Help What meds worked for you?

[Overwhelmed52]

Can we talk about specific meds here? If so, can people tell me what they've taken and what the side effects were? I started Lexapro 10 mg for depression two weeks ago and it triggered horrible anxiety with CTB thoughts. I've read that that's a common side effect at first so I've been trying to stick it out. I don't want to tell the health care provider about it because I don't want to end up getting committed or something. I only talked with the provider by zoom a couple of times, so it's not as thought they know me.

I started Vyvanse 10mg for ADHD about a week ago (because the script took a little longer to get). It spiked my anxiety even further, so I only took it twice.

I've been on Lexapro for a little over two weeks now. The anxiety still comes and goes in waves. I've lost a lot of weight because I can't eat. I've gotten really sleepy the past couple of days. The CTB thoughts are not as bad, but I've been doing other things to help with them.

Is this typical for Lexapro and should I continue to stick it out? Have people had better luck with other antidepressants or ADHD meds? I definitely have problems with depression and ADHD issues like trouble focusing and staying organized. I'm also in general a nervous/anxious person when stressed. I'd like to treat those issues, but not if it means this level of anxiety. I'd appreciate anything people can tell me.

 

[Young]

I took Olanzapine, can't remember the dosage, but that thing helped me sleep a lot.

 

[Regen]

Sertraline: against depression. Increasing downforce. My mood was more balanced, milder, friendlier, less suspicious. I was able to talk to people better. Disadvantages: extreme sleep disturbances, orgasm problems, minimal weight gain. Helped me, a good medication. I would take it again immediately if it weren't for the insomnia.

Elvanse: against ADD, increases downforce. The best ever. I was finally able to stop putting things off and just get them done. This improved the mood immensely. Really loved it.
Couldn't continue taking it because of high blood pressure.

Tianeurax: against depression, increases performance, slight weight loss. Had more energy. Improved my mood. Problem: When a situation made me angry, I would become really angry within seconds and could hardly control myself. Sleep disorders.

Venlafaxine: liked the drug, helped well. But side effect: the sweat was pouring down. I wasn't socially acceptable.

Bupropion: made me angry easily and somehow made my suicidal thoughts worse through the anger. So I quickly discontinued it after two weeks.

Fluoxetine: I liked it, it helped, it made me more socially acceptable, which was good. I took it for several years. But I can't remember everything because it's been a long time since I took it.

I tried several others, but I can't remember them well enough.

 

[Overwhelmed52]

Sertraline: against depression. Increasing downforce. My mood was more balanced, milder, friendlier, less suspicious. I was able to talk to people better. Disadvantages: extreme sleep disturbances, orgasm problems, minimal weight gain. Helped me, a good medication. I would take it again immediately if it weren't for the insomnia.

Elvanse: against ADD, increases downforce. The best ever. I was finally able to stop putting things off and just get them done. This improved the mood immensely. Really loved it.
Couldn't continue taking it because of high blood pressure.

Tianeurax: against depression, increases performance, slight weight loss. Had more energy. Improved my mood. Problem: When a situation made me angry, I would become really angry within seconds and could hardly control myself. Sleep disorders.

Venlafaxine: liked the drug, helped well. But side effect: the sweat was pouring down. I wasn't socially acceptable.

Bupropion: made me angry easily and somehow made my suicidal thoughts worse through the anger. So I quickly discontinued it after two weeks.

Fluoxetine: I liked it, it helped, it made me more socially acceptable, which was good. I took it for several years. But I can't remember everything because it's been a long time since I took it.

I tried several others, but I can't remember them well enough.

Thank you! This is really helpful. I will have to ask my provider about Sertraline. I would love the effects of Elvanse and be able to get things done. I took Vyvanse for only a couple of days and stopped because it made my anxiety so bad. I also noticed that it made my heart race, so maybe it affected bloop pressure, too. I took an SSRI years ago that also gave me night sweats, but I don't remember which one. It also gave me bad anxiety when I went off of it. The anxiety has been by far the worst side effect for me.
Thank you again for all of this, it is really great to have.

