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Depression Medication, Therapy & Alternative Treatment

Eveleivibe

Ex-Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 28, 2013
Messages
14,780
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Hiya EADDers n Bluelighters from the rest of the BL community :)

I thought I'd create a thread where people feel they're able to get help n support n discuss their medication (and alternative methods/treatments) for Depression as I often see this discussed frequently throughout EADD n throughout Bluelight (BL). In considering the vast amount of users (lurkers) who are not registered members of the site, I feel it may be beneficial in having a thread where everything is discussed in one place. Due to many people still feeling threatened by having a label of "mental illness" I feel they may prefer talking on this type of thread rather than one under the heading of "mental illness" - what I have observed from people, both online n offline, is that they seem to speak more freely about their "depression" n "treatment of depression" as opposed to "their mental illness" n "treatment for mental illness," Although it is really a case of fiddling with words/label anything that empowers a person to feel comfortable to talk n reach out is worth a try.

Any help with this would be very much appreciated as this is not MY thread, it is OUR thread to help one another and others suffering from Depression. There's a lot of misinformation about Depression n if we can help even one person then that's ace. I don't agree with statistics having studied them n known how they're manipulated n interpreted to suit a person's argument. When it comes to people n their health I personally feel that everyone matters n, although it's impossible to reach out to everyone - I believe that ONE person who fails to receives support is one person too many


Depression - what is it? - Symptoms, theories, myths

If you feel that you may have depression please seek help. People are often afraid of seeking help for fear that they will be seen as weak or or told to stop feeling sorry for themselves because others are worst off - these are misconceptions. Asking for help is being brave and the right path is trying to get better. Feeling low for a day or two is not the same thing as having depression. To have depression the feelings last for longer than a few days where a person will feel persistent negative feelings such as sadness, lack interest in things they once enjoyed, may feel hopeless and feel that life is bleak. Assumptions that depression is a form or weakness are incorrect. According to the NHS website 1 in ten of the population are likely to suffer from depression sometime during their lifetime, with depression or anxiety affecting 4% of UK children between 5 and 16 years old.

Many different factors can cause Depression, they can be biological, environmental an interaction of both. There are theories that depression is caused by a lack of serotonin, some theorise that serotonin and noradrenalin both are involved in depression. Things such as having a baby, seeing a traumatic event, divorce and bereavement can induce depression. When it comes to treating Depression GPs usually refer the patients to counselling or CBT or prescribe antidepressants or both. Although there has been criticism that GPs are over-prescribing antidepressants. This is a controversial topic. It is recommended that a healthy balanced diet, will help as well as a good night sleep (to be edited) Patients have been given gym passes for a period of time as it's thought that exercise will improve mood. During exercise endorphins which are feel good hormones (the natural opiate) are released.

Here follows the symptoms of depression taken from the NHS Website - but paraphrased somewhat to prevent copyright.


  • Continuous Low mood or sadness
  • Feeling Hopeless and Helpless
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Feeling Tearful
  • Feelings of Guilt
  • Irritability and intolerance
  • Lack of interest in things and unmotivated
  • Concentration difficulty
  • Lack of enjoyment
  • Feeling anxious
  • Suicidal Thoughts and, or Self-Harm

  • Slower mobility or speech
  • Appetite changes (Weight gain or loss)
  • Constipation
  • Aches and Pains for no reason
  • Lack of Energy
  • Loss of libido
  • Sleep

This website shows videos of people telling talking about their Depression as well as other resource and information.


Types of Depression

There are different types of Depression, as follows;

  • Major Depression
  • Persistent Depression Disorder
  • Bipolar
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  • Psychotic Depression
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD
  • Situational Depression
  • Atypical Depression


Depression Medications - Pharmaceutical m OTC/herbal remedies
- These lists are under construction due to confusing whilst checking that for UK names
.

Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Serotonin is one of many neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals which commentates messages by from the presynaptic cell, diffusing across the synaptic cleft, binding to specialist proteins otherwise known as receptors, (5 hydroxytryptamine / 5-HT) on the postsynaptic membrane. SSRIs are a form of antidepressant medication which inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, meaning that more serotonin will be in the brain. Serotonin is said to affect sleep-wake cycle, modulation of pain, control of aggressive behaviour, sex activity and regulation of temperature. They are classed as second generation antidepressants and were introduced as a result of the success of Fluoxetine in the 1980s.

