Too Many Diagnosises and Confused on Meds

Okay. I hope you can follow me on this because it's a long story. Back in 2010 I started going through major anxiety problems. I was put on Xanax by a doctor that did not explain to me what it was, how addictive it could be, or anything. It helped, too much... and I started blowing through my bottle, going to him to up the doses, until I was at the highest dose and still running out. So one day I just cold turkey stopped. I went through a week of absolute hell before I gave in and took 1mg. I tried to stay at that for as long as possible without going up. I eventually weaned off of it completely. No meds at all... and a terrible divorce and body image issues later... I started noticing my weight going down and LOVED it. I was at 125 already, which isn't big at all, but as the numbers started to drop, I started skipping more and more meals. I got down to 98 pounds and my boyfriend smashed our scale. We were living with my mom at this point and I was about 23 and a doctor put me on Remeron. I was on it for about a year and was given a very small dose of xanax and I was doing great with it. Gaining my weight back, everything was great. I got pregnant a few months before I turned 25 and had to stop all meds. Throughout my pregnancy everything was FINE. I felt healthy, I had a great pregnancy, my mood swings were no worse than any other pregnant woman. Then, at about 5/6 months postpartum, I started losing my appetite again, losing a lot of weight, unintentionally this go round, and just felt myself plummeting so I went to a doctor and requested Remeron since I knew that it had worked before. After a few months, I started to feel good and tried weaning myself off... and ended up Baker Acted. Came out back on Remeron and Klonopin with a diagnosis of Body Dysmorphia, Depression, and PTSD. Since then, I have been on Remeron, switched over to Klonopin due to not wanting to up my Xanax. I am on 15mg at night of Remeron and I take about 2mg a day, in the morning time usually, of the Klonopin and I'm good for the rest of the day, some days I need more than others. Lately I have had A LOT of stress at home and at work and I have felt myself getting more and more depressed. I went to my psych, who doesn't know too much about anything of my past, I walk in he gives me my meds and I leave, I haven't been seeing a therapist lately. He added effexor. I got scared, I don't like adding meds I know nothing about and so I talked with my brother about everything for the first time last week and found out that he and my dad both have atypical depression. Which, I never knew there were different types of depression itself. He explained to me that he is on bupropion and that it has helped him immensely. I called my doc and asked the woman that answered if this were an option for me instead of the effexor and she said they could do Wellbutrin, which I guess is bupropion, and it would not interfere with the Remeron. That I could take both. I have an appointment tomorrow to go back in and speak with him since I am losing my insurance soon and talking with the receptionist over the phone about it didn't make me feel too comfortable. However, I would really like to know any experiences that may seem similar to mine?

Side note, my boyfriend has complained that I'm not as sexually active as I used to be, and he's right.. I've thought maybe it could be the meds? Or just the depression in general.. and reading a lot of stuff today I do feel that it is a combo of just everything. I am really hoping someone out there has some good news about adding Wellbutrin and how it would help in any aspect?

wow! I'm glad you are reaching out. Sounds like you could use some therapist time. I hope someone can share their experience and a possible solution. Best wishes for you!

Shoot, I just did a post and some how lost it pressing the wrong key. Anyhow. I found wellbutrin to be more stimulating than the Effexor. But that doesn't mean that it will be that way for you. I took Effexor for 15 years with no problem. I switched to pristiq when Effexor went generic. I guess it doesn't always work switching from brand name to generic, which my insurance company would of probably wanted me to do. I have had good luck with the pristiq which is similar to Effexor. The Effexor would have an ingredient in it that helps with anxiety as well. It is an snri. I don't know if wellbutrin is or not. I have heard it is in a class of it's own. Not really sure about that though at this moment. But honestly the best way you could know is try. If wellbutrin worked well for your brother, chances are it could work well for you too.

Do remember often it takes six to eight weeks for your antidepressant to reach full potential, though sometimes people feel better sooner than that. And as I recall, the wellbutrin did give me energy. It made my mind think really sharp. I did like that...

I just couldn't tolerate a high dose and that was what I needed to help with the depression.

I am rambling. I hope that you find what works for you. I will look up atypical depression and see what I find. Try googling...

Hugs, Karen...

Sounds like you are building up anxiety for yourself also.

Know that everyone is different on all meds. Side effects are different for everyone. Do Not look up side effects on the drugs. Wait and see what happens. the most common are dizziness and maybe nausea. Take the med with food or yogurt. Drink lots off water.

Side effects usually lessen within a 3-7 days as your body becomes accustomed to the med.

If you get wild side effects, you will know it and call the doc immediately.

The thing with anti-depressant is that it is trial and error. No one can tell you which one will work best for you. I was on cymbalta, worked great..
Now because of Insurance issues, I am trying Effexor.

This is part of handling the diagnosis and fighting the monster.

As for sex, well, health comes first then worry about that. Being mentally stable is much more important.

Peace
Trina