About three months ago, I began taking antidepressants. It was a huge step for me, because it’s one that I’d been avoiding taking for years. Deciding to finally help myself was a Very Big Deal. However, not all medications work for all people. The one I was on was not the right one for me. I was sleeping 20 hours a day and was always tired, and the sexual side effects were brutal.
So yesterday I went to a psychiatrist, instead of my primary care doctor. She told me that the medication that I had been given was known for causing lethargy and fatigue, and as someone that already has chronic fatigue as a result of hypothyroidism, all that would do was exacerbate it. I also have ADHD, which I have been prescribed medication for for a while now.
The psychiatrist was amazing and suggested a medication that is an antidepressant, but also can be used in treating chronic fatigue AND ADHD, because it is a stimulant. She took me off my ADHD medication, and wants to see how this one medication will work for me. This medication is also known for having some of the least sexual side effects as well.
I begin taking it today. All I can do is keep my fingers crossed that this is the right medication for me, and that I can begin to crawl back out of the hole that I’m currently in, because I can’t cry or hurt anymore. I can’t stay holed up in my room for days on end. I can’t live among rotting food and empty soda cans because cleaning it up would be too much energy. I can’t sleep multiple days in a row away. And if this isn’t the right medication, either, I’ll continue to try and find the one that is.
I have to keep helping myself, because no one else will.
I'm Britni, a snarky bitch and generally awesome person. I write about sex, love, and bullshit. If sex-positivity, discussions about BDSM and kink, queer issues, and topics that are completely inappropriate by society's standards make you uncomfortable, then this blog is not for you.
Good Vibes 
9 Comments
I hope these new meds work out for you! Hooray for taking so much initiative with your mental health. That can be really tough, especially when you’re feeling depressed and exhausted. It takes a lot of self-possession. Be well.
Yes, that medication is helpful for ADHD and a decent antidepressant as well. I have been on it for years with great success. Email me if you would like any further comment.
However, not all medications work for all people. The one I was on was not the right one for me. I was sleeping 20 hours a day and was always tired, and the sexual side effects were brutal.
I’ve been there and lived that hell, Anti-Depressants are a bit like partners – When you do find ‘the right one’ everything starts to improve. As much as people like to think depression can be solved without medication – I’m going to kick the next person who tells me to get out of the house & spend some time in the sin! – Sometimes it is caused by an imbalance in the chemicals within our brains, something that can’t be ‘fixed’ without medication to help adjust the imbalance.
Hang in there, one day soon you’ll notice the difference.
Peace, Love & Empathy
Violet x
Yes! I hate when I say I’m depressed and people say, “Why?” as if there has to be a reason for it. Like you said, sometimes it’s just a chemical imbalance, and there’s nothing we can do about it.
I’ve been having a really tough time with my meds, too. Partially bc for awhile there, they had me on fibromyalgia medication which was similar to an anti-depressant which is in essence a stimulant which….too much stimulant puts me to sleep. At one point I was on wellbutrin, ritalin and 2 fibro drugs. I was so blah.
Now I’m off everything and know I need to be on something.
The only ADD med I ever took that I felt alert and GOOD was the brand version of Adderall XR. Even on plain generic amphet salts I felt pretty decent but for unexplainable reasons they started making me seriously quesy after about 8-9 months.
Yeah, I was on Adderall. That’s what they just took me off of. I’m a little nervous about it, because it really does make such a difference for me, but hopefully this medication will help. They put me on Wellbutrin. So, we’ll see.
I really hope this is the medication for you! I’m glad you had the strength to take care of yourself. I’ve been there, it sucks.
Congratulations on making the decision to take care of yourself. You deserve it.
Good for you! I hope this medication works out well for you. I never understand why some people get so worked up about taking anti-depressants. No one faults a diabetic for taking insulin.
Everyone’s brain and body is different and some people just need some medication to make everything work harmoniously.
I am glad you are taking care of yourself. I would love to see you deliriously happy!
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