I've been on Wellbutrin since a couple of weeks after my mom passed away last September. I had been on it a year before then for just a couple of months and felt better so my Dr. felt that it was ok to go off and I was fine. I also had been on Paxil after my second was born for PPD, but only needed it for a few months as well. I have been really grouchy and teary the last couple of weeks and just shook it off at first that I was having a bad couple of days, but I can't seem to shake it. I have been crying at the drop of a hat and have been very, very short with my dh and my kids. I'm just wondering if I might need to have my medicine increased. I never had to before and I guess it kind of freeks me out that I might need to be on this long term and that I can't shake how I am feeling right now. I am crying right now just writing about it. I hate feeling this way.

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I really don't know a whole lot about antidepressants, but it sounds like you either need an increased dosage or possibly a different antidepressant altogether.

I just started taking Lexapro a month ago for anxiety and it's worked wonders for me. Like you, I'm concerned that I will have to be on these long-term. I'm hoping that I'll be able to slowly ease myself off of these in a few months, but if I need it for long-term use then I'll have to take it. I'll admit that it does frustrate me that I have to use a medication just to feel like a normal human being, but I can't go around being anxious 24/7.

I've done some research and discovered that a calcium deficiency can cause depression and anxiety, so I've started taking calcium supplements. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the calcium works and that I'll be OK once I get off the Lexapro.

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If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

Now I am the opposite. When the doctor first suggested I go on anti depressants, years ago, I immediately thought of the stigma! I did not want to be on anti depressants. People would think I was crazy. The doctor told me that 9 out of 10 prescriptions he writes per day are for an anti depressant. I agreed to take them and realized how much they helped me!!! I had to go off of them during my pregnancies and then would often delay getting back on them.
I have come to realize that I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER when I am on them. I have more patience, I do not feel like crying all the time and things can not get me down as easily as they used to. I do not plan on going off of them as long as they continue to help me. So many people make the mistake of going off of them because they are feeling better, only to realize once they were off of them that it was the anti depressents that were MAKING them feel better.
Whatever you do, make sure to discuss it with your doctor! Good luck. I hope you feel better soon!

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Theresa
Mom of 3 boys and 1 girl

I think I would consult with my Dr.-they do start you out on the lowest dose I believe so there are higher dosages available.
I am on zoloft and it's supposed to be 1 every day, I have been able to survive 1 every other day as it costs $84/month, but as long as I am still nursing I need to take it as opposed to paxil or something that has a cheap generic. If I miss that every other day dose, I and my dh notice it immediately! and boy if you combine that w/PMS, I am horrible. I have recommended it to alot of mom's as I can not believe the difference of being on it as compared to not. I too do not like being dependent upon a drug, but if it's going to make for a better relationship w/my family, I will do it.

Thanks for your advice. I think I am going to call my Dr. today.

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I'm having trouble telling from your post if you are completely off all anti-depressants and, if so, if you have recently stopped. If you're feeling down and have very recently stopped taking your anti-depressant, then I would consider this normal and you will recover in a few weeks. It takes a long while for the medication to get out of your system and your body is still expecting the next dose! Eventually your body recovers and realizes it needs to ramp up making the hormones and other chemicals that will help to even out your mood.

Keep in mind there are all sorts of medical conditions that will cause the symptoms you described. If you are in your mid-30's or later, you may be experiencing a reduction in your female hormones and that is causing your symptoms. Instead of an anti-depressant you might benefit from a boost in estrogen.

If you have the feeling that 'something just isn't right' or if your symptoms get progressively worse - especially if you contimplate suicide - please see your doctor. Tell your husband now to keep an eye on you because we don't make proper decisions when we're feeling sick. Your husband may have to step in and advocate for you - even to the point of making a doctor appointment for you and going with you. I'm hoping your doctor will run some tests before writing another prescription. Again, it may not be just the anti-depressants that you need.

If you do end up on an anti-depressant again, I recommend that you then visit a psychiatrist. They are the experts on drug interactions and pharmacology. It is a psychiatrist that is the expert in making sure you're on the best medication for your condition.

I'm on a relatively new medication called Cymbalta. I take it mostly for chronic pain but I certainly appreciate the anti-depressant boost, too.

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."