I would definitely contact the doctor and let him know what side effects you are having. You should not be feeling "loopy". Either he can reduce the dosage or change to another prescription. I have been on several different meds for depression and they all react differently in our bodies. Just have to find the right one for you. I wish you all the luck in the world.

I would agree with everything newroadsforme just said. As I understand it there are several medications available and the doctors aren't sure which ones will work and at what dosages in your particular case. So it is a kind of trial and error method for finding which one works and at what level. From my Wife's experience there is a price to be paid for long term usage of these drugs. However if you just use them for a few months to get yourself over the worst of this it should be fine. Also do not mess around with the dosages yourself, and when you do come off of them you need to do that under a doctor's supervision also. I"m sure you got all these warnings and more from the doc but I had to say it. Good luck. I am not a doctor and I haven't even played on on TV.
Steve

Both New Roads and stev are absolutely right. Eaxch and every med has it's own side effects and unique side effects individually on the body. i have family members who were clinically depressed (different that grief which is more situational), it took many attempts at different meds dosages, and combinations for them to work properly.

You should NOT ever feel the way you are feeling, so I'd contact the doc ASAP about how you are feeling. If taken for more than a few months in many cases they are addictive, or the other end, you build an immunity to the effects and they don't work anymore, so as Steve said never come off a med before talking to your doc as to how to ween off little by little.

Steve may not be a doc or played one on TV but he has it right on!!!!

Hope you get a dosage or med that makes you feel better not worse. Have had ENOUGH of the worse I am sure!!!

HUGS Diane

My personal choice was not to take any meds because I was so afraid of them. Plus, for me, I felt the need to work through the grief by feeling the pain. Postponing will only make it come later. Of course it's your personal choice whether or not you choose medication. You've got to do what's best for you. I pray for peace to start entering your heart.

I lost my hubby 7mths ago. I have Chronic Pain and Depression because of that. His Death made things worse, I started having an Anxiety Attack while I was at the Hospital, an on my Doctors orders They gave me Xanax. A very small dose, but it worked then and I continue to take it, along with my antidepressant and pain meds It does not make me loopy, in fact I wish it would make me sleepy, I seem to stay awake all night and then I have a hard time getting up in the AM. I does keep me centered, and without it I don't think I could complete what I have to do without it.
You should see your Doctor, and find either a better dosage of what he gave you., or try something else. Chronic Depression has many great medications, but Anxiety is a little different. That is why I take both meds. Do talk with your Doctor. No medicine should make you feel worse.

I lost my hubby 7mths ago. I have Chronic Pain and Depression from Degenerative Joint Disease. His Death made things worse, I started having an Anxiety Attack while I was at the Hospital, and on my Doctors orders They gave me Xanax. A very small dose, but it worked then and I continue to take it, along with my antidepressant and pain meds. It does not make me loopy, in fact I wish it would make me sleepy, I seem to stay awake all night and then I have a hard time getting up in the AM. I does keep me centered, and without it I don't think I could complete what I have to do without it.
You should see your Doctor, and find either a better dosage of what he gave you., or try something else. Chronic Depression has many great medications, but Anxiety is a little different. That is why I take both meds. Do talk with your Doctor. No medicine should make you feel worse.

I'm very sorry for your loss.
As far as medications, I'm against them because grief is not an ilness, it is a life event, the hardest event our entire system has to indure, absorb, process, and start healing.
However, in cases where you experience extreme insomnia, self distructive thoughts, you might need a short term treatment just to restore sleep. Medication is a dangerous path in my opinion.
Hug and prayer for your healing.

I have chosen not to take them because I grew up with a mother on valium (which used to be the prescribed drug of choice to give to women) when I was growing up. I understand that everyone is unique and individual and I believe that some people do need meds to survive the huge loss.

I agree that you need to notify and work with a lisenced professional to make sure that you have the right one and the right dosage.

hugs...
-Diana

hi, how long have you been on the anti-depressent? Which one are you on?

For the first two weeks you may experience anxiety and then it may (or may not reduce). If it is severe then you may need to stop - and certainly if you are taking them for longer than two weeks and you still have anxiety then it probably isn't working.

Whatever you are best discussing with your doctor - a minority of anti-depressents you cannot go cold turkey on and need to taper off.

