Anti-Depressant? Which one?

Amburn · 08-03-2007, 12:17 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm new here. First, let me start by saying what a GREAT site this is. I have had PCOS since onset of puberty - about 14 or 15. I've always felt "different" because of the excess hair. All the other girls my age always complained about their periods and cramps, etc, but I could never relate to that because I never had periods. My husband and I have been married for 9 years, but we were married for about 3 years before I ever told him I shave every day just like he does. It was my secret from the world. I was so ashamed of it. Luckily, I am now able to tell even very close friends which is a big step for me. I don't know any other cysters, so it's very nice for me to find a place like this where I know others go through the same things I go through - I don't feel like such a freak now.

Ok, so on with my question. I have been on and off Zoloft since about the age of 18 (I am now 30) for depression and anxiety. I got off the Zoloft about a year ago because I "didn't think I needed it anymore". But, at the same time, I think it had stopped working for me. So, I have now accepted the fact that I REALLY DO need an antidepressant. I have problems all during the month, but ESPECIALLY the week before my period. I'm like a crazy person the week before!

So, my question is... is there any one antidepressant that might work best for us cysters? My doctor prescribed Lexapro, but my insurance company has to "pre-authorize" that particular drug for some reason. So, while I'm waiting for that process to be completed and just in case they deny it, is there something else that might work better? My doctor is soooo sweet to me and would gladly prescribe something upon my request if I've done my research and he thinks it's a good drug.

Any suggestions will be sincerely appreciated. Sorry so lengthy.

Thanks again for this wonderful site!

stellarnix · 08-03-2007, 02:17 AM

A/d's are different for everyone, so I don't think there is "one" that is better for PCOS. It is all in how you respond to it. I currently take Cymbalta, because I have a lot of muscle/joint pain that it helps with. I have in the past taken Zoloft, Serzone, Celexa, and Wellbutrin. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right one, so don't give up too soon. Take care.

Amburn · 08-03-2007, 10:31 AM

Thanks Stellar!

pinklady84 · 08-03-2007, 09:46 PM

Yeah I agree, different meds work for different ppl. I used Lexapro and it worked wonders for me but my friend used it and it didn't help her. The dr. should have samples of the Lexapro if you want to try it. Celexa is a very commonly used drug now a days and it works well for many ppl.

daisygirl · 08-12-2007, 04:33 PM

i agree too that the different ad's work differently for everyone. I have tried several and just recently was switched from Prozac to Effexor XR. So far, I can DEFINATELY tell a difference in my appetite with the Effexor. It seemed like with all the SSRI's I tried (Lexapro and Prozac especially) my hunger was never satisfied. Now that I'm taking Effexor, food just doesn't have the appeal it once did. I mean, I get hungry, but I eat a little something and that's that. It's too early to tell if it's helping with the depression and anxiety though (only been on a week).

Anyways, good luck and like the others have said, don't give up, it may take a few tries to find a good drug for you.

Hugs,
Candace

cyndiann · 08-15-2007, 10:25 AM

I've been depressed at various levels since I was a teen and I'm now 50. I've tried several prescription meds and was never able to tolerate the side effects, and with all the crap I've gone through with the doctors all my life I've looked for alternative ways to treat not only depression but lots of other problems I've been having.

I've been pretty successful with St John's Wort the last ten or fifteen years and it works well. The only times it didn't was when I wasn't taking enough.

I'm on county insurance so I'm severely limited on who I can see and what I can take. The only two psychiatrists were a joke. I walked out of one within 15 minutes after he insulted me. The other, I never made it in the door because of the grossly bad manners of the receptionist.

Sometimes you are better off looking out for yourself and not believing the doctors. They are frequently wrong, as most here know, having so much difficulty with a simple diagnosis of PCOS. They don't seem to take a women's word for things and take us seriously.

Jaxanne · 08-15-2007, 10:49 AM

Amburn- I have a question for you. I have been on Paxil since 1996 (depression/panic disorder) and though it worked for a while, it stopped a few years ago. I am finally switching to Zoloft, but I am nervous about taking it. My doc is keeping me on the Paxil while I start on 50mg of Zoloft (and then reducing Paxil/increasing Zoloft). Anyway, did you like Zoloft, while it worked? Did you notice a big difference? I am hoping it works for me.

