[doxology]

[please don't take this question the wrong way]...

but...

...I lost my wife to cancer in September; & was starting to get depressed actually very much prior to her illness. No drug will bring her back...but...I've noticed I feel really good, like myself, w/ lots of creative & positive energy, on pot.

I've also been diagnosed w/ depression (not sure about anxiety)...& DO NOT want to smoke pot, for all the obvious health & legal reasons.

So...without sounding like an addict looking for a substitute...is there an anti-depressant out there that makes one feel like their old self, whereby feelings of hope & well being return; & whereby one regains their original vital, creative energies...???

thanks,

dox

[whenwillitend]

I don't have an answer to your question, but wanted to say I'm so very sorry for your loss.

[Rohag]

Hello & Welcome, Doxology! (Nice name, by the way.)

My deepest regrets for the recent loss of your wife. May comfort find you.

Originally Posted by doxology

...is there an anti-depressant out there that makes one feel like their old self, whereby feelings of hope & well being return; & whereby one regains their original vital, creative energies...???

This could turn into a long conversation. Psychotropic medications tend to be highly individualized in their effects. What works for one person will be intolerable to someone else. A drug that doesn't work for you at a certain dose may work at a higher dose. What doesn't work for you by itself may work wonders in combination with another medication. You may find the "right" medication only to have it stop working for you after several months or years.

I know a number of regular posters here have gone through so many different medications they no longer keep count. Finding the right antidepressant (or medicinal regime) could be a short excursion or a never-ending journey.

You've received a depression diagnosis. What does your doctor say? Oh, and is your doctor a general practitioner or a psychiatrist?

For reference: PsychCentral's Medication Library

I hope my attempt at an answer doesn't discourage you. Finding help is important.

[devnty06]

there are many anti depressants available.. but it is not advisory to have self medication, apart from antidepressants.. there are many ways available to overcome your depression...

[doxology]

wwhhhoooo...

thanks all, but:

doc prescribed prozac...took my first one this morning (generic: fluoxetine), w/ my morning coffee.

I really hope the way I'm feeling feel can be attributed to side effects which will vanish or taking it on an empty stomach...but it made me lethargic & nauseous (& upset my stomach).

plus...just like w/ being prescribed lexapro 4 years ago...(which I had to get off of 'cause it made me feel generally 'weird')...the doc said I wouldn't feel a thing for 3 weeks...& I felt these effects right away.

what now...???

thanks,

dox

btw - dosage is 1) 20mg cap daily.
btw 2 - feel somewhat better now that I ate a good meal & had my daily vitamin

[Mustkeepjob32]

Doxology,

Most people feel side effects right away when starting to take an antidepressants. Nausea is quite common. These side effects diminish as the days continue after starting the medication.

Z

[sugahorse1]

Yup, side effects will present immediately if you are going to experience them. To really determine if the med is helping with the depression usually takes about 2 months. Nausea is common, but it should decrease over time.

I hope this one works for you.

and btw - we aren't qualified to advise which meds will work. Our personal experiences are all different, possibly even while being on the same med combo. It is an experiment all the time, to find the combo that works best for you. Holding thumbs you find your ideal one ASAP!

[ECHOES]

Grief is a form of depression. Have you tried a grief support group?

Throughout life we have opportunities and the need to reinvent ourselves. There is no going back, only moving forward.

I'm curious as to why smoking pot would seem like an answer, except that there is that numbing effect. Is that what you are looking for? Many meds, including anti-depressants do that.

A psychotherapist can help you return to a life that feels good to you, to help you move toward the life you want that includes returning to things that you enjoy or finding new things in life to enjoy.

[doxology]

took a tryptophan cap this morning to help me sleep...not realizing I could cause serotonoin syndrome...& this afternoon I am really groggy after taking my second day's prozac dosage.

better not do that anymore...do not want to wind up dead.

thanks all,

dox

btw - anyone know an antidote for serotonin syndrome...???

[Mustkeepjob32]

Tryptophan as you may know, is the precursor to Seratonin. Definitely don't take Tryptophan again and just wait a couple days at least before taking something else for sleep. Possibly benadryl or something along those lines.

Z