SSRI usually between two to four weeks before they fully, with possible side affects during those initial weeks that will wear off. It is advisable to check any other medication to see that it will not have any negative affect when also taking SSRIs. it's advisable to read the label of any medication before use. St John's Wort cannot be taken with SSRIs. It's advisable to be cautious with SSRI medication if you have conditions such as; kidney disease, epilepsy and diabetes.

This group includes the medications;

  • Fluoxetine - Prozac
  • Citalopran - Celexa / Cipramil
  • Sertaline - Zoloft
  • Paroxetine - Seroxat / Paxil
  • Escitalopram - Cipralex / Lexapro
  • Fluvoxamine - Fevarin

Interactions with other substances

MDMA (Ecstasy / E) Will not work whilst on SSRIs. Using Dextromethorphan (DXM) whilst on SSRIs can lead to Serotonin Syndrome. Benzos, opiates, alcohol, Hallucinogens and stimulants can be used but can reduce affects.


Serotonin-Norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIS were introduced as a result of the success of Venlafaxine in 1993. SNRLS inhibit the reuptake of both serotonin and Noradrenalin increasing their levels. This great of antidepressants treat major depression, various mood disorders and anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), attention, deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), chronic neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. Like SSRIs, this category are also classed as second generation antidepressants.


This group includes the medications;


  • Venlafixine - Effexor
  • Desvenlafaxine - Pristiq
  • Duloxetine - Cymbalta
  • Milnacipran- Salcipran
  • Levomilnacipran - Fetzims
  • Sibutramine - Meridia / Reductil

Interactions with other substances

Refrain from taking any other substance that raise serotonin such as MDMA, SSRIs and St John's Wort as this could lead to Serotonin Syndrome. Be careful taking medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, warfarin as they could increase bleeding - especially if taking Venlafaxine.


Serotonin Modulators and stimulators (SMS)

This group includes the medications;

  • Vortioxetine - Brintellix
  • Vilazodone - Viibryd
  • Nefazodone
  • Trazodone

Interactions with other substances


Serotonin-antagonists and re-uptake inhibitors (SARIs)

This group includes the medications;


  • Etoperidone
  • Lorpiprazole
  • Lubazodone
  • Mepiprazole

Interactions with other substances


Norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (NRIs)

This group includes the medications;


  • Amedalin
  • Atomoxetine
  • Daledalin
  • Edivoxetine
  • Esreboxetine
  • Lortalamine
  • Nisoxetine
  • Roboxetine
  • Talopram
  • Talsupram
  • Tandamine
  • Viloxazine

Interactions with other substances


Tricyclic antidepressants

This group includes the medications;

  • Clomipramine - Anafranil
  • Impriamine - Tofranil / Janimine / Praminil
  • Desipramine - Norpramine / Pertofrane
  • Dibenzepin - Noveril / Victoril
  • Lofepramine - Loment / Gamanil
  • Nortriptyline - Vivactil
  • Amitriptyline - Tryptomer / Elavil / Endep
  • Amitriptylinoxide - Amioxid / Ambivalon / Equilibrin
  • Amoxapine - Asendin
  • Butriptyine - Evadyne
  • Demexiptiline - Istonil / Istonyl / Miroistonil
  • Dosulepin - Prothiaden
  • Doxepin - Adapin / Sinequan
  • Imipraminoxide - Imiprex / Elepsin
  • Melitracen - Deanxit / Dixeran / Mixeran / Trausabun
  • Metrapramine - Tinaxel
  • Nitroxazepine - Sintamil
  • Noxiptiline - Agedal / Elronon / Nogedal
  • Pipofezine - Azafen / Azaphen
  • Quinupramine - Kevopril / Kinupril / Adeprim / Quinuprine

Interactions with other substances


Tetracyclic antidepressants

This group includes the medications;

  • Mianserin - Bolvidon / Norval / Tolvon
  • Mirtazapine - Remeron / Avanza / Zispin
  • Pirlindole - Parazidol
  • Setiptiline - Tecipul

Interactions with other substances


Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Resulting from the discovery of how iproniazid (which treated TB) improved depression, a category of antidepressant medication was introduced in the 1950s.

