I'm In a Funk,
 

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

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.:eek:

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.

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.:D

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.

I find music very healing too. I know if I'm down and need to "tap into" an emotion that is just lingering, if I REALLY want to experience it to let it go, I go find some music that helps me to touch that part of me.

It always works.

Or if I just want to feel a bit better, I listen to some of my upbeat music.

doydie, it's so lovely that you have so many wonderful memories of your dad. I think all any of us can hope for is that we leave loving memories in those left behind.

sally, I think we're all so different with AD's. I didn't have any problem with lexapro making me feel wired or anything. But I would suggest you start slow and work your way up. I seem to be super sensitive to AD's and have to make sure I start off low because usually, what works is about 1/2 of what's recommended. Any more, and I'm a zombie.

sally, cherie, doydie, hope you all have peaceful weekends.

Sally, I have never taken an antidepressant, but I do take Strattera to prevent the "fog" I get from my chronic dizziness.

Strattera works on norepinephrine alone (it's an SNRI). I remember reading that it was tested as an antidepressant like in the 60s or sometime? but dropped in favor of Prozac.

It was re-tested for attention-deficit disorder and that's what it's approved for now. I decided to try it because Ritalin was no longer working so well for my attention adn concentration problems due to the "dizzyfog."

Strattera works great for me and certainly has kept my mood good and even, although formerly my mood problems were more like menopausal mood swings and doctor-frustration-depression kind of things which had improved greatly before I ever started the Strattera. Still, I think it certainly does help mood.

Just one thought. Obviously there are lots of other approved depression treatments, and I hope you find the right one.

Wishing you relief,

Nancy

Sally,

Everyone is so different in how they react to meds - I used Prozac years ago and I had no energy and wanted to sleep all the time and my house went to...you know what.

Lexapro didn't pep me up I just started to feel *normal*

You hit the nail on the head Snoopy, *Normal*, that's exactly what Paxil did for me. I hate that these meds quit working, after awhile. I will probably give Lexapro a try and if it doesn't work, Cymbalta or Effexor or etc..... till I find the one for me.

I.ve never heard of this one, Nancy, but it sounds like it may give you an energy boost, like Prozac, and I couldn't take prozac for that reason. Hey I may try it though, if none of the others work. Like Snoopy, I just want to feel normal again.

Thanks to you all for your great imput. I don't know what I'd do without you.:)

I only have experience with Celexa, and it worked really well for me. I have heard a lot of good things about Cymbalta too though.

I weaned off Celexa this summer, and am only on LDN now. That seems to be doing the job for me (I know you are already on this drug though ...).

Could peri-menopause be entering into play, Sally?

Sorry that you are in a funk. I get those once a month, for 3 - 5 days. Celexa works within 24 hrs in me, for that purpose (PMS), so I'm usually ok.

Cherie

Sally,
Still holding you..if you need me, you should know how to reach me.

Awwww Sally, I'm so sorry you're feeling so down at the moment.:( This "funky" place is getting pretty crowded, I'm here too. Don't you think the change of seasons has something to do with it?

I've been on Zoloft for years, but recently it doesn't seem to be doing the job. One problem with it is the usual lack of emotions feeling. Just kind of glide along through life without feeling much of anthing. Anyone else? Lately though I've had those crying episodes too.

Nothing more to add, just wanted to give you a hug. ((((((Sally))))))

More hugs.....Judy

Thanks Judy and Cherie, I need all the hugs I can get.

I got a few yesterday from my GrandKids. Them are the bestest kind.:D

Thanks again to all for you help...Smooches!

That's exactly what Strattera has done for me: made me feel
NORMAL!!

Hi Sally,

How are you feeling today?

Well, now it's tomorrow:p , but I am feeling a bit better. Thank you for asking. I am still going to change ADs, but I may be able to wait a bit. I've gone through a big stage of stress lately, that really put my Paxil to the test. It failed me somewhat.

The stress seems to be lifting and so is my deep sadness. To tell you the truth. the out pouring of support from my Daughter and You wonderful friends has helped a great deal. Thank you for being here for me. :)