Dealing with depression - suicidal thoughts - Join the conversation (including helpline details)

[spin cycle]

Don't the doctors take the anti depressants away after a while though? Or are they just permanently on repeat as long as you feel you need them?

depends on what sort of anti depressants i think.....trouble is that phrase covers everything from seratonin uptake inhibitors through to heavy tranquilisers ......i can't really see how you can come off the former but can understand why gp s would want to limit the latter

problem is IME gps don't explain how the medicines work....also ppl take the meds then stop because either they feel better or give up early thinking they're not working

 

[czechmate]

I've been on antidepressants for a long time, mind you I don;t think I will ever be able to come off them

Better than being miserable

 

[czechmate]

Better than being miserable

I found myself worrying today that this might of come over as flippant. It certainly isn't meant to be, it is just I know how depression can completely take away perspective and my dad for example said to me many times " I would rather be dead than take pills for the rest of my life".
It doesn't make sense does it but that can be where you get to

 

[troubled]

Have been prescribed some anti depressants, zispin I think its called (picking up the prescription tomorrow). Anyone any experience of using it?

 

[milkloss]

Have been prescribed some anti depressants, zispin I think its called (picking up the prescription tomorrow). Anyone any experience of using it?

I've never taken it but know someone that did a while ago (post natal). It had quite a sedative effect but she was taking it in the morning. I seem to remember that the stronger the dose the less sedating it did.

It was quite a time ago and things move quickly so might be better now. Hope it helps you.

 

[troubled]

I've never taken it but know someone that did a while ago (post natal). It had quite a sedative effect but she was taking it in the morning. I seem to remember that the stronger the dose the less sedating it did.

It was quite a time ago and things move quickly so might be better now. Hope it helps you.

I suspect the sedating effect might be why they chose it, when I went in and saw the gp a month ago I really wasn't sleeping well at all. I think I'll try taking it at night rather than morning if that's a side effect!

 

[milkloss]

I suspect the sedating effect might be why they chose it, when I went in and saw the gp a month ago I really wasn't sleeping well at all. I think I'll try taking it at night rather than morning if that's a side effect!

Best talk to the gp about timing perhaps. They can miss points like timing quite easily when doing a scrip.

 

[troubled]

Best talk to the gp about timing perhaps. They can miss points like timing quite easily when doing a scrip.

I'll ask the chemist when I pick them up.

 

[dragonfly]

I was on Zispin for a while, about 10 years ago.
I forget the actual dose, but the sedating affect was very real.
For me, it turned me into a zombie. I was unable to stay awake and function normally. I ended up sleeping approximately 16+ hours a day and when I was awake, I yawned and felt vacant.
Maybe, I needed a lower dose, but in the end I was moved onto some different medication.

 

[Christoph1945]

Most antidepressants are designed to function as temporary psychological crutches, to assist us in getting through those drastically dark days when we are having trouble coping with some of life's major events. Others are there to assist us in obtaining a reasonable night's sleep; that much needed rest, that we all need. Lest we forget; some drugs are there to reset the balance of the body chemistry.

As for sleep, that wonderful medicine that often evades us, we generally need a good eight hours of sound, undisturbed, slumber to prepare us for the next day's challenges. The ancient Jews commenced their days at sundown and tried to eliminate mindful troubles before settling down for the night. I think that it was St Paul who wrote "let not the sun go down on your wrath"; often easier said than done.

Going to bed angry, depressed, and troubled, is starting our day off to a poor start; as is hitting the sack whilst intoxicated with alcohol. Been there, done that, paid the price many times over!

Keep in touch with your GP, your pharmacist, and your friends. And above all don't forget to talk things through with trusted friends, or support agencies.

I lost an old school friend to a drugs/alcohol over dose and never did know if it was an accident or deliberate.

Stay safe, stay well,
and know that you are on your way to full recovery.

Chris

 

[troubled]

I was on Zispin for a while, about 10 years ago.
I forget the actual dose, but the sedating affect was very real.
For me, it turned me into a zombie. I was unable to stay awake and function normally. I ended up sleeping approximately 16+ hours a day and when I was awake, I yawned and felt vacant.
Maybe, I needed a lower dose, but in the end I was moved onto some different medication.

From what I've read online about it the dose rate the more you take the less the sedating effect, I will be sure to check with the pharmacist when I get them though. GP wants me to see them after the two week supply is finished but they dont have any appointments for then, they might release some more next tuesday apparently!

 

[troubled]

I completely misheard the doctor, citalopram is what they have given me.

 

[Wiking]

I hope it helps you out @troubled and I hope you have a nice Easter! I've eaten citalopram myself in the past and at least in Sweden it's a pretty common "entry-medicine" for depressions and such. Hopefully it helps you out as well

 

[Ozzie]

Ive been on citalopram for over eight years, I have found it amazing .Helps me function nearly normally or though doesn't fix you, I thought I was better and with doctors help started to come off them , was dealing with the withdrawal without to much issue but went back on as the feelings I went on them for were still there, my doctor now doesn't want me off them and sees them no different to someone with high blood pressure taking a little pill every day. I honestly believe I wouldn't be here if I wasn't on them I would have called it a day.