 

[Regen]

I'm glad it helped you.

How medication works is of course always very individual. I've also read that sertraline (Zoloft) didn't help some people at all.

To be honest, I always noticed the biggest difference when I stopped taking it; for example, I suddenly became weirder again when I was in contact with people. For me, fear is present more as a background noise, but not as acute fear. I don't know if it can exacerbate an anxiety problem. I would discuss this calmly with the doctor.

Personally, I need medication that increases drive. But these, in turn, may not be so helpful for anxiety. There are also antidepressants that are particularly suitable for the combined treatment of depression and ADHD.

Maybe sertraline is right for you, but maybe there is another medication that is even better for you personally.

And check your blood values... Especially vitamin D (possibly also iron, magnesium, selenium, etc.), vitamin D is so grossly underestimated by doctors. But I don't want to lecture you (if that's how it came across, sorry).

All the best to you!

 

[BlackEyedDog]

Can we talk about specific meds here? If so, can people tell me what they've taken and what the side effects were? I started Lexapro 10 mg for depression two weeks ago and it triggered horrible anxiety with CTB thoughts. I've read that that's a common side effect at first so I've been trying to stick it out. I don't want to tell the health care provider about it because I don't want to end up getting committed or something. I only talked with the provider by zoom a couple of times, so it's not as thought they know me.

I started Vyvanse 10mg for ADHD about a week ago (because the script took a little longer to get). It spiked my anxiety even further, so I only took it twice.

I've been on Lexapro for a little over two weeks now. The anxiety still comes and goes in waves. I've lost a lot of weight because I can't eat. I've gotten really sleepy the past couple of days. The CTB thoughts are not as bad, but I've been doing other things to help with them.

Is this typical for Lexapro and should I continue to stick it out? Have people had better luck with other antidepressants or ADHD meds? I definitely have problems with depression and ADHD issues like trouble focusing and staying organized. I'm also in general a nervous/anxious person when stressed. I'd like to treat those issues, but not if it means this level of anxiety. I'd appreciate anything people can tell me.

Only want to say that antidepressants can take several weeks to start 'working' as they should. During that time certain side effects are common, even things like upset stomach.

Interestingly some decent percentage of people tend to experience weight gain on lexapro. Sometimes docs will prescribe an antideoressant that has the effect of increased appetite for those who suffer weight loss/low appetite due to depression.

ADHD meds tend to do the opposite, in that they can reduce appetite. Never hurts to read up on whatever you're talking from sites like drugs.com.

 

[Overwhelmed52]

Only want to say that antidepressants can take several weeks to start 'working' as they should. During that time certain side effects are common, even things like upset stomach.

Interestingly some decent percentage of people tend to experience weight gain on lexapro. Sometimes docs will prescribe an antideoressant that has the effect of increased appetite for those who suffer weight loss/low appetite due to depression.

ADHD meds tend to do the opposite, in that they can reduce appetite. Never hurts to read up on whatever you're talking from sites like drugs.com.

It's good to know that the meds can take several weeks. I will try to stick it out. When I get bad anxiety I can't eat anything and lose weight like crazy. I'll check out dugs.com. I didn't get many details from the provider when I got my prescriptions, so I really appreciate your response. Thank you.

 

[ocdsucks]

Can we talk about specific meds here? If so, can people tell me what they've taken and what the side effects were? I started Lexapro 10 mg for depression two weeks ago and it triggered horrible anxiety with CTB thoughts. I've read that that's a common side effect at first so I've been trying to stick it out. I don't want to tell the health care provider about it because I don't want to end up getting committed or something. I only talked with the provider by zoom a couple of times, so it's not as thought they know me.

I started Vyvanse 10mg for ADHD about a week ago (because the script took a little longer to get). It spiked my anxiety even further, so I only took it twice.

