Anti-dep Medicine

Hi S.,
I take Sertraline, and it has done wonders for me. I had very minor side effects the first couple weeks of taking it, but now I feel just great! I tried books first, mainly because I don't like to take meds, but it has been worth it. I would just say if you decide to try it, and it doesn't help much, you may need a different dosage, or a different med all together. I have a friend who tried Zoloft for her anxiety, and it made it worse...everyone responds differently. Hope that helps!

Hi S.,
After I had my son I had postpartum and it got so bad it turned into major depression disorder- I am fine now and off all meds but I would highly recommed medication becuase postpartum depression is a chemical imbalance and the only way to fix it is to medicate. I will admit the side effects are really bad and you have to stick with it once making the choice. I began with sertraline but after several weeks it stopped working and I began Cymbalta. It might take several tried to get the right dosage and medication for you. It is a long process- I was on Cymbalta for over a year but the side effects go away after several weeks.

I got a great book "Beyond the Blues" by Bennett & Indman and it really helped me and my family know what this is and how it help it. Also, there is a hotline you can call called the warmline 1-800-404-5875 and it is a support group for women experiencing depression or anxiety. Good luck and remember your mantra "This too shall pass".
: ) J.

I have anxiety also, and have ever since I was a young child. I have a handle on it now. My husband helped me realized that I am in charge of my mind and the thoughts I entertain. It was hard, but things got better for me the more I acknowledged that fact and took control of my own thoughts instead of letting them go wild. When I have a scary irrational thought, I acknowledge it (just trying to ignore it doesn't work for me), then dismiss it as irrational and not based in reality. I visualize myself dismissing it, and then I replace it with reassuring thought or a pleasant memory. Then I remind myself that I am in charge of my thoughts and not the other way around.

I have always had anxiety about death, and I remember once when I was around 8 I was so worked up that someone might die in my family that I was sobbing uncontrollably. My dad tried to comfort me to no avail, and tried saying no one would die. What finally worked was when he said, "Honey, are any of us dead right now? Or are we all okay? Deal with that if/when it happens, but until then enjoy us while we're alive. Why waste time feeling the pain when it's not your reality right now?" It brought me back down to reality. Oh, yeah, everyone's okay, so why I am crying?

It took awhile of my husband expressing confidence in my ability to control my mind before it finally sunk in with me (I just thought he was mean at first because he was being tough instead of coddling me). I was being a victim for too long and feeling like I couldn't choose any differently. I wasn't able to change until I accepted responsibility for my thoughts. I attack my thoughts head on now like: What's the worse that could happen? And how could I deal with that if it does happen? And how likely is it that that really would happen? Now dismiss the thoughts. And then try to focus on pleasant thoughts or meditation or guided relaxation.

I'm not like this on purpose, although the negative thoughts I sometimes allow myself to dwell on contribute to it (I don't watch the news anymore for my mental health!). It is SO HARD ton take control of your thoughts, but possible. Be patient with yourself.

I don't like to be this intense, which is why I have put forth tremendous effort and improved, and still try to. This might be something I struggle with for the rest of my life, but it gets easier and easier. You get good at what you practice at. I was getting really good at having anxiety there for a while :) But now I can dismiss panicky thoughts on my own pretty quickly before I get paralyzed with fear. It feels so good to overcome a weakness like that and to learn to be strong and develop good coping skills! I now feel so confident in myself and my ability to overcome other personality flaws, so I'm glad I faced this problem head on and created a positive history to draw on for myself. I used to always have to wake my husband up (the most common time I experience anxiety is when I'm half-wake up in the night and my mind is not completely aware). The feelings feel very real, however irrational they may be. That's what I've learned to do--recognize and sift out the irrational thoughts.

In high school I remember getting so worked up that I vomited. I felt completely out of control. Sometimes my body would shake and I didn't feel like I could do anything about it. Well, my husband let me know right away that I could do something about it and he would get exasperated with me. It freaked him out to see me out of control, something he was completely unfamiliar with. He wasn't as tender as I would have liked, but it was him insisting that I get a hold of it that made the difference for me.

I am completely functional and have never been on medication. Therapy is probably helpful (From what I know of them, I prefer Life Coaches over traditional counseling) but my husband has helped me enough that I haven't sought out therapy.

I would also suggest looking into the "Attacking Anxiety and Depression" program as seen here: http://www.stresscenter.com/program/
My mom gave me CD #2 to listen to, and it really helped me with positive thinking and controlling my thoughts. Browse their website for more info. Maybe the local library has a copy of the program.

