Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: daisie on September 19, 2014, 09:46:52 AM
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I would like to know what antidepressants have worked for you
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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.
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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
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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 .
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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.
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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
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I can't take any anti depressants, the side effects were awful for me.
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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.
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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 ……….
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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.
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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
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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 :'(
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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
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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.
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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 ::) ……..
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Daisy the reason you where probably given it first is because it is a cheap as chips. ;)
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I take fluoxetine for OCD & Mirtazapine for anxiety & depression.
I get on well with both.
I have been on fluoxetine for 10 years and recently had an increase because I had a blip.
Soon got be right again and no side effects with it at all.
The Mirt I've been on for 18mths at various doses as and when needed.
Initially I get the spaced out effect but after a few days it goes.
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hi maryjane i have heard it is a cheap medication but looking at the dosage iv been taking for 5 years its not the right dosage for anxiety and depression theres no wonder it hasn't been lifting iv only been taking 50mg since the first time I started on it well im down to 30mg now im cutting down 10mg every week ill probly get down to the last 10mg then finish up going back up iv tried before with no luck iv got to try a bit harder this time x daisie
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Daisie - why do you want to stop taking it? Can you explain your 'symptoms' with reducing the dosage? What's the worst that can happen?
In 2003 it took me about 2 days each time I reduced the dose when I was weaning off …….. to realise that the 'side effects' *would* go - each time the anxiety struck, nausea, shaking - which wore off within 36 hours. It did take a lot of mental discipline to keep reminding myself from going into a real panic. By the time I was on a 3 times a week low dose I was more in control.
Then I began the medication I now take.
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I'm on citalapran. Awful side effects for first week but fine after. I was on it a year ago but stupidly came off it as i went on hrt and didnt want to take both. Anxiety came back with a vengence so I went back on it again and am now on both.
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I think it's difficult to find a regime which works which is why I cling to anything that helps, even if it isn't a complete 'cure'.
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My GP always says that if something is helping to make you feel well stay with it.When the drug I take for high blood pressure (atenolol) was considered outdated and GPs were encouraged to change patients to newer drugs her attitude was 'if it isn't broke don't fix it'.I'm also on citalopram and like CLKD feel whilst its not perfect it works to keep me able to get on with life..
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hi ckld,,the reason for me to stop taking it is because its caused more of a physical problem for me its not lifted depression or the anxiety iv also put 4 stone on over the last 5 years iv been on it I know the menopause put weight on but this medication is well known for it being one of the side effects the zombie feelings are not good been walking about as though im in some kind of dream most of the time it does help with sleep but I need the depression to lift its been a long time now I am getting the nausea and feeling on edge from cutting the doseage down but im trying to stick with it what antidepressant are you taking at the moment did you start it before you came off the other antidepressant x daisie
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You are between a rock and a hard place. {{{{ daisie }}} I take Cipralex 5mg at night, 5mg in the morning, it's a 'sister' to the one you are on. I stopped the other drug by weaning off, it took 9 weeks. Some days I thought I would never feel well again because the start-up symptoms returned. However ......... now that I have been on Cipralex although not a cure, it enables me. The Beta-blocka eases the anxiety surges so that DH and I have a Life again. I never thought I would have the courage to leave the house but now on 'good' days I can go shopping, into antique fairs - as long as I have an exit close by - but can't manage theatre/train/coach ......
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hi clkd iv not heard of that one .going out is a problem for me as well since the menopause im ok when im not on my own but if I am I panic thinking somethings going to happen to me I cant even travel on a bus or any transport on my own it never bothered me before you are right when you say im in a hard place there just doesn't seem a way out I took 20mg last night of amitriptyline ill stay on that for a few days then cut to 10mg its good to know you have a life again with your dh since feeling like this I don't have much time for mine all feelings have gone oh dear more like brother and sister now not lovers x daisie
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It took several years for me to accept my changes. That was before peri-menopause ::) ........... you must keep communicating with your DH so that he doesn't think he is at fault.
I prefer going out and about on my own so that I don't have to justify myself ......... it's not too bad with DH but with friends/relatives I'm always looking for a way out ..........
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we do get on but I find it hard getting close in that sort of way the menopause as taken all the good feelings away but he does understand iv done too much mouning about it these past few years I think hes excepted the way I am now wished my old self would return and things were normal again may be one day I hope x daisie
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Daisie - you are unlikely to 'return' to being the 'same' person. This time of Life is 'the change'. Have you printed off the thread aimed at the men in our Life ;)
Cuddles are important to me, I do not want Himself to decide that they are an open invitation to sex >:( :sigh:
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morning clkd I had a look at the thread last night .theres some good information there iv not got a printer he can always read it off my lap top if he can be bothered yes I cant ever see being the same me again too much has happened in the years iv been suffering this awful menopause it sure does change you im totally a different person now to what I used to be x daisie
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Hi. I'm 46 and have been peri for a few years now. My doc prescribed Flouxetine, one tablet alternate days and for me they do work, they have helped with palpitations & general well being. I haven't had any adverse reactions at all. I didn't feel I needed HRT as I was coping ok, just felt I needed a little help, if that makes sense, I also suffer from migraines quite badly so doc preferred to go this route first, they also help with migraines. However it was probably about a month before they started to kick in. Good luck.xxx :)
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:thankyou: mummyof2
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hi mummyof2 was on fluoxetine some years ago only took them for 5 days was hard trying to wake up in a morning felt comatised was a scarey feeling hoping to try citalopram when iv got off the amitriptyline x daisie
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I was put on Citalopram pre hyster for perimeno anxiety, went from 10mg to 40mg and it worked quite well, since hyster i've been on HRT and am weaning myself off it - now down to less than 5mg every alternate day but it takes a while to come off it so don't rush it.
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Weaning yourself off :-\ ……… the HRT or AD?
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hi clio im down to 10mg what I took last night not feeling too good at moment think its the withdrawl got the panicy feeling now just hope it wears off through the day .do you have any bad side effects while taking the both of them x daisie
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It doesn't seem like clio has any bad side effects. Certainly my concoction once I got used to it has helped me a lot.
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hi clkd .. iv picked up a bit from this morning .things do seem worst though when you get up.... got citalopram think ill waite till im off the 10mg then take it from there im scared of having a reaction if I take both together
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Of course we worry, I did - I am the World's Worst Worrier ::)
If you take 1 drug at a time you will at least know which is helping/not. Glad there was some improvement as the morning wore on, I'm taking it easy 2-day ..........
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hi clkd not took amitriptyline last night thought id give it a miss was feeling tired any how before I went to bed got up this morning in a right state .I felt sick stomache ache running to toilet head all over the place nervous wreck typical withdrawl finished up having to phone the doctors got a call back told her my symptoms she thought it was withdrawl told me to start the citalopram tonight 2 hours before I go to bed .felt awfull still feeling drained at moment its slowly crept up on me I just hope citalopram does something I know ill have to suffer side effects ill have to try and put up with them .I did mention hrt to her but I would have to go into the surgery to talk about that .don't feel like going out of the house today .before I forget does bett still come on the site not seen her name for a long time x daisie
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Withdrawal can be difficult and awful, but it does pass. Have you taken the AD yet? You may not have any side-effects …….. do you work at weekends?