Clinical depression symptoms and conditions

I am 24 and have been using the NR for about 3 years. At first it was wonderful. I have been on the pill, patch, and depo shot (which made me suicidally depressed and anxious) and the hormones were just too much. Immediately NR had better symptoms than Depo, with extremely light periods (where I would have 4 heavy days before) and no mood swings. I have always been mildly bipolar, and NR made my rollercoaster moods flat and even, and I still really enjoy that, even if things don't make me as happy as they did before. However, I have noticed over time that I no longer have periods but random spotting that lasts a few days without any cramping, insomnia with bouts of extreme sleepiness, clinical depression (I was considering medication before my boyfriend told me to look at the BC first), hopelessness (for a week once a month I tell my adoring boyfriend of a year that he doesn't love me enough and we're not working out), vaginal dryness, no libido (this is the part that scares me the most--all my life I would crawl the walls to get some action and now I don't even want to when in bed with an aroused boyfriend), no interest in people or socializing where before I craved to see my friends all the time. I have been able to easily lose and gain weight on NR, with consistent exercise. Oh, and as you can maybe tell from how I ramble, its really hard to focus and remember things a lot of the time. And I have a Bachelor's in Art and I've always loved making things and now there's nothing that I'm interested in anymore or want to make. I don't know who I am anymore.

I think I'm going to try going off NR, but besides an IUD or constant condoms, I don't think there's anything else I can do...

I have had the Mirena IUD in since September of 2004 (after the birth of my second son). It is due to come out today. I am looking forward to this so very much. After having the IUD put in, my periods stopped completely. I have not had a period for five years. Yesterday I started bleeding, I guess due to the fact that the IUD is expired. I have also had some severe nausea (not sure if this is due to the IUD). I was doing really well before I had the IUD put in. I was not an angry, sad, or depressed person. However, I did notice that after the IUD was inserted I started to feel really down and out. I began to experience anxiety and was diagnosed with clinical depression. I have battled this for five years now and it has been really tough. I have tried different anti-depressants and just can't seem to get a hold on it. I asked more than one doctor if the Mirena IUD could contribute to depression and all of them told me NO. I am not convinced. Although I have had other personal issues to deal with, I really feel like the IUD has had a major impact on me. I kept the IUD in and delt with all of this because I have two children and I am not looking to have more anytime soon. I may not have more children altogether....I am currently in school and looking at maybe a degree in Nursing. I did not need to be pregnant while trying to finish school. However, the more I have thought about it, I too wish I would have researched this little device a little better and found out more information. Our bodies, as women, were created to have a menstrual cycle each month to naturally cleanse the vagina and uterus. By having the IUD, and my period stopping completely, I interrupted this natural cycle (which helps to cleans my body). This can't be a good thing. I would advise anyone who is considering this as a birth control method to talk to your doctor and ask MANY, MANY questions. Get a second, or third, or fourth opinion if you have to. All of our bodies are different and what doesn't work for one may work for another. Just get the facts, be careful and good luck to everyone else out there.
-faithprincess7

My experience with the NuvaRing thus far has been disastrous. I was prepared to put up with the ruined underwear from unexpected menstruation but today whilst sobbing uncontrollably on the freeway with my husband gasping at me helplessly was enough. He actually was the one who suggested that it may be the ring and after reading the accounts of other women I am glad it is not me (and so is he). I actually just read some accounts to him and he was looking at me with a "told you so" look on his face. I have been in remission from clinical depression for a year and a half now, and these feelings I am having whilst on the ring are those of depression. I was seriously scared that possibly I had slipped back into a depressive state, but only a few weeks ago I was happy with my life and safe and stable. I am also ANGRY at everything. Again, something I was really concerned about- that is totally not the person I am. I am also having periods of dizziness and loss of consciousness which I thought was dehydration, but I could not seem to fix it. I am sure this is an effective form of birth control for some women, but I would just like to let you all know that constant vaginal bleeding, depression and thoughts of no self worth, anger, dizziness and pain are not worth it. Not in my experience.

I've had numerous side effects from Synthroid, but the ones that finally scared me off the drug were the thoughts of death, dying and suicide.

These thoughts came as casually as thoughts of what I'll wear tomorrow, which was more frightening. They also came unbidden. First, I was thinking about death generally. About a month later, I began thinking about dying, and the whole process of dying. Then, when I started thinking about just walking in front of a train, I got on the Internet and did some research.

