Depression and Anxiety

Effexor is one of the first antidepressants that family physicians try, and is by no means the "only" one. Depression is an illness--just like diabetes or heart disease--that you may need to manage for a long time. People think that an antidepressant is a magic bullet that can get rid of anxiety or depression right away, but your brain chemistry does not work that way. I strongly urge you to keep working with your doctor to try different medications, or even meet with a counselor or therapist to help you work out any problems that may be adding to your depression. One thing for sure: NEVER feel guilty or ashamed about depression and anxiety, and definitely NEVER feel guilty for seeking help. You are doing this for your daughter, for your fiance and most of all for yourself.

you could be suffering from Dysthemia which is chronic depression, it isn't fun i was diagnosed while pregnant with my last child. I'm currently not on meds but it's tough and it's a daily struggle at times to get up and face the day. eating right, watching your blood pressure and sugar levels, any drop will bring on a bought of depression in even the healthiest of ppl, and exercising are great medication free ways to cope. I don't know a lot about effexor or what type of medication it is but chronic depression stems from a chemical imbalance and an SSRI might be your best bet, something along the lines of zoloft, paxil ect. I had good luck with Wellbutrin but it is an anti depressant, i atually even quit smoking while on it, so maybe that is why i felt so much better. I hae anxiety as well and life is perfect and i feel like a complete witch because i'm not happy, and i should be, but my mind has always worked like this so i can work it and get around it most days now and my fiance and kids know and understand my moods and whie it isn't fair to them it is a fact of life and it doesn't interfere with to much most of the time. good luck, i hope something helps you, i know how you feel, sometiems to talking helps, it's nice to jsut vent and rant and are and know that you aren't the only person that feels that way. take care

Hello B.,
I know exactly how you are feeling. I too suffered from post pardem depression after both children. I was even prepared for it with my second child and started on medicine while in the hospital but it still hit me. I really don't think others understand what we are going through unless they've also gone through it. I've tried Prozac and Effexor and neither one really worked for me. Everyone is different but I'm currently still on Zoloft and Welbutrin XL I take them both at the same time. They both do different things to balance things out. I'm still not 100% better and don't know if I ever will be but notice a big difference on these meds. My doctor said I may want to just stay on a very low dose to make sure it doesn't come back. If your depression keeps coming back, chances are it will keep coming back. My son is 15 months now and I'm finally starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. I'm also trying to exercise everyday which seems to help:) Somedays I really have to force myself to do it because I don't feel like doing anything. But I do notice a difference.
There are a-lot of meds out there that could help you these two seem to help me. Talk to your doctor and keep trying things until you find the one that works best for you:) Good luck!
Hang in there!!!!!!

I too have had similar issues. I finally broke down to my doctor. After thinking I should be able to handle anything, I just couldnt take it anymore. My background is in child/family therapy...why couldn't I handle my own issues? I have been taking Lexapro for nearly two years after trying Paxil and Celexa. It works the best for me. Once you stablize, you can decrease your dose as you and your doctor see fit. I have been able to decrease my dose from 20mg to 10mg in the last six months and will hopefully come off entirely in another 3 months or soonr. As you already probably know, medication alone will not solve your problems. If you haven't already, you need to seek support and counseling. Having this will allow you to work through your guilt and fears. Especially fnding someone who is trained in PPD. It also helps to have other Moms to talk to, such as a MOPS group, women's group, church or other support system.
Good Luck!

I totally understand how you feel. I had a child 6 yrs ago that was born with severe disabilities and I am still going threw it. I tried Effexor and it didn't work, I also tried Lexapro and it worked wonderfully, however, it made me very sick to my stomach. (my dr told me VERY FEW people have ANY reaction to Lexapro, I just happened to be one of them). I am currently taking Xanax for anxiety (it is a quick fix that works in about 15 minutes) and also taking Prozac. I know that Prozac has had a bad wrap but it works for me. One of the downsides of Prozac is possible weight gain, I just lost 30 lbs and DON'T want to put it back on, so I have also started exercising for about 20 minutes 2x's a day and that helps too. I am not sure why but if I don't exercise for a couple of days, I can tell that I am not feling as good.
Absolutely do NOT feel guilty for feeling this way. It is not your fault, it is just all of our stupid hormones. So many people have anxiety too, and I am sure being a single mom doesn't help out any either. Even though we have, or think that we have everything we have ever wanted doesn't mean that we are magically going to feel wonderful, daily life is very stressful.
Talk to your dr and let him know how you are feeling and maybe you just need a change of dosage or meds.
One more thing. I have also started talking to a therapist and that made me feel even better. I have only gone a couple of times and already feel better. It isn't for just depression either, it is for everyday life. Just remember you aren't alone or crazy, so many women and even men go though all of this. It is perfectly normal, however, it isn't normal to feel this was all the time. Talking to your dr asap will help.
Good Luck!
Jenn.......

