Which antidepressant should I go on

I think you will find that unfortunately antidepressant recommendations are all very individual. Zoloft worked well for me with no side effects, but eventually stopped working. Cymbalta worked well for me as well. Effexor made me sleep 23 hours a day, but I know people who have been on it for years and it helps them. Prozac and the rest I tried did nothing for me, but I know a few people who really like Prozac. You will probably have to just keep trying to find what works for you.

I have a couple of family members that take anti-depressants and they are constantly changing their meds as they either need a higher dose or a different kind.

Talk with your doctor and see what he/she recommends. I think a pro is so much better than a forum for drug recommendations. Remember we are all different and we all need different stuff. Your doctor knows you and knows what works and doesn't work for you.

I've thought about it and I'm just going to stick it out and take some 5htp. What I really need right now is a friend but I can't make friends because I am sick in bed. This life is depressing.

I’ve had nasty experiences with antidepressants. I would recommend natural routes. Pharmaceuticals only served to kill my adrenal glands (making me exhausted all the time), destroy my libido, and give me bad withdrawal symptoms I almost didn’t survive.

I am seeing a ND for my issues now and feel a ton better.

Increase B-vitamins (I take Vital Nutrients B vitamins and Tyrosine)
Increase Vitamin D (I use Thorne Research D3 5000)
Take high quality fish oil (I use Designs for Health OmegAvail TG 1000)
Add 5htp, Tyrosine, and GABA as needed- this is where a professional is necessary, to help you pinpoint the doses that would help you most. Brands and quality is highly important. Most vitamin store supplements are not a useful form or have tons of fillers. I mostly use Designs for Health, Thorne Research, and Vital Nutrients.

My Naturopath has changed my life, after antidepressants nearly ruined it. I honestly think it’s worth every penny in consults and supplements to get my life back and ENJOY it. Best of all, no side effects, no withdrawal. If I am on a road trip and forget a dose, there’s no problem whatsoever.

I trust my ND bc she explains how my body and brain are working. No wonky energy forces or auras or whatnot, just biology. She uses blood tests to guide us and show results. She will also tell me if I really need a certain brand or can find a cheaper substitute. She never makes me buy anything from her, I’m free to shop around (I usually find her recommendations best though, but find some cheaper online)

I also have seen a DRAMATIC shift in my mood since keeping a food diary. I noticed patterns with dairy and corn, and since cutting them out, my mood has stabilized miraculously. I accidentally had something with corn starch this past weekend and I new it within a few hours - I may as well have grown claws and horns.

I know this is a personal decision, but my life has done a complete 180 since getting off 15 years of antidepressants, and I’m horrified at the damage they’ve done. I want to help others not take this path if they don’t have to. I suffered so much because I didn’t know there was an alternative.

Whatever you choose, I will say with every fiber of my being, do NOT take Effexor. Withdrawal is brutal, and I’ve been told it’s like coming off heroin. It placated me for 6 years and my doses went up and up and up till it wasn’t possible to rise anymore, and my body was severely off balance.

I sincerely wish you the best, it’s not an easy decision or a pleasant life while making it.

BabsBunny said...
I’ve had nasty experiences with antidepressants. I would recommend natural routes. Pharmaceuticals only served to kill my adrenal glands (making me exhausted all the time), destroy my libido, and give me bad withdrawal symptoms I almost didn’t survive.

I am seeing a ND for my issues now and feel a ton better.

Increase B-vitamins (I take Vital Nutrients B vitamins and Tyrosine)
Increase Vitamin D (I use Thorne Research D3 5000)
Take high quality fish oil (I use Designs for Health OmegAvail TG 1000)
Add 5htp, Tyrosine, and GABA as needed- this is where a professional is necessary, to help you pinpoint the doses that would help you most. Brands and quality is highly important. Most vitamin store supplements are not a useful form or have tons of fillers. I mostly use Designs for Health, Thorne Research, and Vital Nutrients.

My Naturopath has changed my life, after antidepressants nearly ruined it. I honestly think it’s worth every penny in consults and supplements to get my life back and ENJOY it. Best of all, no side effects, no withdrawal. If I am on a road trip and forget a dose, there’s no problem whatsoever.

I trust my ND bc she explains how my body and brain are working. No wonky energy forces or auras or whatnot, just biology. She uses blood tests to guide us and show results. She will also tell me if I really need a certain brand or can find a cheaper substitute. She never makes me buy anything from her, I’m free to shop around (I usually find her recommendations best though, but find some cheaper online)

I also have seen a DRAMATIC shift in my mood since keeping a food diary. I noticed patterns with dairy and corn, and since cutting them out, my mood has stabilized miraculously. I accidentally had something with corn starch this past weekend and I new it within a few hours - I may as well have grown claws and horns.

I know this is a personal decision, but my life has done a complete 180 since getting off 15 years of antidepressants, and I’m horrified at the damage they’ve done. I want to help others not take this path if they don’t have to. I suffered so much because I didn’t know there was an alternative.

Whatever you choose, I will say with every fiber of my being, do NOT take Effexor. Withdrawal is brutal, and I’ve been told it’s like coming off heroin. It placated me for 6 years and my doses went up and up and up till it wasn’t possible to rise anymore, and my body was severely off balance.

I sincerely wish you the best, it’s not an easy decision or a pleasant life while making it.

What kind of dosages are you on for the 5 htp and GABA?

Hang in there, Gaby. It will get better!

I echo others' statements -- talk to your doctor and work with him/her to find something that helps. There are so many options, and there will be one that helps you.