# Damn antidepressants! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 5, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412 "2009-08-05T14:54:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/1 "2009-08-05T14:54:28Z")
I convinced my doctor to put be back on antidepressants. When I took them a couple years ago I convinced myself they weren’t working, so I stopped. I realize now I was wrong. Last year, I was taking Celexa and I seemed to adjust to it well, so my doctor put me back on it. Within 2 days, the side affects kicked in and they are horrible! Nausea, diarrhea, grogginess, anxiety. I never had any of these symptoms the last time I took Celexa a year ago. I immediately stopped the pills, but I still have the affects. I’m almost afraid to try something else. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/2 "2009-08-05T15:51:13Z")
Maybe the initial dose was too high? It’s usually necessary to start with a very low dose and step up gradually. Also, are you taking any other meds now that you weren’t last time? Maybe it’s an interaction that made you sick. These are rhetorical questions for you to consider; please don’t feel obliged to answer. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/3 "2009-08-05T21:11:14Z")
> [@MissSwitac](#): > > I convinced my doctor to put be back on antidepressants. When I took them a couple years ago I convinced myself they weren’t working, so I stopped. There’s your problem right there. Your doctor should be the one telling YOU which medications you require, not the other way around. My sympathies and all, but you can’t deny that you brought it on yourself. (Sadly, your story’s indicative of what’s wrong with America’s health system these days…) ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/4 "2009-08-05T23:17:46Z")
I am not a fan of antidepressants due to the side affects too. I was on Zoloft years ago. They didn’t do much at first, but later they inhibited me from doing almost anything energetic. It seems it would kick in whenever I got excited, be it at work when I needed it, but also watching a Baseball game with a tie score, bases loaded and two out. It also kicked in when I tried to practice guitar. The faster and more intense the music got, Zoloft kicked in. All this drug seemed to do was detect stress, good AND bad, and then inhibit it. It made me feel useless most of the day. I am definitely not a fan of antidepressants in general. I think that less than 10% of people who take them really need them. ---
**Author:** ![Fetchund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b2d939/32.png) [@Fetchund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fetchund)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/5 "2009-08-06T00:46:12Z")
Another thing to check out - were you on brand name Celexa both times, or did you get a generic for one of the experiences? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Gui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@El\_Gui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Gui)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/6 "2009-08-06T00:49:25Z")
I was on several for anxiety before finding one that fit me. So unfortunately, it’s often just trial and error until you find the one that works for you. I don’t believe it’s possible for a doctor to know which ones will give you what side effects. I’ve been using effexor. ---
**Author:** ![MagicXylophone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@MagicXylophone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicXylophone)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/7 "2009-08-06T00:53:58Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > There’s your problem right there. Your doctor should be the one telling YOU which medications you require, not the other way around. My sympathies and all, but you can’t deny that you brought it on yourself. (Sadly, your story’s indicative of what’s wrong with America’s health system these days…) Well hey, it’s her chemical imbalance anyway, so how could it not be her fault? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/8 "2009-08-06T01:08:47Z")
Never immediately stop taking anti-depressants without talking to your doctor. You need to titrate (?) off them. Your doctor should have made this clear, but many don’t which totally pisses me off. You should absolutely NOT be afraid to try something else if you need an anti-depressant. There are a myriad drugs in the SSRI class alone, with a myriad dosing schedules and combinations. Don’t give up, but do commit to communicating with your doctor (one who’s well-versed in anti-depressants or a psychiatrist, preferably) and being patient while you work together to find something that works with side-effects you can handle. If Celexa worked for you in the past, then I’d suggest talking about Lexapro, which is improved Celexa. I have NO side-effects on Lexapro (and I was taking Celexa along with… Effexor? I forget before that.) I’d be dead without anti-depressants. Keep trying. You WILL find something that works with you and for you. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/9 "2009-08-06T01:09:52Z")
> [@El\_Gui](#): > > I was on several for anxiety before finding one that fit me. So unfortunately, it’s often just trial and error until you find the one that works for you. I don’t believe it’s possible for a doctor to know which ones will give you what side effects. > > I’ve been using effexor. Agreed. Just don’t miss a dose. I was originally prescribed 150 mg of Effexor XR (extended release). When I lost my insurance, I found that I could take 75 mg of the regular drug 2x a day for less money. Now, however, there is no room for error. At the end of 12 hours, I start having symptoms that I assume are withdrawal (lightheadedness, numbness, tingling). Sucks. ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/10 "2009-08-06T01:32:31Z")
