What to take for depression?? - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

wenben · 11-12-2009, 05:59 AM

Hi,
What can we take for depression if SSRI's cause flares? I was on Elavil and loved it for the pain relief, but developed rapid heartbeat. Then tried Nortriptyline and that wired me, could not sleep. I don't know what to try next for the pain relief and the mild depression that seems to follow me with this disease. I have migraines too, so never know what the day will bring

Any ideas please please share.....thank you.
Wen

***leelee88*** · 11-12-2009, 06:08 AM

I take activan.. My anxiety was REALLY bad though to the point I was have major panic attacks... Also I recently started Prozac, BUT Had to start on the lowest dose possible which comes in the form of a liquid..And then had to dilute that! So far I am not having any side effects from it..

wenben · 11-12-2009, 07:01 AM

Thanks for the reply Rhonda. I take the ativan at night for sleep. Maybe you are right in taking the Prozac in very small doses. It would be great to have one pill for pain and depression etc....nice to dream.

vm · 11-12-2009, 07:07 AM

Not all of us flare from SSRIs - mine actually helps my symptoms.

wenben · 11-12-2009, 07:38 AM

Hey Kim,
Would you mind telling me what med you are or were on that helped? Do SSRI's help with pain too? I have been through a few meds and am a little scared to try something although desparate at the same time argh.
Wen

vm · 11-12-2009, 07:57 AM

The one I take is Lexapro. I have heard others say it made their IC worse, so it seems that like so many other things with this disease - it's individual. *sigh*

I am not sure if it would have the same effect for you, but suppose that it could. Lots of others here have taken SSRIs for mental health reasons and they have not adversely affected their bladders, so there isn't a guarantee that they WILL cause flares. Which is very good news.

I started taking Lexapro about 6 years ago for depression and anxiety - not expecting it to do anything for my IC. Turns out it helped both of the mental health issues AND took away the last bit of urethral discomfort I'd been having. I never had "pain", so to speak, so I am not sure if it would help with that or not.

I don't think SSRIs are typically prescribed for IC pain. Usually you hear about Elavil being used for that purpose. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with that medication.

lttlewun · 11-12-2009, 08:15 AM

Hello everyone!

I thought I would jump in on this conversation since it has to do with Ativan. I take .5mg a couple of times a week and it realllly helps me. I don't have pain, but I have urethral/vaginal discomfort and burning/stinging when urinating. I don't know if that is still considered to be some type of pain. I occasionaly get frequency, but that does not happen very often (thank God). When I take the Ativan I either feel completely "normal" or almost "normal". I want to pop a pill every day, but I'm afraid of becoming dependent as I have read that Ativan can be very addicting. My Uro said I can take it up to 3x per week and I should not have a problem becoming dependent, but I want to take it everyday!

Does anyone know if there is another drug similar to Ativan that I can take on a daily basis that will give me the same relief? I have an appt. with my PCP tomorrow and was going to ask him about this.

Thanks all! Wishing everyone a pain-free day!

Tuckersmom · 11-12-2009, 09:47 AM

I take 0.5 mgs of xanex 3 times daily. Started out at 2 times per day, but eventually went to taking 3. My PCP prescribes it for me. Yes, it is physiologically addicting, but like my doctor said: if I was on insulin for Diabetes, or on high blood pressure meds, and they were addicting, would I not take them? He will wean me off slowly if I ever go off of them.

orchid53 · 11-17-2009, 04:08 PM

Have you tried Wellbutrin? Its an NDRI. You could also consider a low-dose of Effexor (SNRI) which also helps with anxiety. With all anti-depressants, its really a matter of trial and error, unfortunately. Like you said, Elavil worked except it increased heart rate, but nortriptyline which is in the same family made you wired...so expect to try a few different ones.

***leelee88*** · 11-17-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckersmom

I take 0.5 mgs of xanex 3 times daily. Started out at 2 times per day, but eventually went to taking 3. My PCP prescribes it for me. Yes, it is physiologically addicting, but like my doctor said: if I was on insulin for Diabetes, or on high blood pressure meds, and they were addicting, would I not take them? He will wean me off slowly if I ever go off of them.

I agree! I was very hesitant about taking Ativan because I was scared I would get addicted to them. But I have no choice the panic attacks were getting very bad to the point I could not drive.. Ativan also make me feel normal..I guess my anxiety levels are really high.. My Dr said she seen know problem with taking them because I needed them more than I needed the stress from the panic attacks.. They were taking so much out of me...