PAWCO · 08-17-2007, 12:41 PM

I was on Paxil for a while and it helped alot with some situational depression that I had... I felt better when I moved and started a new job. More recently I tried Celexa and it helped with the depression but I couldn't have the big 'O' and I don't mean ouvlation on it. Now I am on Lexapro and it works great when I take it....hope it helps.....oh also my DH tried Celexa but he had no sexual desire on it...now he's on Prozac and he's great.....he's alot easier to live with when he's medicated...hahaha....I guess I am too.....

Bethann · 08-27-2007, 07:29 PM

Different medications work better for different people. Some things to make sure your doctor is aware of, even if they forget to ask to help you make the best decision.
--other medications you take, including OTC.
--any herbs, supplements, vitamins, etc.
--how you've reacted to other medications you've taken
--any other health problems, even if you think they're unrelated (e.g. I can't take Welbutrin because of a past history with an eating disorder)
--if you know, any family history of mental health issues, and how those people did with various medications.
--any side effects you're unwilling to tolerate (for instance, for some people, lowered sex drive in unacceptable, other people it wouldn't really bother.)

Good luck. There are days I swear I've taken everything out there so I know how frustrating the process can be.

AimStar · 08-27-2007, 10:56 PM

hmmm...there are SO many out there right now, esp the new ones that claim to help with the physical symptoms of depression.

my main problem in the past was mostly anxiety and for that i was put on zoloft for about 5 years, steadily increasing to a pretty heavy dosage, since I think my body was just adapting to the medication and more was needed to have the same effect over such a long period of time.

IN the past year I have had severe depression, my phsycaitrist switched me over slowly to effexor 150 mg's equivalent to the amount of zoloft that I was on. The effexor REALLY helped. I stopped cutting, and It also helped with my actual back and hip pain, as well as headaches. the med along with meditation therapy really brought me out of a bad place. I am still on klonopin for anxiety, and I think I am on the perfect cocktail of meds currently. Although the effexor does make me very tired...and you have to take it at the same time every evening, almost like BCP, because the half life is not as long as other AD's

SOmetimes it takes a while to figure out what works for you. I do know what the WORST withdrawl symptoms come from paxil, which I will never take just because my body is so sensitive to meds.

good luck and take care!

Mireille · 08-27-2007, 11:33 PM

I agree with what everyone has said- all people are different, and will react differently to any one drug.

I've been on Celexa and Wellbutrin, and I'm now on Ciprolex (which is Lexapro to you). Celexa worked well enough, but stopped after about six months. Wellbutrin didn't last two weeks with me, as it set off the most horendous migraines I've ever had in my life. For me, Cirpolex has totally changed my life. I'm on it for depression and social anxiety, and I can honestly say that I haven't felt this good in my whole life. I've struggled with these issues since childhood, and spent a five year span (a good hunk of my 20s) off medication. I've come to the conclusion that I'll probably need medication for the rest of my life, and if this is what the rest of my life will be like I'm all for it.

All anyone can say is give it a try. If this one doesn't work for you, try something else. It's hit and miss with meds, precisely because it's different for everyone. Cipralex is my One True Love, but for you it might be Wellbutrin, which I hated. Or it might be Paxil or Celexa or Effexor. You've just got to try it and hang in there.

like-giants · 08-30-2007, 02:03 AM

I was on Lexapro last year and was able to stop treatment on it after about 9 or 10 months. It worked wonders for me.

The only thing I will say about it is when it is time to stop taking it, there is some BAD withdrawal symptoms. You really have to take it down in dosage very very gradually. I didn't reduce it slowly enough and ended up having some interesting "brain shivers" phenomenon for about 2 weeks. Google it, it's very bizarre.

Anyway, Lexapro was very good to me and had very few noticeable side effects until I quit taking it.

daisy825 · 08-30-2007, 02:20 PM

I definitely agree that you just need to find what works best for you, since we are all different. I have always dealt with depression and anxiety. I feel the depression has gotten better over the years, but my anxiety tends to remain the same, if not worse. I started taking WellbutrinXL about 4 years ago for about a year. I thought it worked great. But my BF, now my DH, thought I was kind of zombie like, so I stopped taking it. Since we are TTC I am not taking anything. Hope you find something that works for you!