Doctor wants me to take Prozac, I said no, no, no

[Thinkimjob]

Am I wrong? I have the script. I told her, well yes I am a bit depressed, but surely that's reasonable, under the circumstances.

Do I have to take something to blank that out? "Oh but you'll feel better". I don't know if I want to blur out reality.

Maybe I want to be depressed.

[Special Kay]

I do think that, at least in the US, that "situational" depression tends to be overmedicated. I mean if you've suffered a grave loss, of course you will feel depressed, and sometimes that is a process that shouldn't be blunted or denied, but instead worked through. It's how we learn and grow.

I know people (non MS) who have started anti-depressants during difficult times, like divorce, grieving, job loss, etc., and that never stop taking them even when their life has stabilized.

I personally resist the notion that we should never feel sad or blue or unhappy. Those emotions are as much a part of being human as are joy and contentment.

Having said all that, chronic clinical depression and biochemical depression should probably be treated as not doing so can be risky to one's safety and life, and there may be long-term health consequences to not treating.

Only you can decide.

[MarkLavelle]

No advice here, just empathy.

I've always found mood control drugs a little creepy (with Orwellian overtones), but I have friends who swear the drugs have made their life better.

I guess I'd try them if I felt low enough, but only temporarily...

[andi b]

I've had the same feelings about antidepressants

Maybe you're struggling with some of the same issues related to antidepressants as I have been. Last summer at my annual visit, the NP asked me what I do for fun, what my interests were, etc. and what my "passion" was. I couldn't really give her an answer.

I go to work and come home and don't have the energy to do much more than prepare dinner and then relax (collapse) till bedtime. My emotions are mostly flat, with occasional bouts of emotional agitation when something goes wrong.

She said it sounded like I was depressed (which I think I probably am) and suggested that I think about taking something like Seroquel (which is actually an ANTIPSYCHOTIC rather than antidepressant!?!).

I said I would think about it but really hated the way I have felt on antidepressants in the past. The side effects (possible wt gain, cataracts-which I already am beginning to get), and the possibility of having to go through several a-d's to find one that works have made me not want to go that route.

So, fast forward a year later... I am beginning to think that maybe I should try something as I hate being at work, but don't really enjoy my time off at home (mostly household chores). I'm getting close to retirement and would like to have something to look forward to, which I don't right now. I can't think of anything that I WANT to do...

[HobbitHead]

I have varied feelings on this. I tried to stay away from a-d's as long as I could. I finally got to a point where I knew I needed them. I was hoping it was only for a short period of time.

I tried paxil and I hated it. So I decided to stop it. Shortly after I stopped was when I was diagnosed with MS.

So, after much back and forth, I decided to try celexa instead. It has really helped me a lot. I don't feel 'flat' anymore, but I also can keep the anger and frustration at bay most times. I feel like I am a nicer person to be around and I enjoy my days more.

Now, that being said...I don't believe that doctors should try to push you into something that you aren't ready for. It is a very personal decision and not one that should be made under pressure.

Also, there are different classes of drugs and some which are more powerful than others. It would make sense to me for a doctor to start at the bottom and work up.

I really think that you know best whether you need something to help your mood.

[KateM]

In the A-D camp

I've been on Wellbutrin forever off and on but mostly on. Initially it was for depression but now it is for symtom management. It does help me with energy and I figure any happy-go-lucky benifit above that is just a plus.

[Jules A]

She said it sounded like I was depressed (which I think I probably am) and suggested that I think about taking something like Seroquel (which is actually an ANTIPSYCHOTIC rather than antidepressant!?!).

I said I would think about it but really hated the way I have felt on antidepressants in the past. The side effects (possible wt gain, cataracts-which I already am beginning to get), and the possibility of having to go through several a-d's to find one that works have made me not want to go that route.

So, fast forward a year later... I am beginning to think that maybe I should try something as I hate being at work, but don't really enjoy my time off at home (mostly household chores). I'm getting close to retirement and would like to have something to look forward to, which I don't right now. I can't think of anything that I WANT to do...

Although you didn't give specifics if your NP is not a psychiatric-mental health NP please see one before starting an antipsychotic medication.

That really isn't a medication that a FNP or PCP should be pulling out of their pocket to prescribe, imo. A psychiatrist or psych NP would be more qualified to assist someone with that decision if first line antidepressants aren't an option.

[andi b]

The NP works out of my MS Specialist's office

I don't intend to take Seroquel... too many ugly possible side effects for me -- cataracts, weight gain, elevated cholesterol and blood sugar. I don't need any of those.

I'm only just now coming around to the fact that I might be willing to take something, but am doing some research about side effects on various ones. Think I may be leaning toward Wellbutrin if my MS doc agrees (I see the MD in August).

[pshrink]

Prozac is an SSRI.
It is not as bad as Seroxat, but bad is a relative term in this case.
CBT works just as well, and is not habit forming. (Well, as a psychologist I would say that)
My advice is to keep away.
Geoff

[andi b]

abbreviations don't compute...

What is CBT? and is Seroxat the same as Seroquel?

[Jules A]

What is CBT? and is Seroxat the same as Seroquel?

CBT is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and while I'm a huge fan the results for most diagnoses are best with a combination of therapy and medication.

Seroxat is Paroxetine or Paxil, which is not one of my favorites, mostly because of the extreme withdrawal some people can suffer if they abruptly discontinue.

P.S. Geoff, I haven't worked with a psychologist in years, the money is in the prescription pad.

[Thinkimjob]

I suppose what really got me was when I asked if could I have referral to a therapist.

She more or less blew that out of the water. "You know why you're depressed, so that won't help. What you need is something to cheer you up."

[Jules A]

I suppose what really got me was when I asked if could I have referral to a therapist.

She more or less blew that out of the water. "You know why you're depressed, so that won't help. What you need is something to cheer you up."

Its lousy that she responded that way especially because trying therapy prior to medication is actually a preferred method in cases of garden variety depression without increased risk of self-injurious behavior.

Don't get me wrong, Prozac is one of my most favorite meds available for depression/anxiety but asking for a therapy referral first is absolutely appropriate.

[onlyairfare]

I suppose what really got me was when I asked if could I have referral to a therapist.

She more or less blew that out of the water. "You know why you're depressed, so that won't help. What you need is something to cheer you up."

I think in the Age of Pharmaceuticals, medication rules. But I agree with you, I found old-fashioned talk therapy to be very helpful when I was depressed after my baby was still born.

So I disagree. Even/especially when you know why you are depressed, therapy is helpful and seeking a drug to "cheer you up" is a pretty limited approach.

I do agree with Jules A about the casual use of some psychiatric drugs. My husband is a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatry, and he would never recommend that a practitioner with limited knowledge of psych meds prescribe a drug like Seroquel.

[trevvian]

I personally would prefer to avoid antidepressants. I had quite a trip down that road pre-dx & I don't want to go back to feeling that "flatlined."

I think you have to make that decision, not your doc. I find it really odd that she didn't want to refer you to a therapist. Even most drug advocates (ie, shrinks & psych NPs) I've talked to said therapy is important.

Can you self-refer in Australia? Maybe you could find a therapist on your own.

If you don't want to take meds, you should have the option to try alternatives. It's not like therapy is some weird, untested practice; it's pretty eestablished.