Posted by Bee on August 10, 2000, at 21:58:17
I have been on anti-depressents for over 10 years - would love to get off them but can't. I have a family history of depression - some manic, some depressed.
I crashed when my horse died. I tried to treat homeopathically for 4 months but was down too deep. I started out with Elavil -150 mgs-.
I have tried pretty well all the SSRI's - Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Serzone. These made me irritable, jumpy, insomniac (sp?) and I felt like I was going to have a seizure. These also made me aggressive. I have also tried a Zoloft/Elavil, Effexor/Elavil, Serzone/Elavil combination but still had the head involuntarily twitching-seizures feeling. I am not a great person to be with when on these!
I have also tried St. John's Wort (agitated, insommnia) and tryptophan (same as St. John's).
I have also tried imipramine but had bad dreams and night sweats. The one I keep coming back to is Elavil. I currently am on 80 mgs. I should go up but I hate the weight gain and carbohydrate cravings!!
I have tried numerous times to get off anti-depressents. I try during the summer as the days are longer, more active, etc... Within a week of no meds, I crash. Crying, no sleep, low self-esteem. Once back on Elavil, I slowly get better.
I need a anti-depressant that:
a) helps me sleep;
b) lets me function during the day;
c) does not give me the "30 cups of coffee" feeling;
d) keeps me calm.Is there such a medication? I realize that each drug affects people differently. I'm living proof of that. Any ideas/help/info would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
*Hopefully, this post goes through properly!
poster:Bee
thread:42544
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/42544.html