New To This

Hello everyone! I am new to the depression board but not to HW. I post in the Anxiety forum from time to time. I suffer from a wide range of issues, mostly anxiety, HA and a touch of mild OCD. The last four years has been a emotional rollercoster for me. I have been battling GAD and HA which over that last year has changed to a deep depression. After my last bad panic attack, which left me in a dark place, my wife urged me to go see my family doc. He gave Lorazepam and Paxil to take, and a blood pressure med because it was really high. I HATE taking drugs for anything and this was very difficult for me to start. I took the Lorazepam which was a lifesaver for the anxiety and started the Paxil. The BP pill made my legs go cold after a couple of days so he pulled me off that. After about 3 weeks the Paxil was really starting to help but I started gaining weight so I quit taking it. I didn't go back to my Doc until last Thursday which he changed me to Wellbutrin SR and a diuretic for the BP. I take the Lorazepam as need but not on a daily basis.  I have been studing the different AD and really don't want to take them. I have tried all kinds of natural treatments and changed my diet to help lose some weight but nothing seems to work. I think medication is the best route, I can't live with this gloom all the time and I feel life is passing me by. I need to cut weight but how can I do this when I am so down I can't get off the couch. I am going to start posting here for support, I am a bit nervous about the meds and it helps to read how other do with their meds. Today was my first dose of Wellbutrin SR and so far so good no side effects. I want to start living again and if medication is what I need to do it so be it. I will post more on how it is going.

Nate,

Kitt

Hi Nate,  First of all I am glad you have found us on HW.  There are many caring members as you will see.  My first question is what time of day do you take the wellbutrin?  If it is causing you insomnia take it in the early morning.  And check with your dr. about the valerian, but I think your pharmacist is right that you shouldn't mix supplements with your a/d meds.  I know my dr. has warned me against taking anything other than what she prescribes.  And be sure you get all of your prescriptions from the same pharmacy so there is a record of everything. I too have high blood pressure, although mine is very much in control due to taking a blood pressure pill.  There are many out there that will not cause side effects and blood pressure is very important to keep under control.  I take a bp med called Avalide.  It does have a bit of a diuretic in it but that doesn't bother me.  My other suggestion would be to get a portable blood pressure monitor and keep track of your bp every day.  My dr. has me do this and I see her every four to six months to have my bp checked and she checks my monitor against her professional one to be sure they are in agreement.  The best bp monitors are the ones where you put a cuff on your upper arm.  The ones that take your bp from the wrist are not as accurate. I see other drs too, oncologist and pulmonologist who always take my bp so I am monitored frequently as well as taking my own. I also take ativan(brand name for lorazepam).  I find it good for anxiety because it doesn't make me feel all dopey and tired. One other thing don't have anything to drink with caffeine in the late afternoon or evening. That will for sure keep you up. I hope I have been of some help to you and have answered some of your questions.  Please keep posting so we know how you are doing.  I will always be glad to answer your posts.

Take care,

Aurora