one more post and then I guess I better work.... I think I need to get on some depression medication. Any suggestions from anyone? I definately don't want anything that will lower my sex drive or cause me not to be able to sleep. I also need sleeping pills - the Tylenol PM isn't doing it anymore.

You may not need the sleeping pills once the anti-depressant kicks in.<P>Wellbutrin seems to be the drug of choice for no sexual side effects, but honest to God, I have been on Prozac and Zoloft, and neither affected me. <P>------------------<BR>~Sheryl<P>And we know. We who have seen. ~Pellegrino

I had lots of side effects with Wellbutrin.<P>Effexor has been working very well for me. I take it in the morning.<P>I also take a minimal dose of Nortriptyline at night. It's for anxiety and it helps me to fall asleep. But it does affect libido. I used to be only on Nortriptyline, but since switching to Effexor and reducing the Nortriptyline, I think my libido has come back up (too bad the H, aka stbxH, isn't around).<P>But seriously, what works for one person may not work for another. You may have to try several different things. There isn't one cure-all.<P>~Amy

Wellbutrin worked very well for me, after I got over the side-effects (insomnia and dry mouth). That takes a few weeks. Ambien was prescribed to me as a sleep aid during this time, and I did take a low dose of nortryptiline at night as well.<P>

Any guys out there try Effexor? I have a script in my wallet, but have been hesitant to get it filled. Not only am I afraid of it hitting my libido, but I'm afraid it will make the good times, less good in addition to making the bad times less bad...<P>I don't even know if I really need them. I feel more centered these days...

I take effexor every morning and I really like it!I wish I had started taking it before I found out about the A. I started with a small dose then moved up to 125 mg a day over about a months time. The doc said effexor takes effect faster than zoloft or prozac due to its shorter half life. I havent had any side effects from it.I take tylenol pm with it to sleep. Works great for me- I highly reccommend it. lifeismessy

Thanks LIM

I have been on Paxil for almost 3 weeks and cannot believe I ever lived thru this without it....

Hi Scuba2, My doctor just prescribed Paxil and I was worried about sex drive, weight gain, etc.? You make it sound so positive.

K,<P>My side-effects with Wellbutrin were horrible. I was overly hyperactive, blood pressure went wacky, I was very sensitive to heat and sunlight, and I sweated something awful at a lower temp. than normal (and it smelled). But I did lose weight.<P>On the other hand, Effexor has been wonderful. Dry mouth and mild hyperactivity are my only side-effects. Which are both actually good for me since I'm drinking more water and I'm getting more done. Also, with Effexor you don't have nearly the same medicine and alcohol limitations as you do with some other anti-deps.<P>Oh, one warning ---- when I first started on medication (the Wellbutrin), I was overcome with incredible guilt and shock (how could I have been so blind and stupid?!). It was really rough. Therapy was the way to get through that mess. I had to actually deal with the issues in order to get through them.<P>~Amy

out of the fog:<P>Those are side-effects I hadn't heard of with Wellbutrin. People seem to really respond differently to several of the antidepressants, so I think it's important to know what to expect when you start---to realize that it may take a month to reach "steady-state" with these, and to be prepared to try a few different ones, if the initial script doesn't work.<P>Your overwhelming grief is something I actually DO identify with. For the first few days while being on Wellbutrin, I was extremely emotional. I think it was a combination of the medications and the lack of sleep. That went away within a a week or so---without therapy (well, unless you count Steve H.).<P>Adviceplease, it looks like you have several choices here.

Hi All:<P>I've been on Effexor, (75mg. time release capsule),for about 2 months now and think it's wonderful. Haven't noticed any bad side effects at all. I take one capsule a day and it has really helped me deal with and get through all this mess. This is really a mild anti-depressant which is what i specifically asked for since i have to work and take care of 2 children. Didn't want anything that would make me a zombie.......just able to function well. And this did the trick. I also have a low (5mg.) prescription of valium to take if i need it to sleep or to calm down if I get really upset about something. I usually only take 1/4 to 1/2 pill and ONLY if needed. Works well and has really helped me to calm down a couple of times when things got rough. Hope this helps some. Good luck. And seriously consider getting something......i resisted it for a long time and wish i hadn't........it has really helped me. Just talk to you doctor and tell them what you need, but don't let them give you something stronger than you need.<P>lonelyheart