the lows im describing are bad-i become very withdrwn and dont want to leave house. have to fight to function. only lasts about 2 days, but its difficult. i have a job where i have to talk alot and becoming quiet is not a good thing. i think its more than a bad day-its depression, but ive never dealt with any of this so i have no clue.

I have recently wondered a lot about anti-depressant medication. Is it worth it? I have thought about trying it, and I can't decide whether it's worth the time and trouble and stigma attatched.<p>As for me, I have struggled with a depression problem my whole life. When stuff gets bad, the blues just get a little worse. I have always just dealt with it, meaning, I try to put my blues out of my mind by keeping busy and finding active ways to deal with my problems. Sometimes, the feeling just sucks. I don't know if it's my mind making my body tired, or vice versa. It usually goes along with a real tired, light-headed feeling.<p>There have been a couple of times in my life that it has been so disabling that I could hardly cope. When I turned 16, I went through such a period of sadness that all I could do not a lot more than cry and write sad poetry and such. It was like that again in college when my very abusive boyfriend got another girl pregnant--I stayed in my dormroom like a rat when I was not in class (got straight A's, though. Nothing to do but study.)<p>When I lost custody of my two oldest children and gave birth to my youngest, it was within a 3 month time period. This was very traumatizing. The only incident of physical abuse in my present marriage occured then--I don't want to go into details. (It's a real sore spot between me and my husband--he outright denies it now. He says it never happened, and rather than argue with him about it, I let it go. It's in the past.) When this all occured, I said "Fine, f**ck it, I don't want to live anymore. What's the point." And I wound up on floor 5 of the army hospital after a serious suicide attempt for about a week. The shrinks were all shaking their heads. They said "Geez, you are cool, you have a good head on your shoulders, so what made you do what you did?"<p>After the last three years, considering my husband's affair and the aftermath, I figure that I can endure anything. I got through it alive. <p>But I would really like to know if this is something that would improve the quality of my life, this medication. Things are OK now--but last week, oh geeze!!

Nikko,<p>Have you considered my post earlier about bi-polar disorder? It might be worth it to just ask, even if it isn't bi-polar, at least you could cross it off the list of possibilities. Does it come bi-weekly, at regular intervals? Or is it just twice a month with no real regularity? Are you taking other drugs? Do you have any other symptoms that may not be related to Zoloft?<p>Again, I had that trough the first night after taking SJW after being off for a while. I don't know what happened. It just seemed I would plummet with that first dose. But, thereafter, I was okay. I haven't had that with Zoloft, though. I haven't had any sweats that I notice either. You might consider other things. Do you have allergies? Could you possibly have a sinus infection that flares occasionally? Or some other infection?<p>You are right to research this. I wouldn't attribute it to Zoloft if it doesn't raise flags with others. However, there should be something on the net about side-effects. Perhaps you can find others who are having side-effects with Anti-D's. Compare notes and all that. Have you done that yet?<p>Hoping

http://www.nucleus.net/dm/messages/5772.html<p>See if this helps. I just lurked a little and it seemed like it may help you get some answers.<p>HTH,<p>Hoping

dear hoping-thank you and everyone else who is replying- yes i am checking into it. counselors have told me im the strongest person they have ever met emotionally on more than one occasion. (at separate times in my life,and different counselors.) they couldn't figure out why i was there cause i go head on with my problems and heal myself most of the time. they are just a sounding board. they both found it amusing. i dont think it is bi-polar but i will look into it. as far as other meds- i am on birth control shots once every three months, i also take lorazipan when i get seriously anxious. that only happens when im in that down period. extremely low dose and only one pill usually does it. no allergys or sinus stuff, but have had a host of womanly stuff. hormones suck. im thinking it may be hormonal along with the stress of whats going on. the funks happen maybe 2 times a month, sometimes one. not same time of month, ive started tracking them recently. doctor isnt too worried because i recognize them and work through them. said if that changes let him know. he knows how i am about facing things-im not an avoider.<p>i have just started to look into all the side effects and such, so ill get back on that at a later time.<p>thanks for the links-im gonna check them out now.

I am interested to know myself what's going on with you. Nutrition and pharmecy are extreme areas of interest for me.<p>I just got off Depo in Sept. My cycle is still a little irregular. I have found some discussions on the side-effects of that too. I'm not sure they are all accurate, but it does provide interesting reading. And you may discover a nugget that causes you to decide that certain meds aren't right for you. <p>One reason I went off the shot when I did is because HBP runs in my family, plus diabetes. In the brochure, it says that Depo can bring on diabetes in those who are prone. Also, Depo (I'm sure you know, as health conscious as you are) makes your body think it's pregnant. Perhaps you are reacting as though you were preg. I acted different with all three of my pregnancies.<p>Please keep us posted.<p>Hoping

I started on Zoloft on Saturday, 25 mgs and felt horrible. My heart raced as if on amphetamines. I was afraid to drive. I didn't sleep well, or function well for 3 days. I have a stomach of iron, but now must take TUMs for the upset. I haven't really cried since Saturday, but don't like the effects. Has anyone else felt like this?