Your anxiety sounds very similar to mine- just try breathing through the anxiety- sweat it out. The more you do this, the less agressive the attacks will get- eventually you will just observe them from an emotional distance-
Read The Power of Now- I think it will help you- I know it did me- :)

I don't have a prescription for you, but a couple of thoughts. Everyone I know thinks about those things from time to time. I never realized it because I was so ashamed to admit it, that I never asked anyone! A friend told me of her thoughts(in confidence) and now I realize that we all feel that way. This is a REALLY inportant life to us and the mere thought of an issue makes us 'crazy'. I tell you this to try to help you realize that you are 'ok'.

The other thing is have you had your hormones checked? A lot of women are so out of balance after childbirth and it can amplify our emotions. Think about PMS. Imagine having it all the time!! There are really great transdermal creams that you can use to get you into balance. Between working full time, planning a wedding, and a toddler, you are probably really stressed out and that puts your hormones out of balance even more!

I totally agree with what Naomi A. wrote on Wednesday. The best thing you can do about depression and/or anxiety FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY is to get help for it. I have been on a variety of medications over 20+ years and the science is getting better. Until there are tests for levels of seretonin, dopamine, etc. it is trial and error to get the right medication and dosage for each individual. It is a chemical imbalance that should not go untreated. You may be a lucky one who has a reason, such as hormone imbalance that causes it, which can be resolved. I know that I will be on some type of medication to treat my depression, which stems from fibromyalgia pain, possibly for the rest of my life. I am aware of my symptoms enough to know when I should check in with my doctor(s) to increase,decrease or change a medication. Support from doctors, therapists and friends are all important. FYI, I am on Effexor XR and Cymbalta in combination. Prozac worked for several years then became ineffective. Good luck.

Hi B.,
I know exactly how you feel. I was prescribed Effexor a few years ago & I hated it. Last year, I was prescribed Zoloft for PPD & had to switch to Celexa for the same reasons you just mentioned. Though i'm much better, I'm still having anxiety & my Dr. now wants me to try Cymbalta. I haven't tried it yet so I can't tell you if it works. What I can tell you is to try something different. It's a trial & error thing when looking for a medication. We're all different so there has to be more than one to fit each individual's needs. Have you had your thyroid checked? If not, you may want to. I hear that can be a culpret for Anxiety & depression. Hang in there. I know it's rough. Talk to them about Celexa. it may work well for you.

Cymbalta is an antidepressant that is know to control anxiety better than others.

Dear B., I am a psychiatric nurse, mother and I suffer from depression. There can be many causes, post partum is only one. Studies show that antidepressants alone do not work as well as taking them while getting some sort of counseling. I have used a counselor over the years to handle some very difficult situations as well as taking antidepressants. Ask around and see if your doctor or a friend cam suggest someone. Don't wait until you get really bad, take it from me you can feel better with some help. Also try to get regular exercise, this is a proven way to fight depression. Good Luck!
M. D.

Wellbutrin worked wonders for me, but be aware that with any anti-depressant you may need to be on it awhile and/or increase your dose. Effexor may be the right drug but you may need more of it. The are a whole mess of medications out there so it this doesn't work, try something else but 1) don't go off it or switch it suddenly 2) expect instant results. Good luck from a nurse!!!

Hi B.. That's my daughter's name! I don't know much about Effexor, but I will tell you about a product that I have heard wonderful results from. It's an anti-stress formula called Bliss. It helps to stabilize mood, adapt to stress and maintain healthy levels of serotonin and dopamine. It's part of a line of health and nutrition supplements called Isotonix.

I was so impressed with them, that I actually joined the company and now can help get the word out to others! If you want to take at look at it my website is www.marketamerica.com/rebeccahill. I have loved so many of the products, especially the children's vitamins and the OPC-3. They have really helped our family. You can read on the website how about how these supplements are different from all the others. They really do work!

You can call me if you have other questions ###-###-####. Good luck, and I hope this can help you!

B.

I used to have anxiety issues and was prescribed Zoloft which worked well. But I also met with a therapist, which helped me talk through my issues and find ways to try and work through it. I have been off medication now for almost 4 years now. If you are not seeing a counselor/therapist I would suggest you do that as well. Medication helps, but it is also helpful to talk about it and learn techniques to manage and deal with it. Best of luck to you!!!

I know of a natural balancing cream you can try. I have a Drs article I can email you.. email me at ____@____.com for it. It is a natural progestrone cream and helps people with so much including anxiety and depression! Anyone can ask for the article. It has helped SOOOOO many women!