h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm really scared at the moment. I have to find somebody who wants to take over my flat, then I can move out at the end of march. Tomorrow I'm signing out of university. I'd like to go home now, but I must stay until I have sorted everything.

Hi Kiddo, don't be scared. You're taking important steps to resolve things; I have confidence in you. Good luck, oodles of luck in finding a new tenant fast.

Okaaayyyy.

I went to the shrinky lady again yesterday. When I told her of my failed attempts to get an appointment with a doctor, she phoned herself. She got really angry when they told her the same "wait at least two months". Finally she got through to someone, I could come this morning, but may have to wait. So I went today, waited, and after an hour or two I saw the doctor. He gave me a prescription. So, from today on, and maybe for the rest of my life I'm taking medication . One is a SSRI, selective serotonin resomething inhibitor, the active ingredient is called escitalopramoxalat; I have to take that in the mornings. The other is a tricyclic, the active ingredient is doxepinhydrochlorid, that's for taking in the evenings. Does one of you perhaps have something similar? The brand-names of the meds vary in different countries, so I don't know what would be the equivalent to e.g. Prozac here . Do you still take the medication or was it only for a limited time to recover from a phase of depression? I don't feel too good imagining that I have to take it forever. No alcohol ever again . Do you get side-effects?

Oh by the way Ed, the shrinky lady thought it definately best to see a specialist, she said a GP wouldn't know enough. I'm glad that I went to a neurologist, he seemed trustworthy

Hi Susanne, sending you an email. Watch for it.

Actually, I'll just post here, so that Ed can correct me if I make mistakes.

You may not have to take the meds for the rest of your life, but you should take it as long as your doctor and you agree is best. Sometimes it takes a few weeks for the antidepressant to kick in, and then you'll want to be on it long enough to pull you out of your depression and get you stable, I'd say a few months at least. But of course you may find that the antidepressants work so well you don't want to get off them. If your doctor is observant, he will know how to guide you in this.

I take an SSRI. It increases serotonin levels in the brain. I have not had any side effects from it. Ed may have a better idea of side effects to watch for.

The tricyclics are older medicines with a few more side effects. I used to take a tricyclic, but it gave me a dry mouth. Maybe you can do an internet search for side effects?

I don't miss the alcohol. I manage to have plenty of fun without it.

I'm really proud of you for making that visit to the doctor. I am hoping the meds work quickly for you, with no side effects.

It looks like escitalopramoxalat is known as Cipralex. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escitalopram

I've not heard of being used in the UK - the pharma companies market different drugs in different countries - plus whatever your Hausarzt prescribes is influenced by whatever sales representative has visted most recently. But I'm sure it will be as good as any other SSRI (the R is for 're-uptake'. Definitely nothing to worry about. The most common side effect is (ahem) 'sexual dysfunction'.

Doexepin:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doxepin
Tri-cyclics...I've not had so much experience of. Dry mouth. Some drowsiness...which will be why they are given at night, I guess.

Ellen's right...they will take time to work, and you should stay on them for a while, even after you feel better. I take my anti-depressant constantly. No big deal! I also take medication for glaucoma constantly. If they don't work after a while - or if they have bad side effects - you may have to change. Different brands work differently for different people. The main thing is tat at last you've managed to get some proper medical help. And well done to you for pushing it.

Like I keep saying...anti-depressants are very, very common. Don't be scared by them.

Alcohol......no, you're not *supposed* to drink with SSRIs, but everyone does! And trycyclics + alcohol can make you sleepy. Of course doctors have to be cautious and they always tell everyone not to drink anyway. Don't get drunk all the time - alcohol is bad for depression - but I'm fairly confident that a little of your excellent German beer or wine will have therapeutic value. Prost!

(Don't listen, Ellen. You know we Europeans have an unAmerican attitude to alcohol!)

(But I'm not drinking during February. I give my liver a rest sometimes).

I've just remembered...my psychiatrist once said to me:
"Even some psychiatrists sometimes drink even though they're taking anti-depressants". I'm fairly sure she meant herself.

Hi Edward! Ellen here. Yeh, sometimes even I am tempted by a margarita.

Hi guys!

I feel pretty weak today. I feel dizzy and I'm sick most of the time. I hope this is only an initial thing. Still, I managed to do the shopping. Now I'm going to curl up in bed and read.

The pharmacist warned me yesterday not to drive. I can see why, I keep missing the right keys on the keyboard , the reactions are definately a little slowed.

Hang on in there! Side effects usually settle down.

I've realised that your SSRI is similar to Citalopram. I know lots of people who take that and get on well with it - but, yes, at first it made them sleepy.

Sorry you're catching those side effects. Hoping they level out and/or disappear. If you keep having them, your doctor may try you on just one med, to narrow down which is causing it. Sorry, I'm speculating, but I hate for you to be weighed down.

Susanne, did I ever tell you I got to go to Germany in high school? We went to Heidelberg. Very pretty place.

*Waves to Ed before I go to bed*

I've been to Heidelberg too.

I have a close friend in Frankfurt, and we're hoping to visit former neighbours who moved to Regensburg last year. (He's German, she's English).

Hello you two. The sickness is less today, but I'm still feeling weak and I'm a bit shaky. This morning I was lying in bed and it took very long to stand up, I felt so sedated, very heavy and my muscels felt so weak.

I've never been to Heidelberg, but I'd like to go . I had planned so much what I could do while living here. I thought I could visit Vienna or Prague. But at least I think I'll go to Munich sometime during the next 2 months.

Ah! Prague/Prag! I must tell you my stories some time...

They involve a meeting with a porn producer and a mafia hitman...

Nothing too illegal then.

I was in a state not dissimilar to your nickname at the time.