Nikko, when was the last time you had your thyroid checked? I think sweats is a symptom, and I know that thyroid disease can cause mood swings.<p>Just thinking...<p>Hoping<p>[ April 05, 2002: Message edited by: hoping4future ]</p>

Newly,<p>I have been on Zoloft for over two years. I have never had side-effects even though my doses have ranged from 50-150mg. But, that doesn't mean you aren't experiencing something due to your taking Zoloft. Have you told your Dr?<p>Are you taking other meds that may react with Zoloft? Any herbals or anything else can interact with other drugs and cause adverse effects.<p>Zoloft is the type of anti-d that has a low occurence of side-effects, but they do happen. Check out the link I posted on this page. Maybe there's some info there for you.<p>HTH,<p>Hoping

Always Hopeful - I thought Xanex was habit forming. My doctor only prescribed me one bottle to get me thru the "raciness" I was feeling when I first started Effexor. It may not have side effects now, but I don't think it is a long time cure. I read something on the Effexor site that said you need to take the medication at least a year, maybe longer to decrease the chance of re-occurance of the symptoms that caused you to go on it in the first place. I started off trying a mild sedative, similar to Xanex, but eventually had to go on Effexor. I have liked it so far, can't really complain. I had night sweats last night, it seems to happen whenever I have a dream that makes me uncomfortable. I dream a lot too, all kinds of craziness! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0[/img]

FMWB-<p>Yes, Xanex is habit forming in larger doses. I am only taking .25 mg once to twice a day. Steve Harley actually warned me about it. I think my doctor, a cardiologist, prescribed it because I have a history of an irregular heartbeat. Some of the other anti-d's mentioned here are confirmed by others to effect their heart rate.<p>Steve had told me that the dose I was taking was only effective for about two hours.

dear hoping-thanks for the reply. i know about the sides of depo. problem is its the only thing that keeps me from hemmoraging.(serious) when im not on it i hemmorage. im gonna have to have my parts removed and am just not ready to do that. so im on this stuff for now.<p>i was thinking thyroid myself. i was gonna start looking into that. anyway thanks for the input and ill keep you posted.

I have been on Celexa for 5 months now, and I have had some similar experiences. I do have sweats occasionally. Sometimes this is embarrasing as people will ask if I am ok. Sexual side effects are there, but given the current circumstances at home, that is ok. However, I have had problems with getting into a funk. This will happen occasionally. I am not sure if there is a timing element to it or not. But I have noticed a definate increase in the possibility if I have had alcohol. A single glass of wine doesnt seem to be a problem. However, much more than that and I will almost guarantee a spell.
All in all, I would have to say I can accept the side effects, as the other results have been very good.<p>Good luck<p>C

dear c- i never thought about the alcohol connection. i am not a heavy drinker-a little wine now and then. i have increased the now and then since this all happened. i would feel the funk comming on-usually tues. which by the way is 15 hr work day for me. all day i would think about all this, go home and usually have some wine. wed is usually the worst of it and by thurs im usually comming out of it.maybe the alcohol has something to do with it.

Nobody's said this, but could the 15 hour work day be part of it? You mentioned it a few times, but no one else seemed to pick up on it. I believe that we often have an idea what mightt be wrong, and if you find that it always starts on tues, but is not always the same week of your cycle, well then maybe...<p>I get wicked spells of depression. I'm on Prozac 40mg - been on for 1 1/2 years. I can't function without. I was fine until I had my 3rd child and now it just won't subside. D-Day didn't help much as you can imagine. Plus I really have a hard time remembering to take my pills. But even when I take them religiously I always have a bad funk right before my period. My husband understands, but he also gets frustrated saying that the whole family pays the price when I forget to take my pills.<p>Has your husband ever blamed your depression for the A? Mine hasn't outwardly said so, but he did say that he felt really guilty after I was diagnosed. Like it was OK to cheat when I was just a B*****, but he felt bad when I was actually sick.

no he never blamed depression for affair.
i was diagnosed after d-day. i just had the blues from moving from everyone i loved. <p>the 15 hr. workday is hard because i have tooooo much time to think and dwell on things. thats the problem with that day. i work in a spa and salon-lots of quiet time with the clients because its the only time they get to veg. and not think or talk. it sucks sometimes.<p>he did mention the other nite that he knew he caused the depression in me-pre dday and after. thats why he feels so helpless when i get like that. he knows hes the cause. thats a huge breakthrough for him.

Well, there ya go Nikko. 15 hours to do nothing but think about everything that is wrong is enough to drive anyone crazy. I couldn't survive if I wasn't so busy. Not that a change in prescription wouldn't help, but you know what your trigger is. (I found that we usually do, even if it is subconsciously). Is there anything that you could do about your long work day? Is there any way to change your schedule? Is there anything that you could do to keep your mind off of your worries? (It sucks that you feel worse while your clients feel better) You might do well to try and confront your trigger if you want to try to stick with your current meds. <p>Changing meds can be a no brainer but it can be bad. I tried Wellbutrin which is supposed to be an almost side effect free anti-d (prozac dampens my sexdrive although I think it could have well been the lack of meeting my emotional needs) and it was AWFUL. I have anxiety attacks with my depression and it was like one giant on-going anxiety attack for 5 days. My heart racing, my asthma kicking in, I felt like I was wound tight as a spring and boy was I a B***H! Went back to prozac QUICK.<p>Good luck. Keep me posted.

Oh, I wanted to mention. It really feels good to have knowledge about something. Thanks. I get to feel helpful. I'm new at this "dealing w/the infidelity thing" and I feel like I just take from this site. It feels good to be able to give back. [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img]

cant do anything about the work day-im there very limited time to begin with, clients are allready annoyed they have to wait so long to get in with me. its ok-not every tues is like that. im feeling good so tomorrow should be a good day. husband just got me a cell phone so i can call on my breaks-that helps. im glad you feel knowledgeable. thats a good thing.