Depression

LegacyUser

Hey,
Like many, going unregged for this.

Basically, I'm a 20 year old guy and after quite a long period of being down and out about myself and life in general, I decided to go talk to my GP about it this afternoon. Found it quite hard to open up to my GP but eventually spilled everything, how my life had flipped on its back over the course of the last year, how my self esteem has dropped to a level I've never experienced, how my confidence has dropped too etc. Felt a lot better for it too.

The result of this talk was that he diagnosed me with depression. Part of me was shocked, I'd never have thought I'd be one to suffer from it, nor would anyone that knows me. For years I've been a confident, outgoing, optimistic guy, always happy but things have changed that but I want to get back to being that guy, so thats what lead me to go seek help today, which I think was definately the right first step anyway.

The other part of me suspected it, I've quite a few of the symptoms that indicate depression, but thought I was just stuck in a rut and that I'd be able to get myself out of it by myself but things just haven't been going my way for a time now and I haven't been able to take control of it and as a result I as a whole have suffered for it, and my self-perception is quite low.

I've turned from an outgoing, sociable guy to making excuses almost every time I'm invited to go out with friends, and I think they're getting sick of ringing and getting some excuse thrown at them almost every time. Truth is I just don't feel like going out a lot any more, I just can't see any positive points to it. I still see my friends, but have noticed I'm declining more and more nights out as the weeks go by...and thats just one example of the effects this has had one me.

So, I was prescribed Zispin (an anti-depressant) and will be starting the course tomorrow. I was just wonder, has anyone used this drug before? My GP said theres side effects, which I googled when I got home. They appear to be minor enough, though I don't know what to expect, to those who have tried this, or perhaps another anti-depressant containing mirtazapine, what side affects did you encounter or what are common ones I should expect?
Also, is this a drug that is safe to drink whilst on? My GP made no mention of it, but I just want to be better safe than sorry.

Also, to those who've experienced depression before, any advice on how to help escape it, whilst on the course of drugs?

Sorry if the post was a bit vague, but I can't see any reason for explaining the lead up to this. If anyone does want to know, or want to talk in private about the issue (depression), let me know and I'll pm you from my registered account.

I think today was definately a good start to getting back my old self, and its the first time I've been genuinely happy with a decision I've made in quite a while.

Thanks in advance for reading and any advice or answers given

Gordon

For the technical aspects of Zispin you should really ask the pharmacy when you buy the drugs, or phone your doctor and ask him.

Good luck mate, we live life on moments so take each moment at a time.

Marksie

Hi, you can pm if you want.

I had a short term bout of severe depression and made life changing decisions.

The drugs i was given were there literally as a step up, not as a crutch. and after about 4 months i said enough.

They were just enough to get me over the hump.

I was like you never really depressed before or since ( the usual downs at times )and i can pinpoint three events that caused it.

Dont forget drink is a depressant as well.. but as gordon said.. check with your GP on the exact effects of any drugs and their interaction with alcohol.

LegacyUser

I was put on Zispin last year as I had anxiety. After only 2 days on it I felt really bad, like I was just fed up with everyone and everything, I didn't want to talk to anyone which is not like me, and I started getting weird OCD type thoughts which I never had before. Also I had absolutely no energy, all I wanted to do was sleep all the time.

After the first week these symptoms reduced some, but not the weird thoughts. But the worst thing about it was I was always hungry for sweets/chocolate/carbs. I put on over 2 stone in 6 weeks, so I came off sharpish.

Then I went on Seroxat for 4 months, and found this a lot better, although this made me get even fatter as well and makes you sleep all the time. Also, all ads deaden your emotions, you feel blah towards everything. Everything is 'just ok' all the time, no passion for anything.

If I was you I would start regular exercise 5 days a week for at least an hour a day, cardio (walking, running, bike etc.) and maybe strt therapy.

Exercise has worked for me. I am off ads over a year now and working out has made me feel so much more calm and content wit life. You should also try taking magnesium and fish oil. Exercise has been proved to be more efficient at beating depression than ADs.