This group includes the medications;

  • Isocarboxazid - Marplan
  • Nialamide - Niamid
  • Phenelzine - Nardil / Nardelzine
  • Hydracarbazine
  • Tranylcypromine
  • Bifemelane
  • Toloxatone - Humoryl
  • Rasagilin - Azilect
  • Selegiline - Deprenyl / Eldepryl / Emsam / Zelapar

Interactions with other substances

Avoid tyramine as it can increase blood pressure, suddenly, known as hypertensive crisis. Also avoid Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine for the same reason.
Dextromethorphan could increase depression or hyperactivity

St John's Wort

This is a herbal medication, it's botanical name is Hypericum perforatum and trade name of Hypericum. Studies have shown St John's Wort to be effective in treating mild Depression but not very successful in treating Major Depression. The ingredient, hypericin is what treats the Depression. This is usually consumed orally in capsule form or a liquid and it can also be consumed as a tea. Dose to be taken is 300 mg three times daily but of course it's always advisable to take medical advice from a doctor before starting on any course of medication and in checking the sufficient daily dose. Avoid taking this medication if pregnant, elderly, a child or taken other medications such as SSRIS, TAs and MAOIs.because they increase side affects and bring on a condition called Serotonin Syndrome (SS). SS can also be brought on if taking St John's Wort is taken with a cough medication known as Dextromethorphan. St John's Wort will reduce the effects of a medication called Digoxin and antihistamines such as; Loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and Fexofenadine (Allegra). Other medications to avoid is immune system suppressants, some HIV medications, some birth control, sedatives, Reserpine, Theophylline, triptans (used to treat migraines), Warfarin and others. Note: It's always imperative to read all medication labels fully before use to check for any possible interactions with other medications, side affects, dosage and so forth.


Therapeutic Intervention / Talking therapies


Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Initially behaviourism, pioneered by John Watson, dominated Psychological Research, with the belief that only observable behaviours can be researched. Skinner, considered a Radical Behaviourist, believed that internal as well as external stimuli could influence behaviour. Built on Pavlov's Classical Conditioning, Studies by John B Watson such as "Little Albert" where a child was conditioned to fear fury objects. brought on early forms of behaviour therapy consisting of aversion therapy, biofeedback and systematic desensitisation. These were used for drug addiction, alcoholism and other behaviours
Pioneered by Aaron Beck (1960s) and originally termed Cognitive Therapy - after feeling unhappy with psychoanalysis in treating patients with depression. Beck found that people had automatic negative thoughts about themselves others and the future By changing these automatic thoughts, people behaved more rationally and felt better on an emotion level.
Albert Ellis Pioneered Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)
During the 1980s and 1990s cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy were merged into Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). A modern version of CBT is known as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) which aimed to treat Borderline Personal Disorder (BPD) and more recently Depression.

Person-Centred Approach

The Person-Centred approach was pioneered by Dr Carl Rogers in the 1940s. It has three core conditions; unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence. The counsellor doesn't give advice or directly challenge the client. The counsellor is there as a facilitator of an empathic environment to enable the client empower themselves.

{u]Drugs Counsellor / key-worker[/u] -

Not specifically for the treatment of depression, however as a lot of substance-abusers claim to suffer from depression, and this is a harm reduction forum for users of various substances, it's included

Helplines
United Kingdom


  • The Samaritans - 116123
  • C.A.L.L. Helpline - 0800132737
  • Depression Alliance - 08451232320
  • Bipolar Helpline - 03333233880 / 02079316480