Anti-depressents are NOT addictive - also you do not build up an immunity to them.

However, tranquilizers, Benzodiazapines, e.g xanax, ativan, valium, klonopin etc are all addictive with varying intensities.

Hope that helps.

I agree with comfortably numb, I was put on them and it changed so many things in my health. I tried others but nothing was working so I did quit them.

If you can find another outlet for your grief, let it out in so many other ways, writing, talking and letting out anger, if you do not go to a counselor find a good one to help you let it out with out medications.

Even though, you may want to be away from people, you would heal from joining classes or groups, take up a hobby.

Arts & Crafts, self express your pain; Boxing, let out your anger; Gardening, find beauty in the world; swimming or skiing (depends on weather), lets you also let out the frustrations. The list is endless of what is out there to do, to heal from grief.

Dear Lord God in Heaven, I praise Your Holy name, I lift up missingyou to You Lord, Please send heavenly and earthly angels filled with Your holy spirit to Guide her to what would be healthy for her, be it what she should need to Heal and to grow and let her feel You always with her.
I ask this in Jesus name,
Amen
Hugs,
Judy

I will be praying for you,
Hugs,
Judy

For me I never wanted to take medication. Now I am glad I didn't. I was able to get through the worst part of my grief. I know though that there are others who really need medication. I think it is a matter of what your doctor thinks and what you want. Hugs

Hi I did some checking and thought I'd throw these articles on antidepressants out for reading. I had parents, two cousins, and a few friends who have taken antidepressants and they do very much have addictive qualities in them. although the medical community on a whole says they are not, there are many INSTANCES where the meds react differently after being used for a longer time period.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-questions/antidepressants/are-antidepressants-addictive-and-do-they-cause-dependence

also, ANY med used for antidepressant purpose HAS to be under a docs care to be stopped whether they be Tranqilizers or antidepressants. I just don't want anyone thinking these are things that you can stop and start at will. They are VERY helpfukl when needed, but can cause even worse reactions when not closely monitored and I know this from alot of experience with them and reactions from family members. Whether the wording of addiction is mis used, it is very IMPORTANT to heed ANY differences you feel. My dad tried to commit suicide TWICE because of meds not working after years of use, and also meds reacting badly in his body, after a small amount of time..

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/expert.q.a/11/27/zoloft.dosage.antidepressants/index.html

it's been bothering me all day and just had to find some articles that explain a bit in laymans terms as i know that's HOW I NEED them to be explained!! Never been a doc, but do know what the mis use and mis prescription of these wonderful drugs that can help can also hurt when not taken properly and I just care that no one gets hurt by them. Only helped.

HUGS To all Diane

I think when meds cause you problems with your daily life, you need to throw them out. Personally, I chost not to take meds because I was pregnant when Mike died and I need to keep a clear mind with my kids around.

Maggie

Wow! I can't believe the amount of misinformation and weird guilt-tripping laid out on Missingyouxx in this thread.

@Missingyouxx, I am sorry you have been given such nonsense when you asked for advice.

Antidepressants that are SSRI's are not addictive. Anxiety medications that are MAOI need special handling. The tranquilizers (like Acuriousfish listed) are addictive and are generally not prescribed here in the UK (he and I are also in the UK), so I'm pretty sure that's not what your GP has given you. Some of the anti-anxiety meds can backfire and give you panic attacks and more anxiety. If that is the case, then you should contact your GP's surgery and talk with your GP.

There are different medications that can be tried. Medication can be done short-term. Just as counseling and group therapy can be done short-term. There are those people in the world who have inherited a genetic disposition to addiction, which is why the doctors in the UK and lately more doctors in the US have stopped prescribing some medications.

Talk with your GP and work with him/her on a solution. If you decide to go without the medication, make sure your GP and you have worked out how you will go off them and what you will do in their stead.

Again, I am sorry you received some off-the-wall replies here. Sometimes our members get a little over-zealous. They mean well, they just don't realize when they are doing more harm than good.

Love and Hugs,
Martha

I agree. We can listen to others' opinions and experiences, but decisions about medications should be made between doctor and patient. Everyone is different. And, please, no guilt trips for those who use meds. Mental illness is not being crazy necessarily, it is a health issue.