I've been on Lexapro for a little over two weeks now. The anxiety still comes and goes in waves. I've lost a lot of weight because I can't eat. I've gotten really sleepy the past couple of days. The CTB thoughts are not as bad, but I've been doing other things to help with them.

Is this typical for Lexapro and should I continue to stick it out? Have people had better luck with other antidepressants or ADHD meds? I definitely have problems with depression and ADHD issues like trouble focusing and staying organized. I'm also in general a nervous/anxious person when stressed. I'd like to treat those issues, but not if it means this level of anxiety. I'd appreciate anything people can tell me.

Not sure about your location, but a lot of places won't commit you just for talking about having suicidal thoughts. Where I live you need to have a plan to be involuntarily committed, but could be different in different countries.

 

[Overwhelmed52]

Not sure about your location, but a lot of places won't commit you just for talking about having suicidal thoughts. Where I live you need to have a plan to be involuntarily committed, but could be different in different countries.

Ok-- I'd have to look it up for my location. I read a couple of things here that made it seem as though it could happen, and I definitely wouldn't want that or even a wellness check. I don't know my health care provider well, anyway, and only had a couple of brief Zoom meetings with her.
Thanks again--

 

[Hollowman]

Check out Beyondmeds.com

 

[Overwhelmed52]

Check out Beyondmeds.com

Thanks!

 

[WildAtHeart]

Fluoxetine didn't help necessarily, made me feel numb and emotionless, but hey that's better than wanting to kill myself

 

[Overwhelmed52]

Fluoxetine didn't help necessarily, made me feel numb and emotionless, but hey that's better than wanting to kill myself

Ha. Agreed. I would prefer number and emotionless to climbing-the-walls anxiety. Thanks!

 

[Trismegistus_13]

I've been on several different ones like bupropion, sertraline and clonidine. I never really experienced negative effects from them aside from some extra fatigue, but they eventually stopped working. The past several years, I have been on and off citalopram 20-40 mg daily, and it's really helped me.

Also, please be VERY careful about that website shared above. Looking through it, it seems run by a person (Monica) who used to be a social worker. I could not find any information about her actual degree or if she even has a license. Regardless, being a social worker is not a license to practice medicine, and there seems to be a lot of pseudoscience on it. I'm not saying it's totally bad as there are some good pages, but unless you have a background in healthcare, it may be difficult to navigate.

 

[ocdsucks]

I've been on several different ones like bupropion, sertraline and clonidine. I never really experienced negative effects from them aside from some extra fatigue, but they eventually stopped working. The past several years, I have been on and off citalopram 20-40 mg daily, and it's really helped me.

Also, please be VERY careful about that website shared above. Looking through it, it seems run by a person (Monica) who used to be a social worker. I could not find any information about her actual degree or if she even has a license. Regardless, being a social worker is not a license to practice medicine, and there seems to be a lot of pseudoscience on it. I'm not saying it's totally bad as there are some good pages, but unless you have a background in healthcare, it may be difficult to navigate.

The "beyond meds" website seems very sketchy from her mentioning lyme disease all over the webpage.
Personally would stay far away from people giving extensive medical advice without any credentials.

 

[Overwhelmed52]

I've been on several different ones like bupropion, sertraline and clonidine. I never really experienced negative effects from them aside from some extra fatigue, but they eventually stopped working. The past several years, I have been on and off citalopram 20-40 mg daily, and it's really helped me.

Also, please be VERY careful about that website shared above. Looking through it, it seems run by a person (Monica) who used to be a social worker. I could not find any information about her actual degree or if she even has a license. Regardless, being a social worker is not a license to practice medicine, and there seems to be a lot of pseudoscience on it. I'm not saying it's totally bad as there are some good pages, but unless you have a background in healthcare, it may be difficult to navigate.

Thanks! I will ask about citalopram. It's interesting that you only had fatigue as a side effect for the others. Thanks for the advice about the website-- I will be careful!