 

[Chasingmytail]

Too many side effects for me. Had a strange shooting pain on side of head and a light headed feeling. If you read the forums on Citalopram anxiety can be worse and for me that is not what I want I am not a fan of long term drugs unless you have a serious condition that needs controlling. I am not convinced that long term use will make you feel good I do think after a number of years you should be able to control your thoughts. GPs shouldnt let you take anything long term there should be a referral for psych help and CBT. Withdrawal from AD is very unpleasant. I have taken the decision that reliance on drugs and being controlled isnt for me. I would consider it if things became unbearable but would only be short term as we have yet to understand long term effects of drugs. Like I said before GPs do nothing to help but prescribe and do a runner.

The fact of the matter is I am sensitive and I do get downers some can be bad but thats my makeup and have learnt to accept that I am like most and have my demons.

 

[Christoph1945]

Ive been on citalopram for over eight years, I have found it amazing .Helps me function nearly normally or though doesn't fix you, I thought I was better and with doctors help started to come off them , was dealing with the withdrawal without to much issue but went back on as the feelings I went on them for were still there, my doctor now doesn't want me off them and sees them no different to someone with high blood pressure taking a little pill every day. I honestly believe I wouldn't be here if I wasn't on them I would have called it a day.

Hi Ozzie,

pleased to hear that you made it through and with the help and support of your gp you didn't call it a day and check out. Pondering your above comments, I can't help but wonder if a controlled weening off the drug, until the old symptoms are barely commencing to surface, would make it easier for you to manage the original thought patterns that were giving you problems. A bit like having your boxing opponent replaced by a smaller and less experienced guy, just before you enter the ring.

I don't know if I am making any sense but am struggling a little my self at the moment. Depression/anxiety is still at bay and I no longer need the support of any drugs but have been on a health downer since January. Slow pulse rates and pounding head wasn't too big of a problem to cope with but following a major tooth extraction, a gum infection, a secondary infection, and a subsequent dose of septic tonsilitis I have been pretty well knocked off my feet. Eating, or trying to eat, has been like trying to swallow a mixture of sawdust, broken razor blades, and cat's claws. Couldn't even swallow my own saliva! Halfway through a ten day course of penicillin and had my first meal in eight days yesterday and am now able to swallow liquids without any pain. It has all had it's upside though; I have lost over five pounds in body fat.

Hopefully, as I recover, there will be no depressive knock-on from after effects.

Take care out there, there must be something in the air.

 

[RobFZS]

How's it going @BobGreen? , if i could see my ex more it would be great as we get on great and she goes away with a smile, but once behind a screen she gets bogged down with anxiety, hopefully i'll be able to go counselling with her in the coming weeks to see if any breakthroughs can happen

 

[troubled]

How's it going @BobGreen? , if i could see my ex more it would be great as we get on great and she goes away with a smile, but once behind a screen she gets bogged down with anxiety, hopefully i'll be able to go counselling with her in the coming weeks to see if any breakthroughs can happen

Good luck with that, I have found my ex to be completely flat out against anything that might be considered reconciliatory action, she just keeps telling me she cant see a way back and when my eldest daughter got upset that we arent all together as a family anymore I told her that I wished things hadnt happened like they have and that we could all still be together, that culminated in her telling the ex that either I or my mother had told her that we would hopefully work it out soon and all be living together again soon (I didnt say that and I dont think my mum would have either). Anyway the ex then rang later that night to speak to me and asked about what we are going to do next hinting at divorce but not actually saying it! She only moved out of the family home just over 2 months ago!

On the plus side I think the tablets Im on must have helped me a little as it didnt send me into a low mood, more just amused at how she told me she thought she had been very reasonable in all of this

 

[RobFZS]

I think the only action you can take is parking the idea of getting back together for the moment and work on sustaining a good relationship, getting back to some sort of stability that hopefully the meds can eventually deliver, and then with abit of luck and the love they had for you before that never truly dies, you can work something out

It's sad that mentioning getting back together etc just pushes them further away so you've just got to forget about that for now, it puts pressure on the other person to get better etc and you cant make them want it, it's abit like wooing them from the start i should imagine

 

[Lili]

Hi Ozzie,

pleased to hear that you made it through and with the help and support of your gp you didn't call it a day and check out. Pondering your above comments, I can't help but wonder if a controlled weening off the drug, until the old symptoms are barely commencing to surface, would make it easier for you to manage the original thought patterns that were giving you problems. A bit like having your boxing opponent replaced by a smaller and less experienced guy, just before you enter the ring.

I don't know if I am making any sense but am struggling a little my self at the moment. Depression/anxiety is still at bay and I no longer need the support of any drugs but have been on a health downer since January. Slow pulse rates and pounding head wasn't too big of a problem to cope with but following a major tooth extraction, a gum infection, a secondary infection, and a subsequent dose of septic tonsilitis I have been pretty well knocked off my feet. Eating, or trying to eat, has been like trying to swallow a mixture of sawdust, broken razor blades, and cat's claws. Couldn't even swallow my own saliva! Halfway through a ten day course of penicillin and had my first meal in eight days yesterday and am now able to swallow liquids without any pain. It has all had it's upside though; I have lost over five pounds in body fat.

Hopefully, as I recover, there will be no depressive knock-on from after effects.

Take care out there, there must be something in the air.

@Christoph1945
Hope you feel better very soon.