How do Anti-Depressants work?

LegacyUser

Hi everyone, going unreg for this one.

I currently have a bit of an anxiety problem. My doctor says it's probably the result of the worry I went through when I found a lump on my testicle last year and although that's all sorted now I haven't shaken off the symptoms. It's mostly to do with social situations, it's weird, it's not that I'm scared of going out anywhere or anything like that, it's just that if I know I have to go anywhere I start getting nervous for no apparent reason and my stomach is in absolute bits and I have to keep going to the toilet, in turn I worry that I won't make a toilet in time and that makes it worse, it's a vicious cycle and it's ruining my life.

So, it's really IBS brought on by anxiety, as my doctor says. I'm currently on Loperamide/Norimode which really helps but doesn't eradicate it completely. My doc has tried other medication along with it with no results, the most recent being Mebeverine and he said if that doesn't help then he's going to put me on a small dose of anti-depressants. The Mebeverine didn't work and I've to go back on Monday and he'll put me on the AD's.

So what I'm asking is what are they like? I've googled it but gotten a lot of contradicting stories.

Will I be 'zombiefied'? Will I still be able to work? Will I be sleepy?

And what do they do exactly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

starviewadams

Everybody reacts differently to AD's,they are a godsend to some people but have no significant effect on others.And some people will experience more side effects then others,I'm currently on 100mg a day of Lustral/Sertraline and the only major side effects I suffered were headaches and insomnia and ringing in my ears but they only lasted for about 3 days,like any meds it takes your body a wee while to adjust to them

When I was first prescribed them I was afraid that I would turn into a zombie like person too but that hasn't been the case at all.I dont feel nearly as depressed as I did before I started on them and am able to cope slightly better in social situations aswell.They have definitely helped me anyways.Discuss all the pro's and con's with your doc before you start taking them though if you feel nervous about starting on them.

Princess Peach

Can only tell you my experiences anyway! I started on Lexapro, and I did have really bad side affects at first, nausea, insomnia, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, exhaustion, loss of appetite.

They all went away over time, 2 months was the maximum time I felt any side affects. And then the meds really started to improve my mood, and I started to feel happy. I definitely in know way felt zombified, they really did improve my mood.

I was a little wary at first, because I didn't know much about the side affects, so talk to your doctor. It may take a few tries to find a medicine that works for you but bare with it, cause it really did help me a lot.

LegacyUser

Hey guys, OP here...

Thanks for the replies, sorry I haven't been back on sooner, my laptop was fecked.

So my doc gave me Citalopram 20mg to be taken once a day last Tuesday so I've been on them a week as of today. No side effects apart from being a little tired so that's ok. I haven't noticed a change yet but I assume that's normal as they have yet to kick in?

Or, does the fact that I get no side effects mean they're not going to have any effect on me?

LegacyUser

Also, forgot to add...

As they are for anxiety and not depression, will they still lift my mood? I wouldn't say I'm depressed but I certainly have been feeling very down about the whole anxiety thing so a little boost wouldn't be a bad thing!

mathepac

Juarez4 wrote: »

...As they are for anxiety and not depression, will they still lift my mood? ...

It is an anti-depressant medication, technically a SSRI.

Did you get an opportunity to read the PIL included with your medicine or did you ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about possible effects / side-effects, interactions with other medicines, alcohol, etc?

PIL is available here if you wish to download and read it - http://www.imb.ie/EN/Medicines/HumanMedicines/HumanMedicinesListing.aspx?x=&page=1&query=citalopram&tradename=&LicenceHolder=&LicenceNumber=&Active=&LegalStatus=&SupplyLegalStatus=&OrderBy=name&OrderAscending=True&Auth=AUTHORISED&WithdrawDate=ALL&Species=&ATC=&Ther=&Advanced=no

LegacyUser

SSRI's mechanism of action is really only theorised (like many other lifesaving drugs) but we do know for sure that they can work where there is a biochemical problem.

If there is a biochemical basis for your anxiety and/or depression(and subsequent problems like the toilet thing - which I've experienced myself btw), the SSRI's will help you immensely (although it might take a while to find the right drug and the right dosage).
Unfortunately, they can take a long time to work and the first while can be pretty scary with some weird side effects....
But perseverance and sticking to them is key. When the right dosage and the right SSRI is found, they can work wonders for people, genuinely transforming their lives (and in cases of severe depression and anxiety, often saving their lives).

