Trying a New Medicine For Depression

I hope it works for you. I wonder statistically how many seniors take prescribed medication for depression?
 
Mr. Ed said:
I hope it works for you. I wonder statistically how many seniors take prescribed medication for depression?
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Thanks Mr. Ed. So far so good and going up to a higher dose in a week or two. I have no idea how many other seniors take medication for depression but I'm sure some do.
 

Pepper said:
I have taken Wellbutrin twice; the second time because I forgot I took it the first time. Initially, gave a lot of energy which turned into uncontrolled anger. I almost lost my family. Hope you have better luck than I did.
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Thank you!
 
i found some natural items that make a big difference for me .... but i have never sought out help to be prescribed anything else.

There’s some proof, however, that people with depression may be deficient in B vitamins. If you’re experiencing depression, you should discuss taking supplements or eating foods that have niacin in them with your doctor.

Two of the most common brain chemicals involved with depression are dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, regulate mood. Serotonin deficiency can lead to depression. This is why antidepressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are so effective at treating depression.

Serotonin is created by an amino acid called tryptophan. Niacin is part of the metabolizing process of forming serotonin from tryptophan. Therefore, niacin deficiency can directly impact mood by affecting your production of serotonin.
 
When I was 50 I developed asthma, HBP and tachycardia and along with it a ton of anxiety. Taking medication literally made it possible for me to work and function. It was awful and developed quickly.

During the past 18 years I’ve tried to get off of it 4 times because of the side effects and the total stunting of emotions. I was finally successful a year ago and I think it’s because my major stressor which was my husband was gone.

I am a big believer in taking medication if you need it. I know many seniors on a small dose of an antidepressant. It’s just another form of self care.
 
Ruthanne said:
So far it is making me feel more awake and alive. The other antidepressant made me tired. Anyhow the new one is Wellbutrin or Buproprian.
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Glad to hear you're new med is working. At one time I had considered "asking my doctor" for a Wellbutrin prescription. But since I resumed my Trazodone (for sleep), it also takes care of my marginal A&D.
 
Ruthanne said:
So far it is making me feel more awake and alive. The other antidepressant made me tired. Anyhow the new one is Wellbutrin or Buproprian.
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I was on Wellbutrin for a couple of years and it did help me a lot. I hope you get the same results. With the help of my doctor, I did eventually get off it, not because of any negative side effects but because I wanted to see if I could deal with my issues without it. Thankfully I have been able to so far but for those two years, Wellbutrin was a big help.
 
Pepper said:
I have taken Wellbutrin twice; the second time because I forgot I took it the first time. Initially, gave a lot of energy which turned into uncontrolled anger. I almost lost my family. Hope you have better luck than I did.
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same here but they gave it to me to quit smoking.

hope it works good for you Ruthanne!
 
I’ve taken Wellbutrin twice. The first time was to deal with my severe anxiety and depression surrounding my son’s drug addiction. It was situational obviously but I at times when the triggers and PTSD hit me really hard I could barely function or work.

The second time was during COVID lockdown. My anxiety spiked and I felt like I was on the verge of hysteria co Stanton.

Both times, under the care of my doctor, I was slowly weaned off of it once my son was stably in recovery/covid wasn’t as dire.
 
Ronni said:
I’ve taken Wellbutrin twice. The first time was to deal with my severe anxiety and depression surrounding my son’s drug addiction. It was situational obviously but I at times when the triggers and PTSD hit me really hard I could barely function or work.

The second time was during COVID lockdown. My anxiety spiked and I felt like I was on the verge of hysteria co Stanton.

Both times, under the care of my doctor, I was slowly weaned off of it once my son was stably in recovery/covid wasn’t as dire.
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You have had a very hard time. Dark places.
I hope you are better and stay better now.
 
Pepper said:
I have taken Wellbutrin twice; the second time because I forgot I took it the first time. Initially, gave a lot of energy which turned into uncontrolled anger. I almost lost my family. Hope you have better luck than I did.
Click to expand...

Wellbutrin gave me too much energy as well. After a few days on it at a low initial dose, I stopped sleeping and deep cleaned and vacummed my apartment Every! day and stayed up studying all night. After three nights missed sleep I went back to the infirmary (was in grad school) and told my doctor I loved how I was feeling but knew I couldn't continue to go without sleep. She agreed and stopped it.

During that time, the bipolar spectrum wasn't understood and my mostly unipolar depression (alternating with what I call 'unhappy hypomania' characterized by periods of anxiety and insomnia) turned out to be a milder form of Bipolar II. Years later, a doctor told me that she considered the initial side effect of excessive energy to Wellbutrin to be diagnostic for the bipolar spectrum which can range from non-situational unipolar depression to Bipolar I which is the severe manic/depressive form.

Now I'm on Cymbalta which is also good for chronic pain and do well on that.
 
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MarciKS said:
just pay attention to how you feel. if you start feeling raging angry call the dr. ok?
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I am also taking other medicine for being aggravated so much so I wonder what this will be like. I just picked up the higher dose from the drugstore. I'm not starting it yet but will keep you updated what happens. Thank you for your concern sweet lady!💖
 
Jeni said:
i found some natural items that make a big difference for me .... but i have never sought out help to be prescribed anything else.

There’s some proof, however, that people with depression may be deficient in B vitamins. If you’re experiencing depression, you should discuss taking supplements or eating foods that have niacin in them with your doctor.

Two of the most common brain chemicals involved with depression are dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, regulate mood. Serotonin deficiency can lead to depression. This is why antidepressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are so effective at treating depression.

Serotonin is created by an amino acid called tryptophan. Niacin is part of the metabolizing process of forming serotonin from tryptophan. Therefore, niacin deficiency can directly impact mood by affecting your production of serotonin.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Jeni. I had never heard it explained so simply.
 

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