Starting Antidepressants

[erinthames]

I am a year into having Interstitial Cystitis, just found a specialist in Denver who put me on Elmiron and thinks I will be pain free in six months to a year, I am at a poing where I need an anti-depressant and have my loved ones being unsupportive because they don't believe in them, how can I explain to them that I need their support through this? I'm looking into Lexapro, anyone on that?
ERIN THAMES

[armslee]

Hi Erin,
First let me answer your Lexapro question....I have had no real problems with it and found it to be effective very quickly.

Regarding your loved ones, you needn't bother yourself with their opinions. You need to take care of YOU. Taking antidepressants is not shameful. They are very therapuetic for many IC'ers. Dealing with our symptoms and pain can really drain us and cause severe depression in some people. Don't let yourself get to that point.

I don't let others know what medications I am on. My husband is the only one who knows exactly what I take and how often. Your extended family and close friends don't need to know that information.

[Angelhrt]

Hi Erin,
First let me answer your Lexapro question....I have had no real problems with it and found it to be effective very quickly.

Regarding your loved ones, you needn't bother yourself with their opinions. You need to take care of YOU. Taking antidepressants is not shameful. They are very therapuetic for many IC'ers. Dealing with our symptoms and pain can really drain us and cause severe depression in some people. Don't let yourself get to that point.

I don't let others know what medications I am on. My husband is the only one who knows exactly what I take and how often. Your extended family and close friends don't need to know that information.


I agree. I may be in need of them, but honestly do not know what it is that is compelling me to be so depressed. I cry uncontrollably and when asked what is wrong, I honestly do not know. I guess I am just tired, or overwhelmed by the pain that I cannot take anymore. I have to see a new doctor in December, I will see what he has to say.

[traceann]

I agree with Wendi - that's too bad if they don't believe in them, you have to do what you have to do, don't tell them if you don't want to. They aren't the ones taking them, so what they have to say doesn't matter.

I know it's hard when you are being treated for something and no one around you is "supportive", but they don't have to know. And if they do, don't let their feelings or opinions shape what you decide to do for your own body and health. We all want our family and friends to "approve" of everything, but in life as the saying goes you can't please everyone all the time! ;) Keep your chin up and the meds should help you deal even better with the "negativity" you may encounter from well-meaning family and friends... Heck I make my Wellbutrin a joke anymore, lol. My hubby says he knows his wife is crazy, cause he had the prescription to prove it! LMAO!!!!

Having any chronic painful illness takes a toll on you - mentally and phyically. It takes a lot of effort to just get through a day sometimes, then the night etc etc. It would surprise me if someone at some point hasn't been dragged down a time or two in dealing with IC and symptoms, it's tough sometimes!

Hope you do begin to feel better soon, sounds like you have a great doc! Do be sure to talk over your feelings on antidepressants etc, and what ones your doctor might feel would benefit you etc. It may take some medication adjustments, switches etc - it too can be a game of trial and error. I started on Paxil and it just wasn't for me, horrible sexual side effects, so we added in Wellbutrin to the fray, but in the end the Paxil was just too all-around troublesome for me to keep taking, so I just take the Wellbutrin now and have had great success with no side-effects. So, what works for one, may not work for another, lol.

[erinthames]

I saw my primary and she started me on Celexa, and I know that no one but your spouse/boyfriend needs to know what you are on and I made the mistake of telling others, but I stick to myself in knowing my body mentally and physically and what i need to do for it. Thanks everyone who replied. I was on wellbutrin and paxil for three years four years ago and stopped them and was fine. What sexual side effects did you notice, just lower libido, I already feel that, could it be from elmiron, valium, yasmin birth control?
Have any of you taken Celexa? side effects?
Thank you!
ERIN THAMES

[meme]

Erin
I too was worried about what people would think about me taking antidepressents. My husband was totally dead set against them. He even said that he didn't believe depression wad real! I've been on Elavil now for a little over a month and now that my husband has seen how much better it has made me feel and how much more outgoing and comfortable I am he has eaten his words. In the end you just have to do what's right for you and what will make your life better. With time hopefully your family will come around too when they see how much better you are.
Leah

[Claredale]

Erin, I have been dealing with IC for a long time. I used a lot of unnecessary energy trying to make my mother-in-law understand. I still catch myself at times, but it is just a waste of time. I have given her literature, my hubby has explained, she has even taken me to the doctor when I was in a huge flare when I couldn't find anyone else to take me. But I still hear through the grapevine about Tracey being sick when she wants to be. Yes, IC just is a convenience for us isn't it??? I take anti-depressants as well. I can't tell a difference, but I am sure that everyone around me can!!!

[traceann]

LOL, Tracey we are all quite clever and craft aren't we to be able to access our IC when needed? LMAO!!!!! ;) I know, some people will never get it... Can't tell you many GOOD friends said to me, "Oh I had that before and antibiotics cleared it up, I just dealt with it" Oh, well, goody for you, lmao. I finally gave up... *sigh*

But as for the sexual side effects I had on Paxil, it wasn't decreased libido - that was fine, it was inability to orgasm that wasn't fine. ;) So, we added in the Wellbutrin and that took care of that, but I still was unbelievably tired from it, to the point I'd have to keep moving a leg at work so I would stay awake! That scared me, as I had to drive etc etc etc! Plus it gave me the sweats, lol. OMG, I would just be soaked - just sitting and doing nothing! LOL!! So, we weaned me off that....

[Claredale]

I just got back from my appt. My mommy went with me and has been able to talk to my new doctor. He verified what we all know that doctors just pretty much are shooting in the dark when it comes to IC. They try different treatments and meds. So now my mom knows again what I am dealing with. I can't tell from my prescription if he changed my anti-depressant. I have been taking Zoloft. He also changed my sleeping meds to an old fashioned kind that hopefully will zonk me out. Nothing makes me tired so far. I am willing to try anything. If I was awake and could work around the house it would be fine, but I am just awake. Drives me so crazy. Sometimes when I hear my hubby sleeping, I want to go in there and pinch him. I just want to sleep!!!!

I was on something for an anti-depressant a few years ago that made me sweat, but I am cold all of the time now. I am sitting here with a sweater and my heating pad on and I am freezing. I will let you know what I am on after I get it filled. Probably Zoloft.

Happy Halloween!

[erinthames]

I have had the inability to orgasm for a while now, could that be a side effect of Elmiron, or Yasmin?

[traceann]

Hmmm, I haven't heard of either one of those having any sexual side-effects to speak of.

All I could find on the Yasmin was an "infrequent side effect" of "altered interest in sexual intercourse" which tells me a drop in libido, not the physical inability. Hmmmm, I suggest you talk to your doctor about it, it could be the "lack of interest" thanks to the Yasmin that contributes to not having the ability (for lack of a better term). No point in "suffering in silence" for something that may be just a medication tweak away from being solved! ;)

Here's what I found from WebMD on Celexa's side-effects, these are listed as the common ones:

The following side effects are associated with Celexa Oral:

Common side effects:
Inability to have an Erection - Severe
Sexual Problems - Severe
Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse - Severe
Problem with Ejaculation - Severe
Dry Mouth - Less Severe
Drowsiness - Less Severe
Abnormal Trouble Sleeping - Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up - Less Severe

I found this information at:

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-8603-Celexa+Oral.aspx?drugid=8603&drugname=Celexa+Oral&pagenumber=6

You might want to go check it out, as there are more listed, under "infrequent", "rare" etc! ;)