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Can't seem to find the right antidepressant

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Posted 12/18/2016 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
So, I've been on and off antidepressants for years now and up until about two years ago, I could manage ok on them. Pexeva worked well for me but it's too pricey these days. Now, the side effects are just horrible and I can't tolerate them. I am of course, older now, about 62. I took prozac for years and did great on it, went off for some reason and I tried it again. I would thrash around and couldn't sleep. I tried effexor, missed two doses and got horrible sick and had to go to bed with dizziness. Celexa makes me want to sleep constantly and doesn't work on the depression. Wellbutrin makes me achy. Cymbalta dried me out really bad and made me anxious. I take a good Omega-3 supplement and vitamins. I really need an antidepressant b/c I am depressed and unmotivated with brain fog. Zoloft made me unable to think and I felt like I had a scrambled brain. I have low thyroid and other auto immune problems and wonder if this is why I can't tolerate these meds. Other meds can give me problems as well but mostly with giving me aches and pains. Has anyone else had problems like these? I think I need to make an appt with a psychiatrist instead of going through my PCP. I am giving up. I don't think there is an antidepressant out there for me. I do not want one that will make me put on weight as I have pre diabetes. Thanks for any advice....
Posted 12/18/2016 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I understand about the Effexor. I took it for many years. The trick is to get a pill box so you don't miss any doses. It is a good antidepressant. I couldn't tolerate, Prozac, paxil, Zoloft or any of them until I took the Effexor. There is also pristiq which is a close cousin. You might even get help with a mood stabilizer.

I think it is good you are going to see a psychiatrist. They know more about the mental health and the side effects. Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

Hugs, Karen...

And Wellbutrin is good if you are worried about your weight.
Posted 12/19/2016 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
As always, check with your doctor... but after some initial research, and an attempt to wean myself off of several medications I am going to give CBD (a component of marijuana - but it does not give you a "high") a try: Here is a good place to start some research on your own:

https://www.projectcbd.org/what-cbd

Also, having one (or more) "practices" has helped me tremendously, mine are: yoga, meditation and excercise. Anyone truly wishing to address mental health problems must be willing to work very hard, but the efforts are worth it. Good luck. Namaste
Posted 12/20/2016 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen and Cyclist1 for your response. My system is a mess right now. I need to find out what is going on. I can't sleep. Gonna go to my PCP to see if my thyroid is totally off. I tried to take my new lower dose today and can't sleep. The days when I took no synthroid at all, I was feeling better and starting to sleep. It's been a rough two weeks. I took a muscle relaxer and I feel like I could fall over but I get in bed and am restless. Ugh!

Also, due to the auto immune diseases I am too tired to work out. I used to be in great shape until all this hit me. I am hoping to retire fairly soon and hope to get back to the gym. I do swim in the summer and it does help.
Posted 12/21/2016 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
For good sleep valerian root at health food stores capsules work best
Posted 12/21/2016 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
as a foot note, valarian reduces testosterone levels. not good for the fellas, females require small amounts of testosterone, and menapausal and post menapausal women may need to consider this. excuse spelling. keep strong.
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