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[daisie]

 I would like to know what antidepressants have worked for you

[suey43]

Can't answer your question, sorry as I"ve never taken ADs, but would also like to know more about them.

Have been on HRT patches (Everol 100) for 2.5 weeks. Main menopause issues for me were palpitations leading to a panic attack which then led to anxiety which has been hard to cope with for the past few weeks. Have had patches where I feel slightly better but then feel awful again.

Next step according to GP is ADs. I feel scared about this as it seems a drastic step. Do want to feel better (so badly) but have never suffered from anxiety or depression until menopause. should I give the HRT a few more weeks to work or should I take the ADs?

Have also just started CBT but too early to say whether that will help.

Appreciate any advice as I just don't know what to do for the best.

[daisie]

hi suey im the other way im wanting to try hrt again as iv been taking amitriptyline for a long time its helped me with sleeping but not for the anxiety and depression I would also like to try a different antidepressant and see if that helps with the anxiety and depression .I don't think you have gave the hrt long enough I do know you have to take it at least  for about 3 months to notice benefits you can still go on antidepressants while taking hrt I started the menopause the same as you with the anxiety then one thing led to another give the antidepressants a go you do get side effects but they do gradualy wear off I was scared at first .I got over that ,id go for them if I was you keep trying till you find the right one good luck x daisie

[pebbles]

Hi Daisie,
I have been on three different AD's at various times, i hated taking them and wonder if that is why i have had such poor results. i have been on fluoxetine which i gave up because i felt spaced out and had terrible night terrors as well as other side effects, citalopram was better and i did improve initially but then gave up when my depression returned. in reflection i think that i should have maybe just gone back to dr and increased dosage instead of just stopping it. 3rd time i was given mertazipine but only took 1 tablet as it totally floored me and i couldnt function let alone go to work.
To answer your question i think that you just have to try them and see if they work. The three i tried may work great for you ? Maybe i expected too much from them ? i dont know but i just felt so low anyway that it was not worth putting up with the side effects.
I wish you well and hope that you find something that suits you .

[tiger74]

Hi suey43

Not sure if I've got the wrong end of the stick, but...  2.5 weeks doesn't sound like very long to give the HRT regime time to work. 

[thorntrees]

Citalopram works for me, only on low dose of 10mgs. Had a few side effects to start with and they do take time to get into the system. Hot flashes and night sweats have not vanished but are less than before. I think what the AD has really done for me is help with the anxiety that menopause seems to bring and once feeling a bit calmer in myself  I am more able to cope with life and employ self help measures such as deep breathing and mindfulness if that makes sense. HRT was not an option for me for various reasons and whilst I was reluctant to take ADs I was also desperate and willing to give them a try. As with all medications they don't suit everyone but if you decide to go that route I hope they help

Thorntrees

[catlady]

I can't take any anti depressants,  the side effects were awful for me.

[babyjane]

I was tried on 3 different SSRIs over a 4 year stretch, fluoxetine, citalopram and sertraline and I did not do well on any of them as I am hypersensitive to drugs and chemicals. I have taken St JOhn's Wort for the last 5 years quite successfully but although it is natural you do have to be careful with it as it can interact with other medications, but for me it has been very good.

[CLKD]

Citalapram works for me.  ADs are given at a 'starting' dose which is then raised or lowered accordingly.  It can take the patient 3-4 months before they realise that actually, the AD is working 

St Johns Wort will not work with long-term depression ……….

[suey43]

Thanks Daisie and Tiger,

I had no idea menopause could cause such life-changing symptoms. Agree that 2.5 weeks isn't long but I also took tablets for a month (although may not have been absorbing those properly due to other medical issues).

I've been so badly affected for the past 10 weeks and have been taking sleeping tablets and beta blockers. Think GP is worried that it doesn't seem to be improving (has for a few days here and there).

Do you think I should leave the ADs for a while longer then? It's so hard as I agree with you, but feel so awful that something that would make me feel better is very tempting. Having said that don't want to be taking something like that unless it's really necessary. Sounds like they do have side-effects and that it takes time to find one that's right for you too.

Such a tough decision.

[daisie]

hi ladies thanks for your comments ,im trying to ween off the amitriptyline iv gone from 50mg to 30 mg iv noticed I feel a bit weired at the moment must be withdrawl syptoms im going to try my best to do it and get off them completely and try citolapram see if they can deal with the anxiety and depression without it making me fee too drowsy suey if I was you id  stick with the hrt for a bit longer then see how u feel its safe to take antidepressants at the same time you can always try them in the future when you feel ready I feel at the moment the amitriptyline is only helping me with sleep I need something to deal with the depression and anxiety stick with hrt hope it turns out ok good luck x daisie

[CLKD]

If anyone here is taking ADs without too many side effects then STICK with them.  Depression has to be managed, there isn't a cure ………. anxiety can be eased by some ADs ……….

Amitriptalyne (sp) is not an AD.  I was given it to ease trigenimal neuralgia but it did NOWT 

[daisie]

hi clkd I didn't know amitriptyline wasn't an antidepressant cant see why I was put on them theres no wonder I don't feel any different after all this time iv been on them apart from feeling like a zombie once iv weened off them im onto 30mg now from 50mg I want to try citalopram there seem to be quite a popular one thanks for the info x daisie

[Maryjane]

Ami is an antidepressant from the 1970's, but is used more often now for nerve pain at a much lower dose, nerve pain is anything from 10mg to 75mg where depression is 150mg upwards, I am on 15mg for nerve pain but I must say it has also helped my mood with no side effects.

[CLKD]

Thanks  Maryjane!

Take time weaning off.  It took me 9 weeks to get off 1 kind before I could begin the 1 I am now taking, that was 5-6 years ago.  Possibly longer  ……..