what anti-depressant does 't dry you out?

[mshistory]

I have been on sertraline (the generic for Zoloft) for over a year, and at the same time, I started clonazepam to manage my anxiety right away. Since all anti-depressants take a while to work, the clonazepam was a real life saver for me.

I was so depressed at the time, that I couldn't stop crying, my mother came to help me care for my kids, and I spent a lot of time in bed because I didn't want my children to see me like that. My husband called a psychiatrist, took me to see him, I cried the whole time, the psychiatrist recommended Zoloft and Klonopin (clonazepam) and said it would help my anxiety quickly. I was like, yeah right...

That evening, when we got home, my mom was cooking dinner (she's an amazing cook, by the way  ) but I took my Zoloft and Klonopin and went straight to bed. I was exhausted and overwhelmed. When I woke up about an hour later, I smelled dinner and for the first time in over a week, actually felt hungry. I got up, ate, talked to my family... it was like slowly climbing out of the abyss and for the first time since that horrible depression had started, I felt like I had found the ladder and could start climbing.

I was skeptical that anything was ever going to make me feel "normal" again, let alone that something was going to help me cope in the short-term, but seeing a psychiatrist and finding the right combination of medications did give me my life back, and I was in a place that I thought that was never going to happen.

Wishing you the best and please keep us posted.

[eye2dry]

Thank you to all who replied.

I am making a note to take with me for my PCP visit to address this.

When I worked in family practice years ago...one of the drs Rx'd Zoloft quite often....I suppose it will be trial and error to get the right med at the right dose....as you may well know...I certainly do not want anything that makes me drier.

Piebird...thank you for listening.


mshistory...I am so glad you got over that awful bout of depression......can enjoy life and your family again.


eye2dry

[MissyLouWho?]

Eye2dry,

It's really hard to realize and admit you are depressed but you did it!  I will admit that I am too.  I have been my whole life.  I just started therapy Tuesday for major depressive mood disorder, PTSD, and conversion disorder. 

We didn't address anything at the first appointment (it was a 'getting to know your background' kind of appointment) but she did say my 'homework' for the week was to focus on working on my depression by #1~ exercise (anything, dance like a nut around the house is my favorite!) for at least a few minutes every day, and #2~ get outside in the sunshine for at least a few minutes everyday (but watch out for complications from the Sjs and lupus).  The main thing about depression is there are many kinds of 'medicines' for it, from actual medications like SSRI's, to changing your lifestyle a little (or a lot).  My therapist said that MAKING yourself exercise and go out in the sun will help as much as actually doing those things.  Realizing that I AM changing the way I do things will make me feel better, and more empowered too.  Does that make any sense?  We have not discussed medication options at this point, but my neurologist said he wants me on something for my anger/sadness.  Don't mean to make it all about me , just wanted you to know you're not alone at all 

So try to exercise a little every day and drink your coffee in the morning sunshine before it gets too hot!

[deeindiana]

I've taken Zoloft for several years for panic attacks and I don't notice it being extremely drying. But my fibro is so painful that I thought about asking about Cymbalta at my next visit.

Hang in there. Life gets better!
Deb