At about 7 months after the death of my husband and not doing so well, I agreed to see my family doctor. I started an antidepressant and it made anything I ate have a metallic taste. Doc switched me to another and though the metallic taste went away, I was still a mess. In August of 2014 my dog groomer told me she saw a story on television where acupuncture was helping veterans that suffer from PTSD. I have that issue as well, lots of anxiety at that time too and depression. I started getting acupuncture. Started for awhile weekly and now go once a month. The cost for me is $75 per treatment and I think it helps. I am taking a couple of herbal supplements that can you can only get through someone like a licensed acupuncturist. The brand is Evergreen and you want to make sure you are using one the is considered high quality. Check out on the web for Evergreen Calm and Evergreen Schisandra ZZZ. In my opinion much better than antidepressants. Hope this is helpful mary1950.

p.s. I take my furry son for acupuncture once a month and he is also on an herbal supplement called Immortal Qi. I take it also. You can get this one on the web. The brand is Blue Poppy Originals. My furry son is 12 years and 8 months old.

Hi Mary....I seem to remember newer studies showing depression and low serotonin were not linked. You can google for more info. But do talk to your Doc before taking anything.

I am going to and actually take my Ativan as prescribed, 3xdaily, instead of one or two in the evening....yesterday it did seem to even things out for me and I was calmer and today, same thing, just taking that hard edge off for me.

Mary, that's why it's best to consult with a psychiatrist -- they are the experts for figuring out which medications are most likely to be effective for your situation. A psychiatrist will probably also have to help you weaning off of Lexapro, I suspect it's one of those meds that you are not supposed to stop cold turkey. They may not find ther perfect medication on the first try, but they are your best bet to start with in any event. They will probably want blood work, just to make sure there are no other problems - you probably know that - but just a reminder that they will need to make sure your liver and thyroid are functioning properly, and that you are not at risk of diabetes, as those things affect mood and impact which drugs can be prescribed.

Until you are able to get through the medical appointments and waiting, I think it would be a good idea to make sure you are taking care of yourself well. Try to eat a balanced diet, and you might want to take additional vitamin D and also B-complex vitamins. Vitamin D helps to take the edge off if you are not able to get outdoors much and if you are prone to the winter blues. The B-complex is for stress. These shouldn't create any additional problems for you. I have been taking these vitamins to take the edge off, and I find they help. They are not a complete cure by any stretch of the imagination, but I do feel distinctly better and stronger when I take them regularly.

Currently I am on HRT. That did more for me than the Citalopram or anything else for that matter, but that's my peculiar situation, and HRT is not right for everybody. I used to have nightmares every night, and when I began HRT, they almost ceased completely. They are a rarity now. HRT carries risks, and you would need a doctor to advise you about whether it would help you.

Are getting out and about? Are you doing anything for exercise? These can help boost your mood. I used to walk on my breaks and lunch hour, so that even if I wasn't able to do much on the weekends that I was still getting some exercise in. Your body produces endorphins - the feel-good hormones - when you exercise, so sometimes adding some exercise to your daily routines can help.

As far as which meds will work, it will depend on a lot of factors. What works for one person doesn't work for another. I have had prescriptions a few times in my life, and sometimes they seriously backfired on me. The worst was Citalopram - sold as Celexa or Cipramil. It made me want to sit in the corner and scream for two days until it was out of my system. I had a terrible reaction to it and yet it is one of the most commonly prescribed and typically effective meds out there. I had better luck with buproprion (marketed as Wellbutrin or Zyban), but that was for a specific amount of time and purpose years back.

I hope you are able to find something that works for you.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

Citalopram is the antidepressant that made food have a metallic taste for me. Doctors are being lobbied by big Pharmaceuticals to pass out drugs. Unfortunately, so many of the people that I know on antidepressants have been on them for years. They were never meant to be used like that. There is a book called "Unstuck" by James S. Gordon M.D. subtitled, "Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression". He is a psychiatrist and he does not believe in antidepressants. He has appeared and is endorsed by Dr. Phil. The book was loaned to me by my acupuncturist. I believe everyone has to make there own decision, but always good to get all the information you can, so you can make and educated choice. I agree with Martha about exercise and I can honestly say I have not been doing it and of course put myself down for it. I am a runner that's not running, though I know how much it helps. Hopefully I will get started again. Hugs, PJ1952

Hi Mary,

Lots of good advice already given. I will simply share my experience:

I was put on a mild dosage of 10mg Lexipro about five months before Jim's passing. It helped tremendously and still does. I don't feel drugged, but it must take the edge off of something as I don't feel like I need to go to the loony bin any more. Doc also prescribed Klonapin for anxiety only when I need or to help with sleep. I don't over take this one, as I realize it can create dependency issues. But it does work when I need it.

