anit depressants

[Mariec]

Does anyone take any 'happy pills' because of their pa? I was at the rheumy's last time and heard her mention an rx for prozac and wondered....I struggle with depression for reasons other than my pa and always thought that I couldn't overtax the liver with a 'happy pill' too, but I do get down some days as we all do from having, and knowing I'll have this disease forever.

Just wondering if anyone out there is on prozac or anything too? I might ask my md about it.

[Zwijndrecht]

That's a new one. Happy Pills.

I am on Zoloft if you wish to know...and it does not make me too happy but my wife says it makes me bearable.

It is a recommended practice to use antidepressants with severe pain...they help the pain, lessen the amount of painkillers used and help you stand the pain....

All I know is that the evening overloads went away after starting on Zoloft...but not everyone has sax and trumpet players to come home to....

[PJ Leary]

Hi M,

Z is correct that they are seperate medical issues, but often the derm is the person to talk to. Of course, your pcp is also very acceptable.

Z is also correct in his explanation of the use of anti-depressants.:) Z is very experienced, and smart.

Z, are those boys in a band of their own yet?? Seems that with the price you pay, they should be earning their keep on American Idol!

Good luck, M!

[web63]

I tried Paxil, and some personal problems with it.
I am now on Welbutrin. It is not a very strong AD, but it may help me quit smoking.
Maybe it will have a double effect :-)

Thanks,

[OS7]

I took many different ones before being diagnosed with PA. My experience was that if I found one that worked, eventually it had unwanted side-effects. As Z said, dr's like to use anti-dep. on folks who have chronic pain.

The way my g.p. explained it to me is that the receptors in the brain that send depression, also send the pain response. So that's why they work on both pain and depression.

I was first given paxil and ellaville for fibromyalgia and insomnia in 1995. At first, I felt like I was 15 again. But, after a while, I had weight gain and some other problems of a "Personal" nature with the paxil. Through the years, I've chosen to not take anti-dep. except those that help you sleep. I take Desyrel at night. It helps with insomnia and pain. I think if you have a problem with depression, it's wonderful there are pills out there that will help. I know I needed them several times.

Best of luck.

Jill

[Allie]

I went on Lexapro for anxiety causing depression in Feb of this year. Between p, planning a wedding, & dealing with my wonderful hubby plus 3 dogs & a 4hr round trip commute to work - I was on overload. I am just now starting to feel the side affects of it. I have had such great results, but I not sure if its b/c of the drug or my life has gotten better, or the combo, but it is wonderful to feel so "happy" again. I used to come home and break-down in tears almost everynight & now I only cry during a really good book or a tear jerking movie.

It's effect on my p has been good, but again not sure if this is b/c my life has gotten easier or what.... (Wedding is now over, we have hired a dog sitter 2 days a week & the rest of the days either my hubby or I am home to most of the time. Hubby is trying to be more helpful around the house & I have started driving to work-rather than taking the train & trimmed my commute to 2 hours or less depending on traffic):cool:

Head's up on Dr. prescribing an anti-depressant. My derm would not prescribe it b/c she did not feel qualified to. However, my PCP did & she referred me to a psychologist if I did not feel the pill was working well enough. She said my pill was a really mild one, but not to go off of it cold turkey. My hubby and I are looking at trying to start a family next year - so I am going to check into how long I need to be off of it to start. My hubby is worried... To quote Z

it does not make me too happy but my wife says it makes me bearable. only for me it is hubby....;)

[momofjammorg]

I have tried different anti-depressants, but the one that works best for me is Prozac! I have been taking it now for 5 years and I have had minimal depression!! Other anti-depressants I tried made me manic and I had symptoms synonomis with Bi-polar, but I have not had that experience with Prozac!!

[us4gold]

My first visit to this site.
I have been trying different medications to help my PA, (now using Enbrel for almost 3 weeks and taking Methotrexate, 4 pills per week; and Bextra while taking Paxil. The Paxil gives me a very relaxed mode. I don't think I could handle all the aches, pains and being depressed.
goldie

[OS7]

Allie:

I'm wondering...did you have any side effects from the Lexapro? The dr. tried my hubby on that and he had terrible stomach pain from it. So bad he had to come off it. Wondering if you've had any problems with it?

thx...

Jill

[Kimbercat]

I'm also on Zoloft due to a lot going on in my life for the past couple of years (unemployed hubby, difficult mother-in-law with major issues of her own, 2 teenagers hitting puberty, and my own health issues). I found myself being such a bi**h that I really didn't like myself, and my family was tippy-toeing around me all the time.

Since getting my dosage adjusted to 150 mg/day, I do much better, and don't find myself freaking out and screaming at everyone all the time. That's not to say that I don't still have my bit**y days, but my family tells me I'm easier to be around. I tend to be a controlling, obsessive person normally, and the drug doesn't change that, but at least until a few things return to semi-normal around here, I plan to stay on the Zoloft. I've tried to lower my dosage a couple of times when things seemed to be going more smoothly, but fall right back into my old pattern. The only side effects I have that may or may not be related to Zoloft is being tired more often, but that is also a sign of depression, so I'm not sure it's related to the drug.

My husband has problems with social anxiety, and has tried several anti-depressants without finding one that didn't cause unacceptable side effects for him, so he sticks to Valium. Not the best choice for long-term, but he's also a bit more pleasant when he's in la-la land ;)

[nuttydenise]

Yup happy pills at this house! Doc says mainly for the pain, but I think it is an all around help. altho lately I think my dose needs to be increased! I want to be real happy! I take prozac.