Posted by MarkinBoston on October 20, 2000, at 13:30:11
In reply to depressed again and I'm scared !, posted by Amo on October 19, 2000, at 19:04:10
I've been on and off meds about 6 times in the last 10 years. One or another has always resolved those major episodes, but did nothing for the low level background depression (dysthymia) and anhedonia, and with the major episode over, the side effects of apathy, weight gain, and inorgasmia from the AD became my biggest problem.
Anyway, a couple times (Prozac and Paxil) a drug worked the first time, but not again. I've not had difficulty usng Effexor a second or third time. After a few major episodes, my pdoc suggested in the most charming way that I should consider just staying on meds. I decided not to and just kept tabs on when I was starting to have more memory and thinking problems and to start up again.
You can get immediate relief from the panic you're feeling with one of the many benzodiazapine class of drugs (Xanax, Klonipin, Valium etc.). Its really just treating a symptom of depression, but you'll feel better while another anti-depressant kicks in.
Panic is a normal component of some types of depression where the endocrine system gets messed up and you maintain high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Estrogen exaggerates the response of the body to stress, so you end up with even higher cortisol levels, and thus panic. Probably one reason women experience depression more than men. The AD meds eventually get the endocrine system working better, cortisol drops, and you shouldn't need the anti-anxiety drugs, or as much.
poster:MarkinBoston
thread:46801
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46889.html