I know I'm not really posting much lately and that's because my antidepressant is making me depressed. I'm on a new medication that my doctor prescribed for my migraines and back stress. Technically it's used as an antidepressant unless it's a low dosage like I'm taking. So far it definitely has worked to eliminate the two conditions but the side effects suck donkey balls.
I take one 25mg tablet of Amitriptyline, generic for Elavil, by mouth every night at bedtime. I know it can take a few weeks before my body adjusts to this type of medication. I can't even imagine what it would be like if I was on a high dosage.
First off, antidepressants usually come with a warning that it increases the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in teenagers and young adults. WTF people? So let me get this straight. You're going to give a 15-year-old a pill so they're not so depressed and get them motivated to go off themselves? I never understood how you can have a side effect that does the exact opposite of what the pill is intended for. That's like saying: Warning! Your birth control pill may increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
Anyway my doctor warned it might make me drowsy and that's why I should take it at bedtime. Drowsy? DROWSY? How about it puts me in a coma. Geesh. So far on the weekends or during Holiday breaks when I'm not working I can sleep anywhere from 12 - 22 hours straight (not including letting the dogs in and out). 22 hours! This is a record even for me, which is saying a lot. The first few days were the worst as my head was in a fog and concentration on anything was a chore.
There's also a warning that I might gain weight and have cravings for sweets. First off I already have craving for sweets so if those intensify then no wonder I'll get fat as that will be all I'm eating. Second though, since I'm sleeping through meals it might actually help me lose weight. Unless of course we go with the theory that if you starve your body it starts to store fat. Dammit! I just can't win.
My co-worker mentioned that she likes this new happier and gentler me, meaning I'm not as crabby and bitchy. Hmmmm. I guess I didn't realize I was that bad. Maybe she's just a sensitive whore though eh? We're waiting to see how long this lasts to determine if it's the medication or if I'm just in a better mood these days from having 2 semi-long breaks over the holiday season. I think she might be right now. I'm thinking I'm not as stressed and a bit more mellow yellow. Well, I've always been yellow.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
My Antidepressant is Making Me Depressed
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2 comments:
are u still taking the elevail? i was recently put on it to help with migraines but the side effect are the same as all others making me very depressed, angy,short tempered. i am normally a very happy person but i get migraines 2 to 3 times a week. antidepressant suppsed to lower amount of migraines i get which it does. i cant win. i can either be in horrible pain from migraine or very depressed with no migraine.
I am still on the Elavil. I don't exactly remember but it took me anywhere from a week to two weeks for my body to regulate itself. The fogginess and over sleeping is no longer an issue. I no longer have migraines. Also, I used to have horrible back pain, just extremeley tense and tight, and it has helped with that as well. It also helped with my asthma, which I think is due to a more relaxed back. It sounds like you've tried other anti-depressants before with no help. Have you also tried changing your lifestyle and habits a bit? There are certain foods and drinks that can either trigger a migraine or worsen the problem. I believe caffine is one of them. So perhaps cut back on soda and coffee? Also I think eating right and on a somewhat normal schedule is supposed to help. Have you stayed on the meds long enough for your body to get used to it?
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