I continue to take them? Could I take them every other day and possible gain my motivation/concentration back? **I should mention I have tried other anti-depressants and this is the best one that works for me - been down that road with my doctor.

Do you think an herbal supplement would be better, such as 5-HTP, St. John's Wort, or similar?

Have any of you felt this way whilst on an anti-depressant?

Sorry for all the questions...just need some input on this one.
Thanks in advance.

 

[N0D]

can you say what anti depressant it is?

 

[theslowesthand]

With my anti-depressant, i just take one whenever i notice my moods are going downhill, or feeling almost depressed again. Lately it's been once every week or so. I also think it's good to suffer some of the depression/sadness/whatever, as then you can get to confront & address it a bit, rather than just blotting it out (repressing).

Okay, depression may be a chemical imbalance, but for sure it also involves the psychological side of things. I think both are involved. And i believe the depression is actually the body's way of telling you that you're "out of balance" in some way, physically & mentally/emotionally. I guess the meds address the imbalance in the brain, but not the body, and certainly not the mental/thoughts/beliefs; the latter two need to be worked on using other ways/methods.

 

[cowboyup]

can you say what anti depressant it is?

It's Celexa and it's only 10 mg (lowest dose)

 

[cowboyup]

With my anti-depressant, i just take one whenever i notice my moods are going downhill, or feeling almost depressed again. Lately it's been once every week or so. I also think it's good to suffer some of the depression/sadness/whatever, as then you can get to confront & address it a bit, rather than just blotting it out (repressing).

Okay, depression may be a chemical imbalance, but for sure it also involves the psychological side of things. I think both are involved. And i believe the depression is actually the body's way of telling you that you're "out of balance" in some way, physically & mentally/emotionally. I guess the meds address the imbalance in the brain, but not the body, and certainly not the mental/thoughts/beliefs; the latter two need to be worked on using other ways/methods.

True, and I resisted getting on them at first because I thought of it as kind of a 'band-aid on a gaping wound' situation, if that makes sense. I'm not addressing the real issues, just covering it up and ignoring it...now I feel like an addict to the anti-depressant and that is not what I want.

I've googled just about everything there is to know (it seems) on herbal remedies, side effects, anti-depressants and their side effects, CBT, and other therapies. I could talk with my doctor which sounds more reasonable but then I run into the problem of $ - as I just can't make appt. whenever I want because with no health insurance and little income, it's not that simple, ya know?

Jeezz....if it's not one thing, it's another, lol!!

 

[Hellhound]

I believe you should see your doctor to adjust the dose or maybe get new meds. Tell your doc about your concentration problem.

 

[skins]

I believe you should see your doctor to adjust the dose or maybe get new meds. Tell your doc about your concentration problem.

yeh theres heaps of different ssri's out there, so get your doc to change to another...however i've noticed with all the ones ive taken, you do get some memory and concentration compromise. thats why ive weined myself down to a very small dose now (ive taken high dossages for many years). but when my depression was at it worst, i did need to take them really...when you have suicidal urges, memory and concentration is the least of your problems.