IC friendly meds for depression?

[mystereys]

Hi, everyone.

What are some IC-friendly antidepressants, besides elavil (too many side effects)?

I've been diagnosed with atypical depression, and my doc put me on Celexa. However, within ~30 minutes of taking it, my bladder started acting up, and I had urgency and some pain. It sounds like increased bladder pain is common among ICers taking SSRIs. Has anyone who has had a bad bladder reaction to one SSRI able to take another SSRI or other anti-depressant with no (bladder) problems? Does elavil at smaller doses work for depression?

I was on Elavil a while ago, but at the 75 mg/day level, the side effects were too much. Would a smaller dose still be effective for the depression symptoms?

I'm new to the whole anti-depression medication thing, and I'm trying to find out more info. Thanks!

[mystereys]

(Yes, I'm being a bit lame and replying to my own post.)

As I stated before, my bladder started giving me problems when I took Celexa. I was only on it for a day and that was enough. I spoke to my doc, and she spoke with some pharmacology guru, she put me Cymbala (duloxetine), 30mg/day. It's a SNRI and not an SSRI, and thus is supposed to offer some pain relief benefits similar to tricyclic antidepressants like elavil).

Interestingly enough, I did some research, and it looks like Cymbalta can been used for stress incontinence and diabetic pain in addition to depression.

Anyways, I'm doing really well on the cymbalta since I started it (about a week ago).

[ICNDonna]

I'm glad your doctor found something that will help and that you can tolerate.

Hugs,
Donna

[jrosey]

I tried all and can only tolerate Prozac. Zanax seems to work best for me. 25mg every
4 hours keeps the pelvic area spasm free without feeling doped up. good luck.
jrosey

[curlycue]

I take prozac, it works great.

[BBB]

Tried several and always came back to Prozac which is where I an now. I don't have depression, however it works on several levels regulating hormones and adrenal functions.

Good luck with Cymbalta. It didn't work for me, (I slept for 20 hours/day) doctors speak highly of it for IC'ers.
B

[BBB]

P.S. No you are not lame (LOL)!!! I think timing has a lot to do with responses to threads.

[mom_in_ma]

BBB,
In a post or two ago, you mentioned prozac working on "several levels regulating hormones and adrenal functions.' Can you elaborate on that? I'm like the original poster in that I desperately need an antidepressant and couldn't find any I could tolerate. I'm working in prozac right now (and everyone say a prayer or blessing that this works for me) and am really curious about your reponse. Thanks!

[BBB]

Good Morning,
First are you still taking Cymbalta with working in the prozac? My pharm told me that was a big no, no. If I remember correctly I think it caused strokes. I don't know tho. If you are taking both please talk to your pharmacy (which you are already doing anyway).

I first started a prozac product called Serafem 8 years ago. Basically it was prozac but I only took it 7 days a month to alleviate PMS symptons which were horrible. They don't know why or how the prozac works on the hormones, however it does. Typically you have a take a pill everyday to feel the effects of an antidepressant, but with PMS I could take it only a few days a month.

Finally, I got a hyster 2 years ago. After that my doctor put my on prozac to again regulate hormones and adrenals (pituatary gland) since I no longer had ovaries. He thought I was too young (under 40) to start on hormones.

Plus, I am a total freak on hormones of any strength or kind. I was never able to tak even the lowest BC pill. It is funny to look back now (my husband probably couldn't laugh at it yet, tho!...one day he will). Man, my head would spin around and everything (LOL). One day I freaked out and went to his office and yelled at him that he was having an affair with his Executive Assistant (who was 69 and he was 32). Nothing could be further from the truth. He is not that guy at all! It was really funny! Sorry off topic!

So...I have no ovaries and take no hormone replacements. I only take Prozac (20 m.g.) daily. It works great. And as you know, hormones are hell on IC! They help me so much with the IC too because I tend not to be so OCD about everything!

Hope this helps!
B

[mom_in_ma]

BBB,
Thanks for your post. I'm the one who posted the question to you, but I'm not the original poster. I'm severely depressed (on top of being perimenopausal -yeah), but haven'te been able to find an anti-depressant that I can tolerate. My shrink has me working up on a very slow dose of prozac. That's why I as asking you to elaborate on your earlier statement. Thanks so much for responding. Happy holidays.