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Should I give meds a try?

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Posted 1/26/2012 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a freshman in college, and I have an eating disorder. I've bene regularly seeing both a nutritionist and a therapist, but for a while now, both my therapists (home and at school) have been telling me to go see a psychiatrist for an evaluation. Begrudgingly, I did so, and he recommended that I try some anti-depressants. He didn't actually prescribe me anything yet, but he mentioned some more or less weight-neutral, gentle anti-depressants like Prozac or Lexapro.

I've never been on anything like this in my life. I'm terrified of having to need this, and at the same time, regardless of professional opinion, I don't know if I do. I mean, yes, I have trouble coping and I do end up doing some things that are probably less than... great. I just don't know what to do. Should I take the meds if he prescribes them or not? I know that ultimately it is my decision, but I feel so lost in this whole process. I'm scared that taking these pills will not only make me more like my mother, but also make me weak (and I really mean this just in regard for me, I don't think this of anyone else).

I'm scared. I'm scared that taking these will make me worse or make me lose weight, or even gain weight. I feel like it's a lose-lose situation for me. And even as I type this, I know it's bad, but I'm falling back into my eating disordered habits, destroying any progress that I might have made over the summer. Can I just get some opinions or advice on this? I know that I have to make my own decisions, but some advice would be welcome.
Thank you.

Post Edited (Une Fille Mysterieuse) : 1/26/2012 11:44:35 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/26/2012 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Fragile Fleur,

I would say that it would depend for me on how much the psychiatrist wanted to prescribe in terms of one of the "gentle" antidepressive medications. All of them carry side effects, which is something you will need to accept.

If I could, I would see a specialist in nutrition (a bariatrician) and follow his advice. A good one will help you control your diet without much pain and will supplement it with appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements to provide the nutrients you are missing when on a diet.

If there's another method other than drugs, I prefer that route always. Another person may give you a different opinion. (I've tried both: taking medications is the easiest route; seeing a bariatrician and following his guidelines is the healthiest and best-feeling-tone route to follow for me, and there are no side effects except good ones in high-quality vitamin and mineral supplements.)

Welcome to the Depression Forum.

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 1/26/2012 3:31:43 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/26/2012 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
At your next session bring up this with your counselor...as you need to work
together to get you better...When is your next appointment? and if your not comfortable
with this doctor, then maybe try a psychologists...something to consider...
But don't give up, hope is out there...Keep us posted as we do care...
Many well wishes
Posted 1/26/2012 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on meds for a long time. I didn't like the feeling of needing something to feel well. But they do help. Some people take them, some people don't. This decision, I believe is up to you. I would talk to the psychologist. If just talk therapy isn't helping, then you might want to try the medications. But if you can get by with talk therapy or slef help books, that would be wonderful.

Welcome to the forum.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/27/2012 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
i use a combination, see a psychiatrist, therapist and take medication also. keep your options open. welcome to the forum, jamie
Posted 1/27/2012 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
I think the question you need to ask and answer with complete honesty is how are you progressing in your treatment as it stands right now.

Are you still making steady progress or have you kind of stalled out?

If the answer is that your progress has slowed in the last couple of months then giving medications a try is something you really should consider.

A few things to keep in mind. Medication is not a substitute for your other therapies. Medication is not a cure but more of a boost.

There are a lot of medications available and it will likely take some time to find the right medication or medications at the correct dose to do you the most good. Finally it also takes time to know if the medication and/or dose is going to be of help. In general anti-depressants take 6-8 weeks before their full effect is known at which time decisions are discussed and made to adjust the dose, discontinue and try something else or add another med to the mix.

As everyone has said the decision does rest with you. If you do decide to give it a try then be prepared to give it an honest one. Take the meds as prescribed and do not stop them until you have spoken to your doctor.
Posted 1/28/2012 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm already seeing a nutritionist who is trying to get me to follow a meal plan. I also try to take my vitamins everyday (according to what she has told me). I would just like to point out that I am on no sort of diet. And, I guess, it's not that I don't feel comfortable with my psychologist, in fact, both of them are really quite good at what they do. It's that sharing what I'm feeling (truly, deeply, no matter how messed up) makes me obviously feel really uncomfortable. I hate it. It makes me vulnerable and honestly, I just want them all to disappear.

As for the medication, I feel like I don't have the time to find the right fit. I understand that this takes a while, but I don't know how long I would be able to deal with the constant up and down of "I gained a pound, I feel like garbage" and "Yeah, lost a pound, time to lose some more." I suppose I'm just scared to death of what this will do to me. It almost seems easier to live in a state of limbo where there's constant days of feeling like I might be able to deal and then the days of not wanting to do anything and thinking that everything is hopeless and pointless. I just feel like some scared little girl again when faced with this. I just want to run away from it all. Thank you all for your kind words, I really appreciate the time that you put into answering.
Posted 1/28/2012 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
Not all the anti depression meds will make you gain weight, ask your doctor for one that
doesn't do that....and it is in your favor in getting a medicine that will work good on your first one,
so that would be a,. and your worth the time to find the right medicine should the first one fail for you,
maybe you should tell your doctors that you don't put yourself first, maybe it's time you did put
yourself first...why not put yourself and your welfare first.???.. You are worth it...

Take a chance on the medicines...I've tried a few...your important enough to do that too....

Many well wishes...Do keep us posted...thinking of you...
Posted 1/28/2012 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
This is your life, it is worth every minutet that it takes to find the right meds. You may get lucky and find something right off of the bat. So put that effort into it. Give it a good try. I was on effexor for many years and that did not cause weight gain for me. I am now on pristiq. And a mood stabilizer, you would be surprised how well those work. There are many options out there for you. It is worth the time and effort to get better. So please give it your all and hopefully you will be feeling better soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/30/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Amethyz,

Hi there and welcome to the forum. I am so glad that you have joined us. Please keep posting and know here that we do care about eachother. Again Welcome!!!

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/13/2012 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Meds are different for all. I gained a ton of weight on prozac. And lost weight on zoloft where others gain.

I agree with the walking. It really makes you feel better all the way around. And vitamin D3 helps a lot with mood and energy.

Best wishes,

Hugs Karen...

Georgemason... Welcome to the depression forum...
Posted 2/15/2012 9:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Fleur, I used effexor and lost weight, other side effects sexual dysfunction, on the positive it had a strong initial effect to stop depression. other meds i tried avanza, this was useful in helping me sleep very little effect on depression. One tip, if you think you need medication, I would say you definately need it, because if you wait to long to get help, your recovery will be much longer. Medications dont make you weak, in my case they only took the edge off severe depression, most of my recovery has been through myself with assistance from my psychologist and many others, I could not do this alone.
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