> [@niblet\_head](#): > > Never immediately stop taking anti-depressants without talking to your doctor. You need to titrate (?) off them. Your doctor should have made this clear, but many don’t which totally pisses me off. > > You should absolutely NOT be afraid to try something else if you need an anti-depressant. There are a myriad drugs in the SSRI class alone, with a myriad dosing schedules and combinations. Don’t give up, but do commit to communicating with your doctor (one who’s well-versed in anti-depressants or a psychiatrist, preferably) and being patient while you work together to find something that works with side-effects you can handle. If Celexa worked for you in the past, then I’d suggest talking about Lexapro, which is improved Celexa. I have NO side-effects on Lexapro (and I was taking Celexa along with… Effexor? I forget before that.) I’d be dead without anti-depressants. > > Keep trying. You WILL find something that works with you and for you. Ditto this, especially the part about finding a psychiatrist who’s well versed in anti depressants. Mine was very good about letting me know how to taper off a med that wasn’t working and finding the right dosage/scrip for me. He also let me know which side effects were likely to go away (Lexapro gave me wicked dry mouth for a while, but that went away) and which to be concerned about. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/11 "2009-08-06T01:36:55Z")
> [@MagicXylophone](#): > > Well hey, it’s her chemical imbalance anyway, so how could it not be her fault? :rolleyes: The point is that you shouldn’t have to ask your doctor for a particular medication. Ideally, you reveal your symptoms, the doctor makes a diagnosis, and then figures out which medicine(s) to try. Instead, here in America, at least, the drug companies market directly to the patients. Thus, they come in and tell the professional what medicine they want to try. The doctor either gives them the medicine, talks them out of it, or the patient goes to another doctor that will give them what they want. And the doctor doesn’t get a real list of symptoms, so deciding what medicine the patient really needs is much harder. Many doctors (who want to keep their customers) just take the easy route, giving the patient what is wanted, rather than what is best. More often than not, the medicine will either do something or the placebo effect will kick in, but the patient will still be left fundamentally less well than he/she could be. There is nothing wrong with taking control of your own health care, and doing your own research. The problem comes in when you aren’t the type of person who would typically do research, but, because you’ve listened to the commercials, you think you know everything you need to know. For the OP: The fact that you said you had to “convince” your doctor to put you on an antidepressant implies that he/she did not want to put you on it, possibly because of the side effects you are complaining about. If so, then you did really bring this on yourself. Whether or not that’s true, the important thing is to talk to your doctor about the side effects. If you go in with just the symptoms, you are more likely to get a favorable solution. And any doctor who won’t help you with side effects doesn’t deserve the license. Remember, they are supposed to “do no harm.” ---
**Author:** ![MagicXylophone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@MagicXylophone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicXylophone)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/12 "2009-08-06T01:48:49Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Instead, here in America, at least, the drug companies market directly to the patients. Thus, they come in and tell the professional what medicine they want to try. The doctor either gives them the medicine, talks them out of it, or the patient goes to another doctor that will give them what they want. And the doctor doesn’t get a real list of symptoms, so deciding what medicine the patient really needs is much harder. Many doctors (who want to keep their customers) just take the easy route, giving the patient what is wanted, rather than what is best. More often than not, the medicine will either do something or the placebo effect will kick in, but the patient will still be left fundamentally less well than he/she could be. Do you actually know any of this for certain? What exactly would constitute a “real” list of symptoms for a mental illness? ---
**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/13 "2009-08-06T02:03:10Z")
I guess the word “convince” was the wrong choice. I just told my doctor my symptoms. I never suggested any type of medication. Basically, I’ve had a tough time for years and years with pre-menstral type symptoms: Severe cramping, major mood swings, crying jags, suicidal thoughts…etc. As soon as I started my period, I’d feel normal again. My doc prescribed Celexa and it really helped level me out. I took it for a couple years and convinced myself I was “cured” because I felt ok. Stupid. All those pre-menstral symptoms slowly came back. Deep down I felt that anti-depressants were a crock and when people told me they helped them, I believed it was probably a placebo affect or something. Thanks for all advice. I’ll see if maybe I should lower the dose or try something else. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/14 "2009-08-06T02:03:15Z")
I swear by Prozac. The only side-effect I experienced was a suppressed appetite for a couple of weeks when I first started taking it. I recently stopped taking it because I thought I didn’t need it, but then became unbearable to be around. Not only did I not experience withdrawal, but when I went back on it, I didn’t have side effects. The best anti-depressants are the ones that make you think you can live without them…meaning, you feel “normal”. I’ve been on Paxil, Zoloft and Wellbutrin and none of them ever worked for me. Of course YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/15 "2009-08-06T02:19:09Z")
> [@MagicXylophone](#): > > Do you actually know any of this for certain? What exactly would constitute a “real” list of symptoms for a mental illness? What the heck are you asking? I’m not saying that this what always happens, but clarifying **fuzzypickles** ’s point. I do know a lot of people who complain that their doctor won’t give them a particular medicine, or who come in having already decided what medicine they want to take. Sure, it’s anecdotal data, but it is fairly easy to determine that it does happen. Actual numbers would require an actual study. If that is your point, I concede. What I won’t concede is that the purpose of advertising a particular medication to the consumers rather than the doctors is because the companies know the patient has less data on the subject, and is more easily convinced. If doctors weren’t giving patients what they wanted, despite the risks, why would the general audience commercials have to list side effects and complications? Surely the doctor should know these… And, I’ve had a lot of personal experience finding out that older medications (that are available as cheap generics) are often as effective as the new ones that are advertised. ETA: **MissSwitac** : That’s what I was hoping you meant. I just wanted to make the other person’s position clear. At least, I hope I’m normally better than getting into a semantic argument, but nobody’s perfect. Oh, and real celexa costs a heck of a lot more than the generic. I got one for $80, the other for $4 at walmart. ---