Synthroid was the only medication I take daily, so I stopped taking it at once. And about a week later, the thoughts of death, dying and suicide stopped. My doctor refuses to prescribe natural thyroid, so I'm out of luck until I find a doctor who will help me.

Hi. I was just told I had low Vitamin D. I have been doing some research on what might cause this and what issues low Vitamin D could cause. I am finding that all acid inhibitors can cause this condition. Many of the side effect all of you have listed along with many others have been reported with use of these type drugs. Some research also shows that softing of the bones or brittle bones can be a side effect after long term use. This is where the Vitamin D comes in. The acid inhibitors keep your stomach from breaking down Vit. D which is distributed in your body as a hormone. Vit. D or lack there of can cause so many deceases that are life threating that it is unreal. I am not an expert by no means, but now when I go back to my doctor for the follow up for the low Vit. D I fill much more informed by doing my homework. I have took Nexium for about 3 years and then Aciphex for about 3 years; so a total of 6 years on the acid inhibitors. During this time I have been diagnosed with clinical depression, degenerative bone decease, and now Low Vit. D. I have had the dry mouth, cold feet, leg cramps, unexplained abdominal pain, cannot control my hunger, anxiety, lumps in my throat, skin rash that comes and goes and is untreatable, heart palpitations, trouble sleeping, pain in my kidneys.....OH how I could go on. In the official PDF file on the side effects of Aciphex there are no studies past one year to substantiate any claims of long term side effects. I have heard in the past 18 months little stories on the TV news about how Nexium can cause bone fractures but it is not played up very big. I have gone to the doctor more then the average person and I have felt as if I am a HUGE hypocondriac. Yesterday was the first time I have been able to breath and I actual stated to my husband that I feel as if suddenly the hypocondriac weight I have been bearing has somewhat been lifted off my shoulders.

PLEASE if you have took any of these types medications and you have these symptoms insist that you have your Vitamin D levels check before it is too late. Continue to persue this avenue even if your doctor is reluctant. AND write the FDA about your experiences. STAND UP FOR YOUR HEALTH!

I have been on Cymbalta for close to 2 years for the last several months I have been forgetting more and more.. more frequently! My doctor increased my dosage from 90mg to 120mg. Now, I have had a nervous breakdown/anxiety attack was admitted to the hospital's outpatient treatment program and have lowered it back to 60mg. It is very hard to ween off of. The hospital doctor has prescribed Lamictal and Trazadone and my gastroenternogist has put me on Amitryptiline. Gee I feel like a Pharmacist now. This sucks! All for Clinical Depression and Fibromyalgia and IBS, Does anyone else have memory problems while on Cymbalta??? email me ******to talk.

I have taken my 15th tablet this morning.

I already knew i was sensitive to new products, and if a small percentage of people have side effects, I'm likely to be one of them.

I browsed through the potential side effects on a my fact sheet and then put the paper away and focused on the positive effects i was looking forward to. I was keen for improvements of any sort!

Well here i am on day 15 and had to start googling to see if it is my imagination or something else.

I commend those women who stick it out for 3 months, but i just can't risk waiting around for an improvement or for it to settle.
I can handle the mid nausea that comes and goes, even the breast swelling, which has been quite extreme. I got a rash -acne like - on my face, initially my face became abnormally greasy too- like i had olive oil on my face! But the following is just not on. i can cope with physical issues, but not mental ones.

1. Moods- Depression and irritability - what a change- I am angry, nasty -want to leave my husband, say mean things to my young children. Don't care about my kids. No warmth. Feel overwhelmed by usual tasks like housework. Feel really negative about everything in my life. Feel sorry for myself for anything that is not positive or terrific. Don't feel motivated, don't care. Resent things that normally i would just go ahead and do.

Foggy brain- can't think clearly

My husband has clinical depression so this is not helpful- two of us being self centred can't work.

Anxiety- unbelievable. I'm like another person- I allow irrational negative thoughts take over. Each day is different, some worse than others.
I've been tempted even a week ago to ask for anti-depressants for anxiety and depression when i saw my doctor for something else. i thought I was going mad.

Fatigue,- some days i just don't want to do anything.

Sleep- a couple of unexplained nights of insomnia and really negative stressful dreams.

Probably other symptoms.

Everything described is an extreme and unbearable change in me, and this effect took place probably with 24 or 48 hours (I didn't keep a diary unfortunately, but the symptoms began almost immediately.

I wish it was a good experience but i am not willing to wait and see what my mental health will be like in a month or two. Not with young kids who need a mum. I just took a herbal laxative to hopefully flush out the Yaz I took this morning. No more for me.