Recently saw Doc and he mentioned the possibility of upping my Lexipro. I decided to wait, as I don't want to be a zombie. I still feel my grief and yes, I'm still somewhat depressed. I'm a grieving widow and this is how it should be. I don't want to skip out on my grief process.

As to Martha's reference on HRT's . . I wasn't a candidate due to past endometriosis and fibroid issues. However, I know friends that are able to use and would endorse highly.

My recommendation . . . go see this psychiatrist and be open to their suggestion (yet, trust your intuition and do research before taking any new meds). Back in the day I was prescribed several anti-depressants that made me "crazier" than I already felt. We all have to be careful and listen to our body, mind and spirit. Be proactive in this search.

BTW, Martha is right . . do not stop taking Lexipro without being weaned off of it. I don't know the mg you are on, but in any event, it is not advisable to stop this med cold turkey.

Best wishes for a positive resolution to come. Keep us posted please. Hugs to you, Dayna

I would like to suggest you consult with your medical doctor rather than a psychiatrist. Your doctor has a better idea of your physical state when it comes to medications. My brother has run the course with many medications over time and it was suggested he get off the benzos which took about two weeks and began taking Buspar. This is non-habit forming and though it takes about 2 weeks to take full effect, it seems to be the best thing he has ever been prescribed.

Maggie

I would start with your primary doctor if you have a history with him and see what he or she suggests. Medications react different on each person so you can't go by other's reactions. Sharon

About two weeks after my wife's passing, I was prescribed Zoloft (50mg) for depression and Lorazepam (1 mg) for anxiety and sleeping, by a psychiatrist in Beijing. At the time, I was taking care of my mom who had a stroke. After two weeks when I came back to Hong Kong and saw a local psychiatrist and he asked the effectiveness of the medicine and agreed on the same course. So far the medicine helps me function as I have to work full time. But I have tried best not to let it interrupt my grieving as I developed grieving rituals, visiting counselors, getting on DS, and reading grief books etc. Tiger

Thank you all so much for your replies - I did see my psychiatrist yesterday and he was wonderful - he wanted me to stay on the Lexapro at 20 mg and he added another rx which he stated had no real side effects. We talked at great length and he knew where I was coming from as he had lost his wife some years ago. I specifically told him I did not want to feel like a zombie - and that I know there is no "cure" for grief. He said it is a life process. I feel much better today (not from the meds) but from talking about it with someone who has been there - just like all you good people on this site. Thanks again,
Mary

Glad to hear you went in and got help early. I resisted going because I was so afraid that any medication would affect my ability to care for my son's needs. The opposite became true. Losing Sharry was the worst nightmare possible, then compounded with having to retire early from my job to keep him in his home. All the changes and paperwork required to transition to a completely different life, plus the shock of her death made me relive the event for quite some time. I waited nearly 3 months to go in. I had reached the point where I only slept for minutes at a time. One day, I could not even sit down for more than about 30 seconds without feeling like I had to move. Exhausted, yet doing laundry, or cleaning anything I could find at 3 am. I was able to fool everyone into thinking I was okay, until it caught up to me, and I knew I either had to get help, or I was in serious trouble. The doctor started me on lorazepam 1 mg, 4 times a day. I was then able to sleep, function, and grieve as the shock slowly turned to sorrow.
I am now down to the lowest dose used. Grief never ends, but I now have accepted this new life that is required of me. My love for Matthew, and faith that we will see Sharry again, carries me. As time passes, a real desire for life has returned.
Getting the tools to carry us through this most difficult time in our lives, is an important part of recovery. My best to you all as you travel this most painful road to a new life.