**Author:** ![MagicXylophone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@MagicXylophone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicXylophone)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/16 "2009-08-06T02:35:59Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > What the heck are you asking? I’m not saying that this what always happens, but clarifying **fuzzypickles** ’s point. I do know a lot of people who complain that their doctor won’t give them a particular medicine, or who come in having already decided what medicine they want to take. Sure, it’s anecdotal data, but it is fairly easy to determine that it does happen. Actual numbers would require an actual study. If that is your point, I concede. I’m not asking “cite?” or anything, I’m just wondering if this is widely known/believed or what. > [@](#): > > What I won’t concede is that the purpose of advertising a particular medication to the consumers rather than the doctors is because the companies know the patient has less data on the subject, and is more easily convinced. \*\*If doctors weren’t giving patients what they wanted, despite the risks, why would the general audience commercials have to list side effects and complications? \*\* Bolding mine. Um, maybe because they are required to by law? I’m not trying to be snarky, but is this a uniquely American phenomenon, as you suggest? It could obviously be a product of the (very powerful) pharmaceutical lobby, but this sort of thing doesn’t happen in other countries? > [@](#): > > And, I’ve had a lot of personal experience finding out that older medications (that are available as cheap generics) are often as effective as the new ones that are advertised. > > ETA: **MissSwitac** : That’s what I was hoping you meant. I just wanted to make the other person’s position clear. At least, I hope I’m normally better than getting into a semantic argument, but nobody’s perfect. > > Oh, and real celexa costs a heck of a lot more than the generic. I got one for $80, the other for $4 at walmart. Very true. I’ve been on Paxil for a good 10 years now, and I switched last year to the generic without any side effects at all. Plus it’s way cheaper, as you said. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/17 "2009-08-06T03:26:04Z")
> [@MagicXylophone](#): > > I’m not asking “cite?” or anything, I’m just wondering if this is widely known/believed or what. So I guess the question was really for others, then. I believe it is common, though not as common as it sounded. > [@](#): > > Bolding mine. > > Um, maybe because they are required to by law? I’m not trying to be snarky, but is this a uniquely American phenomenon, as you suggest? It could obviously be a product of the (very powerful) pharmaceutical lobby, but this sort of thing doesn’t happen in other countries? My point is that the only reason for the law to be enacted is if someone thought the consumer could be misled by the ads, and that that would result in the consumer getting the wrong medication. Something that shouldn’t happen, in my opinion, if doctors were doing their jobs correctly. As for this being a uniquely American phenomenon, I’ve heard that it is, but I’m sure others can answer better than I. > [@](#): > > Very true. I’ve been on Paxil for a good 10 years now, and I switched last year to the generic without any side effects at all. Plus it’s way cheaper, as you said. Glad to hear it! I think one of the best ways to decrease the cost of health care in this country is for more people to do what you have done, and for insurances to cover it. The only reason I’ll use a non-generic of anything is that I have tried the alternative, and it doesn’t work. And because, it’s usually the new medications that doctors or patients in poor financial situations can get for free. (Yip, you can get drugs like you can get scholarships :D) ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/18 "2009-08-06T05:06:18Z")
The information that **BigT** posted is common knowledge. I don’t know if medications are advertised this way in other countries besides the USA. I would disagree with **BigT** only in that sometimes doing your own research into mental illness can lead to misdiagnosing yourself. That’s always best left to a professional – especially when you have an illness that affects your judgment. You may also have a tendency to diagnose and label everyone else also. Oh, and those chemical imbalances that cause some mental illnesses are not the “fault” of the person who has them, **Magic**. They didn’t do anything to cause them. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/19 "2009-08-06T05:22:33Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > I would disagree with **BigT** only in that sometimes doing your own research into mental illness can lead to misdiagnosing yourself. That’s always best left to a professional – especially when you have an illness that affects your judgment. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412/20 "2009-08-06T08:50:31Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > There’s your problem right there. Your doctor should be the one telling YOU which medications you require, not the other way around. My sympathies and all, but you can’t deny that you brought it on yourself. (Sadly, your story’s indicative of what’s wrong with America’s health system these days…) That’s actually not nearly as true as you think for psychiatric drugs. No one fully understands how SSRI’s work and there are many of them available that should be similar in theory but they aren’t for many patients. Doctors don’t have any way of knowing which one to pick other than trial and error and self-reporting from the patient. Some doctors are biased towards one or another but that may not be the right fit for some patients. Depressive symptoms have to be self-reported as well unless it is very severe and obvious from the outside. Doctors do need to run through the list of potential symptoms and verify the problem according to the DSM criteria however. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-antidepressants/505412.md?page=2)