Europe

Africa


Miscellaneous

It is recommended that the following help relieve the symptoms of Depression

Diet

Aim to eat a good diet consisting of omega-3 fatty acids, so look at fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. Small piece of dark chocolate helps boost serotonin levels and release endorphins (feel good hormones), calcium eg Milk is meant to reduce anxiety / stress levels. Drinking enough, but not too much of, water, prevents hydrations which can lead to concentrate difficulties. Lack of B vitamins can affect serotonin production so foods such as Spinach and broccoli are useful. Tryptophan, amino acid is used by the body to make serotonin and helps make melatonin - so consume foods such as chicken, turkey and bananas. Bananas also contain potassium, vitamin A, vitamin b6, vitamin C. carbohydrate and iron B6 aids tryptophan into serotonin

Exercise

Cardio, high intensity interval training (HIIT) and max training are forms of exercise that help the body release feel good hormones known endorphins and are the human's natural opiate.

TO BE EDITED Under construction. This isn't MY thread it's OUR thread to try to help / reach out to as many people as possible n also to help n support each other.

Evey


-Disclaimer: please be advised that this is NOT im ANY WAY meant to be taken as replacement of seeing a doctor / seeking medical help. I am merely a stranger participating on an online harm-reduction forum, choosing to collaborate information from elsewhere into one place with the hope that others will benefit from this. Its always advisable to check any information you find, for validity especially when it comes to things such as mental ill-health n medication. For instance I am relying on information I learnt from previous studies and websites which may be outdated or bias. I should make Please check all sources when it comes to your health; be your own scientist; seek proper medication help when need it from GPs or other health care professionals n read through any leaflets (included with meds carefully n thoroughly. In my opinion I feel that, as ace as Bluelight is in terms of supporting people it cannot replace proper medical help n is best used as a tool alongside other help. To further note, this disclaimer is of my opinion only n written as advice n in no way telling anyone what to do.
 
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Try being half blind n posting.

To be utterly pedantic, if I close my dominant eye I can't even read the BL logo without getting up to about 15 cm from the screen, at which point I can vaguely discern it because I already know what it says. So yeah, been there done that, on a technicality (on a technicality because the dominant one's a goddamn trooper covering for the shitty one. The only noticable effect I've had from having an eye that is basically useless is I tend to design my WoW UIs to be more on the dominant side and middle, especially for things I need to react to quickly). All that said, typing on MongDMA eye-wiggles is a chore and a half, and at least with those you get time in between where you can actually tell what you're doing. So, I guess, ehh whatever everyone's got their problems and you just gotta deal as best as you can. Have you tried getting a spellchecker on your device of choice to catch most of the blatant errors as you go?
 
Im replying in gibs, squid one moment honey <3
This thread is far too important to be derailed over drama one min chicka x

Evey
 
I can't wait for this to start up. I am suffering again from depression. Sometimes I wonder if my first one didn't start until I had kidsI It took a long time to get a counselor that knew a thing. Things went ok til my girls reached puberty. This one was expressed more so with my nasty temper. Finally got a brilliant shrink. She moved, but left instructions for my GP. For 20 years I was good. Much stress have happened lately and I don't want to do anything. I am on antidepressant and lamictal. At this time, I feel hopeless. I think the antidepressants are another big Pharma rip off. I will go into that later if you interested. This rant helps. Good luck in this wonderful idea
 
I can't wait for this to start up. I am suffering again from depression. Sometimes I wonder if my first one didn't start until I had kidsI It took a long time to get a counselor that knew a thing. Things went ok til my girls reached puberty. This one was expressed more so with my nasty temper. Finally got a brilliant shrink. She moved, but left instructions for my GP. For 20 years I was good. Much stress have happened lately and I don't want to do anything. I am on antidepressant and lamictal. At this time, I feel hopeless. I think the antidepressants are another big Pharma rip off. I will go into that later if you interested. This rant helps. Good luck in this wonderful idea

This thread is open. It's only the first page I'm editing with information. I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. I hope you'll feel welcome to post here and there's lots of supportive people on this forum.

Evey
 
The OP is looking much better after the re-write, Evey, but one thing I would suggest is that the list of medications may cause a little confusion here in EADD as they are mostly American brandnames. I only know a few off the top of my head but many of those go by different names in the UK (and presumably worldwide) but as the majority of EADD posters are UK-based it may be a good idea to include the UK brand names alongside the actual drug name. That's probably something that would work itself out over time as people discuss any meds they may be on but thought it worth pointing out that in some cases UK-based posters may not recognise the meds they are prescribed where the brandname differs from the American branding used in the OP. If I were making a thread like this myself I personally wouldn't include a list of drugs as it's not like people can pick and choose what they are prescribed but maybe that's just me.
 
