Appointment w/Pdoc today

I have been in an episode of depression for 5 months this week (minus a strange high for one week in November).  Today in my appointment my goal is to take charge and make my pdoc see that I am suffering every day and that I cannot go on like this.  I am going to plead with him to put me on an antidepressant to get me through this episode.  Enough is enough. I cannot keep struggling like this. It's not right.

I have a question....Has anyone been put on a antidepressant just for the purpose of coming out of the depression?  In other words, has anyone been on an antidepressant (with the other stabilizers) for a temporary period of time? If so, what happened going off the antidepressant?  My fear would be crashing.....

This episode has taken such a toll on me and my body. I've gained weight, my tension in shoulders, neck and back from all the anxiety is so painful, and the increased anxiety and panic attacks has been so hard to cope with. Mostly I just hate getting up every day and going to work. I don't want to take a leave of absence b/c I just started this job 5 months ago...so right now that's not an option.

Anyway,  I will post later to let you all know how the appointment went.

Hi everyone,

I intended to post sooner, but right after my appt (which finally went well!) I came back to my job at the hospital only to find out that I may end up losing my job here b/c of cuts.  I have been very anxious and scared and low since, so ...I couldn't bring myself to even think about anything else.

Now, I am trying to cope. I won't find out about my job until next week (maybe).  This is not helping my depression at all, but I don't have to tell all of you that....you understand.

The appointment was great.  First good one since September. I begged for the antidepressant and he agreed, but it is only temporary, but I am looking forward to feeling better.  Five months is long enough.  He let me pick which one and I had been on Wellbutrin before many years ago when I was dx'd with clinical depression.  SLZ, your post was extremely helpful (as was everyone else's, thank you!).....I knew before I went in that I needed to make an honest deal with pdoc that if I start to feel high or cycle that I would tell him right away, and at that point we'd have to look at other options.  I am starting at 75mg...for one week and then going to 150mg.  What dose are you on SLZ, if you don't mind me asking...?

I hope and pray that this works and I can stay on it at least until the summer...

Thank you all for the support.  I really need you guys through this; you're the biggest support for me.