Went to the doctor to have an injury checked and she wanted to know how things were going. I told her and I had already told her on a previous visit what was happening in my life and she was very sypathetic and offered an ear. Well this last trip she became quite concerned because of my weight loss, lack of sleep, not eating, etc.. She believes I'm suffering from depression and wants to prescribe some anti-depressants for me so that I at least can function normally for a while. What I want to know is if anyone else has taken them and do they work? My doctor also believes the depression that I'm suffering from is bad enough that she thinks I may become borderline suicidal. What does that mean????I guess it just means I can add a few titles to my name, for instance, borderline suicidal, physco Jax, how's that for starters?

Check out my <A HREF="http://pages.ivillage.com/re/mb_nsr/MB_NPT.html" TARGET=_blank>Notable Posts/Threads</A> post and see the links on Depression/Anti-deps!<P> <P>Jim

Oh Jax, I hope not.<P>Some people have been helped. I'm quite proud of myself for getting thru it without them! Actually, I can't take them. I took a half of a Zoloft and was hearing voices for three days - waking me up in the middle of the night with loud screams in my ears! It was scary enough for me to say no thanks. But there is a condition (manic depression) that runs in my family that makes it impossible for me to take meds like that unless I want to be schizzo. I know others who swear by them - I know others who say they do nothing for them at all. All I know is if you try them and anything remotely funny happens, get off of them! If there is any sort of mania in your family history, those meds could bring it out and that's a real bad thing. On the other hand, I don't know how likely that is either and if it helps, let the doctor help you.<P>God bless.<P>------------------<BR><BR>Kathy

Jax,<BR>I too am suffering from depression. My Dr never felt that I was suicidal, but she did put me on a low dose of Paxil, 10mg a day. I'm now going on 3 months! I don't know if they are helping or not, but I don't mind taking them. I was told that 6-8 months is the normal time span to take this med and unlike others, it is not habitual. I lost 12 lbs in one week and bottomed out after losing 24. I have since gained 8 back and am sleeping better.<BR>I have never felt that suicide was an answer. I have known some people that took that option and you'd have to be an EXTREMELY SELFISH person to do that. The effect it has on people who know you is devistating. I really hope that your depression is not leading you in that direction. When all this crap started for me people kept telling me to hang in there and to take it one day at a time. Actually though, I wasn't strong enough to go a day at a time. I started off going minute by minute, then hour by hour, etc, until I could go day to day. Don't try to start off with too much too fast, and if you need to cry, just do it. I told a few of my co-workers about what was going on and just let them know that if they saw me blubbering at my desk, to just let it go. They have been very supportive and that has helped greatly. You can always turn to the people on this site. They are all very helpful and caring people. Just remember that we are all going through the same things here and you are not alone.<P>Take care of yourself......

Jax,<P>Anti-deps have been a life-saver for me! I have been on Prozac for almost 5 years. Before all this mess, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Syndrome. When my ex left for the OW, my Dr. increased my dosage. I say it can't hurt to try them. It does sound as if you are depressed and I see nothing wrong with something that helps you make it through. Whatever gets you through the night I always say. My meds have been my salvation, along with my therapy. Do what's right for you. If your Doc thinks you need them, then maybe you should try them. Keep in mind it can take from 2-6 weeks before they are fully functioning in your system. I hope you feel better soon. As for suicidal, yes I was at one time, but I am much, much better now. Personally, it's not about being selfish. It's about being in so much pain and just wanting it to stop. Those who haven't experienced it cannot understand the anguish involved. I won't preach a sermon, but thinking that someone is just being selfish when contemplating suicide is just plain wrong and stupid. They are HURTING very badly. My experience was almost like an out of body experience. I watched myself doing it. It was really weird. But like I said, I am much better now thanks to anti-deps and therapy. Good luck to you!!!<P><P>------------------<BR>Blessed be.<BR>****************<BR>Keridwen<P>Keridwen_7@yahoo.com