Thanks for feedback, Shambles I appreciate that. I want to write about the different groups but thought I'd get the listing out of the way. Sorry about the America I know the SSRIs to be British but I don't really know of the others apart from mirtazapine so thought that if I included the generic n stage name - for instance I know that citalopram is called Celexa in other countries. I did think, however, that as some EADDs visit other sections of Bluelight it may be good for them to know the different names as it's often difficult to discuss with say, the dark side, citalopram if they know Celexa.(?)

If anyone knows about these medications and can give me hand I would be grateful (I'll look in my old study notes I think I had a list of meds they should be UK-based). Is there any kind of tags that I could hide them under until they're edited?

Something that is frustrating if anyone can help me with, when I changed this over WYSIWYG view, the whole contents disappears. It didn't do this before but has since started doing it and it makes it extremely difficult for copying and pasting contents over to word because MS Word n BL BBCode seem to mess with one another. The last time I saved a load of links in WORD to help with newbies, word screwed up the urls n Laika helped me sort it out by putting the links in the actual PM. So I'm rather apprehensive about copy the coded version rather than the WYSIWYG version. But thanks heaps for feedback it means a lot n is appreciated I'll look into the links.

Evey
 
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Good thread Evey. So where is Mirtazapine in your OP? And how about the alternative approaches that rate things like lifestyle (including things like getting plenty of sleep, good diet and nutrition and regular exercise) and good 'support network' emphasising the importance of key relationships like friendships, acquaintaships and family etc etc?
 
Good thread Evey. So where is Mirtazapine in your OP? And how about the alternative approaches that rate things like lifestyle (including things like getting plenty of sleep, good diet and nutrition and regular exercise) and good 'support network' emphasising the importance of key relationships like friendships, acquaintaships and family etc etc?

Mirtazapine is there under the group, Tetracyclic Antidepressants. It is an atypical antidepressant and it's trade's name is Remeron

And all that's coming but been concentrating on the medications first. Thanks :)
----

So to start off I'm now on sertraline and so far I feel better for being on it particular I'm not reacting to things so much and not spending and doing impulsive stuff like I did on Citalopram. How do people find sertraline and how do you feel it compares to other medications you've taken?

Evey
 
The thing is I've suffered from depression before quite badly but it was due to circumstances and events in my life being shit. I been offered anti-depressants but refused them since I reasoned my depression was due to circumstance and once those circumstances changed then the depression would lift (which it did). I never saw how a pill would help.......hope that makes sense.
 
The thing is I've suffered from depression before quite badly but it was due to circumstances and events in my life being shit. I been offered anti-depressants but refused them since I reasoned my depression was due to circumstance and once those circumstances changed then the depression would lift (which it did). I never saw how a pill would help.......hope that makes sense.

Yes it makes sense and there's no definite proof for depression, most of it is theories and guesswork. if your depression was circumstantial then it makes sense that it would be lifted once things have improved.

Evey
 
The first SSRI antidepressant I was put on was paroxetine (Seroxat in the UK, Paxil in the US as listed). Totally zombified me (as have all antideps I've ever been on tbh). Did stop the extreme lows but also stopped all good feeling. For me this was not a trade-off I was willing to make so now do not accept prescriptions for antidepressant drugs and instead opt for non-pharmaceutical alternatives (nutrition, exercise & as much social interaction as I can manage. Could have been worse I suppose, at least I didn't murder my entire family before killing myself (a "side effect" of paroxetine so common it's now listed on the patient information leaflets 8().

I am highly dubious of SSRIs in particular with their horrendous safety profile and borderline (at best) effectiveness but am a big proponent of Whatever Gets You Through the Night and am sure they have their place at least in the short term. I don't personally think they are a good option for longterm depressive illness though.
 
