For those who have been on medication for manic depression, what are some of the worst, and best medications you've tried? I know medications tend to vary depending on the person taking them, but my doc's been working hard with me to find something that works, so I'm just looking for suggestions, and considering my options, since so far I haven't found anything that works too well for me. I suggested to him searching around, and asking others what has worked for them, and he thought it was a good idea, and that's where you all come in. Iv'e also looked at many professional studies which rate the best meds, and that has been very helpful as well. Anyway, any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks!!

P.S. I know this is a personal question, so for those who don't feel comfortable answering, I completely understand.

I'm on zoloft right now, and in the past I've taken prozac and something starting with an s that I don't even remember anymore. To tell you the truth, I didn't notice a difference in any of them but that's just me. I've been on meds for depression and anxiety since I was 14 so I've changed, too, and after awhile you can't tell if it's you that's changed or if it's the medicine. I dunno, I know this probably isn't very helpful but that's my take on the different kinds.

I have manic depression, and honestly none of the meds seem to work.. I have been on Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro..

I have manic depression, and honestly none of the meds seem to work.. I have been on Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro..
Lexapro, that's the one. Don't know why I thought it started with an S. Yeah, to tell you the truth I still feel miserable with them.

I need meds for depression- but I haven't been to the doctor about it, or what to take....best ones, suggestions?

I'm on zoloft right now, and in the past I've taken prozac and something starting with an s that I don't even remember anymore. To tell you the truth, I didn't notice a difference in any of them but that's just me. I've been on meds for depression and anxiety since I was 14 so I've changed, too, and after awhile you can't tell if it's you that's changed or if it's the medicine. I dunno, I know this probably isn't very helpful but that's my take on the different kinds.

You're absolutely right, it is hard to tell after awhile whether the meds are working, since your body tends to adapt to them. I was also on zoloft and prozac, and while I didn't notice much difference with zoloft, with the prozac I actually got worse. Right now I'm maxed out on depakote, and my doctor thinks it's definitely time for a change. He's even brought up lithium a couple times, but I need to study up on it more before I consider it. Could the one that starts with s that you took be strattera?? I was on that for awhile, but have been off it for a couple years.

Anyways, thanks for the feedback, and I hope that despite your depression, you're doing well. :)

I have manic depression, and honestly none of the meds seem to work.. I have been on Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro..

I'm currently on Lexapro as well, and have noticed a slight change for the better since being on it. It sure as heck beats the celexa I was taking, which made me a maniac!!! :mad:

I'm not sure what manic depression is.

I have been on medication for severe depression. I have been taking Lexapro since March 24, 2006. It helps some, but not really enough. I'm too chicken though to try anything stronger. My doctor originally wanted me to be placed on either Paxil, Zoloft or Prozac all of which I refused. I don't have anything against those medications, I just don't feel comfortable enough to try them.

Back in 2000 when my dog of 15 years Max died I was placed on Remeron to help me sleep. It helped at first, but after awhile stopped helping and it caused me to gain weight which I didn't like. After approx. 2 & 1/2 years on that medication I stopped taking it and thankfully was able to lose the weight.

I spent a couple years without being on medication. Then on 10/2/2005 was heldup at gunpoint and robbed. That caused major anxiety and additional depression. That's when I was placed on the Lexapro.

I wouldn't recommend Remeron. Depending on how severe your depression is it's hard to say if Lexapro would work for you. It may not be strong enough. I currently take 30 mg. a day of Lexapro. I think you said at one point you were on Lexapro? Maybe not.

Good luck to you Brad. I know you and I don't correspond at all off the boards anymore. I still wanted to respond to this thread though as you are asking for advice and suggestions. I hope I was able to help some. If not, sorry. Hopefully things will get better for you. Good luck to you when you move out.

Thanks for the kind words Jen!!! :D While it is a very tough battle, I know that with the right meds, hope, and God, I will persevere, and make it through. Despite everything you've gone through and continue to go through, I also pray that you persevere as well, and I have a feeling you will. I wish you the best of luck!! :) Thanks as well for the best wishes with me moving out. I know that will definitely be a step in the right direction for my mental state.

You're absolutely right, it is hard to tell after awhile whether the meds are working, since your body tends to adapt to them. I was also on zoloft and prozac, and while I didn't notice much difference with zoloft, with the prozac I actually got worse. Right now I'm maxed out on depakote, and my doctor thinks it's definitely time for a change. He's even brought up lithium a couple times, but I need to study up on it more before I consider it. Could the one that starts with s that you took be strattera?? I was on that for awhile, but have been off it for a couple years.

Anyways, thanks for the feedback, and I hope that despite your depression, you're doing well. :)
I'm pretty sure it was Lexapro, I was thinking S for some reason. But yeah, it sucks because you have to change meds in order for them to keep working. I guess it depends on the individual as to which ones work best. I was actually fine on prozac, and then I talked with my psychiatrist and she suggested I go off for a little while to see if I'd be okay without it. I decided after about 6 months that I wasn't, and when I went back on it I started to throw up...for the first time since I was like 5 years old. That's when she put me on zoloft instead and I haven't had a problem. The weird thing is, I was on prozac for quite a while and it didn't bother me until I went off of it and then went back on it again.