Okay, I don't have any side effects, but I do want to know something important!
I'm 16 years old and i REAALLLY want someone (who knows about the Yasmin pill!) to help me out with this one. Tomorrow i am going to the doctor with my mom. I have irregular menstruation. Like 2 or one week before it's supposed to come. I also get cramps, which are just enough to hold out...But the thing is, i just want to get the Yasmin pill. I heard that it clears your skin (although i don't have acne or anything) and it can make your breast bigger.. I have like a A-cup and bigger breast are nicer.
But now I read these bad experiences and I'm just scared to start it.. But still i wanna try it, 'cause I can stop right after it starts to become bad, right??
Please give me a good and useful answer!

Thanx!
A confused girl

I have been on 3 different birth control pills/patches in the past 2 years and I am sick of it. I know that some people are fine on and off birth control pills, but for me, I will never take one again. I was first on the Ortho Evra patch and that was the worst thing imaginable. I was throwing up on and off and developed a problem with my kidney's that caused what seemed like a UTI but after taking antibiotics never got better, until I got off of the patch. I switch to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. It was reasonable for a while, because at least I could function as a normal person again. But after a while I noticed it's side effects too; nausea, no sex drive, and a variety of others. So I then switched to Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. Although it was the best of the 3, it still gave me side effects that I could not deal with. For the past 2 years, no one has been able to understand my moods, I have had to struggle to feel sexual, have gone from 20-30 vision in both eyes to having 20-200, loosing 20 lbs which makes me 103 lbs now, and after that, finding out that I can no longer eat dairy products (out of the blue). My hair is thinning out and is dull because my birth control pills lowered the amount of nutrients my body could take out of my food (look it up! Birth Control pills can cause definiency's in calcium, b12, biotin and others). Birth control pills were the only pills I was taking during those two years (except for the antibiotics I mentioned earlier) and I had not changed any of my eating habits. I will never go on a birth control pill again, and I hope that I can start to feel better and heal after the craziness those pills have inflicted on my body.

Lately my wife has been experiencing of depression, lack of energy, muscle cramps, nausea, enlarged and soar breasts (nipples are hot also), headaches, insomnia, vaginal discomfort and sourness with and without physical contact, constipation, and other symptoms, which I cannot as a male, properly describe. Is this accumulation of symptoms normal or should we look in another direction for birth control (besides condoms)? A concerned husband, Kenny...

I just got done reading a lot of this page, I was in tears. I'm a 23 year old female; I started taking Advair 250/50 (two times a day) about 3 1/2 years ago for COPD. Before my problems started I was working overtime every week, just financed a car a year previous, moved out of my parents and felt like I was on top of the world. Minus my general anxiety and clinical depression, I was only on 2 medications plus an albuterol inhahler.
I kept getting sick, was having trouble breathing, so I was put on Advair; at first It's like I read in almost all these forums...It's a miracle drug! I was able to breathe, but I noticed I was starting to feel pretty lazy, in 2 months I gained 30lbs. I kept taking it along with a lot of other medications for more problems that seemed to keep coming along. In late summer of 2005 I had a seizure while I was at work in a restaurant kitchen. I was opening and had passed out between 4 fryers and a flat-top grill; an ambulance picked me up. I kept getting dizzy spells and vertigo, I started having seizures a few times a week; I was released from my job on a long-term medical leave because of the hazard it was for me to work there. Things kept getting worse, It got to the point of averaging 17 pills a day because of medical problems. Before I got sick I weighed 131lbs, I currently weigh 170lbs. I was having seizures everyday, then every other day, and it slowly decreased over time. I went through so many tests, I'm still going through them. I started having really bad bowel problems which I'm still dealing with; It's sort of like IBS. I also deal with chronic daily stomach/abdominal pain; in a laproscopy, the doctor said that my small intestine looked like "a bag of snakes". Another daily pain that I'm still dealing with mouth/teeth/jaw pain. Although I rinsed my mouth out after each use, I believe Advair royally screwed my mouth up for life. My gums bled everyday, I had to use a kids toothbrush, my gums were peeling off; It was told to me that It's like a mouth yeast infection. The gums over my canines started receding and didn't stop until I quit taking advair. The nerves on my canines are exposed and partially rotted, other teeth have chips and are rotten around them. The gums above my canines are still raised and will still flare up from time to time. I haven't been able to work since August 2005. I've been denied disability twice. I have panic attacks when I'm around people. I'm scared to drive because I've had a seizure behind the wheel. I'm in so much pain everyday that I normally don't move unless It's to use the bathroom. I used to cook 80 hours a week, hang out with friends, and work out. Now, I can't work, can't be around people, and take enough medications to start a pharmacy. It's odd how it all seemed to start when I began Advair. One other thing, I'm constantly coughing up these weird mucas spheres. My advice if you're thinking about taking advair...well, I'll just say if I would have known that this is what it'd do to me, I would have chose bronchitis 4 times a year.