I'm sure I read somewhere that the actual clinical efficacy of SSRIs was extremely low......like just barely above placebo low. As for trycyclics, the side effect profile of drugs like amytriptaline is horrendous and that's even for the low doses (25-50mg) that it's used for in pain management. The much higher antidepressant doses (150mg and there abouts) have an almost unbearable side effect profile. Plus it's incredibly dangerous in overdose due in part to terrible cardio toxicity. I've seen a lot of prescription drug. OD suicide attmemlts and while paracetamol is the most common they are rarely actually fatal if the person seems immediate medical attention as there is an antidote plus things like activated charcoal can stop gastric absorption. One of the most common fatal ODd is often amytriptaline which is highly ironic if it's prescribed for depression......a bit like as shambles says Having "suicidal tendencies" listed as a side effect of SSRIs......

Having said all that I've never before been prescribed a drug with as long a list of potential side effects on the patient info list as pregabalin.......it's like reading war and peace.

As Richard Ashcroft says....sometimes the drugs just don't work
 
If anyone had known me five years ago they'd have been shocked. I used to be totally against antidepressants, always preaching to my friends and people on Facabook not to take them because there's no definite proof of what actually causes depression. This was my counselling classes as our lecturer used to be a physiotherapist and worked in psych wards, she was hugely into rebel psychiatrists such as R D Laing and Thomas Szasz.
She once discussed a guy named John Watson who studied one's existence being verified to them. Basically she had a friend who had been diagnosed as schizophrenia, medicated with all sorts. He now has shakes like Parking's disease. Can't remember what happened to get him off all the meds but eventually he was off them and my lecturer went to dinner with her friend and his family one evening. She noticed that they were not acknowledging him in the first person, they were only talking about hi in the third person. My lecturer realised what had been wrong with this man. He was not schizophrenic - he had not had his existence verified and ignored all his life which brought on his issues. And because his was wrong diagnosed and heavily medicated he now had this tremor for the rest of his life. I've met this person and he seems ok.

Anyway I lived with depression for years, feeling this constant irritability with everything and everyone, had a L5/S1 disc herniation n was given zapan which is codeine with paracetamol. I took two pills (60 mg) n it gave me the same relief as the diamorphine had done in labour; not only from the pain but from the unpleasant, negative emotions n became addicted to this. Suddenly the anger wasn't there, every little thing didn't irritate me, I was ok on my own without the negative, bitter feelings, I had energy. I started believing that I never could again, and never have been, happy, that I needed codeine to feel any type of positivity, comfort, warmth. I could reject the world instead of it rejecting me. What I was doing was medicating my depression; running away from it and hiding, as gradually the addiction distortion my mind of reality and change me forever.

After talking to the GP I asked for, and was perfectly willing to, go on antidepressants. What once seemed like a "quick fix instead of looking to the rout cause" I saw as the perfect solution. What once frightened me after studying the brain; neurons; neurotransmitters, electrical n chemical communications; synapse - seeing them as messing with the brain n completely wrong suddenly seemed "another way to feel good"

Apart from six month from January to June, 2015, I was on Citalopram who gave me nasty side affects of impulsivity, feeling suicidal, over-reacting, over-eating. Because, for a while, I still consumed a lot of codeine then alcohol, as well as suboxone and ending with 3-FPM - I didn't actually know if Citalopram had any benefit whatsoever. I did experience a mood uplift from it but was not worth it to experience all of those side affects. My addictive personal wouldn't let me come off it, convincing myself that I needed it. I came off 20 mg in January 2015 which was not a good thing and NOT RECOMMENDED. Always taper off antidepressants under a doctor's instructions / supervision.

I have transferred from Citalopram to Sertraline n it's early days so I cannot really give an opinion of this and would be interested to hear of others experience and thoughts of being on this antidepressant. I know I don't have the impulse to spend. I don't over-react (cross fingers) to situations, I've not felt down. But I'm not truly feeling this over Fooly's passing either so feel it's dulled my emotions but currently I'm willing to put up with it because I'm not over-reacting to situations. I'm not flying off the handle like I was when on citalopram.