Try everything before you go on Zispin. The other bad thing I forgot to tell you about ADS is that they have really bad withdrawals. It took me months to feel ok after I came off Seroxat, and the symptoms you get are horrible, much worse than normal depression/anxiety.

I just want to save someone from experiencing what loads of others have.

Going Demented

I was on zispin from January until about two months ago. I have changed now to lexapro. On zispin i put on weight and i never really felt better. I was unable to cry, if half my family fell down dead i don't think i could have cried. My brother however has been on it three years and he never had any real negative side effects.

DO NOT DRINK ON IT! Anytime i drank on it i went crazy. I would have found with my own toe nails but i remember NOTHING. I ruined everyones nights out. It was like i snapped every single time i drank alcohol. I quickly learned not to drink on it (my phsychiatrist never mentioned drink, the instructions did. When i went and told him i had drank and went crazy he told me i should not have been drinking whatsoever). My brother has not drank in almost three years. He too went crazy drinking with zispin. I would black out and have no idea when i woke up how i got home, if i got home!.

Be careful if you decide to drink with it.

Kell

Unregdd9191 wrote:

I've turned from an outgoing, sociable guy to making excuses almost every time I'm invited to go out with friends, and I think they're getting sick of ringing and getting some excuse thrown at them almost every time.

Any idea what kicked this off? As you said, you have had a major turnaround in your perspective on life, so what caused it?

K-

Uthur

I have had all known anti-depressants ;-)

Zispin gave me horrible restless legs & arms. It felt horrible. I also
couldn't keep awake during the day and kept eating all the time. I
didn't stay on it too long.

The thing about A/Ds though is they affect everyone differently. I
have found it nearly useless to ask other people about their side-effects
as mine are always different!

You may like Zispin a lot. Or maybe not ;-)

LegacyUser

that first trip to the doc was a bit of an event for me too I started bawling crying and I'm not exactly the sensitive show your emotions in public kind of guy. they put me on efexor whose only side effect was mild stomach upset for a week after that it was grand. mood improved after about a month I'm still on it 3-4 years later and probably be on it for good as I had been getting depressed since I was about 13 and only went to get help when i was 30. I can drink with effexor no problems. the fact that the first occurrence was when you twenty would lead me to believe that you just got a knock and will be fine. I also went to therepy, quiet tough but worthwhile should really go back.

LegacyUser

Gordon wrote:

Good luck mate, we live life on moments so take each moment at a time.

Cheers.

marksuttonie wrote:

The drugs i was given were there literally as a step up, not as a crutch. and after about 4 months i said enough.

They were just enough to get me over the hump.

Yeah, I'm hoping to not become dependent on them as the sole solution to this, and I'm going to try anything suggested as its something I want to get over. I know I can, and I want to get back to being my old self! Or, even better than my own self, either would be good

mad cow wrote:

I was put on Zispin last year as I had anxiety. After only 2 days on it I felt really bad, like I was just fed up with everyone and everything, I didn't want to talk to anyone which is not like me, and I started getting weird OCD type thoughts which I never had before. Also I had absolutely no energy, all I wanted to do was sleep all the time.

After the first week these symptoms reduced some, but not the weird thoughts. But the worst thing about it was I was always hungry for sweets/chocolate/carbs. I put on over 2 stone in 6 weeks, so I came off sharpish.

I just got the tablets today, starting on 15MG per day and I've to go back to the GP after two weeks on it for a check up, and to go to 30MG I think.
Thankfully I don't eat much chocolate/sweets etc. too often, so hopefully I should be able to control the cravings you mentioned (should I get them, that is). Thanks for the headsup though.

mad cow wrote:

If I was you I would start regular exercise 5 days a week for at least an hour a day, cardio (walking, running, bike etc.) and maybe strt therapy.

