Is it normal to doubt yourself after starting medication?????

[babygrant]

I don't know why my thoughts have gone this way.

I have known that I needed to go back on antidepressants for a few months. Nothing else was helping. Finally a few days ago I had a breakdown and confided in DH how I was feeling. Next day (friday) I went to the doctor and he perscribed effexor. I am starting on 37.5 mg for a week, up the dose to 75 for the next 3 weeks then will go up to 150 mg.

Before I took my first dose I read and read and read and quite honestly, got really scared. I told my DH, maybe I don't need them. He said to just try it out, becasuse most of the side effects I already had anyways from being depressed and anxious. So I took my first dose, got a headache, couldn't sleep, felt a bit better in the morning. Took, my 2nd, 3rd and got a headache after both but slept a little bit better. Took my 4th dose and got a splitting headache. Took my blood pressure and it was high (for me). My headache was so bad that I went to sleep at 8 last night.

I keep going back and forth if I should keep taking it. I worry about getting off the medication. I worry about the weight gain. I worry about the price (geez, $58.00 for a month?!?!). I don't like taking medication. I still have a headache. I'm still nauseated. I woke up this morning so shakey that I could barely get my oldest son off to school, but had to force myself to eat because I'm prone to hypoglycemia. Then I felt like I was going to vomit from eating because I was so nauseated.

I don't know what to do. Blah.

[Freedom~Mama]

I know how you feel. One thing I was wondering is have you been on Effexor before? If so do the headaches go away at some point? If not maybe you could try a different anti-depressant?! I absolutely hate being on medication. I also worry about how I will get off of it, side effects, if I really need it etc. I am not sure how bad your depression/anxiety is but I was at a point where I could barely function and so for me it wasn't really a choice. I had to do something.

I would suggest giving it a bit longer to see if the headaches go away. If not you could always try a different med or if your depression isn't too severe could maybe try the natural route. I would call your Dr. and tell them how you are feeling and see what they suggest. Good luck. I know how frustrating it can be starting an anti-depressant and finding one that works with minimal side effects.

[babygrant]

I've never been on the effexor before. I was on prozzac about 6 or 7 years ago.

I know that I need the medication. I'm honestly surprised that I"m still married!! I have no ambition. I could sleep all day. The house is a disaster because I don't have the energy to clean. I snap at my DH, kids for no reason. I cry for no reason. I just feel absolutely useless. I don't feel like myself. I know I need something....but I just hate being on medication.

I explained my fears to DH and him and I chatted a lot and I feel a bit better. I'll give it more time, it's only been a few days.

[Eeyore35]

I would say maybe talk to pharmacist re: whether unpleasant side effects are likely to go away in time.

It is NOT a med you want to stop taking abruptly, altho I don't know how long you'd hve to be on it to have that be a concern.

I haven't taken effexor. Last time I was on prozac, I did have serious apetite loss, (on the bright side, I lost abut 20 lbs in a couple months...) and I got headches and dizziness at first, but then that went away in time. (except the appetite thing. Got better, but i still had issues as I have had an eating disorder in the past.)



Your symptoms do sound pretty typical for starting new meds,though. If that is all it is, it will get better soon. Then it takes a few weeks to start to notice it working, and a few week at the right dose to really feel normal. Worth it,though.

[Freedom~Mama]

Originally Posted by babygrant

I've never been on the effexor before. I was on prozzac about 6 or 7 years ago.

I know that I need the medication. I'm honestly surprised that I"m still married!! I have no ambition. I could sleep all day. The house is a disaster because I don't have the energy to clean. I snap at my DH, kids for no reason. I cry for no reason. I just feel absolutely useless. I don't feel like myself. I know I need something....but I just hate being on medication.

I explained my fears to DH and him and I chatted a lot and I feel a bit better. I'll give it more time, it's only been a few days.

Wow I could have written this post. I just wanted to give you some hope. I have only been on my anti-depressant for a week and I feel like a totally different person. My depression was really really bad as well. As in crying all day, laying in bed, etc. I was not being a good mother or wife and it got so bad that my husband said if I didn't go to my Dr. to get help he was going to leave.

I am SO glad that I went. Being on the right anti-deprssant works wonders. It truly does. I am taking 17 hours of online classes and am a SAHM and I know I could not do all of this if I was still depressed. Good luck to you and I hope you find an anti-depressant that works for you. There is hope!!

[RiverTam]

If those side-effects don't go away soon, I'd ask to switch to a different med. Different meds work for different people.

I know it's very hard when you're depressed to wait it out with a medication that is making you feel worse, not better, but hang in there. If you keep trying, it is likely that you will find something to help.