How efficients are antidepressants ?

[John2038]

Hi,

I have never take such drugs.
Do they help to forget the impact of this disease ?
Does their side effects impact your ability at work ?
Which one work fine for you (means no stress, see the life in true colors)

[planonstaying]

I think for depression they work well for me. I have taken two. Celexa  worked but I was tired a lot. It effected my work positively though. I was depressed and having trouble leaving the house. I take Wellbutrin now and I have not had another episdode of major depression and  the physical side effects have been negligible. I don't think they helped with HIV at all. They helped with my depression which in part was because of an hiv diagnosis and in part other causes.

[John2038]

Wellbutrin is the Zyban (accordingly to Wikipedia) ?!

I wasn't know it was also usable for the depression. Good to know.
How do you feel before VS. after taking it ?

[bear60]

I have had a prescription for Ativan that I have kept current for the past 18 years. It was prescribed for me to take care of the problems sleeping during the time that my former lover was sick and dying. I still have it.
 I take it at night to help me sleep but the residual effect mellows me out during the day.  It helps with anxiety and panic.  Not so much with depression.  I have more problems with anxiety than with depression.
I used the Wellbutrin for quitting smoking and was on it for 3 months.  At the end of three months,  I had quit smoking and was beginning to have severe mood swings from the Wellbutrin.  I took myself off it immediatly and will not use it again.
I love the Ativan.  It does not affect me adversly.  Its a very mellow drug for me.

[bosco]

I tried several with differing degrees of success, until I started on Cymbalta. Which works really well for me. Hope you find something that works because it'll make a world of difference.

[Queen Tokelove]

I take Celexa for my depression. Just started it about a month ago. Not sure what you mean about helping with hiv, maybe you can be a bit clearer on that. According to my ID doc, I have to stay on it for at least a year so they can monitor it, not really sure why. My doctor explained but I didn't really understand why fully though. I can't tell if it is helping or not. I haven't been depressed since leaving the hospital.

[dvinemstre]

hi all, there are numerous drugs and combinations as well as responders in the brain in relation to depression. for some people talk therapy is enough, if their seratonin level is not too low. if you are prone to depression across your life span then you probably have brain chemistry related symptomologies and need to pursue some form of medication. there are SSRI and then other classes. Wellbutrin is not in the SSRI category, was used for depression before smoking cessation, and if a person has tendancies to manic/depression taking an anti depressant alone will certainly exacerbate any moodiness they alreayd are predisposed to have. the present classes of antidepressants have fewer side affects and are easier to tritrate in terms od doseages than antidepressants from even 5 years ago. as for depression and working, well you really have to find one which matches your body chemistry. Also issue about weight gain (which is not a problem if you are having troble keeping weight up) and then sexual side effects. I would advise you see a psychiatrist, not a generla practitioner in order to find what works best for you, then once you are established with a med you can probably see your GP or ID for the script. As for talk therapy, if your depression is diagnosis related only, then counseling should help. I hope this is helpful information. thanks, zan

[John2038]

Thank you dvinemstre (and all !) for your information.

Your post was suggesting to consider the side effect, and so I have read about them for those mentioned here.
Cymbalta, Ativan , Celexa , Wellbutrin

I will try the Wellbutrin for its reduced side effects and help to cease smoking.

To answer a question, no, I have never been depressed all along my life.
I just want such drugs to make my life easier few weeks, now I understand that HIV might compromise love as well.
I don't say I wasn't knowing that, but since I was willing to disclosure, I have realize the impact of being poz.
The world seems much smaller now. It is not black, but gray. No doubts I will handle perfectly that sooner or later.
Just want to smooth this transition.

Thanks all !

[NLEWLAD]

i am also on celexa - well in the uk its called citalopram (think its the generic version) 20mg per day i have to say it has helped me no end as i also have stoped using cocaine because of it, i no longer feel the need to put a straw up my nose.

Side effects are tiredness about an hour after i have taken it, also i get giddy and have some bursts of euphoria.

So yes i totally think its a good product.

[John2038]

Jesus ..  Mental Health & HIV ..

[joemutt]

Jesus ..  Mental Health & HIV ..

Yeah, how about that.

[Dachshund]

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=19313.0

[gaz41]

I've been taking citalopram (generic celexa) on and off for about 3 years now , i actually feel alerter when using it then when i was depressed , my work is better , i feel more focussed