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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MarthaM on December 29, 2001, at 10:05:01
Not sure where to start. I've been reading the posts and sounds like I found a good place to get some answers. I'll spare you the exact details but I've gone through some pretty rough times this summer, seperated from my husband of 20 years, the funeral of my brother and the birth of my granddaughter on the same day, (talk about a mind messer!) moved half way across the country from the west coast back to the mid-west where I was born after being away from family for 20 years...
Anyhow, I had just started taking Serefem for some nasty depression (that's really been going on for several years) and I'm seeing some little differences after 3 months. I've just been switched to Wellbutrin.
I'm not big on going to Doctors and really hate the idea that I have to be on antidepressants, but I just got really tired of not feeling like myself and had to do something about it. I thought I was a stronger person and could "battle" the depression by myself, but that really didn't work.I've rambled - I do that. I guess my question is - what can I expect from an antidepressant medications? How is it going to help me?
Thanks for listening...
Martha
Posted by fallen sparrow on December 29, 2001, at 10:22:23
In reply to Hello, posted by MarthaM on December 29, 2001, at 10:05:01
Martha ... hi ... I was on anti-depressants for 2 years, remeron, and in my experience they help to keep you more level ... your highs aren't as high, and more importantly, your lows aren't so low. It takes a little bit for there to be a noticable difference, they don't "fix" you or anything, they just help you get to a point where its easier for you to "fix" yourself. I hope wellbutrin works well for you ...
sparrow> Not sure where to start. I've been reading the posts and sounds like I found a good place to get some answers. I'll spare you the exact details but I've gone through some pretty rough times this summer, seperated from my husband of 20 years, the funeral of my brother and the birth of my granddaughter on the same day, (talk about a mind messer!) moved half way across the country from the west coast back to the mid-west where I was born after being away from family for 20 years...
> Anyhow, I had just started taking Serefem for some nasty depression (that's really been going on for several years) and I'm seeing some little differences after 3 months. I've just been switched to Wellbutrin.
> I'm not big on going to Doctors and really hate the idea that I have to be on antidepressants, but I just got really tired of not feeling like myself and had to do something about it. I thought I was a stronger person and could "battle" the depression by myself, but that really didn't work.
>
> I've rambled - I do that. I guess my question is - what can I expect from an antidepressant medications? How is it going to help me?
> Thanks for listening...
> Martha
Posted by shelliR on December 29, 2001, at 22:03:19
In reply to Hello, posted by MarthaM on December 29, 2001, at 10:05:01
> Not sure where to start. I've been reading the posts and sounds like I found a good place to get some answers. I'll spare you the exact details but I've gone through some pretty rough times this summer, seperated from my husband of 20 years, the funeral of my brother and the birth of my granddaughter on the same day, (talk about a mind messer!) moved half way across the country from the west coast back to the mid-west where I was born after being away from family for 20 years...
> Anyhow, I had just started taking Serefem for some nasty depression (that's really been going on for several years) and I'm seeing some little differences after 3 months. I've just been switched to Wellbutrin.
> I'm not big on going to Doctors and really hate the idea that I have to be on antidepressants, but I just got really tired of not feeling like myself and had to do something about it. I thought I was a stronger person and could "battle" the depression by myself, but that really didn't work.
>
> I've rambled - I do that. I guess my question is - what can I expect from an antidepressant medications? How is it going to help me?
> Thanks for listening...
> MarthaI agree with Sparrow, my lows never fell as deep and never for very long. My highs were just as high for me on the antidepressant as before, maybe even more so. Wellbutrin in a good AD if it works, but it doesn't work for everyone. (It didn't work for me, but I liked it as an adjunct because it added energy.) If wellbutrin doesn't do the trick, you might want to ask your doctor to add a mood stabilizer to it, a stimulent to it (like ritalin), or combine two ADs. Sometimes adding a small amount of thyroid can also increase the effectiveness of an AD.
Most people do find an AD that helps them; sometimes it takes a few trials.
Good luck,
Shelli
Posted by Sourceror on December 29, 2001, at 22:24:13
In reply to Re: Hello » MarthaM, posted by shelliR on December 29, 2001, at 22:03:19
Well in my experiences so far the one thing I have found that you need to keep in mind is 1) That it is not going to be an overnight fix. It often can take up to four weeks for a med to work. and 2) That not every med will work for you. It may take 5,6,7 different attempts to find the right combo for you.
Also, I was on Wellbutrin for a spell and it caused me to have visual and audable holucinations so keep a careful watch on things as with any med and keep your doctor informed completly (I know it is hard sometimes cause I am guilty of it once and a while myself) of how things are going. Don't be afraid to call them if you notice an unfavorable change, that is what they are there for. Anyhow, good luck and we are glad to have you as one of the babble family.