It is my belief that therapy in conjunction with the use of a prescribe antidepressant can certainly be beneficial. At least they can take the edge off!<P>If you are feeling suicidal check self in ASAP. Call your doctor and get admitted. <P>If your not suicidal find a good therapist/pastor and start talking ASAP. Use family and friends and ask for support here.<P>I am well aware of how this all feels! Keep your head up and I will remember you in my prayers!<P>They say when GOD closes one door he opens a window. I hope this is true!<P>God bless you and keep you!<P>Ted

Thanks, maybe I will try them for a while. As for the suicidal part, I really haven't seriously considered it in the least. Sure it's crossed my mind a time or two as a way to end the pain, but I'd really never do it, I was just joking around with the doctor but unfortunately I guess she doesn't have the same sense of humor I do at the moment. A well on to another day.........I'm know there is light at the end of the tunnel that much I'm sure of, I just can't see it yet thats all. Take care all. Jax

Do try the meds. I resisted for too long. I could have been months further along in my own healing process if I hadn't been so stubborn.<P>And don't get discouraged if the first one doesn't work for you or gives you unpleasant side effects. In most instances the side effects are temporary and only last a few weeks, but if they are too troublesome to wait to see if they will go away, you can ask to try another one.<P>I tried Wellbutrin first, but it made me feel like I was stoned. I liked that feeling 20 years ago, but now I kinda like being able to think. I waited 2 weeks and that feeling showed no signs of going away. I switched to Zoloft and it makes me tired, but I don't feel stoned. I've been on it for a month now and I'm starting to feel better. I still have trouble concentrating at work, so my Dr. prescribed Ritalin for the interim while the Zoloft dosage is increased since I have a deadline at work and can't wait for the increase to take effect. It seems to be helping some. I actually got some work done this week and it lloks like I might make the deadline. <P>Good luck.<BR>

Jax,<BR>I went the St. John's Wort route last year and am doing it now. Last year at the holidays I was really feeling stressed and had no patience, my strong suit, so I got a prescription for celexa. My Dr said it doesn't have the side effects the others do. I took it till after the divorce, 2-1-00, and then got off them and didn't have any problems.<P>I got back on the St John's wort at the end of the summer because my x was driving me crazy in regards to the visitation.<P>The best advice I got was take it a day if not an hour at a time.<P>Hang in!<P>Bob

I've had two periods when I was on Paxil. It definitely helped me. Once, I lost 25 pounds due to the depression and some other meds. I was on. Once, I gained 20 pounds. Can't say what the difference was. The first time, we started me in incremental doses. The second time, we forgot to do that. Boy was I the sickest well person you've ever seen. Almost every side effect. Came off it, let it get out of my system, and restarted in increments with no problems.<P>It really was good for me to be on it both times. There have been times when I felt so overwhelmed I understood why some people could kill their children and then kill themselves. (Because you escape the misery here.) However, I knew that wasn't an option. God would get me through even if the ordeal was messy.<P>No matter what you do with the meds, get someone to talk to. If the first therapist doesn't feel right, change. I know it's hard to spill your guts to all these people, but you must take care of yourself. Your minister might be a good place to start. If s/he doesn't feel that this is a counseling situation they can deal with, they can refer you on. Friends are a good source of referrals for therapists.<P>Good luck. Take care of yourself. I'll add you to my list of people for whom I pray.

Paxil has been a life saver as I've moved through my divorce. Haven't noticed any bad side effects -- not even loss of libido -- and have experienced only good things: clarity, happiness, calm. Also am doing "talk therapy" and checking in now with a psych/MD four times a year.<BR>If this is recommended, for heaven's sake,<BR>try it. Don't try to GUT THROUGH the bad time. You don't get extra gold stars for enduring misery.

Through my separation, I was on zoloft, but I found it made sexual relations difficult(I had trouble climaxing), and since sex was one of our issues, my Dr switched me to Prozac. <BR>It really helped take the edge off for me. I was very emotional, had trouble concentrating, and my patience was gone. The meds helped, along with counseling. <BR>Since my divorce, I weened myself off, and did go to counseling for 2 more months, but am feeling in control more so now than at any time in the past 3 yrs. Had I mot taken the drugs, I beleive my recovery would have been slower. I just coped better!<P>------------------<BR>Susan