Seeking Advice on Anti-Depressants

[GrizzlyLeader]

I need some opinions on something. So far I have been given prescriptions or samples by 2 nueros and my GP for anti-depressants (they must have thought I needed them). I have always been an anti, anti-depressant type of person. I really hate the fact that I'm having to take .5 mg of xanax a day (I break 1 pill in half and take it 2x daily). I also take 600 mg of Gabapentin at night to sleep. My symptoms have continually gotten worse over the past 6 months since this all started. My wife thinks and actually is getting upset that I refuse to take the anti-depressants. I know that it takes weeks for them to kick in, and things will actually get worse until they get better. I'm having a tough time dealing with all the new vibrations, buzzing, and increased calf, thigh, and arm jumping, fluttering, internal shaking, ect... I dont think I could handle more weird stuff. My biggest issue with meds is I already have a difficult time knowing what symptoms are real, whats anxiety related or whats caused by the meds.I do not think Im depressed. I know Im anxious because of still thinking I may have something more than bfs. I have a second opinion on the Dec. 22nd from another specialist for ALS and MS. If I get cleared again, I am pretty sure my anxiety will subside. My symptoms can and do get really bad at times, but nothing I cant live with. Emphasis on LIVE with. So the million dollar question is what have you people done and do you feel you made the right choice about taking anti-depressants.I know its an individual decision, I'm just curious how it affected you during the transistion period until they kicked in, and if it improved your symptoms or mental state.

 

[twinTwosome]

I've been taking Zoloft since April of this year. My symptoms started in January. I thought I could handle it without meds, but I got tired of the panic attacks and constant preocupation with BFS. I don't know if it's the meds, time, or a combination of both that have restored most of my sanity, but I'm glad I chose the meds. Sure I am still sometimes worried that this is the beginning of some degenerative neurological disease. But I am enjoying my life again and I can't ask for much more than that.It is a personal decision. I used to think meds were an unnecessary crutch. Now I'm of the opinion that they are sometimes necessary to get over the hump. I was driving my family insane along with me. BFS is rarely even a topic of conversation anymore because I spend so little time obsessing about it.

 

[BarbiePetals]

I was on Lexapro for 2 months but I stopped taking it. I realized that I really did not need it plus I was afraid of alll the withdrawl symptoms you can get. I am also on 600mg of Gabapentin at night which really helps. I also have Klonopin if things get really bad but I only take it if I really can handle this or the twitching gets real bad.However, if you feel like your anxiety is real, real bad you may want to try one for awhile to see if it calms you down. The Lexapro did calm me down but it did nothing for the twitches so I thought what was the point? I feel like the Gabapentin and Klonopin work so much better. It really is just a personal choice. ~Leslie

 

[seadragonsovereign]

I could absolutely not deal with this in those horrid initial months so I asked my GP for help while waiting for my first neuro visit. He put me on lexapro with the stipulation that I should only be on it for six months. He also prescribed me xanax at the same time to use as needed. This was early June if I remember correctly (about 2 months after initial symptoms). I took the xanax almost daily for a month or so, but now I am down to one a week or less when the symptoms get bad (more just to relax than for any panic attacks). I am tapering off the lexpro now so I hope to be free and clear of it soon. I definitely believe the lexapro helped and would recommend it for anyone in the early phases of this maddening syndrome. But after 7 months now, I am mostly past the "I got the really bad stuff" (plus my last muscle-neuro doc dx'd me with BFCS and, like you, I'm twitchin to it ) ). I am also on klonopin (clonazepam) for the twitching (after trying and having zero success with Gabapentin and phenoytin) and it has some calming effect so I will stick with it for a while longer. As a side note, I have also tried a myriad of other supplements (k, mg, ca, multi-B, valerian root, passion flower, inositol) with little effect, if any.

 

[SaulburnStevensonJ]

I flat out turned down anti-depressants as I know I'm not depressed. The neuro's reasoning for prescribing anti-depressants was to increase the mood of well being and not so much to target a depressed mood. "No more drugs" was my reasoning.Vibrations, buzzing, tremors and of course the ever present twitchings are very much the norm with this silly and weird syndrome. Hang in there Chief.Twin2, how are your guitar lessons going? Are the lessons helping you focus away from this silly bfs?

 

[twinTwosome]

Hey, Jey! Thanks for asking. I've only taken one lesson so far. I got home late last week and my husband went in my place (I had taken over his time slot--he already knows how to play.) I'll miss this week as well because I have a work obligation tomorrow evening. I fully intend to keep going. I have practiced a bit with the little that I've learned. I'm surprised that my little fingers can do it. I really thought I wouldn't be teachable. My goal is to be able to strum a variety of chords so I can sit on the front porch and embarrass my kids. Of course I will sing along as loudly as I wish. No, I can't carry a tune. )

 

[bfhopeful2]

Drugs are good, your anxiety is the only thing keeping you from taking them. They make you feel better and for the most part are completly safe. I have been taking them for 12 years and no side effects except being happy. And anti depressants are not just for depression. They help to increase seratonin which is responsible for many things including anxiety.