First visit to therapist today. Also questions about meds.

Sari · 07-11-2006, 03:58 AM

I finally saw a marriage and family therapist today, to talk about the problems with my marriage, the stress my DH's many health problems are causing, and my depression. She said she feels I'm in a mini-crisis right now (not sure what that means) and that I should consider depression meds. She offered to refer me to a psychiatrist or I could go to my primary care dr. for a prescription. I opted to go to my primary dr. first.

I'm not even sure where to start with meds. I am scared to start anything. I don't want to have bad side effects. I also don't want to have to put off TTC longer because of them. Help!

07-11-2006, 08:19 AM

Hi Sari, Sorry you are going through all this, I'm actually going through some of the same things.
My therapist said the same to me in that 'you are in crisis'. My understanding is that this just means that normally you have experienced a number of small traumas in a relatively short time or a big one (or a combination!) and psychologically its a bit much to take. Particularly if there is a lack of support.
When you are that stressed/overloaded/depressed/traumatised it may be hard to benefit from talk therapy because your just in survival mode. Meds can 'take the edge off', allowing you to be in a better position to benefit from therapy.
Speak to your GP about your concerns. Some meds are better then others if you are TTC. When I took Lexapro I had very little side affects.
Good luck & (((HUGS)))

musicsaves9 · 07-11-2006, 05:50 PM

i'm new here and i've seen many abbreviatins i don't understand...for example whats ttc? anyway i've been on wellbutrin xl for a couple of years. there are practically no side effects except in the beginning i had to make sure i took it early in the morning or else i'd have trouble falling asleep at night. also many people lose weight on it. it isn't right for everyone though- some people say they became aggitated on it. it works on the neurotransmitter dopamine while most of the others work on seratonin. some newer ones work on seratonin and norepinephrine like "effexor" but this is known to have lots of side effects...paxil too. it really depends on where your "imbalance" is and i don't think theres any way of knowing that other than trying different types of antidepressants. i only tried one other one- prozac- it did nothing for my depression but made me very tired all the time. i figured this meant i didn't need one that worked primarily on seratonin. wellbutrin is great because it has no sexual side effects or weight gain associated with it. it actually has somewhat of a stimulating effect. try something, theres no point in feeling crappy any longer. just remember they do take time to work and they're not miracle pills. they just take the dge off and help you deal with things better, like you tend to think clearer and calmer. good luck

musicsaves9 · 07-11-2006, 05:57 PM

ok i think i just figured out ttc- trying to conceive? if so than i have better news about the wellbutrin. imy doctor said it was ok to continue while i was pregnant but no brest feeding on it. he said it's in the same category as tylenol (c) and also that the benefits out way the risk of stopping and becoming dpressed while pregnant and hormonal. i did lose the baby at 11 weeks but not b/c of that. i am still ttc and have decided to stay on the wellbutrin b/c i need it for my own mental well being. i either will not breast feed or stop the wellbutrin in the last trimester, breat feed a little then switch to formula and re-start the drug