The "beyond meds" website seems very sketchy from her mentioning lyme disease all over the webpage.
Personally would stay far away from people giving extensive medical advice without any credentials.

Thanks! I have not looked at it yet.

 

[HopingOnaMiracle]

I took venlafaxine for over 10 years and it used to work. But then 2 years ago came a crippling depression. Changer to clomipramine and olanzapine, later added lithium. Didn't work at all. Also no side effects. Venlafaxine gave me terrible nightmares so at least that's over.

Edit: over 10 years ago I was on citalopram but I don't think it did anything.

 

[Overwhelmed52]

I took venlafaxine for over 10 years and it used to work. But then 2 years ago came a crippling depression. Changer to clomipramine and olanzapine, later added lithium. Didn't work at all. Also no side effects. Venlafaxine gave me terrible nightmares so at least that's over.

Edit: over 10 years ago I was on citalopram but I don't think it did anything.

Thanks! It's interesting that you didn't have any side effects. I'm still having heightened anxiety from the Lexapro-- or at least, I think it's from the Lexapro, it could be from stress in general. In any event, I don't feel better off for being on it, but it's only been less than three weeks. I am worried about something working and then stopping. Having to be on meds is really not great.

 

[softgirlluna]

Mirtazapine is my love and always worked perfectly, allowed me to eat and sleep like a normal person, but I couldn't deal with the weight gain. It raised my baseline mood to be manageable and dulled my lows without dulling the rest of my emotions.

I came off it and lost 7kg and started trazodone yesterday which I hope will be equally as good as mirtazapine.

I HATE SSRIs.. tried 4 and will never go near them again

 

[Overwhelmed52]

Mirtazapine is my love and always worked perfectly, allowed me to eat and sleep like a normal person, but I couldn't deal with the weight gain. It raised my baseline mood to be manageable and dulled my lows without dulling the rest of my emotions.

I came off it and lost 7kg and started trazodone yesterday which I hope will be equally as good as mirtazapine.

I HATE SSRIs.. tried 4 and will never go near them again

Thanks! This is very helpful. I've been on Lexapro for 3.5 weeks and the side-effect anxiety for the first 2.5 weeks was really bad. I'm not sure if I'll stay on it, and SSRIs in general may not be for me either (I had the severe anxiety side effect when I tried taking another SSRI years ago). It's good to know about Mirtazapine and Trazodone.

 

[NearlyIrrelevantCake]

I tried many meds across a decade; stopped some due to extreme side effects, others because they didn't touch my depression.

Finally tried Effexor and that axed the depression and frequent CTB attempts. However, it also triggered my first manic episode and led to a bipolar diagnosis. Seroquel was added and that keeps the highs down. I've been on that combo for 8ish years.

 

[Overwhelmed52]

I tried many meds across a decade; stopped some due to extreme side effects, others because they didn't touch my depression.

Finally tried Effexor and that axed the depression and frequent CTB attempts. However, it also triggered my first manic episode and led to a bipolar diagnosis. Seroquel was added and that keeps the highs down. I've been on that combo for 8ish years.

Thanks! I am definitely worried about side-effects or bottoming out when a med stops working. It's good to know that you have something that's worked for eight years.
I want to thank everyone for the feedback so far, and I'm definitely interested if there's more! I have been on Lexapro for 3.5 weeks. I had pretty severe anxiety for the first 2.5 to 3 weeks, with thoughts of ctb and everything. It's gotten better the last few days, possibly because I recently gave up caffeine. Still, I've heard side-effects from Lexapro can come back or the Lexapro itself stops working, so I have concerns about that. And, my health care provider is not very good. We've met by Zoom and it's always very short. I had an appointment with her this evening and it was literally for two minutes. She didn't seem to care at all about the side effects and just prescribed me more of the Lexapro. She honestly does not seem interested in having me as a patient but I have other stress going on and don't really have it in me to look for someone else right now. However, it is really helpful to hear what meds work for others so I'll have that information if and when I look for a new provider or ask this one to give me something else. Thank you all!