Just need some feedback, sort of lost

This is my first post here but reaching out for some feedback or to get some advise from other's experiences.  I have been taking antidepressants for about 7-8 months.  I started out taking Lexapro, this seemed to kick in pretty quickly and at the end of the first week I had 3-4 days that felt wonderful, I was on top of the world.  I thought if this is what meds can do for you, why had I been so scared and waited so long.  Those days didn't last very long, it tapered off and then went downhill pretty fast.  I then was switched to Wellbutrin XL 300 mg per day.  I had no trouble transitioning to the new med, no noticable side affects.  They seemed to work pretty good and I have been on Wellbutrin XL now for 3-4 months.  It is almost as if they have stopped working.  I don't feel as bad as I did before started to take meds but at the same time I feel blah, have not energy, absolutely no sex drive (which haven't had forever now), I want to sleep alot, getting up to do things or participate in things is something I have to make myself do.  I just feel like life and dealing with everything is a big chore and I am just really tired, so I just get by day to day.....no way to live and this is not the way I want to live. I am married and have three kids and my life is less than satisfying, including the marriage which is a source of my depression, as well as just the stress of three teens, financial troubles, etc.   I just don't know what to do....am I expecting to much from the meds?  I will be honest I haven't done much to lately to help myself out, I don't exercise, I eat too much and too often.  I have a good amount of weight in the past few months, which I don't blame on the meds, just lack of exercise and eating way too much, particularly sweets.  I am thinking about going to the doc again, though my regular doc I had been going to is no longer available so have had to switch.  I guess I just want to know what I should be able to expect from the meds and how much of my depression is just my own fault and laziness.  Any insight would be much appreciated.

 

 

Thanks for much for the reply.  I have a similar situation, my mom has suffered from depression for years, finally after I told her I had started on meds, she talked to her doc.  She started on the Lexapro, same as me and is doing wonderfully.  It drives me crazy.  I know I need to help myself and I know steps I need to take but can't have no drive, motivation, can't seem to take the first step. I pretty much just feel numb and distant.  Maybe I just need a boot up my boot to get me going.

Nightskye,

I'm sorry that you're not feeling well and it sounds like there's lots going on in your life right now. It definitely sounds like the meds aren't working as they should, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a better med that won't work for you. It usually takes a while to get the right dose/mix but the meds should help to level the playing field for you so you can take care of all the other parts of your life better. Its all about baby steps - maybe exercising is a bit too much to think about today, but maybe making an appointment with your doc to discuss other options will help take the edge off.

And I think that the sweets cravings (and often carbs) is a characteristic of depression. I think that it might be one of the things that goes hand in hand with the whole seratonin upset that saps all of your energy - a vicious cycle that is hard to break. So don't be hard on yourself about that.

Take care and I hope that you find some resolution,
Putter

for what its worth my wife tried a few different meds before she got the righ balance 200mg effexor in am when she has breakfast and 20 mg wellbutrin at supper which doesnt seem to effect her sleep ..
I know what you are saying about not wanting to talk as I live with it and have learned to give lots of space and eventually she will come around ..my doc had tried to get me taking dep meds but I dont as have learned to catch myself when I am falling ...it is very hard to teach yourself to catch yourself before you plummet into a depressive state but when you do learn it does make a world of difference and you can do it you just got to remain positive and tell yourself you can do it and find stuff to help keep you out of the D state...goodluck
J

Nightskye,

I feel compelled to post again. I've been to the darkest, most awful places of depression and I can remember well the agony - all of what you wrote in your first post were things that I had experienced. I was fortunate to respond well to medication and am now able to live life. I think that your original plan of visiting the doctor is a really good move. You said that you wanted to gain a better understanding of what you could reasonably expect from medication and how much of it is dependant upon you - I would say that is an important step in figuring out how to keep well.

I would never dispute that our actions play a big role in our own health, but know from experience that professional help (therapy or medication) can make a big difference in overcoming the depression. The very root of the illness is its ability to strip away your last ounce of self worth, convincing you that you are the problem and it is your fault that you feel unwell. You need to give yourself the permission to get help to break through the darkness so you can feel well enough to take care of yourself.

I really hope that things work out well for you,

Putter

Julie,

I'm really glad to hear that you went to your doctor - it is a tough thing to do, but it is important to your health and the health of your family/relationships - you should be proud of yourself. It sounds like she's really on the ball and that 'inventory' seems like a great idea to help with objectivity.

I'm a complete lightweight when it comes to medication and can't tolerate very high doses. I have Bipolar and most people with BP average 3-4 meds while 2 was my max. I can't speak from direct experience with Wellbutrin and Prozac, but I can in regards to using more than one med (Effexor and Depakote). If you have concerns talk with your pharmacist - its their job to help you find answers. In my case, taking two medications simultaneously allowed me to take less overall. I know that it sounds bizarre, but my doctor explained that some medications basically piggy-back on one another making each other's effects more pronounced without an increase in dosage. I think that the attempt is to try to accentuate the positive effects of each med without increasing doses which would usually increase any side effects. Since the wellbutrin worked for a while, your doctor might be trying the prozac to see if it will boost the effect rather than going through the challenge of a whole different med.

Hopefully someone with more specific experience can reply and let you know how it worked for them. Take care of yourself and good luck with the new options,
Putter

Julie,
I'm so happy for you - you really sound like you're on track to finding a solution. After rereading your first post and your last, it sounds like you've been able to find some hope from your appointment with your doctor. It also sounds like you're armed for the task with your research. I haven't been to HP by I will make a point to stop by. Although the path forward may not always be smooth, the effort you've already put in will help to make it easier to cross.
I look forward to hearing how you make out at your 30 day evaluation!
Putter