Posted by nails on February 14, 2003, at 1:16:04
In reply to Re: Switch from Prozac to Lexapro -, posted by MaryZee on February 13, 2003, at 13:17:39
15 years ago, I found myself suddenly crying at the drop of a hat, throwing things in a fit of rage, taking people's moods personally, etc. Then, I was unable to feel emotion at all; I could no longer cry, and started thinking about commiting the big "S". That's when I sought help. I spent almost 2 years with therapists, trying to "come to terms with my past", reading self-help books, attending group therapy, etc. Finally, a therapist asked me if I had a family history of depression. Well, my grandma, dad, uncle, brother and 2 neices had all been hospitalized for depression. Those neices had also attempted suicide, and they, along with two of my brothers, my uncle, and my sister were also on antidepressants. (I'd been asking my therapists all along if my depression could be caused by a "genetic, chemical thing" rather than from "supressed feelings about my past".) I was finally referred to a Psychiatrist who put me on Prozac, then fairly new on the market. He told me it may take a couple months to take effect, or it may do nothing. 9 days after starting Prozac, I was emerging as a new person. I liked myself! I liked other people! I was confident! I could go MONTHS without crying! I smiled! If the store clerk was nasty to me, it was HER problem! Prozac was miracle! But... after about 8 years on 40 mg/day, the "old feelings" started to return. I went to 60 mg/day which began to lose its potency after a couple years and then to 80 mg/day, which only worked for about 6 months. My doc then tried me on various other A.D.s, to no avail. Now, when I go back on Prozac, it helps, but only for a limited time. (I've gone without ADs for a month or two but soon fall back into the ol' depression crap). I wonder, IS there an antidepressant that's as comparable in effectiveness and popularity as Prozac once was? Of course, meds affect everyone differently, but it seems that when Prozac first came out, a large majority of its users were quite satisfied with its effectiveness against depression. I'd give anything to be able to feel the way I did those first 8 years I was taking Prozac! Any suggestions/input?
poster:nails
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030208/msgs/200310.html