anti depressants

Hey Jude.

It was about a year and a half after my stroke my doc first suggested anti-deps. I resisted as I  wanted to deal with it naturally. Then around the three year mark I surrendered to my resistance and gave it a go. Long story short, I tried many types of anti-d's. Cymbalta, Avanza, Lexapro and Pristque. Some worked ok, some didn't. It's trial and error...and persistence. 

Six years post stroke I now believe that meds can help and if needed worth a try. For me quality of daily life out-weighed my desire to live a chemical free healthy life-style.

FYI- currently I'm not on any medication at all.

Hi Jude. I was prescribed Zoloft about 6months after my stroke. I just wasn't coping. Having trouble accepting I was different. Loss of friends !! It was 2 years since my stroke yesterday. I also saw a lovely physcologist regularly . That definitely helped. I haven't seen her for a few months now. I'd like to try to wean off them shortly. I'm doing pretty well really. I walk unaided at home but still need my walking when out in public. I hate the fact that I have to take so much medication now. I have frequent dizzy spells which I suspect is from some of the medication. A small price to pay I suppose. I had another slight stroke in late Dec 2014 which just set me back a bit. I still have that fear that I could have another one. But I'm trying to live my life without stressing about that too much. Best of luck to you. 

i had a stroke 3 months ago and have been on a small dose of avanza ever since

seems to work well

am recovering very well

work hard at physio and ot as well as my own excercise

the harder i work the better i become

my nephew who works with stroke patients says

"the best results come from those who work thr hsrdest

hope this response helps

Hoffans, stick to the exercise regime, recovery is all in your hands. Keep associating with this forum, it is a great way to find out more about your condition and how to improve yourself.

Deigh

Hi Debra, I hope you are talking to your doctor about those dizzy spells.  Things like positional vertigo are very dangerous for those of us with hemiparesis, or compromised proprioception.

I also take antidepressants (Lexapro) although not for depression.  I take it to suppress emotional lability, which was causing social issues for me with returning to work.  I too would have preferred the non medicated route but in the end, I had to admit that if I wanted to go back to the office/work it was necessary.  The medication doesn't stop the emotions but it does mean I can control my reaction to them.

-Heather

Hello Jude I was first prescribed antidepressant at the time of the stroke2012  the emotional recovery has been as hard as the physical. The loss of my independence has been huge. I was such a active and independent person. Antidepressants have certainly helped me and still take one. After 3 months in hospital with a wonderful rehab team and family behind me I now walk with a stick and have use of my left arm back again. A miracle recovery for me due to hard work and determination on my part. Rehab still continues with daily exercises. I can sew again and enjoy patchwork. I wish you well Jude on your journey of recovery.    JENNY

Anti depressants may be very helpful to some people but not for everyone.  Tony wasn't feeling to happy one day and the dr put him on anti depressants. 

It may have been the mixture with all the other pills he was taking but these pills did him much more harm than good.

I have found that although many of these doctors are really great, the tendancy to over prescribe can make things worse.

After nearly a year we got Tony off 5 different medications and he was a new man.  Many of these pills are given off the cuff.

Of course this doesn't mean everyone should not take meds but it does mean that we should be vigilant about what pills we take and understand what we are taking