Anti-depressants

KevinR
KevinR Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi all. What anti-depressants have you found to be particularly effective that don't turn you into a total zombie?

Thanks to all,

Kevin

I may need one for myself too!!!!

Comments

  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    Generic paxil
    This is what I take... no side effect except I do sleep a whole lot better. 10 mg which is a low dose. It helps anxiety and depression. Saundra
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    Anti Depressant
    Hi Kevin, Wow with out my 200mg of Zoloft and this wonderful bunch of amazing women I would be like a zombie.
    Hugs, Terry
  • Bstrange
    Bstrange Member Posts: 87
    anti-depressants
    I've been on welbutrin. No problems. Whatever you do I strongly suggest that you consult a psychiatrist. I have found that general doctors do not know all the side effects and what works best with certain depressions. I can't stress that enough.
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • jamilou
    jamilou Member Posts: 200
    Anti-depressants
    Kevin
    I took 100mgs. of Zoloft. I tried Paxil and found that it made me feel drugged. My point...you may need to try one or two before you find one that works well for you. Good luck, they can make a huge difference!
    Jami
  • arbor3
    arbor3 Member Posts: 103
    PROZAC
    Prozac works good for me.  I also take xanax if I am under more stress to help me sleep. You may need to try different anti-depressents before one works. I tried Paxil and the side effects were awful for me. I have not had the side effects with Prozac and it helps. Also with Xanax I do not feel groggy in the morning, I just get a good night sleep.

    Dinora
  • Dreamdove
    Dreamdove Member Posts: 175 Member
    arbor3 said:

    PROZAC
    Prozac works good for me.  I also take xanax if I am under more stress to help me sleep. You may need to try different anti-depressents before one works. I tried Paxil and the side effects were awful for me. I have not had the side effects with Prozac and it helps. Also with Xanax I do not feel groggy in the morning, I just get a good night sleep.

    Dinora

    St. John's Wort might help
    I went the natural way with St. John's Wort. It was cheap and had no side effects. I mostly used it for anxiety and it helping me sleep better. Eventually I found I no longer needed it and haven't used it since but it sure helped me after the cancer thing. But I would definitely use it again if I needed to. Sometimes it almost felt like it wasn't doing anything because I couldn't feel it working but I tested it out several times by not using it for a period of time. I'd start having anxiety while driving (side roads even) and wake up multiple times per night. I'd also start talking to myself more often, a sure sign I was experiencing extra anxiety. You have to take it several days or at least a week to notice it working.
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    Meds
    Kevin - I take Lorazepam for anxiety as needed, 1 mg. I take 1/2 mg every morning and then 1 mg at night to help relax my mind before bed. Works fast and have never had a problem.

    I also take the generic Paxil like Saundra. I started at 20 mg once a day and was so sick that I cut back to 10 mg on my own. After 2 weeks I adjusted well enough to try the adult dose of 20 mg and it worked wonders. No side effects for me.

    A lot of the anti-depressants you have to take 2-4 weeks before they really do their work and then you can't just stop them, you have to be weaned off them.

    I was glad to hear your wife went out and played some golf. Do whatever feels good - you are "living" with cancer, not dying from it.

    Take care.

    Kris
  • tamiwv
    tamiwv Member Posts: 3
    Prozac
    I was on prozac when I went through the Ovarian Cancer Surgery and Chemo. It really helped my get through the ordeal. In fact, my oncologist highly recommended that patients are on an antidepressant before the process begins. I recently changed from Prozac to Cymbalta.