Discussing Anti Depressant Medications

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly I would like to suggest that you have a read of "Discussing Medication" in the box at the top of the page on this site.

We are not allowed to mention the name of medications here but we can discuss the medications in general.

I am certainly not a medical professional at all, so don't take my word as being correct for all people all the time.

This is a place to share your concerns, thoughts and feelings towards anti depressant medications.

I'd like to start of my suggesting:

- Always talk to your Dr or person who is indicating anti depressants are advisable

-Ask the chemist for an information sheet relating to the medication. Don't be concerned by all the side effects that are listed, you may experience none of them! They are listed as a requirement I presume.

-If you have any concerns ask the Dr or the chemist

- Some medications may take a while to be effective. Discuss this with your Dr

- What works for one person may not work the same for you, it could be more effective or less helpful.

-Don't stop taking your medication without the Drs advice

- Try to take the medication at the same time each day or as required.

- Some people do not believe that medication is required, if your Dr has suggested it, I would follow their advice

- Medication is just one step to assisting yourself, exercise, a healthy diet, water, sleep and doing pleasant things each day helps as well.

This thread is open for anyone to make a comment or to share.

Some of you may be knew to the experience of taking anti depressants and may have all kinds of questions.

Once again I am certainly not an expert so what I have written are just suggestions.

Cheers to you all from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Chloe,

I just wrote you a response and then the computer told me that the page I wanted was not available or some such thing.

I will send a short message in case this one disappears as well.

My suggestion is that you have a chat to your Dr about your medication and how you are feeling.

Cheers from Dools

[Mary S1]

Thanks Paul but I'm not looking for a consult from you just to share.

[blondguy]

Hi Mary

we don't consult on the forums

We do our best to provide the best quality support to people that are genuinely in need of it

[Chloe90]

Thanks Doolhof’s. Spoke to my doctor today. She says i may just be having a bad couple of days. And suggested some benzodiazepine medication to help. But I feel like it didn’t help me. I don’t feel good. I feel sick and anxious. I haven’t felt like this for a while. And I don’t know how to handle it.

[Chick_in_a_guernsey]

Hi Paul & Mrs Dools,

Thank you so much for your support! I don't have too many people I'm prepared to talk to about how things are going. Thankfully I feel pretty comfortable with my psych, not so much my gp at the moment but perhaps that will change as time goes on.

I certainly need to work out how best to try and keep my mind on the present/reality as Mrs Dools mentioned.

I'm a classroom teacher in upper primary with a group of very switched on, perceptive lil folk watching my every move for the entire day except for about 20mins for lunch.

I know I may or may not encounter side effects. It is that overarching concern of what if I do and it is to an extent that the kids pick up on it??

I know I'll have to deal with it one way or another when I go back to the gp this week. One of the things I hate the most about all of this is the lack of control.

Once again, cheers for your input!

[Doolhof]

Hi Chloe,

Sorry to read you are feeling so unwell. It is good you were able to see your Dr and have a chat. Was the Dr able to suggest anything that might help you with the sickness feeling?

In the past when I have been feeling nauseous, I have bought some travel sickness medication which has helped or ginger in the form of tablets or tea. I also find peppermint tea helps with the sickness feeling for me.

You maybe able to ask at the chemist, (ask to see the pharmacist.) if they can suggest something for you. Show them the name of the medication you are taking and discuss your side effects with them.

If it helps you Chloe, you can share more here about how you are feeling. We may not have any answers or solutions for you, but I do know it does help to share how you are feeling.

In the past, have you found ways to deal with your anxiety? I know when you feel lousy it is difficult to implement what works, I hope you can manage to try to find relief.

Hope you have something nice planned for the weekend. Even if it is resting and enjoying a book you have meant to read for a while. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a break.

Cheers to you from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Chick in a guernsey,

I admire you for being a teacher! I think that must be a very difficult and rewarding occupation. Yes, having all those inquisitive souls watching your every move must make for interesting moments.

I am wondering, if you do have some adverse side effects if you could just tell the students you have a non contagious virus.

In a reply to Chloe I mentioned some suggestions that have helped me deal with some of the side effects of medication.

You mentioned you are not 100 percent happy with your Dr. Is it possible to change Drs?

That feeling of not being in control can be difficult. I encounter that now and then as well. There is a saying about that suggesting something like we have the wisdom to understand what we can change and accept what we have no control over.

Hope you can have open discussions with your Dr. Hope if you go on the medication, you can discuss any concerns with the Dr or even a chemist.

Do you have support at the school from fellow teachers or the principal?

Hope you can unwind over the weekend if you don't have too much take home work to do!

Cheers to you from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for joining in here. Medication can be such a huge issue for many people, either it works well or it doesn't.

Some people including family and friends are supportive and understanding while others give us heaps for not being able to just pull our socks up and get on with it by ourselves.

It can be a huge decision to start on medication.

Hope you are travelling along okay Paul.

Cheers from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi MaryS1,

Would you like to share more here about what you are experiencing at present?

Cheers from Dools

[Chloe90]

Hi Dools,

i just find it really hard to find a doctor who is good with mental health. Like is it normal to still have bad patches even when your medicated? Is it normal to get brain fog and what I call serotonin headaches even after being on medication for 5 years.

Have you experienced anything like this?

I have never had a coping mechanism I’ve just tried pushing through. I have the support of my family and I have some interim medication that can help relax me if things get real bad.

Does this ever go away or are we fighting this forever?

Thanks for your words

Chloe x