But like I said, I think it's all about the individual. You have to see what works for you. For me, I can honestly say that none of them work THAT well. But thanks, I hope you're doing well, too. I wouldn't say I'm severely depressed so I'm okay, but I'm definitely not as happy as the average person. Anxiety is a big problem, too.

One thing I've found funny about medications is how you can take a med for an illness that has nothing to do with depression, yet that med will help you more with it than the depression pills you're taking. For example, I was on adderol for several years, and it was the only thing that dramatically helped me with my depression, and it's for my ADD. When I was on that, I didn't have time to be depressed. lol!

One thing I've found funny about medications is how you can take a med for an illness that has nothing to do with depression, yet that med will help you more with it than the depression pills you're taking. For example, I was on adderol for several years, and it was the only thing that dramatically helped me with my depression, and it's for my ADD. When I was on that, I didn't have time to be depressed. lol!
Wow, lol, can't say I've ever experienced that. I'm not on any other medications.

Wow, lol, can't say I've ever experienced that. I'm not on any other medications.

I'm on way too many!! I currently take meds for depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADD, and OCD. lol!! But hey, as my mom tells me, it's nothing to be ashamed of, it just builds character. ;) She also tells me that with all I know about medications, I can start my own pharmacy. :lol:

I'm currently on Lexapro as well, and have noticed a slight change for the better since being on it. It sure as heck beats the celexa I was taking, which made me a maniac!!! :mad:

Lexapro turned me into a zombie... and the other two just didn't work..

I suffer from bipolar II disorder. It's a more depressive form of biopolar. I take lamictal and it has helped me a lot.

I suffer from bipolar II disorder. It's a more depressive form of biopolar. I take lamictal and it has helped me a lot.

Thanks for that info. I will make a note of it and ask my doctor about it, and see what he thinks. Very much appreciated!!

Only thing I've been on is Paxil, which helped my anxiety a lot, but didn't do squat with any depression. Actually, I think it's worse.

I'm on way too many!! I currently take meds for depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADD, and OCD. lol!! But hey, as my mom tells me, it's nothing to be ashamed of, it just builds character. ;) She also tells me that with all I know about medications, I can start my own pharmacy. :lol:
See, the thing is, the anti-depressents I've been on are considered to treat depression, anxiety, and OCD...which are my problems.

Bipolar disorder sucks. I don't have it, thank god but I have to deal with my Dad & Brother having it.

i was on a variety of medications from when i was 12 to when i was 17. i don't know if any of them even worked, but i did get horribly addicted to paxil at 13. i tried to stop quit it cold turkey once and i wanted to die the whole day and couldn't go more than a few minutes without crying. i don't remember what i was on during my last year (may have been lexapro) but it was impossible to tell whether it did any good because i was extremely depressed over stuff going on in my life. i'm not on any now though...the depression is definitely still there but i've mostly been quite happy without any professional help.

I have Clinical Depression and Social Anxiety Disorder and I am now taking Zoloft and it really seems to help. :)

You guys need some vitamin B shots.

You guys need some vitamin B shots.

I get those every two months.

You guys need some vitamin B shots.

Yeah like those are gonna help... been there done that.

Yeah like those are gonna help... been there done that.

Exactly!! Despite what the Tom Cruise's of the world may think, those things don't do **** for some people. Especially people with serious brain abnormalities.

Exactly!! Despite what the Tom Cruise's of the world may think, those things don't do **** for some people. Especially people with serious brain abnormalities.

Some people just will never understand, because they don't have to live with like a lot of people do.

Some people just will never understand, because they don't have to live with like a lot of people do.

Very true!! I just hope to God that they, or someone in their family doesn't have to experience it one day, because it is hell!!!!!

The thing that really gets me, is how some people think that just because you can't see something, it doesn't exist. Tom Cruise would never say to someone with cancer or Aids the stuff he says to people who are mentally ill. Unfortunately we live in a visual society, and many uneducated people think that just because they don't have something, or can't see it, that it doesn't exist. Those people need to look at a scan of my brain next to a normal brain, and maybe then they'd understand, but even then I doubt they would.

Chocolate.

Chocolate cures everything!

You guys need some vitamin B shots.
Must be nice to be perfect. :)

Very true!! I just hope to God that they, or someone in their family doesn't have to experience it one day, because it is hell!!!!!

The thing that really gets me, is how some people think that just because you can't see something, it doesn't exist. Tom Cruise would never say to someone with cancer or Aids the stuff he says to people who are mentally ill. Unfortunately we live in a visual society, and many uneducated people think that just because they don't have something, or can't see it, that it doesn't exist. Those people need to look at a scan of my brain next to a normal brain, and maybe then they'd understand, but even then I doubt they would.
Tom Cruise needs to jump off the Earth and die.

Tom Cruise needs to jump off the Earth and die.

I sure wouldn't miss him!!

You guys need some vitamin B shots.
wtf is that going to do for a chemical imbalance

Tom Cruise needs to jump off the Earth and die.
Agreed x1000. He's such an *******.

Tom Cruise needs to jump off the Earth and die.

