I want to talk over how I am feeling with you guys; starting afresh. On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is black hole depression with complete despair, and 10 is happy and content...

Before anti depressents and with no exercise, I have been as low as 1-2.
Exercise helps a lot and with it I feel about a 4.

Before anti depressents, I feel low like I don't want to live. Very sad and cry and feel sorry for myself. Get help you say, OK so I go on anti depresents (prozac). Since starting on anti depressents I feel an urge to kill myself and I cut my arm up. Like a tight feeling in my gut after I go to bed where I desire death and imagine a strong desire to be crushed, drowned, hung, stabbed, decapitated. Having an urge to step out in front of a car as I walk down the street (never had to fight any urge like that before!).

Is this normal for increased risk of suicide after going on anti depressents? In other words are the anti depressents directly causing this and increasing my anxiety? I am just seeking knowledge and understanding so I can better cope with my feelings.

Unfortunately, suicidal tendencies are a side effect of Prozac. Not all antidepressants have this side effect.

How long have you been on the prozac? It can take up to 4 - 6 weeks to reach therapeutic effect.

I was on 20mg prozac for 3.5 weeks before I went back to the doctor. Now I have stopped prozac and have some Cipralex (escitalopram) 10mg per day to try. Please advise me if you think the new meds will be better or not.

I wish I knew what to expect with the prozac that would have made it easier to cope! Can you explain why it happens or how the new meds might be different?

Escitalopram, known as Lexapro here in the US, also carries a risk of suicidal tendencies.

Both medications are SSRIs, or Selective Serotoning Reuptake Inhibitors. They both inhibit the central nervous system's neuron uptake of serotonin, but not of norepinephrine.

They both work in the same way, and the side effects are the same, however, the chemical make-up of the medications is slightly different, therefore altering the side effects from person to person and medication to medication.

Finding the right medication is like finding a needle in a haystack. It can take quite a bit of trial and error to find the medication that works for you.

I think I understand. Except don't you mean they both inhibit the central nervous system's neuron uptake of serotonin AND norepinephrine. Heart beats faster, I am more restless, stressed and anxious. That means I have more norepinephrine doesn't it?

I have some Temazepam to help me sleep. I am supposed to take two 10mg tablets, but I find that dose to have almost no benefit to my sleep. Could you tell me what would be a relatively safe amount to overdose on? How many tablets would I need to take before I stop breathing?

Why are you thinking about death?

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Originally Posted by simoneaugie

Why are you thinking about death?

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Because I am depressed and now have suicidal urges after starting on anti depressents.

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Originally Posted by DMA

Except don't you mean they both inhibit the central nervous system's neuron uptake of serotonin AND norepinephrine.

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Actually, no, I meant what I said... BUT norepinephirne.

It is apparent that the two SSRIs you have taken are not right for you. You may have to go with tricyclics. Discuss this with your provider.

OK thanks. I have only been taking Escitalopram for 1 day so I should probably give it a chance to work for now.

Going back to the Temazepam for sleep, I took 3 tablets and managed a whole 2 hours of sleep. I really need to take some more but I don't know how many. If I took 4-5 would that be dangerous? I was perscribed two 10mg tablets.

Temazepam, known in the US as Restoril, assuming you are an adult, should be 15-30 mg at bedtime. So 3 tablets is within the acceptable range. Don't take any more than that.

As you have only taken the Lexapro for one day, you need to give it 4 - 6 weeks for therapeutic effects. Make sure you take it in the morning so that it will not counteract the Restoril.

If it increases suicidal thoughts go to doctor and change to another med is my advice. If you are already suuicidal and the thoughts get worse that is not good