[Heaven Sent]

Hey all. I need some advice. I dont take phen but I am having a problem with depression. Nothing serious yet. I cant seem to get enough sleep - or maybe I just sleep too much. I have really stopped carring about exercise and eating right. I am fighting to keep my diet going. I havent really worked out hard in a month and its starting to show. I havent gained any weight really but the flab is starting to come back in places I had worked hard to take it off.
I am under a lot of stress at home. I cant seem to do anything right or make anyone happy it seems. Then there is the stress at work same thing - no one is happy. I find it hard to be happy and to smile and joke around with the guys.
Its like I dont care anymore.
If you have had depression - either caused by phen or not - what have you done about it? Did you take an anti depressant? If so what kind and what were the side effects?
I took prozac a couple of years ago for 1 year and when I stopped taking it I gained like 25 pounds. I am ruling that one out. I dont need to gain any weight. I am thinking about wellbutrin. I have heard several of you say you have taken or are on it now. I cry at the drop of a hat. I just want to be happy again.

Thanks for all advice and info.

[Ginny Piccolo]

Hi Luna, I guess for something in the natural realm other than getting positive scriptures to print out and read allowed I would recommend
the natural herb ST Johns Wort. I get it at Wal Mart. I take one usually a day with my vitamins. I also have recently gotten 5 htp. It mellows you out a little and also curbs cravings. I haven't taken those enough to know that part for my self. But I keep forgetting to take them.
Just my little input! See ya Luna

[Heaven Sent]

Thanks Ginny. I tried the St. Johns wart and it didnt do anything for me. My mom takes it and it really helps her.

[phatazz]

Luna,
I am sorry you are feeling depressed. I have had depression before and I understand your pain. Here's my story:

Last January (2003) I just registered to get back into college and I found out I was pg. It was unexpected but I decided that I wanted to be positive about it. That March at eleven weeks pg, I had a miscarriage. I had to drop out of school and I felt like I would never finish my education. My husband had eye surgery shortly after and was basically blind in one eye for 3 months. Our insurance didn't cover his surgery (pre-existing) and we racked up medical bills over 30K. I was still fat from my first pregnancy, I didn't have any friends or family close, and I didn't want to get out of bed. I rarely left the upstairs of my home. Then one day I actually did leave the house. I went to the park with my husband and 2 year old and it hit me. It was a beautiful day, children were laughing and playing and my daughter was so happy to get out of the house (this made me feel very guilty). My husband was happy, my daughter was happy, but I was miserable. I decided it wasn't fair for my family to suffer because of my depression. So, that day I made up my mind to do something about it. Finally, after 3 months of being depressed, I went to my doctor and he gave me lexapro. Within 6 weeks I was about 99% better (my life will never be perfect). I got pregnant again in my third month of taking it (it was a big libido booster ) so I had to stop taking it. I was going to get on it again after my delivery, but I decided that being fat was a big contributor to my depression. I don't want to mix the two drugs (it has only been tested with the 15mg and I take 30). I highly recommend lexapro, but everyone is different and has different reactions to it. I didn't gain weight on it because I had major loss of appetite (big bonus for me) but it did make me tired. To aleveate some of the daytime drowsiness, I took it before bedtime. This worked well for me and I never had a sleep hangover.

Whatever you decide good luck and a lot of us have been in the same boat and understand what you are going through.

[Heaven Sent]

Thanks babyphat. I feel really guilty because I dont feel like doing things with my kids. They want to do this and that and I just dont feel like getting up and doing it. Now that school is out Im going to have to. That is why I have to do something about it now.

[gottabethin]

Hi Luna,
I am feeling the very same way at this time. While my kids were in school I did not feel so bad about not wanting to do anything. But now they will be home all summer and I do not want to even leave the house at times. Thinking of trying a medication, but like you, scared to death of gaining weight plus don't want to mix anything with phen. I feel guilty about not doing anything with the kids. You are not alone;
Gottabethin

[Heaven Sent]

Thanks gotta. We will get through this some how.

How old are your kids? Mine are 9 and 10 - They mostly like to hang with their friends and want nothing to do with mom except when they wanna go somewhere or need money LOL

[Ph@t]

Luna- I'm sorry you're having a problem w/ depression Ya can't tell by all of your supportive posts and how well you're doing!! I hope you find something that works for you and start feeling up to par soon!

[ June 09, 2004, 09:56 PM: Message edited by: fatgirl2phatgirl ]

[Heaven Sent]

Thanks phat. I try to hide it. A lot of people dont even know I am depressed. I wear a mask, a painted on smile. Its hard to do sometimes.

[Ginny Piccolo]

Jen, HAve you considered that this problem could be physical? there could be some kind of chemical imbalance. Thyroid gland can cause lots of problems. You need a really good ceck up and blood work maybe... I care about you ! I'l pray for you..

[Heaven Sent]

Thanks Ginny I need a lot of prayers right now.
I wondered the same and had a lot of blood work done about 8 months ago checking everything from thyroid to cancer. My blood sugar was normal, thyroid was fine and Thank the Good Lord no cancer. I know the cause of it for the most part of it and that is what I need prayers for. Another thing is the depression is inherrited in my family. Fortunately I dont have it as bad as my mom and sisters. They are manic depressive and bipolar. I just get it from time to time and have PMDD. When I get it I cry a lot and wonder how Im gonna make it another day, but I do and I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

[jamaicabound]

Luna- I know exactly where you are comming from sweetie. For about 5 years, I couldn't understand what was wrong with me. I was either walking on air, or WAY down in the dumps. Finally, after meeting my fabulous hubby, he MADE me go get help. (the problem was worse, but I choose for you guys to keep thinking I am somewhat normal. LOL) I have a chemical imbalance. My brain doesn't produce enough seratonin, and when it DOES, my body scarfs it up because it has been deprived for longer than normal. Hence, the emotional highs, and lows.

I have been on 40 mg of Celexa for about 3 yrs now. and I feel great. I missed like 9 days a while back, (you may remember) and I thought I was dying. It has taken my body a while to recoop, but I am WELL on my way back to normalcy.

I also take .25 mg. of Alprazolam for anxiety ( I have specified fears...I know it's weird). But, the meds have worked GREAT. Working out always boosts my mood as well, but I know that you don't feel like working out when you are in the dumps.

Talk to your family Physician about it. If he doesn't feel comfortable treating you, I am sure he can refer you to a good Psych. Dr.

* don't feel ashamed, MANY women are chemically imbalanced because of yo-yo dieting, and hormones, as well as many other factors*

[gottabethin]

Well Luna, my son is 12 and daughter is 5. He will tend to go out with his friends, but my daughter still needs my attention. She wants to take dance lessons and I have been putting that off because what it will entail on my end. etc. I will bet you understand. I am a good actress too but it is exhausting isn't it? We both want to be good mothers,and be just plain happy. It is like you said, we need to figure a way to get going. At least talking about it and comparing notes helps us to know that we are not the only ones going through this sort of thing.

Jamaica, did the Celexa cause you to gain weight? You are a very lucky girl to have found such a wonderful guy. My hubby just doesn't understand the whole thing. Makes me feel even worse. My family also has a history of depression. Very scary!!! What you said was very encouraging.

[jamaicabound]

Does Celexa make you gain weight? Maybe that's what it was. I gained about 40 pounds since I have been on it. But, it's the only thing that has worked. I am allergic to Wellbutrin, Prozac made me NUTSO, Remeron, made me really tired, several others just haven't worked. So, I guess Celexa it is. It's interesting that I started gaining about the same time I got on it though.