Ditto :clap:

Tommy just loves jumping on couches like a drug addict lol...

I was on adderol for several years, and it was the only thing that dramatically helped me with my depression, and it's for my ADD. When I was on that, I didn't have time to be depressed. lol!

As I am sure you are aware, Adderall is simply pharmaceutical-grade amphetamine. It will make anyone happier (for awhile!) and indeed long long ago, preparations of amphetamine were prescribed as antidepressants. There is actually an old poster I saw somewhere from the 1930's advertising the drug DEXAMYL which was a combination of dextroamphetamine (a stimulant) and amobarbitol (a strong sedative). (Here (http://amphetamines.com/dexamyl.jpg) is the picture if anyone is interested. It's amazing how far we've come) Anyway, be careful with the Adderall.

I am a very (too) curious person and pharmacology is an interest of mine, Mel, so if you don't mind me asking (and I certainly understand if you do), what is your exact problem? I noticed you were on Depakote, which is not an antidepressant, so I presume you have something else besides depression (and hope you do otherwise I need to slap your doctor! lol).

Paxil

As I am sure you are aware, Adderall is simply pharmaceutical-grade amphetamine. It will make anyone happier (for awhile!) and indeed long long ago, preparations of amphetamine were prescribed as antidepressants. There is actually an old poster I saw somewhere from the 1930's advertising the drug DEXAMYL which was a combination of dextroamphetamine (a stimulant) and amobarbitol (a strong sedative). (Here (http://amphetamines.com/dexamyl.jpg) is the picture if anyone is interested. It's amazing how far we've come) Anyway, be careful with the Adderall.

I am a very (too) curious person and pharmacology is an interest of mine, Mel, so if you don't mind me asking (and I certainly understand if you do), what is your exact problem? I noticed you were on Depakote, which is not an antidepressant, so I presume you have something else besides depression (and hope you do otherwise I need to slap your doctor! lol).

Yes, I am very aware of what adderol is, and what it's typically used for. When I was on it, I was prescribed two 20 milligram tablets per day. Thanks for the warning about being careful. Unfortunately many people I know have become addicted to adderol, pain pills, and various other drugs, and so I've seen the negative affects of what they can do to you. Because of that, I am very careful, and only take my recommended doses of each of my medications.

I don't mind sharing what my problems are. I actually posted them on the first page, and so I'll just post that again. If I sound like I'm making light of my problems, I'm really not. Humor is just my way of sometimes dealing with things, so hopefully nobody takes offense in what I've written below.

I'm on way too many!! I currently take meds for depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, ADD, and OCD. lol!! But hey, as my mom tells me, it's nothing to be ashamed of, it just builds character. ;) She also tells me that with all I know about medications, I should start my own pharmacy. :lol:

I'm currently on Lexapro as well, and have noticed a slight change for the better since being on it. It sure as heck beats the celexa I was taking, which made me a maniac!!! :mad:


What kinds of effects did the Celexa have on you? I've had good luck with it myself.

Anyway, I'm glad the Lexapro is helping some.

What kinds of effects did the Celexa have on you? I've had good luck with it myself.

Anyway, I'm glad the Lexapro is helping some.

It made me really agitated, and irritable. Basically just did the opposite of what it was suppose to do. My mom's boyfriend also takes it, and he does great on it, while my sister in law was on it, and she had the same reaction as me. I think it might just have been that it didn't mix well with my other meds. That's my guess anyway.

I take Paxil for social anxiety; so far, it has works wonders for me. I have found that I am definitely more at ease with people. I am now more outgoing, gregarious and I even started to date again...

I take Paxil for social anxiety; so far, it has works wonders for me. I have found that I am definitely more at ease with people. I am now more outgoing, gregarious and I even started to date again...
I never would have guessed you had Social Anxiety. You seem so naturally outgoing.

I never would have guessed you had Social Anxiety. You seem so naturally outgoing.
No, prior to taking Paxil, I would, literally have terrible anxiety attacks, if I were surrounded by a large group of people or strangers in general.

No, prior to taking Paxil, I would, literally have terrible anxiety attacks, if I were surrounded by a large group of people or strangers in general.


I had that problem too, Tara.

Tom Cruise needs to jump off the Earth and die.

Even though Tom's views on medication and mental illness is idiotic, I still regard him as a great actor. He's been on so many great movies like Eyes Wide Shut, The Color of Money, Mission Impossible, Days of Thunder and Minoriry Report.

Even though Tom's views on medication and mental illness is idiotic, I still regard him as a great actor. He's been on so many great movies like Eyes Wide Shut, The Color of Money, Mission Impossible, Days of Thunder and Minoriry Report.
Yeah, I probably wouldn't hate him so much of he just acted and shut up.

Yeah, I probably wouldn't hate him so much of he just acted and shut up.
I would still hate him, lately his movies weren't that good.. and eyes wide shut I shut off after 10 minutes

I would still hate him, lately his movies weren't that good.. and eyes wide shut I shut off after 10 minutes
Last movie I saw him in was Jerry McGuire. :lol:

Last movie I saw him in was Jerry McGuire. :lol:
:lol: