I am 43 years old and have been been diagnosed with depression and taking zoloft for 14 years (that is until about 3 months ago) My doctor told me to face facts that I was on zoloft for the rest of my life until he finally sent me to a psychiatrist as I was having side effects of racing thoughts. In October I had my first visit with the psych and he told me I should never have been on zoloft for such a long time and he took me off it immediately...only for me to have a horrible reaction to the new drug he tried-olanzapine. I gained 20+ pounds which made my depression even worse. I was constantly crying for no real reason and got to the point that I didn't know why I was even living. I finally got ahold of the psych and he basically got mad at me and told me to get off the pills and "tough it out" well I told him i couldn't as my life was such a mess--I haven't gotten up before 9 in the past 15 years and have never got up to feed my kids before school. I feel like such a loser. I have a very short day and by 2pm I am in my pyjamas laying in bed. I rarely do housekeeping and I don't have a real job. Anyhow, I have since been put on Pristiq which has helped with the "losing weight", but has me looking at life again like....why bother. I have been taking pristiq for about 2 weeks now, and don't have another dr. apt. until the 12th of february. I find myself alone with no friends. I was hopeing to get some advice from this site. Please let me knwo what you think.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment22 Comments
Im 19 and this past feb..well almost a year now my grandpa passed away and the doctors put me on zoloft too.I hated it. I think these meds are just all in our head...i was just like u at one point.Then my mom saw u big difference in me and it got worse after that.I was thinking about harming myself. I got off the meds and i feel like myself for once now ...i went to a phychatrist and that helped me....but keep ur head high and pray i will keep u in my prayers
January 31, 2010 - 9:10amThis Comment
dear francene,
January 30, 2010 - 7:43amwell ,i never had a depression before except once and was for a short time like two weeks so i can't pretend that i know it very well but on past time i have seen people become depressed the whole time some pass it and some don't.
the point is i think when some one doesn't feel so good with there life or they think they haven't done much or what they hoped to do and there dreams are vanished or wishes remain wishes they quickly become depressed ,and what i have noticed in my self and others is that when they being depressed they want to be that way, meaning that they feel happy that way and think that being depressed make life better but they don't know that it's total vise verca it's just make u get more depressed and ruin ur life.
and every thing only needs a "FIRST STEP" so if u try to change ur life style and as i knew that u have a family may be u all try to share some thing new ,it doesn't have to be a big or expensive or complicated thing ,just some thing simple and special .
and u may be once try to watch the dawn how is the sun rises may it will show u a new meaning for life.
just try to see and i mean it the real sight that u try to notice the miracle of suh a simple thing that happens every day.
try not to stay a lone so much time ,find ur interests ,discover ur self all over again.
and remember "NEVER SAY NEVER" because every thing is possible if we believe in it.
try to thank ur self when u do some thing good.
try to change the look of ur house and see how does it affect on u and ur family.
believe that "U CAN CHANGE "and finally i'm sure u will find it happened and ALWAYS KNOW LIFE IS GOOD IF WE WANT IT TO BE GOOD OTHER WISE..........i hope that i gave u some thing would help u.........have a good life
This Comment
As I mentioned in my 1st email, call SOLUTIONS Acupuncture & Naturopathic Medicine at 602-374-6902. Sjon Wright is the Office Manager; please tell her that Katharine gave you her name and mention the EmpowHer website. Their website is:
http://www.solutionsacupuncture.com/
Very best luck to you in finding your way back to good health!!!
January 29, 2010 - 2:36pmThis Comment
I wasn't sure about your location, but maybe you can find someone like Dr. Ehrlich b/c I agree w/ the note by 'anonymous ' that other health conditions can contribute to depression. For instance, what I thought were menopause symptoms were actually caused by anemia and a form of cancer. You never know.
Also it does not sound like you are getting the right help/advice by those who have been treating you. Any good practitioner should show you respect and never make you feel ignored. Perhaps you can call Dr. Ehrlich' office; they may know of someone in you area.
January 29, 2010 - 12:44pmThis Comment
Hi Katharine,
Thanks for your thoughts. I too thought that maybe there were other factors involved with my depression. The doctor doesn't seem to have any great concern for my well-being (most of the time) and I would love to get anothers opinion. Would you have a number or website address for Dr. Ehrlich?
Thanks for your time,
January 29, 2010 - 1:10pmFrancene
This Comment
Certainly! The office number is 602.374.6902 and Sjon (pronounced shawn) will likely answer. You will find everyone there is caring and wellness is their top concern. You can also check out Solutions website to lean more about his practice at http://www.solutionsacupuncture.com
July 25, 2010 - 9:29amBe sure to tell them I read your post on EnpowHer and recommended you contact him. Dr. Ehrlich will do a thorough screening and if he feels he cannot help you, he will refer you to someone who can.
This Comment
Hi. thanks for sharing.
January 29, 2010 - 12:39pmI too tried to get up early and get fancied up, but over time that wears off. I go to look after my dad everyday, (he's handicapped and needs help) so thats basically the only motivation I have to get up and out. I'm usually back by 2, so my day ends then I'm laying in bed by 2:30. I've tried the exercise thing, actually I exercise each morning-whether it kills me or not :) but that doesn't seem to give me any extra energy. I'm still feeling blah. I have social anxiety, which I know if I could manage would help too, so I don't socialize what so ever with anyone other then my immediate family. As far as going without meds, I wish you the best of luck. Some people are stronger then others, and unfortunately I'm one that believes in getting help where you can. It really does help to know there are others out there trying to deal with it as well. I just wish february 12th would hurry up so I can get back to the drs. and we can try some other meds. I'd love for you to stay in touch and let me know how you're doing. Thanks again.
This Comment
I know how you feel..to an extent. I only have a small glimpse of what you are going through. I was just recently diagnosed with depression myself.
What alot of people don't understand is that it's effects are physical. regardless of the mental battles I have inside my mind, I can not force myself to get out of the bed in the morning and for no particular reason. I don't live a very stressful life and I have everything I could ever want..a great boyfriend, everything..but something is still not right. I have no MOTIVATION to do anything.
I have no clue about medicines to try or anything because I am new to this, but I can tell you what I have been trying the past couple of weeks to get me by. I am trying the all-natural approach to feeling better..diet, exercise and trying to live a "happy" life. I don't like the idea of meds, though the doc suggested them...I'm praying that this will work, as they are my last resort.
First, I had to deal with the fact that laying in the bed was not going to make me any better. So, I set my alarm for six oclock in the morning every night. Before I go to bed, I set out a nice outfit to wear and put my hair in curlers so that I have something to look forward to the next day. When i get up..I dress up like it's my birthday. I think feeling "pretty" really helps when it comes to your self-esteem as well as your mood.
In my situation, when I don't have to work, I will make dates with a friend or purposefully schedule a meeting in the morning. Having something to do, even if it's just going shopping with a friend or having lunch atleast gives me the motivation to get out of bed.
My suggestion to you is to find something you like to do-maybe you can even involve your children. Finding the joy in life again is what I am missing the most. Reading a book also helps...romance novels are my favorite because I can allow myself to slip in to another world just for a little while.
If nothing else, try to think of something you enjoy doing..and make time for it. even the smallest amount of happiness can go a long way.
i hope that i have helped you the best that I can...but if not, atleast it is worthwhile to know that there are others out there feeling the way you are and we are here to talk. i wish you the best of luck
January 28, 2010 - 9:57pmThis Comment
It may be more than - other than - depression. Hormone shifts can cause some of these same issues.
Check out Dr. Elizabeth Vliet's work: http://www.herplace.com/
January 28, 2010 - 4:41pmThis Comment
Hi Francene! Fortunately I have only had a few episodes of depression during various life crisis, but enough to know it is not where I want to be . . . so my heart goes out to you. I can tell you that Dr. Steven Ehrlich NMD, a licensed naturopathic physician, is very gifted and has tremendous success helping patients overcome depression. If you wish to contact him, call SOLUTIONS Acupuncture & Naturopathic Medicine at 602-374-6902. He works w/ a wide range of women's health issues which can also contribute to depression. The office is located just west of 12th St. and Glendale in Phoenix and Sjon Wright is the Office Manager.
January 28, 2010 - 2:09pmThis Comment