Ye ye, I know, everybody with MS is in a funk.

I am on Paxil, which has been a real lifesaver for me, over the past 4 yrs, but it seems to be losing it's magic powers. Started out on 20, then 30, then 40, then 60 , which is the highest doseage for Paxil.

I'm starting to cry at the drop of a hat again, which is what drove me to my NeuroPsych and eventially to Paxil. Actually it started out with panic attacks, which led to depression. I don't go anywhere, so I have't noticed being panic-y, but am not handling things in a cool manner.

I know that not every SSRI or SNRI works for everyone, but I just wanted to ask you, what is your favorite AD? Which one works for you?

I am obviously going to have to change to another AD? I have already (before Paxil) tried Prosac, Celexa & Welbrutin, to no avail.

I don't want to completely fall into that horrible abyss again, so, any help or hints you can give me, I would so appreciate.

Thanks

I take Lexapro which helps me with anxiety. My husband deployed back to Iraq in July and I'm home with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. It has calmed me down a little.

I tried Effexor in the past but it made me feel pretty dead inside. Sorry you're in a funk. Do something you enjoy or make plans with a friend. I like having something to look forward to when I feel down.
Take care,
Jean

Thanks for replying, Jean. I don't plan too much these days, but doing something nice for myself sounds good.

I've never tried Lexipro or Effexor. I've heard good things about both of them. Paxil also helped me to gain unwanted weight and I've heard that Effexor does not. I don't know about Lexipro.

Thanks for your help. I will ask my Doc about those two.

Sorry you're feeling down. If you go off Paxil, make sure you taper off sloooowly, we get pretty addicted to it and it takes a long time to wean off.

Lexapro is a good one too because it can help with some sensory problems too. So it might be worth a try. Don't think it affects sexual function like some of the others and weight gain doesn't seem to be as bad on it either. Might be worth a try!

Good for you that you're trying to find answers in the midst of feeling so lousy. You are a strong lady and I really admire your willingness to find a way out of it!

Hope you can sort out the AD and get back on track.

Sally,

Lexapro helps with panic/anxiety attacks but a higher dose than for depression - 10mg will usually work for most but I had to use 20mg to help with anxiety/panic attacks.....then it quit working.

I now use Cymbalta. I noticed that within 3 days Cymbalta was helping my nerve pain and yes, it's helped for depression and anxiety/panic attacks.

Just my 2 cents for what it's worth....

When dealing with panic attacks not going anywhere can make you feel better however it doesn't solve the problem....I know, I became a mild agoraphobic. Even tho' I have it better controlled I still have to make myself go places.

Hi Sally:
Very sad to hear that you are in such a "funk". I don't take any AD's, but do prescribe them for my patients. (I'm a Certified Midwife) The two the we use the most often in women these days are Lexapro and Cymbalta because they seem to have the least amount of side effects. As someone before me stated, make sure that when you are switched, they wean you off of the Paxil while you are being weaned onto a new AD. I wish you well.

Sal,
Sorry you're not feeling so well.
Could it be change of seasons that
you're in a "funk"?

I tried Lexapro & it did help me w/the
crying episodes but it made me "flat"
w/no emotions at all so I discontinued it.

I also tried Cymbalta for a short while
but had side effects=blurry vision, sweating,
etc.

I just started Welllbutrin XL & it seems to be
working.

Ask your doctor for the 2 wk trial of Lexapro
& see what happens.
Good luck!! hope it works!

~HUGS~

vlys

You might want to ask your doc about Cymbalta. It seems to work faster than most of the meds (into the system and working in 24-72 hours versus the average three weeks that most of the drugs take). It's also being used for diabetic neuropathies since it has such good neuropathic pain response.

I tried a low dose of it last winter when I was feeling quite low, and like all of the other AD's, I've tried, there were side effects I could not tolerate. I literally did not sleep for 9 days. (It has the potential to be energizing) Many people lose weight while on this medication as well.

Sorry you're feeling so badly. I can relate. Somehow I think this pain is worse than any physical pain. Holding you.

Thanks so much for your helpful and supportive replies.

Wanneby and Snoopy..Lexapro sounds like a winner, and maybe worth a try. Does it seem to pep you up, because, I had to quit Prozac for that reason...made me terribly nervous and anxious.

Chris, Cymbalta also sounds good, although I have heard that there could be a liver problem with it. I would like to give it a try though, because I have heard good things about it too.

Vyls, thanks for your incite. What is the "2 wk trial of Lexapro"?

Thanks Cherie, I remember your adverse reactions to ADs. That's just it, what works for one doesn't alway work for All.

I have a lot of ammo for my Doc. now, so thanks, and I'll let you know which one I choose and which one works. I hate to go through this trial and error period with meds again...bah, don't they know I'm depressed, dangit.

And Thanks All For the good Thoughts.

I was in a funk a couple of years ago and nothing really helped. Then one day in church, we were singing one of my Dad's favorite songs. I was standing in the church choir and just absolutely broke down. It was like God yelling at me. Joyce, I want to help you. I have sent you this song to remind of your Dad. My Dad was just the most precious person anyone could ever hope to know and he loved children. and they loved him. I realized at that time what was wrong. My granddaughter would never be able to know him, listen to his silly stories, comb his one hair until they were tired (because he never tired of it) never listen to him tell all about his pet flea Algernon. That was what my funk was all about. After I realized it, I was able to move on. So that wonderful song, In the garden, raised me out of that funk.