I guess it's time to try an anxiety/depression medication again...

Hubby and I had a talk tonight and he says it's time to get on a med again. He thinks my anxiety problems are causing my flaring. He said he'd like to see me on a more even keel again - and not having my emotions bounce all over the place. I think it's a valid point. I only wish he would have said something sooner! I'd been thinking about this, but was hesitant to take another med again. Had I known he felt this way, I would have done it to prevent damage from my mood swings to our relationship.

So, for those of you on anxiety/depression meds, which do you like and which do you not like? I have used Effexor XRin the past, but tapering off was very difficult. (I tapered off earlier this year because of sleep issues.)

Is your husband an MD? Have you worked with a therapist counselor to learn new ways to deal/cope?

Anxiety is my problem and Xanax definitely helps - helps me stay calm and also helps my UC (I am sure of it).  I take very low dose. 

My husband takes Zoloft and Xanax.  He has PTSD from Vietnam.  They both help his anxiety and depression.  If you can get some help from counseling I highly recommend it especially if you are younger.  Group therapy  helped my husband a lot.

ElaineNY

zoloft! love it

The only one I've taken is Zoloft. Until I broke down absolutely in my doctor's office and she recommended it, I really didn't know how depressed I really was. I'd forgotten what it was like to find any joy in life or look forward to anything. I'd been living like that for years, and a small dose of Zoloft made it go away.

I am taking the the generic version of Celexa. It is called citalopram. It has done wonders for me. I resisted doing anti-depressants for years. I tried all the alternative stuff (SAM-e, St. Johns wort, etc.). I wish I done this a lot sooner, it has helped with my anxiety and depression and I think it has helped some with the UC.

I like the fact that it's a generic, since I would still be able to afford it if I lost my health insurance. It was suggested to me that I should take a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) because there is more serotonin in the gut than in the brain and that it might help my UC. (This suggestion was not from a doctor, so take note it is only a theory.) I think it does help.

But even if it didn't help the UC it would be worth it. I am enjoying life again - and that is worth a lot.

You are so right about your husband, dakotagirl!  We have been married 47 years and both taking small doses of medications has helped keep us sane, together, etc.  Exercise works wonders but neither one of us can do yoga or much exercise.  I used to walk every evening after dinner for about 20 minutes - that was very helpful but my knees are too bad now.

As for getting addicted - yes, that could happen, unfortunately.  Sometimes we have to weigh one against the other.  I am not concerned at our age but would be if younger.  However, you said your "problems" run in the family.  Me too!  I saw my Mom actually "go to pieces" in front of me because she refused to take what she called "nerve pills". She did not want to get addicted!  I don't know what she was on - I think Paxil.  It sure helped when we could get her to take it.  She lived to be 92.

Good luck and talk over your situation with a doctor or therapist you trust - that is the best way to approach it.  I tried Lexapro and a couple others but felt too "dopey" - Xanax works fine!  Here (at least) I cannot get a prescription for more than doctor recommended for 20 days and I have to pick up the prescription in person.  It is well regulated.

ElaineNY

I've taken Prozac before and it worked well. I stopped it earlier this year since I was feeling much better, but unfortunately right after I stopped it a flare began. Some days I feel like I could use it again but I'm pretty sure my parents won't let me (it was hard enough to convince them the first time around!).

Do you think the anxiety/depression come from your "hardwiring" or are you a perfectionist? The latter can be unlearned-- at least enough to change your coping patterns. I think perfectionism is more common among females than males & can lead to anxiety/depression from thoughts that we're not accomplishing enough, being a great wife, taking the best care of house & kids, etc., or letting the boss down on the job & such. That's the "take" I get from reading posts to HW from "older" young women-- those already thru college & married. (The older teens & twentysomethings tend to have "social" anxiety; post-40s have aging issues.) The push to accomplish also runs in families, I think-- often passed from one generation to the next. Make sure you like who you are & value what you've been able to do (to-date) with your life & in spite of UC, then pat yourself on the back. I don't think it's normal or even desirable for anyone to be perfectly even-tempered all the time so your husband should not expect that, either. I think that's what UC Dude was implying in his post above. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])