L8R,
The Sourceror
Posted by Willow on December 29, 2001, at 22:30:04
In reply to Re: Hello, posted by Sourceror on December 29, 2001, at 22:24:13
Martha
I too would like to welcome you to the babble board. During the eveings there's usually somebody at the open site if it's working, it's a chat board.
Sounds like you've had a rough year. This board is great for venting frustrations. With time perhaps you'll find the crew as friendly as I do and they are a great shoulder to lean on.
Welcome aboard the more the merrier!
BEST WISHES
Willow
Posted by MarthaM on December 30, 2001, at 0:17:09
In reply to Re: Hello, posted by Willow on December 29, 2001, at 22:30:04
Thanks everyone,
I'm somewhat new to this even though I'm a bit old hat at living with depression though. I'm just new at "getting help" part. Never asked anyone about it, never talked about it, just struggled through day to day hoping one day to snap out of it. Well, that day never came.I've never been one for dr's or meds but it just got so bad that I had to do something. I got so tired of not being myself, or rather, the happy go lucky person I know I can be.
This morning was what I call a "bad day" - sounds like you all are very familiar with those! Curl up in bed days and torture yourself with a million reasons why you should get your butt out of bed, only adding to the misery.
Thanks to all for the welcome - feels good to know you're not alone! And to accept the fact that this is really a chemical imbalance and an illness helps to understand things better when I'm going through the bad days. It's not "just me".
I do have another question. I'd been on the Sarafem for about 3 months and was noticing some small changes, for the positive. Now the Dr wants to put me on Wellbutrin but said I have to be off the Sarafem for a week. NOW, being off for a few days, I've noticed that the depression came back with a vengence today so I know the meds are doing something. I'm really concerned that being off of one RX before starting another that I'm going to loose all the new benefits I've gained being on it. In fact a bit scared to face being off meds now that I know it's helping. I don't want to take steps backwards.
Did that make sense?One more thing too... according to several web sites (surfing for info was how I found this site - and glad I did!) Wellbutrin is also effective in treating ADD. I haven't talked to my Dr about ADD but I'm positive I could be diagnosed with that also. I'm pretty much classic symptoms of ADD and it runs in my family. I know it's a big No-No to self diagnose, but with me it's SO obvious! My question is...
How does taking Wellbutrin help in the aid of ADD? What's it do?Thanks for all the warm welcomes and the tips! I really appreciate them all!
Martha
> Martha
>
> I too would like to welcome you to the babble board. During the eveings there's usually somebody at the open site if it's working, it's a chat board.
>
> Sounds like you've had a rough year. This board is great for venting frustrations. With time perhaps you'll find the crew as friendly as I do and they are a great shoulder to lean on.
>
> Welcome aboard the more the merrier!
>
> BEST WISHES
> Willow
Posted by IsoM on December 30, 2001, at 0:59:11
In reply to Re: Hello + back with more questions, posted by MarthaM on December 30, 2001, at 0:17:09
hi Martha. I'm pretty new here too even if I've had depression for a long time.
I can't speak from experience about Sarafem or Wellbutrin as those meds don't work that well for me, but there's been a number of posts from others like Geezer & janejj that have, or are, on both. Parafem is Prozac isn't it? Perhaps your doctor is just being extra careful initially.
I've read that Wellbutrin is good for treating ADHD but again not for me, but my chemistry is going to be different than yours so it may be very good for you. It's supposed to help control impulsiveness that comes with ADHD.
If you're curious to ask med questions, don't forget to look at the other side on Psycho-Babble. It's all about meds!
>
> I do have another question. I'd been on the Sarafem for about 3 months and was noticing some small changes, for the positive. Now the Dr wants to put me on Wellbutrin but said I have to be off the Sarafem for a week. NOW, being off for a few days, I've noticed that the depression came back with a vengence today so I know the meds are doing something. I'm really concerned that being off of one RX before starting another that I'm going to loose all the new benefits I've gained being on it. In fact a bit scared to face being off meds now that I know it's helping. I don't want to take steps backwards.
> Did that make sense?
>
> One more thing too... according to several web sites (surfing for info was how I found this site - and glad I did!) Wellbutrin is also effective in treating ADD. I haven't talked to my Dr about ADD but I'm positive I could be diagnosed with that also. I'm pretty much classic symptoms of ADD and it runs in my family. I know it's a big No-No to self diagnose, but with me it's SO obvious! My question is...
> How does taking Wellbutrin help in the aid of ADD? What's it do?
This is the end of the thread.
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