I've been taking Cymbalta for 5 months after being on Lexapro for 2 years. Because my blood pressure has increased along with a couple other side effects my dr. is withdrawing me from this and switching me to Pristiq which is in the same family of drugs as Cymbalta and evidently nearly identical to Effexor. I'm supposed to start the switch over today and have samples with me but I'm feeling a bit anxious as I've heard Effexor is a pretty strong drug with difficult withdrawal effects. I would so like to just go off anti depressants altogether but am afraid to do so as I can't imagine this journey without whatever assistance they have been providing. Any advice from anyone would be so appreciated as usual.
My DH took Effexor at one point. When he came off it, he had no withdrawal symptoms at all. He had taken it for about 6 months. He also took Cymbalta for about 6 months. Now he is on citalopram (generic Celexa).
Terry: My DW is taking citalopram which was just increased from 20m to 40m per day. She also take butron which was increased from 200m to 300m per day. That is a heavy load, but, her Neuro Dr (and I) agree that she needs it.
I know your quandry. What do we do. After discussing our situation with her Dr,I have resolved to just follow the Dr's orders.
On another front tho. the counselor in her Dr's office said that it looked to her like I needed an antidepressent. Worried me. What if she is right. So far, I haven't acted on her advice.
dean --talk to your Dr. about an antidepressant for yourself. See what the Dr. thinks. You should know, the right one can help your outlook and enable you to handle all the stuff we have to, more easily. The meds in the right dose won't make you too sleepy, or out of it in any way. I speak from experience, as many of us can.
The stresses and work of caregiving can push us into an overload which alters the brain chemistry, creating depression. When depressed we lose the abilities to make decisions easily, get jobs done, see any good in much of anything. We plod along. We can't do a good job of caring for anyone that way--not our LO, and not ourselves. Meds, counseling, or both can get us back on track. I used both when I needed it. The meds helped get the chemistry back in line so I could function. The counseling taught me ways to identify causes and triggers, and methods for avoiding or fighting them off. So far it's working for me, but I know that if I should head down that road again, I won't hesitate to seek meds again. There's too much in life to be missing because of depression, even now, dealing with dementia, and definitely later, After.
I thought, after I posted and went to iron some clothes for tomorrow, that at least one of you would say how dumb it sounds to follow the Dr's advice inre DW and then not follow the advice for myself.
As I have told you before, I am a slow learner.
Thanks Carosi for the personal testimony. It helps to know that someone has had the same experience.
I never thought that I would take an antidepressant. My PCP suggested that I try one (after observing symptoms of depression). One month ago I started taking Wellbutrin and I do believe that it is helping. My situation with my DH does not feel hopeless, as it once did. Overall, my emotions feel more level, even upbeat. I have more energy to deal with everyday trials and tribulations. This med does not make me sleepy or out of it. I guess that asking for help is not a weakness- but rather can help one stay strong.
Dean, I'm hoping TJ will speak up here to tell you what a difference starting an antidepressant made for him. We had to beat him about the head and ears to get him to do it, but he's a walking, talking advertisement for the good they can do. It's all a matter of brain chemistry. There's nothing weak about taking it. If you had diabetes, you'd take medication to control it, wouldn't you? Take care of yourself, friend, so you can take care of DW.