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Tips on taking depression medication
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Medications are not always indicated for the treatment of depression and depend, in part, on patient choice and severity of depression as well. If you and your provider decide that medication is needed to treat your depression it is important for you to do your part in achieving success.
- Take your depression medication exactly as prescribed.
- Do not stop any depression medication unless directed to do so by your provider. When some depression medications are discontinued, abruptly worsening depression, anxiety and flu-like symptoms can occur. These are not life-threatening but can be quite uncomfortable if they occur. This is more likely with medications that have a shorter half-life like Paxil and Effexor but can happen with others as well.
- Make sure to have a good system for keeping track of when you require a refill. Give your provider or pharmacy at least a week lead time for refills.
- Do not share your depression medications with anyone and do not take others' medications either.
- Make sure to let your provider know about anything you take even if you don't think it is significant. This includes all over the counter medications, herbal medications, vitamin supplements, sleep aids, energy drinks, liquids, powders, etc. These may interact with medications you are already taking or may interfere with the treatment of your depression. Read the labels! Watch for caffeine, etc. For instance, some forms of Excedrin have caffeine in them. Also watch for "PM" preparations. This "PM" ingredient is usually Benadryl (generic diphenhydramine) which can cause drowsiness in some. Others, though, may feel wired. If diphenhydramine is helpful for occasional sleep problems and you don't have a headache or aches and pains, buy just the generic diphenhydramine.
- All medications have possible side effects, including Tylenol and ibuprofen. If side effects occur they can range in severity. It is usually very difficult to predict which (if any) side effects will occur in what person. Side effects are usually mild and will tend to go way as you continue to take the medication. Try to be patient, but if the side effects are not tolerable, call your provider.
- As always, be informed regarding depression medications and your illnesses. Ask questions and empower yourself!
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First I want to thank the Mayo clinic for supplying me with information to take to my Doctor. I live in Northeastern BC and finding competent medical help is difficult. I have been on meds for many years and have tried many different ones. I am going to try and get off them completely as I am in a better place and also I am worried about my liver. (I also recently quit self-medicating with alcohol) I have chronic back pain and have taken drugs for that as well. Any intelligent ideas out there? I am also interested in natural treatments that don't harm the body. Thanx
I have been on disability for about 5-6 years for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia (plus the fun things that go along with it, ie, migraines and IBS). Then in 2007 I had a total of four surgeries, 1 - to remove fibroids (too much damage so a hysterectomy was necessary; 2 - fell and shattered one ankle and sprained other, got to drive a wheelchair for 3 months; 3 - total hysterectomy and 4 - take out hardware from broken ankle. I tried to get a little part-time job to help pay all the med bills and was just recently told -- too much, too soon. A month ago, I finally had a "meltdown" and my gyn said she'd been watching me go downhill for awhile and wondered when I'd ask for help -- was diagnosed with severe depression and am now taking Cymbalta and seeing a therapist. Doing better -- not snapping at everyone or crying every other minute, but just feeling like I'm taking up space. The Cymbalta has actually helped some of my physical pain and my dr. just increased does to 60 mg/day. I plan on feeling better soon and getting back to myself. I know it takes time (and I'm not a "patient" patient), but I'll get there. I have a great spouse - very understanding and patient so I'm lucky -- but, ya know, I get really sick of taking pills every couple of hours every day, between meds and vitamins and calcium supplements and fiber stuff, I just fill up on pills, no need for food! Thanks for listening. Good luck to all.....
Yes, sometimes people are on more than one antidepressant at the same time. This can be for a variety of reasons, including that the person is having side effects that preclude a higher, therapeutic dose. Therefore, a second one is added to treat the symptoms.
My sister had a stroke a couple of years ago. Doctor has her on Sertraline and Parozetine HCL. From what I read online both are anti-depressants. Is it common to prescribe 2 anti=depressants at the same time?
We would recommend you talk with the Health provider that is prescribing your medications. This person can answer questions regarding how the medicine works, benefits, and possible side effects.
We want you to have accurate, up to date information.
I had an emotional breakdown two Christmas' ago and was in the hospital for a week. I just began crying and didn't stop--even in my sleep. I have been on meds and therapy since, but am just now really trying to learn a little bit about each medecine and how they work. Here's my treatment, I wonder if anyone else is taking these meds. In the morning: Effexor, Provigil, Concerta. They at night: Klonapin,serequel, Requip, and for my cholesterol Crestor and Triglide. I am doing quite well, but still am learning how to define what I'm feeling and how to cope with it. Sincerely, Judy
I have been weaning myself off of Zoloft for the past 3 weeks. I have been really constipated and bloated, with mild cold symptoms...do these sound like withdrawal
symptoms?
Good morning- Thank you for all of your stories! We do read every comment you send to us. Just a friendly reminder that our hope is to provide you with accurate, helpful information for managing depression. We want to stimulate constructive dialogue between visiting bloggers. We apologize, but are not able to reply to all of the entires received. We sincerely appreciate your interest in Mayo Clinic.com.
To:Phyllis - Cindy in SA - Native Rose
Your thyroid can cause many things to go wrong w/your body not just cause depression. there is another treatment that i see anyone has brought up. VNS it is a device just like a pacemaker that sends an electric shock to the nerve that goes to your brain. I was going to have it done but my insurance wouldn't pay. If you would like to talk to me more i would love to share anything that i know. I wish that i would have been able to have someone to talk w/that knew what i was going through b/c i felt like i was all alone in my own world. This is a medical issue just like heart problems. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are crazy or that it is all in your head this is not true. Please let me know if this was of any help i would love to know.
To:Phyllis - Cindy in SA - Native Rose
I have been in your shoes.Im a long time sufferer from depression.I suffered
for years until i broke down and told my husband how i was feeling and he told me right off that i was suffering from depression. He worked in a jail were he had to give the inmates there meds and knew what was going on b/c of seeing this on a daily basis. He told me not to worry that he would get me help. I have been treated since 1996. Yes i was tried on many different drugs and had my ups/downs until my family doctor told me sometimes that you need to try 2 different drugs together instead of the maximum dose of just 1.Sometimes you need 1 for depression and 1 for anxiety b/c you maybe suffering from both. Then 1 drug is only treating 1 and not the other. My family doctor referred me to a specialist. He agreed and i take 3 different drugs. I changed to another specialist just b/c he was closer to my home that was the only reason. I really felt good about the meds i was taking b/c both doctors agree on the same meds. When i went to the second doctor i ask if he thought i was on to much meds. If your meds stop working don't give up. If you start to feel better and think that you can come off on your own please don't you will most likely have a relaps also this is very dangerous. I am bipolar 2. You also need to go have blood work done b/c you my have thyroid problems. This can be a big deal with you suffering from depression. I'll cont w/another post.
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