Anyone not able to take antidepressants?

[mmkmommy]

I am just wondering if there is anyone out there that couldn't take anti depressants due to the side effects. I am trying to weigh all my options before starting a new one. I have been on lexapro for a month and although it has helped my depression/anxiety IMMENSELY, it makes me EXTREMELY dizzy and I just can't live like this. In anyone's opinion will the next one do the same thing? I don't want to go through the side effects again just to end up dizzy. And if not antidepressants, then what?
I was also on a natural remedy before lexapro for about a week called clarocet and that also made me dizzy.
Please give some advice if you can.
Thanks!
MMKmommy

[Gale Force]

mmkmommy -- I can't answer the meat of your question because I didn't use meds at all. There are a few of us floating around here if you decide that meds are not an option for you.

Amanda

[newcastlemama]

I have heard of people trying many different meds before finding the right fit...it must be so frustrating
I am fortunate that effexor has worked pretrty well for me. I hope you find the remedy that you need ASAP.

[mmkmommy]

[QUOTE=Gale Force]mmkmommy -- I can't answer the meat of your question because I didn't use meds at all. There are a few of us floating around here if you decide that meds are not an option for you.

Gale Force,
I sent you a message, don't know if you will get it, so I am going to post another one here. Please let me know what the first steps are if I do decide to go off meds. I have a pretty severe case, so I am afraid to go off, but have never wanted to be on meds in the first place. Is it true PPD lasts a long time if you aren't on meds?
Also, I can't find good doctors here(that think Natural alternatives are ok), maybe it is worth traveling to find some?

[Gale Force]

Originally Posted by mmkmommy

Please let me know what the first steps are if I do decide to go off meds. I have a pretty severe case, so I am afraid to go off, but have never wanted to be on meds in the first place. Is it true PPD lasts a long time if you aren't on meds?
Also, I can't find good doctors here(that think Natural alternatives are ok), maybe it is worth traveling to find some?

I said this in the PM in case anyone is interested:
You need a doctor's help to get through it or it probably will take a long time. You need to find someone with an alternative medicine bent who knows about the link between biochemical deficiencies and depression. There must be an "Arizona tribe" in the forum that has tribes (maybe the getting to know you thread, but just search for "Arizona tribe"). Ladies there from AZ can give you recommendations. You should also post in Talk Amongst Yourselves. Do you have access to that forum? If not, tell me and I'll post there. It's the most active forum at MDC and would get attention, so you could get another recommendation or two there.

And in terms of going off the meds, you really should be working with a doc for that. I would definitely travel if you need to. We actually travel two hours to our doc, though we are pretty remote from all services anyway. Before we moved here, I traveled an hour to better choices than see the doctors locally.

Try to find a copy of the book by Sherry Rogers Depression Cured at last

[AllyRae]

I can't be on AD's...I had severe reactions to both Zoloft and Prozac, so my OB doesn't recommend any other ones (she'd prescribe them if I wanted them, but she doesn't think it's such a hot idea). So, I'm not sure what to do, but in the meantime, I'm taking a food-based multi vitamin, fish oils, and inositol...

[hopeland]

I thought I would mention that antidepressants have different side effects from one another. One may cause dizziness while another does not, one may cause weight gain while another does not etc. Usually it depends on what chemical/area of the brain the antidepressant is targeting. Then there are some people who are more sensitive than others to side effects. I dont have PPD but have depression in general and have been on many different antidepressants. Just so you know the ones that cause the dizziness....that side effect wore off for me but it took quite a while. Also, never stop taking one "cold turkey" generally people will experience more severe depression and other side effects. They need to be tapered off slowly. Personally I think whichever route you go medsor natural, it is a very good idea to be in therapy or a group support when depressed and recovering. It is sooo helpful to have someone to talk to when you are feeling low.

[mmkmommy]

Thank you all for just being here, it helps so much. Hopeland, you said you felt dizzy for a long time, can you tell me how long it was? I have been on my AD for a month now, my pychiatrists are saying it should be gone by now and want me to switch.
Gale Force or anyone else out there that is close to Arizona, if you know any doctors that are good, I don't mind traveling to California or Nevada. I have a lot of relatives in both states, so if I can find a good doc, it would be worth my while. I am really having a hard time with doctors here....even my therapist says there is not really a great support system for PPD in the Phoenix metro area.
I do have a pretty good support system, my husband is wonderful as was my mom for the first two months, but she then said I would have to hire someone to help because she had to have a life too. (That hurt.) I don't think she understands how serious this is, I know if it was my daughter, I would take a leave of absence from my life until she was better. I would do whatever it took. But, that is beside the point.
Any help you have would be appreciated.
mmkmommy

[Gale Force]

mmkmommy -- I am so glad you have family around you. My mom had very bad PPD as did her mom, so she identified a lot more than most of our mothers' generation might.

I'll make a couple of calls tomorrow about Phoenix doctors and see if I have any luck. It would be ashame to travel out of state. That is a bit far for PPD without having someone local you can also go to in a crisis.

[hopeland]

Hi,
Well if I remember correctly I was on two that did that and the one I remember that was worse lasted maybe 8-10 weeks. I almost gave up on it and then it got better. I dont think I would stay on it though if I went through it again. For me it was every time I stood up I would almost fall over. It was a trycylic (sp) antidepressant which is an older type. I would suggest you talk with the psychiatrist about switching to another that does not tend to cause that reaction. As I said they tend to have different side effects, some causing dizziness, some sexual problems, some weight gain etc. There are some natural thigns you could try as well. For me I have to take them or I feel very, very depressed but thats another story.

[mmkmommy]

Thanks again for all your words of encouragement. Thank you, Thank you Gale Force for trying to find some doctors, that is very thoughtful of you!
And thanks hopeland and Gale Force for just letting me know there is hope and I will come through this. Sometimes that is hard to see day to day. I am so glad I found this forum, it gives me a lift when I think things are hopeless.