Anti-Depressants/Fatigue

[susanep]

Hello Everyone,

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, pain free (we can hope?) 4th of July.

Years ago I had suffered a second episode of clinical depression, and was put on Effexor and Remeron. They help me within days. I was told because this was my second time of needing to be treated for clinical depression that I would need to take them the rest of my life.

I now take only the Effexor, and xanax at night, but no longer take the Remeron.

Looking back, not long after being put on these meds (days), my energy level was cut in half. I know I was later even more fatigued after sjogrens and fibromyalgia became active.

Have any of you experienced this? If I thought I would gain significant energy by not taking Effexor, It would be tempting. I know it has to be done slowly and carefully.
I also couldn't deal with depression again though either.

Is it always true that after have depression a second time and having treatment that we are treated with the meds for life to maintain?

susanep

[lesmom]

I had post partum 3 times and was treat for that but was eventually weaned from the depression meds. I think it depends on the doctor you are dealing with and the situations around you that led you to get help. Are you still in the same "spot" as you were when you were treated?
I know that with us that dealing with a chronic illness can set us off as well. So who's to say that we all are fighting depression and should be on something. I don't have a good answer for you. I just want to offer you a hug and know that it can be confusing an frustrating.

Hang in there,
Leslie

[ruby52]

Over a yr. ago I realized I had gotten depressed to the point I asked my GP for help.I've had periods of depression since this illness dx but pulled out of it.Seems like Fall and winter pain levels and holiday stress bring me down.I was put on Paxil and it helped but in the last couple months my mood seemed like my old positive self even during elevated pain levels.I knew I was more tired from the Paxil so a month before I saw my Dr. I took myself off and felt fine with more energy.He is an old fashioned doc who doesn't think you have to be on meds forever.He asked me lots of questions and asked my DH what he's seen lately and agreed.He only said to leave the option open to go back on come Fall if necessary and before I get to far down.I like this approach.Everyone is different and I am still shaken at how depressed I had become.It scared me and I am not going back to feeling like that again tired or not.
This will work for me but I can't say it would work for you.I think you and your Dr. need to discuss it.Yeah they cause fatigue but it's a small price to pay to fight off depression.That's just my opinion.Good luck.
                                                                               Ruby

[susanep]

Thanks for your replies Leslie and Ruby. It is easy to feel depressed from a chronic illness, but my clinical depression was very bad like Ruby said , I wouldnt want to feel that way again. If I would feel that way, it is much better for me to be tired all the time than feeling like that. It is terrible.

I am at a good place now. I am fine as long as I take my meds. Thanks for the hug. I hope you folks stay happy also. I guess all meds have their side effects.

susanep

[irish]

Susan, Sorry to hear that you have been going through a rough period. I haave had 3 post partum depressions that were really tough and had to do it without meds as no SSRI's and can't take the tricyclic drugs. I have since had a couple depressions that weren't real bad but tons, and I mean tons, of anxiety. Then I had a depression in 1989 and have been on a small dose of lithium as an antidepressant that calms my anxiety plus zoloft added in 1992.

I can't say that I have fatigue from these meds. I also am on some Xanax and am planning to wean myself off. Susan, tell your doc about your fatigue and ask him to try you on different medications. All these meds treat different combination of brain chemical depletion and sometimes takes a while to find the right med. When I took Effexor I got "high" and agitated so you see we are all different. I would not be hesitant to stay on the meds. You have a lot of autoimmune stuff going on and it is a well known fact that this causes depression.

I would bet that most of us have had depression in the past and then after being diagnosed with autoimmune everything sort of makes sense. I have also read that people with sjogrens have a higher than usual degree of anxiety as compared to other autoimmune diseases. Have no clue if this is the truth.

Also, Susan, I don't know when you take the Effexor, but sometimes people take it at noon, suppertime or bedtime. When I was having problems with restless legs and sleeping I refused to take sleeping pills as they just stone me. My psychiatrist added another 50 mgm of Zoloft in the evening for sleep and it helps. I still don't go to be til late but I usually go to sleep fairly soon instead of lying there counting sheep. Take care now and have a good weekend. Are you going to teach again this next year???Irish

[Liz D.]

Hi Irish,

Do you mind if I ask why you want to wean yourself off Xanax and how much do you take a day?  Is it because of your fatigue?   I am curious because I get concerned because it is the drug that helps me most.  Lately I have been taking two .5 mg each night before I go to bed.  I have been getting the best night's sleep lately from it and don't know if it is a wise decision to take it daily.  (But I love my sleep now that I am finally getting it!)   The prescription from the doctor says I can take more than than daily, but I wouldn't dare.  Just curious about your thoughts on it because I know you have taken it as well for a while.

Thanks.

Liz D.

[Billydude]

I have xanex but I'm afraid to take it on a regular basis.  It is an addictive drug isn't it?   I just take it at night if I feel restless.    It seems like I'm tired all day and have to take a nap every day but come bed time I'm wide awake.

[whatsup]

Just a word on Xanax from my perspective.  I have taken 2mg for about 10 years now.  It seems to quell my anxiety somewhat by stopping me from feeling dizzy and lightheaded.  I think that my inner ear is affected in some way.  Anyway, yes Xanax is addictive but I came to the conclusion that I would far rather have some quality of life and be dependant on this med. than live out my days miserable!  I have never felt the need to increase the Xanax and I think people should not feel so scared of it if it helps them.  It is the abuse of these drugs which gives them a bad name. 

Used correctly they are a God send for many people so lets stop feeling so guilty about taking them.  Some doctor's (although they are in the minority) see them as a med. like any other.  If you were a diabetic would you not take your insulin because it was addictive?  This is just my opinion and I'm sure other's will disagree with me but I happily take Xanax without any problems...

[eyeamdry]

What's up.....since measures of xanax are confusing to me, can you clarify.  Do you, for example take (4) .5 pills daily.

Or is this given in a 1mg as opposed to a .5 pill.  I know they have .2 mg, .5mg and 1.0 mg.  How are you dosing?

Lucy

[Linda196]

Xanax is actually supplied in 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg tablets, and the 2 mg ones are multiscored, so they can be broken into 4 equal parts of 0.5 mg each...one of the more practical drug products!

[Liz D.]

Thanks whatsup!  I appreciate that response.  It was very honest and makes perfect sense!!  If the drug works, use it.  But be careful of the abuse.  Makes perfect sense.

This makes me think of a funny story.  I recall when my father-in-law was in his dying days of lung cancer a few years ago (not that that is funny), the hospice nurse gave him oxycontin.  He got all upset because he didn't want to become addicted.  We tried to explain it was a drug he NEEDED at that time and that he wasn't going to become a drug addict. 

Liz D.

[susanep]

Liz that was funny for him to be concerned about getting addicted. Bless his heart. I take mine only at night. It is addictive, but I need it.

I have been going to doctors and dentists lately to get ready for school in a couple of weeks. Did blood work at the doctor today. At the dentist took xrays, and said I need to see the oral surgeon to have the rest of my teeth extracted, and get dentures.

My teeth and gums are holding so much infection. Right now I dealing with tongue ulcers.

I am going to have to go to school without dentures for about 2 months. I am not looking forward to that. Today I ask my doctor how she would feel if it were her. She is very pretty, and she said, it wouldnt bother me. If they want to laugh at someone they will find something to do so.

Thanks everyone for your help. How would you feel about the teeth thingy?

susanep