I am a 37 year old female ~185lbs already under treatment for clinical depression with two medications. I used to take Alavert (loratidine) for seasonal allergies but found it had "stopped working" well for me. Since Zyrtec (certirizine) went over-the-counter, I decided to try it.

I took it sporadically at 10mg daily for a period of 2-3 weeks, and then, during a particularly bad allergic exacerbation, began to take it consistently at 10mg daily. My depression, which was previous well-controlled on medication, worsened to the point of severity. Extreme despair, emotional detachment, and loss of interest in pleasurable activities--well, in ANY activity beyond sleep.

I am a pharmacist, and on a whim, I decided to do some research into interactions with my other medications, and found several anecdotal reports of depression onset and worsening in Zyrtec users. This particular side effect of Zyrtec was unknown to me, nor have I received any educational materials or reports in my trade literature listing depression as a possible adverse effect.

I have discontinued the medication in both myself and my three year old daughter (5mg daily). I can already see a difference in her disposition, and I am starting to crawl out of my pit of gloom. I'm using Alavert again, as I never had one issue with it, and I'm supplementing with Benadryl (diphenhydramine) at night as needed for exacerbations.

I stopped smoking the third day into the first week. I'm in week two now, and have had half a cig a couple of times...but it doesn't taste good or do a thing for me. My cravings are minimum, no mood swings...don't even want to drink! (I haven't even finished a beer since I started.)

My side effects have been slight nausea even when I eat before taking; severe joint pain; insomnia; exhaustion, intestinal distress. I'm willing to put up with this for a few more weeks, but I may do as others have suggested and cut back to one pill a day by week three.

I quit 23 years ago and then, like a fool, started smoking again. The first time I quit I used hypnotism. I paid for five sessions and only used four. Worked like a charm...but soon after, I plunged into a severe clinical depression. It wasn't until years later that I connected nicotine withdrawal to depression. So, I'll be very careful this time around...it's taking a lot of guts for me to risk going through another bout of depression.

I was prescribed this drug earlier this week as I suffer with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) I told my new doctor that I've tried other antidepressants for my disorder and found them to either make myn anxiety worse or I get nauseous. He told me to take 10 mgs. to start and take that for a week and then increase the dose to 20 mgs. The first day night I took this drug I awoke at 4 am wanting to climb the walls. My anxiety was so bad I couldn't take it. I took 15 mgs. Valium but it did nothing for me. I took every herbal thing I had in my cabinet in hopes of getting rid of the horrible anxiety.....it was unbearable and I was on the verge of panic. I will NEVER take another one of these pills. I am so tired of doctors who write prescriptions without a care as to how it is going to affect their patient. It's not them that has to deal with the side effects. And I was told to continue taking the drug as the side effect will go away. He's nuts. I can't function with anxiety that was that bad. I give up!

PLEASE READ THIS WARNING ABOUT TOPOROL.

I was prescribed Toporol XL 50 in May of 2007 for premature atrial contractions. I was given no warnings about this drug. Within 3 weeks I was in a severe clinical depression. I went through hell for the next four months seeing numerous physicians, underwent numerous exams, was hospitalized several times and was suicidal. In my interactions with a number of psychiatrists, I learned that depression is a common side effect of Toporol and all beta-blockers. I also learned that, in particular, persons who have any history of depression should not be prescribed a beta-blocker because they have a high likelihood of re-entering a depression if they are given a beta-blocker. I had a history of depression and it was clearly documented in my file. Nevertheless, the doctor who prescribed Toporol for me did not make me aware of my high vulnerability to re-enter a depressive state with a beta-blocker. Had I been warned, I would have certainly declined this medication and saved myself from several months of indescribable misery.

