Too Much Meds? ... Or Not Enough?!
Question: I am 14 years old and I am on fluxitine [Spell Check does not have the correct spelling, and I do not have the bottle on me]. I have cronic depression and anxiety. I am on 20 milligrams, I am going to my doctor tomorrow, which is when he will most likely up it for me. It doesn't seem to be working that well at all. My mom says that is because it is too much for a teen to be on. But i'm starting to think it just might not be enough? I don't seem to be getting any better, and that is with visiting my phycologist every month, and every week with my talking therapist.
But i'm also afraid because this dose gives me some suicidal thoughts, just thoughts though- I wouldn't act upon it. If they up it, will it increase those thoughts?
Answers: I am 14 years old and I am on fluxitine [Spell Check does not have the correct spelling, and I do not have the bottle on me]. I have cronic depression and anxiety. I am on 20 milligrams, I am going to my doctor tomorrow, which is when he will most likely up it for me. It doesn't seem to be working that well at all. My mom says that is because it is too much for a teen to be on. But i'm starting to think it just might not be enough? I don't seem to be getting any better, and that is with visiting my phycologist every month, and every week with my talking therapist.
But i'm also afraid because this dose gives me some suicidal thoughts, just thoughts though- I wouldn't act upon it. If they up it, will it increase those thoughts?
Have you been taking the fluoxetine for five years? If so, it's probably time for a different medication. If you've just started taking it recently, you should know that it takes up to four weeks for it to start to have an effect.
As for the suicidal thoughts, PLEASE discuss them with your psychiatrist and your therapist. It's kind of a tricky thing when you're being treated for depression. The thoughts could be stemming from the illness rather than the medication, but you should tell your doctor about your thoughts in any case.
There are plenty of other drugs to try, so don't give up hope. I took Zoloft for anxiety for a couple of years. It took a while for me to notice any effect. My doctor started me on 12.5 mg and slowly brought me up to 50mg. It took about six weeks before I realized that it was starting to work, and therapy was also a big part of the process.
Don't give up hope, and don't give into suicidal or other negative thoughts. You're going to get better.
I'll keep you in my prayers!
It might be a good idea to switch medications. I am not sure what anti-depressants are out there available to a 14 year old. But a medicine that I personally know that works GREAT for Anxiety and Depression is Lexapro. I am not sure if your doctor would put you on that or not. Another medicine is Prozac. It may be that the medicine you are on now just is not right for your system and you need another medicine. Luckily, we live in a world with plenty of meds to choose from. I would suggest switching meds BEFORE going up on them. Best of luck!
It is not unusual for people on antidepressants to have to change their medications from time to time. Sometimes the meds just don't work the same. Be honest with your doctor and tell him exactly how you feel. He can't help you if you don't tell him.
Fluoxetine is the generic name for Prozac. I used to take it from the 6th grade until freshman year in college. i think i took it because i used to get migraines almost everyday, and when they put me on prozac, the migraines stopped. When i was 14 i took 20mg in the morning. I was never depressed though. I stopped taking it during finals week my first semester in college, and i didnt notice any change at all. If you suffer from depression and you stop taking it, you should wean yourself off.
If it isn't working, it isn't a matter of the dose, but it is not the right drug for you. Medications react differently with everyone, and you need to find the right drug for you. My mom suffers from depression and the only thing that has been working for her is celexa. My 17 year old friend also suffers from depression and he had been taking lexapro, and although it took away the depression, it also took away happiness making him feel numb. I have two friends who take lexapro and it works for them.
You should tell your doctor as this is a common side effect in some psych medications. I've seen it listed on a few of the ones I've been on. You might want to begin keeping a little journal about how you're feeling. You could start taking notes when you are feeling particularly sad and/or anxious. Date it and jot down any feelings that stand out. Then next time you see your doctor, bring the journal and go over your notes with him/her. Hopefully it'll help to determine how you are feeling and if more meds are in order or not. Only your physician can access if an increase of medication will cause more suicidal thoughts or if there is another cause altogether. He/she may want to add another medication for anxiety.