Luna, I'm on them for PTSD, not FM. I know results vary, but at this point, with such a long time till you can see a therapist (and I see one as well as take meds, the goal being to deal well enough with the PTSD to not need the meds)....

Try. Start at very low doses. Prozac is started usually at 10 mg, you can start Cymbalta at 30 mg, I believe, and there are others that may be available. (I know meds approved here in the US are not always approved in the EU or UK, but that's two meds I do know. I take Prozac now and Cymblata gave me a bad side effect.)

Good luck, and there are plenty of folks here on DS who struggle with anxiety (me among them) for various reasons, so checking in on the Anxiety board might help you find coping techniques youc an try in the meantime. I am big on breathing techniques, since visualizing and I don't seem to "click".

Again, good luck:-)

Luna, the fact that everyone is different with meds really is true with antiD. I have been on sertraline with no help and now elavil. Elavil has really helped my pain.

I have just started an effexor and a buspar. I will let you all know how I do. I am stressed and not happy to be starting 2 at once, but I was told that it really could help and at this point, that sounds good!!!

Wishing you the best. See a doc you trust and maybe check into references :)

Initially I had the same thought, but the antidepressant Cymbalta and Savella work on pain ... Not all antidepressants work on pain,or not as well as those two. Also, if you have chronic pain, sooner or later you will be depressed. If you can not sleep well, sooner or later you will be in pain and depressed. If you don't know what tomorrow will bring in terms of how you feel, sooner or later you will be anxious. Unavoidable. The research findings are consistent

In addition, research findings also suggest deterioration in multiple aspects of functioning in people who do not treat fibro. The three preferred, first line meds, for fibro are Cymbalta, Savella, and Lyrica.

Not sure if they have it in the UK, but Cymbalta is used to treat both chronic pain and is used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.

I have not tried it yet, but a generic form, Duloxetine, has come out just last month in the US, and is much more affordable than the brand form Cymbalta. I will try it when my prescription is ready to renew, as my insurance has a high deductible and the brand form is quite expensive.

The only thing I have found with Cymbalta is I must take it after breakfast. If I take it after dinner, it does keep me awake. As you know, sleep is very important to us. I wish you luck in your findings.

Savella is called milnacipran HCl in Europe. It is available in the UK. It has been used for decades in Europe to treat Fibromyalgia.

Cymbalta is also known as Duloxetine. It is also available in the UK.

Only certain classes of medications work for the type of pain caused by Fibromyalgia. They are largely antidepressants.

Good luck and take care.

I'm not a big fan of anti-depressants unless the person is severely depressed. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you should see someone unless you can pull yourself up out of it. A minister at a church or perhaps a volunteer somewhere. A psychiatrist may be the best doc to prescribe for OCD & depression. If you've had major depression prior to now, you should probably see your primary care doc as soon as you can get in and accept a trial of medication..

Anti-depressants can cause mania in some people. And they have to be taperd off VERY slowly. There is not medical consensus that they are effective, nor is it known how exactly they work if they work. Many times several trials of different ones are necessary. Let's hope you aren't so badly effected that you can't get yourself out of this.

However, if you are newly diagnosed with fibro, you are dealing with loss and grief for your old life. This will take time to adjust and cope with. I was depressed for several years after my diagnosis and subsequently being divorced by my husband because of it

OCD is a big deal. So, how have you coped with it before? How has it worsened now? What are your major fears and concerns right now?

Try to find a sense of control in areas of your life. Exercise and getting outdoors will lessen your anxiety/depression and better your sleep. Reaching out to others (who are understanding) is essential.
Talking to a friend. Distraction. Positive self-talk and monitoring your negative thoughts. Again, exercise is the key to calm and good sleep.

What are your interests? Can you indulge in your interests and lose yourself in a good book, movie, music or anything that you have always liked to do?

How long have you been depressed?

Hope this helps a little...sorry if I am getting too personal....it's the nurse in me (or the nurse that was in me...)

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I have been diagnosed over five years now, but am getting worse slowy and am starting to feel like i have no options and my life is not my own.

I am not at all severely depressed, usually I have a few bad days but do pull myself out of it but for the last three months have been feeling down a lot. I think this is mainly because of the OCD this has always been very mild but has suddenly ramped up a gear and I feel that this is making me feel down and anxious. It seems to be mainly focused around mold as this was causing me health issues until I had removed and I think its a hard one to ignore because it is a valid heath concern but I am worried all the time about getting exposed and thats causing behavior that is deffo ocd

I have seen a gp today and he does not think antidepressants are appropriate (this is highly unusual in the UK as they are usual an option before therapy) so will try and concentrate on good diet and relaxation in the meantime

I think a therapist would realy help so am hoping that the appointment wont be too longl

Thanks for your replies

x

Research shows that people with fibromyalgia are generally low in the brain chemical serotonin and possibly norepinephrine. That's why antidepressants help a lot of people. I'm definitely one of them. Serotonin affects not only your mood, but also sleep and your perception of pain. Makes sense to me to take one. I know when I slowly weaned off of Zoloft, I had horrible pain, so I had to restart.

I have suffered depression/anxiety for whole life; way before Fibro. It took me years of suffering to finally see a psychiatrist and get the diagnosis. I have been taking Zoloft for 6 years; it helps me not feel the spiral into the black hole of darkness. However, I take other meds for Fibro.

I spent many years with this mood disorder - I believe Zoloft gives me more good days. Nothing is perfect, though. There are still days when I want to stay in bed.