Good luck! Change takes time and effort, but as I consistently try to improve I steadily become healthier and more of who I want to be, and I know you can experience that too.

I am not sure why you are asking about the generic version. I can tell you from experience that you should check with your physician. My insurance recommended a generic version of another drug and it was going to be free for 6 months and then 1/4 the price. They said it was the same and the doctors office approved it. I gained alot of weight and when I next saw my doctor he said it was the generic drug and that it WAS NOT exactly the same as the name brand. So double check with the doctor and not the insurance company or drug company.

If you are interested in all-natural SAFE alternatives to pharmaceuticals for this issue feel free to contact me - I am a certified herbal consultant and can guide you to better options. The homepage of my website shows the number one alternative - everyone can use it safely - even little kids and pregnant/nursing moms. Check out Zamu at: www.shootingstarherbs.amazonherb.net and contact me with any questions you may have.

I've taken a generic for Prozac, and I've also done diet and exercise for depression. There's this book that I've been reading lately called Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel G. Amen. He's an M.D., clinical neuroscientist and child/adolescent psychiatrist. He gives suggestions of how to handle things like anxiety, depression, anger, etc. with strategies ranging from things you can do yourself to prescription meds. Overall, find a doctor that's willing to listen to you and your concerns, and will have a conversation with you, rather than tell you what to do. I've been working on exercising more consistently to help with my depression. I didn't like the side effects of the Prozac, but exercising on a regular basis with 2 active boys (8yrs & 2 yrs old) provides its own challenges.

My dad had severe panick attacks and the medicine they prescribed made him really loopy and he was not safe to drive a car. He couldn't focus. I am not sure if that was zoloft. But because he didn't like how the medicine made him feel, the doctor suggested techniques that would help him calm down once he felt a panic attack coming on such as breathing etc. I can't remember the last time he had a panic attack.

Hi S.,
Many people have great results using Zoloft. It really all depends on what works best for you. Different meds have different affects on each individual. If you are having trouble in your daily routine because of panic attacks, then I think it would be worth the try. Here is a link to WebMD about Zoloft and its side effects. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-8095-SERTRALINE+-+ORAL.as...

When I had my first born, I went through panic attacks, mainly anxiety attacks, and post partum depression. I was too embarrassed to ask for help, and so I suffered through those for a little over a year. This time around, I will be asking for help because I know it will benefit me, my husband LOL...and my son who is four. I'm due at the end of this month. I'm already feeling the hormonal change and irritability. Not sure if it's part of the pregnancy, or the symptoms of PPD are already surfacing.

There are relaxation techniques you can try, like Yoga, deep breathing, quietness with some soft music....head massages and behind the ear massages (those always help me), but they may not help for long term. I would definitely implement these while you're on the zoloft to help maximize your relaxation. :-)

Hope this helps. Take care.
G.

PS: Please talk with your pharmacist about the comparison between generic and brand name. I notice one poster mentioned that it was completely different. I've been a certified pharmacy tech for over 14 years, and it would be best to talk with your pharmacist about the difference in brand and generic meds. They know more of the pharmacology on medications. :-)

If your life is being seriously affected by your panic attacks, take the medicine. I suffered for a long time before I had the courage to take medication. The difference is incredible; you get your life back. I was on Celexa which is now Lexapro. I think at first it caused a little dizziness but it went away, and it was a small price for how I felt after a couple of weeks. good luck!

I have had a panic/anxiety disorder for over 7 years now. I take Paxil CR. I tried Zoloft but it made my issues worse, but I've also heard the same about the Paxil. If you do start a medication please know that it takes a full month sometimes more for your body to adjust to these types of medicines. You may have more anxiety while your body levels out. Just work through that tough stage and you will be just fine. It may take a few medication trials to find the one that is right for you as well.

I also found one of the MOST helpful things I have ever done is the Anxiety and Phobia workbook!! Changed my life!!

Hi S.

I do not know anything about Sertraline but I know of a natural way to help. OPC+ it is an antioxidant that is helping people stay balanced, in control and wanting to do things. If you would like testimonials, please let me know.
www.isxperia.com/S. under nutritionals. you can get a free sample by filling out the survey. Good luck!

S.,
I highly recommend a book, author is Louis L. Hay - title You Can Heal Your Life. I had been suffering for a few months with very painful headaches daily, going through multiple tests, surgery and medications with nothing showing on tests and no meds working. I picked up this book at my brother's suggestion and have had wonderful success with headaches dissappearing; it has helped me in various ways, emotionally and physically. It's a great source for personal growth and self healing. (can be found at Border's)