I intend to join a gym again soon, when I was a member of one before I got really into it and felt great, unfortunately got a bad injury in February and wasn't able to train or work out for months and found it hard to get motivated to get back into it again, so as another measure to counter this depression I reckon getting back into the gym and working out regularly, maintaining a good diet etc. will be a good step alright.
Have to talk to the GP about whether its safe to take supplements (Whey protein and perhaps No-explode and a thermogenic) whilst on the ADs first though. Actually, does anyone have experience in that?I.e being on ADs and taking supplements?

Going Demented wrote:

DO NOT DRINK ON IT! Anytime i drank on it i went crazy.

I might test how I/my body reacts to a small amount(1 or two pints maybe), I don't want to find out how things would go if I went on a mad one though, so thanks for the advice.

Kell wrote:

Any idea what kicked this off? As you said, you have had a major turnaround in your perspective on life, so what caused it?

I'm having a hard time pinpointing anything in particular that I can blame for causing this.A lot has happened in the last year or so, including and in no particular order: I lost a job that I really enjoyed, failed college exams ,the above mentioned injury which caused me to lose the great results I'd gotten in the gym, one of my best friends attempted suicide, got dumped because she was "no longer attracted to me" after almost a year, followed by an unrequited love. Also I've always had a bad relationship with my parents, and since I've moved home from college in June, its just been constant fights. Sometimes we'll get along, but it won't last too long. That, or I'll be getting along with one of them but fighting at the same time with the other.

I've turned from optimistic to seeing only the negative side of everything, which is horrible really as its lead me to doing absolutely nothing most days.

I did make myself go out last night, although I very nearly stayed home. I didn't really want to head out and didn't really enjoy myself, but if anything at least it'll keep me getting invited to things for when I actually do feel like my old self again.

Uthur wrote:

You may like Zispin a lot. Or maybe not ;-)

Hopefully I'll like it, some of the side effects don't sound so nice so hopefully I'll get through it ok

Trishy2

Like Uthur said, I think it affects everyone differently. I went to the doctor about it about a year ago and the day I went I felt so empowered (I think I thought I was cured just cause I went to the doctor!) and was feeling much more positive even as a result.

I was on different AD's to you. But what I found was that it made me care less. I found myself feeling a little bit numb. It was hard to tell which was better - to feel really low and sometimes ok or just to feel numb all the time. So I was on it 6 months or so.

What I would say to you is that it helps to remind you what it feels like to feel normal (that's what I got from it) and it gives you strength/reassurance to try to lift your spirits. Don’t become dependent on them, whatever you do. Just think of them as a step in the right direction. You still need to sort out what's going on inside your head/heart. That's my belief - even though I still haven't done it!

As for drinking on them – it’s weird. I think it affects everyone differently also. Before going on them I was one of those annoying girls who gets upset easily when drunk – on them, I was one of those girls you Do Not mess with – I was such a cranky drunk!

Would be happy to chat to you if you want to PM me (I’m new on this and can’t figure out how to use PM!) cause I think depression is a pretty sensitive subject and I would hate to offend anyone by discussing it in case their experiences are very different.

PS - Really well done on going to the doctor - it takes guts. The first time I went the doctor was an old fashioned lady who told me I was "just over sensitive dear" and I should "take up a hobby". Stick to your guns and you will be ok.

Esel

Alcohol and benzodiazapines (valium, xanax etc) should definitely be avoided when taking Zispin. The sedative effects of both Zispin and alcohol or benzos are increased. I dont think it would be wise of you to 'test' alcohol with it. Even if one or two pints go OK, at a future time you might think you can have three or four pints, and then you could be in trouble.

Try a lucozade in a pint glass with loads of ice - most people will think you are drinking cider.

Black Swan

Was depressed in my earlier teens. Put on meds and counselling. Neither helped much. Switched from kickboxing to taekwondo (TKD) about that time. Not really sure why. The TKD master instructor took me under his wing and really motivated me to improve and perform. I did. This affected my attitude about myself and how to cope with depression. He also had me watch my diet, eating healthy, no smoking, no drugs, and now, very little alcohol. Depressions are rare, and when I feel one coming on, I go to the dojang (TKD gym) and work out extra hard. This may or may not work for you, but it might be worth a try? In any case, you will become physically fit.