Once I'm off the buprenorphine (Subutex) and been awhile off of it, I am going to come off the Sertraline but will need to have tools in place not to over-react to things and take the bait as much. Going to try using CBT techniques when the time comes.

Would anyone like to post their experience with antidepressants or does anyone want any support?

Evey
 
I'm sure I read somewhere that the actual clinical efficacy of SSRIs was extremely low......like just barely above placebo low. As for trycyclics, the side effect profile of drugs like amytriptaline is horrendous and that's even for the low doses (25-50mg) that it's used for in pain management. The much higher antidepressant doses (150mg and there abouts) have an almost unbearable side effect profile. Plus it's incredibly dangerous in overdose due in part to terrible cardio toxicity. I've seen a lot of prescription drug. OD suicide attmemlts and while paracetamol is the most common they are rarely actually fatal if the person seems immediate medical attention as there is an antidote plus things like activated charcoal can stop gastric absorption. One of the most common fatal ODd is often amytriptaline which is highly ironic if it's prescribed for depression......a bit like as shambles says Having "suicidal tendencies" listed as a side effect of SSRIs......

Having said all that I've never before been prescribed a drug with as long a list of potential side effects on the patient info list as pregabalin.......it's like reading war and peace.

As Richard Ashcroft says....sometimes the drugs just don't work

Thanks for that - will look into that. Tricyclic were part of the first generation antidepressants, along with MOAIs, apparently. They replaced them with SSRIs and SNRIs because they've less side affects. I really am worried about getting this information right on the OP so it's really useful to have your input you being a paramedic and Shambles because of your experience and intellect.

Edit; it's interesting you mention that about suicide. My mam was convinced that I ODd when permabanned from here, due to Citalopram as the news has reported a lot of suicides of people on antidepressants. When not on Citalopram I actually feared death and often had suicidal thoughts but would never act on them as I'd suddenly think of *not existing, * or of Hell and God, and be scared stuff.

That's scary what you say about Amitriptyline being more of a risk when ODd than paracetamol. Paracetamol OD is absolutely horrendous and agonising I can't imagine anything being worse than that. Think your input is invaluable to this thread <3

Evey
 
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I'm not saying paracetamol of isn't a risk.....As little as 5g can be fatal but what I mean is it's not something that a person takes and then falls asleep and is dead I two hours.....it takes days and usually medical help is sought before the person expires so in that sense it's less often fatal.....plus the amount needed to cause serious poblems varies masssively. I've seen people take 30+ paracetamol and not require any hospital care once they got there where as someone else could die from as little as 10. The difference with amitryptaline is that it kills very quickly, renders the person unconcious so they can't seek help and is just a nasty substance IMO that belongs back in the 1950s......right bed time for me now ....
 
I'm not saying paracetamol of isn't a risk.....As little as 5g can be fatal but what I mean is it's not something that a person takes and then falls asleep and is dead I two hours.....it takes days and usually medical help is sought before the person expires so in that sense it's less often fatal.....plus the amount needed to cause serious poblems varies masssively. I've seen people take 30+ paracetamol and not require any hospital care once they got there where as someone else could die from as little as 10. The difference with amitryptaline is that it kills very quickly, renders the person unconcious so they can't seek help and is just a nasty substance IMO that belongs back in the 1950s......right bed time for me now ....

Yea I know you didn't say it wasn't a risk. What's the antidote called cause I've forgotten the name it began with A I had to take three lots of that; sixteen hours each, cause tests kept coming back abnormal apparently but was ok in the end. Looking back is weird because I remember going into the ambulance the paramedics were really nice n thinking "this is what g does."

Evey
 
Activiated charcoal and acetylcysteine.......(cant sleep.....fucking noisy seagulls) :(
 
Activiated charcoal and acetylcysteine.......(cant sleep.....fucking noisy seagulls) :(

Charcoal? I thought that was what they gave you to drink? I was on an IV drip n boy are they annoying when walking to toilet, trying to change or wash...yea acetylcysteine sounds familiar n my Dad read on it glucose.....
Awhhhh love seagulls, always reminds me of the sea-side. Can imagine they're annoying when trying to sleep though.

Evey
 
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