[southblues]

Does anybody here with MG take antidepressants? Are they safe with MG? If so, which one? How are they working? This whole thing has me depressed.

[cait24]

I take Effexor. It is very mild and I have not noticed any side affects.

kathiw

[Tracy9]

I take 60 mg of Cymbalta and it helps immensely. I also use a lightbox which helps as much as the meds. I have horrible insomnia and take Seroquel for sleep, and once I started that, I noticed any depression I still had was lifted.

This is extremely depressing. One thing that really gets my goat is my doctor constantly telling me about "mind over matter" etc. I am a really positive person but who wouldn't be depressed when they can never leave the house and hardly leave the bed for that matter, can't do anything for themselves, and know there is no cure for this? You can only cheerlead yourself up to a certain point. I feel like I've forgotten what it's like to be a part of the world.

Sorry you are feeling depressed. You don't have to be sick and feeling that way too. I think it's worth looking into.

[bny806]

The dr's always ask me if I am depressed at appointments ( I get SUPER anxious with every appointment after my first appointment was so horrifying- a dr casually told me he thought I had ALS- at 30 years old with a newborn, and then said "see ya monday for the emg- have a good weekend")!!!! my response is well yes, of course, I would be concerned if there wasn't a little depression/anxiety associated with an unknown illness that affects every single moment of your life.. but I always try to stress to them that it is a RESULT of the illness, ,not a cause- as I think they sometimes think that.. ...

I have thought about trying something sometimes, but didnt' know since my diagnosis isn't concrete if it was a good idea.. I don't think there are too many complications from them though, that I am aware of.. I Hope you get something that helps you out!

[southblues]

I go to my neuro in a week from Tuesday and I think that I will talk to him about this. My daughter said that she has good luck with prozac. Have any of you tried it? I just would like to find something that is generic due to the expense.

[4-eyes]

Almost all SSRI's are generic now. Prozac is considered to be one of the "milder" ones. You will need to consider what your symptoms are (angry-sad vs sad-sad, insomnia or restless, anxious or empty) as well as side effects you'd like to avoid (sleepiness during day, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, sexual side effects) when deciding on a drug. A good doctor should discuss your options with you, and remember that often it takes 2 or more tries to find the right "fit."

Good luck!

[Maiden8680]

Originally Posted by Tracy9

I take 60 mg of Cymbalta and it helps immensely. I also use a lightbox which helps as much as the meds. I have horrible insomnia and take Seroquel for sleep, and once I started that, I noticed any depression I still had was lifted.

This is extremely depressing. One thing that really gets my goat is my doctor constantly telling me about "mind over matter" etc. I am a really positive person but who wouldn't be depressed when they can never leave the house and hardly leave the bed for that matter, can't do anything for themselves, and know there is no cure for this? You can only cheerlead yourself up to a certain point. I feel like I've forgotten what it's like to be a part of the world.

Sorry you are feeling depressed. You don't have to be sick and feeling that way too. I think it's worth looking into.

I'm with you there

[AnnieB3]

Celeste, There are other things you can do like SAM-e. St. Johns Wort might not be a good alternative for you. Mrs. D. knows a lot about these things.

Due to MG and not moving around a lot (or do you?) it's hard to get the natural oxytocin and endorphins to kick in to a high enough level to raise our mood. There is a lot you can do with diet in this area.

Of course, if you are clinically depressed, you should talk to a psychiatrist first before going straight for a drug, in case they have other suggestions.

Tracy, Mind over matter? Oy. There are real things going on in the body that depress our moods, as I said above. And hormones. And so many other things that can upset that balance. Shame on those docs for doing that "blame the patient" thing.

Even with depression, it could be so many things causing it. Some people with undiagnosed swings in blood sugar and insulin can be depressed from just that! So at least get thoroughly checked out first before slamming a drug. Drugs are useful but they aren't always necessary.

Annie