PLEASE BE WARNED THAT THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL LIKELIHOOD OF ENTERING A DEPRESSION WITH TOPOROL OR ANY OTHER BETA-BLOCKER, PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF DEPRESSION. IF YOU ARE TAKING TOPOROL AND ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, NOW YOU KNOW WHY. DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOUR DOCTOR FEIGNS BEWILDERMENT IF YOU TELL HIM YOU'RE DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF THE BETA-BLOCKER. MINE DID, AS WELL. FOR SOME ODD REASON, DOCTORS DON'T LIKE TO CONCEDE THAT BETA-BLOCKERS CAUSE DEPRESSION. THEY WON'TN WARN YOU AND THEY'LL DENY THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BETA-BLOCKER IS THE CAUSE OF YOUR DEPRESSION. DISREGARD THIS. GET OFF OF THE BETA-BLOCKER AND GET TREATED FOR DEPRESSION. YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY YOU DID.

This is all very interesting, but it's all anecdotal! Can you PROVE that Singulair is responsible for all this stuff?

What other meds are you all taking? In what doses? Under what conditions? Do you have a family history of ? Are you under stress? Or are at least SOME of you just hypochondriacs who, reading this stuff, say to yourself, "Say, I get headaches -- sure, it's gotta be the Singulair!" C'mon, now -- hair loss?!

I've been taking Singulair for over 10 months, and if I'd been as damaged as you all, I think I'd know it.

Without rigourous medical studies to show what is REALLY going on, you lot are just gossipping.

This site is obviously trolling for a class-action suit.

I posted yesterday a response to a message from another woman. I have stopped birth control before and it caused me to begin my menstrual cycle early. I had been thinking about not taking YAZ anymore as I was convinced it was making me feel crazy and not myself. I felt out of control hormonally and that my brain and emotions were not connected. I was very moody and would be come depressed and anxious for no reason. I also felt like another person both physically as well as emotionally... I was exhausted all the time and felt like I lost my self confidence. I felt I was missing out on my life. I stopped taking the pill last night. I will let you know what the side effects I have experienced are. I am calling my DR. this morning to check to make sure I am not putting myself at risk by stopping the pill. I think I am doing the right thing for me. I think it would be best to call your Dr. and ask.
Also item to note: YAZ is used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, and feeling out of control. PMDD can also cause physical symptoms such as breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and bloating or weight gain.
I feel like this describes my symptoms to a tee.

So what does work? I've had depression, yeast infections, no sex drive, and I need to get this thing out. Has anyone with these same problems with the NuvaRing had luck with another form of birth control?

I took prednisone at 60mg/day for a week for inflammation that would not go away. I didn't sleep for 5 straight nights and was too anxious to eat anything. I became psychotic after a few days and would seriously worry that the sun wasn't going to come up that day and the world was going to end. I became so depressed that all I could do was cry. It took serious energy to do anything...even showering or walking to the bathroom. Since this short episode I have not been the same. I am now being treated for clinical depression with 2 types of antidepressants. I would recommend taking prednisone at a much lower dose (say 10mg/day) for treating non-life threatening problems to avoid the psychological side effects.

I have been taking Toprol for about a year for elevated heart rate. It slowed down my heart allright, and my metabolism slowed down with it! I've gained 20 lbs in a year! I joined Weight Watchers 9 weeks ago expecting to lose about 10 lbs by now. I keep a food journal, eat per the program and exercise 5 times a week. I have lost NOTHING. It is very depressing when you do everything that you're supposed to to lose weight and nothing happens. I am going to discuss other alternatives with my physician.

It has been just amazing reading these posts. I'm headed to my allergist to discuss other options and I wanted to be as educated as possible before hand because I feel for sure he's going to think I'm crazy.

I took Advair 250 for the first half of last year and I notice weight gain and feeling lethargic. I thought the lethargy was just normal stress. In September my dose was bumped to 500 and by November I was so depressed I started seeing a therapist. I kept asking her "Why is this happening to me now?? I have no reason to be here!" She gave me all the typical answers about clinical depression.

We went skiing over the holidays and I forgot my disk. I noticed immediately that I felt better. Happy for the first time in months. I thought it was because I was on vacation. When we returned, I started my dose again and guess what??? Within 3 days I could barely get out of bed again - and that's when it hit me - this wasn't mental. It came on so quick and was so contrary to my mental state that it was literally like getting sick. I suddenly made the connection and threw that stupid disk in the trash. I immediately started feeling better and I'm saving a ton of money on bills from the shrink.

I've been on 20 mg of Fluoxetine for the past 3 and a half weeks to treat clinical depression accompanied by a very moody temperament. I feel completely zoned out and light headed. Waking up has become more difficult. I've gone to my psychiatrist and pediatrician with concern about the above but they told me its just part of my body adjusting to the new meds.