The main thing is to constantly visit your doctor and talk to him/her about it until you are better.

Btw, be very wary of any information on the internet that doesn't come from reputable medical sources.

And talk to your doctor....can't emphasise that enough.

LegacyUser

Juarez4 wrote: »

Hi everyone, going unreg for this one.

I currently have a bit of an anxiety problem. My doctor says it's probably the result of the worry I went through when I found a lump on my testicle last year and although that's all sorted now I haven't shaken off the symptoms. It's mostly to do with social situations, it's weird, it's not that I'm scared of going out anywhere or anything like that, it's just that if I know I have to go anywhere I start getting nervous for no apparent reason and my stomach is in absolute bits and I have to keep going to the toilet, in turn I worry that I won't make a toilet in time and that makes it worse, it's a vicious cycle and it's ruining my life.

Well fair play to you for addressing the problem. I suffered almost identically to you, and it actually spiralled out of control for years - anxiety led to depression led to more anxiety led to an unlivable life.
Pharmacological intervention saved me after I tried every single other thing possible (CBT, Diet & Exercise, Yoga, Meditation, Indian Head Massage, the whole lot)

Juarez4 wrote: »

Will I be 'zombiefied'? Will I still be able to work? Will I be sleepy?

Might be but only temporarily, just sit it out. You should be able to work, but maybe not at full productivity for a little while.
Might be sleepy too but again, that will wear off.

pheasant tail

Juarez4 wrote: »

Hi everyone, going unreg for this one.

I currently have a bit of an anxiety problem. My doctor says it's probably the result of the worry I went through when I found a lump on my testicle last year and although that's all sorted now I haven't shaken off the symptoms. It's mostly to do with social situations, it's weird, it's not that I'm scared of going out anywhere or anything like that, it's just that if I know I have to go anywhere I start getting nervous for no apparent reason and my stomach is in absolute bits and I have to keep going to the toilet, in turn I worry that I won't make a toilet in time and that makes it worse, it's a vicious cycle and it's ruining my life.

So, it's really IBS brought on by anxiety, as my doctor says. I'm currently on Loperamide/Norimode which really helps but doesn't eradicate it completely. My doc has tried other medication along with it with no results, the most recent being Mebeverine and he said if that doesn't help then he's going to put me on a small dose of anti-depressants. The Mebeverine didn't work and I've to go back on Monday and he'll put me on the AD's.

So what I'm asking is what are they like? I've googled it but gotten a lot of contradicting stories.

Will I be 'zombiefied'? Will I still be able to work? Will I be sleepy?

And what do they do exactly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Em ive currently going through it all and me only 19 ,,currently on mirap,,lexapro,,priadel,eflexor and just starting a new one today that i cant remember the name off,,the side effects ive had has been apetite gain,,slight gain in weight and very very tired and drousy in mornings,,any questions PM me!

PIOP

Hi,

I was initially on Citalopram, before moving to effexor. I started at 20mg Citalopram, before moving to a higher dose, and then onto the other drugs. I was diagnosed bipolar, and suffered greatly with anxiety, as well as depression (and mania). I found that the drugs helped immensely.

I had to move off the citalopram because they were causing me to be very sleepy, no matter what time of the day I took them at. I have had great results with the effexor though - I feel like I'm a full person again, and no longer composed purely of my neuroses.

Give the citalopram a try, and see if you can make them work for you. Sometimes adjusting dose time can help (taking them before sleeping, rather than in the morning, for example). If you find that they are making you sleepy, don't despair. There are absolutely tons of different medications out there that can help, so you'll find one that works for you.

starviewadams

I was moved up to 20mg of citalopram earlier this week and it makes me feel really tired too,hopefully it will settle down in a few weeks,apparently you can be prescribed it in liquid form aswell and that seems to have less side effects according to my doc.

porkie1

Can anyone tell me if cipramil is the same as mirap or zispin or zismiit thanks

porkie1

Can anyone tell me if cipramil is the same as mirap or zispin or zismiit thanks

sunbeam

Mirap and Zispin are the same, both brand names for mirtazapine.

Cipramil is a different antidepressant, a brand name for citalopram.

sam34

Zombie thread - closed.