Phyl I think most of us on here who have known you for a long time were relieved when we heard from you that anti-depressants were prescribed after what was a traumatic time and helped you so enormously that you came back as your old self. Nobody should underestimate the disaster that depression makes of a persons life, thank goodness that there are such a medication such as anti-depressants, too many lives have been lost needlessly in previous generations. It is great that the old you is back.

Thanks matey. I had never known the "black dog" or even had many thoughts which were reeally sad in my life other than the normal things we all go through. Chemo. with it's chemicals, for me was a life changer but it also saved my life.

Nothing re meds. is for everyone is it Viv. :) but finding what suits at the time and helps, is a bonus.

When I was diagnosed with problems recently my GP told me that being over 70 I have to expect things to go wrong.

That was not what I wanted to hear as I am usually an active person and spend most time outdoors.

It did knock me for 6 and I don't think he realized what he had caused. I was depressed, had trouble sleeping but was determined to get above all that and now have done.

If a doctor had suggested I take medication at the time I would have agreed to, so Phyl I do understand where you are coming from and am pleased that after going through a time that not many could comprehend, you have found happiness again.

These things should be discussed and maybe by doing so you have helped someone else.

Yes Phyll i take Celepram and have done for some time . But I don't think it is a forever drug . 

That's the one Pete. Of course not all meds. are for, or needed by everyone.

People take meds. for blood pressure and numerous other things including diabetes - staying on top of things for life, is just another good thing for some, and makes being past middle age an enjoyment instead of being "just another grumpy man or women sitting in God's waiting room" but being involved in life and happy forever, better way to go I recon. :)

In my case I am only as old as the women I'm feeling....most of the male old farts on here have memory loss on that subject.

My mother, who worked into her 70s, and who had never been depressed a day in her life, found herself feeling sad and crying a lot when she retired. Her doctor put her on antidepressants and she bounced back to her old self. She didn't need to keep taking them but I myself do, as I find it's better for me to take them as I genetically have a predisposition to depression from my father's side, though most of the family are not affected, it did affect my father, a cousin and myself. My father was on medication so was able to continue with his career and life. Unfortunately my cousin in his early 40s with a great career, committed suicide last year. 

Hugs Bookwyrm. Your post (as I hope all posts will) and why I raised the topic, is to maybe help someone/s sitting at home maybe feeling low, but not realising there is help available, and unlike  in the past, these tablets taken in the right dose (starting at a low dose and increasing if needed, until the right one is found) are life changing for those in need, and perhaps many many people worrying to much. They just keep a person on an even keel. A special Doctor I know  said she felt many people could have a much happier life on them.

I am NOT advocating anyone take any meds. but IF anyone IS feeling really down - ask for help as like Bookwym said and I also have said, we know of suicides of people around 40 years of age and older who are not coping.

Happiness is our responsibility so don't choose to be a grumpy so and so :) not necessary.

I read somewhere that the scientists were working on fast-acting antidepressants which would act in a similar way that a pain killer like Pandol does instead of having to wait for weeks for the antidepessants to kick in - unfortunatelly still in experimental stage.

"GP told me that being over 70 I have to expect things to go wrong."

Ouch! - it is enough having the stress of the problem without the GP feeding you thoughts like that.

Of course the other thing we have to consider that not everyone is tolerant to the current antidepressants and it is very hard also to come of them - it has to be very gradual.

Suze

Thanks for the info about the up and coming fast acting antidepressants. If successful it should make a difference to many lives.

Thanks Bookwyrm:- To many people are afraid to talk about things,  so if any of us can help another, surely it might just be a tick on our side of the scales for when we go to where we are going lol.

I for one, said I would NEVER take sleeping pills but I would now, if I needed them, but luckily do not.

Abby "State of Mind" is maybe more important if not equally as important as if Diabetic making sure the Meds. are right every day, and yes for life, along with so many other things  which grab us to "stop the Party" (so to speak) including high blood pressure and the list goes on. People in the over 40 age group suicide at quite an alarming rate because they do not "ASK for help" . True, most Meds. need to be started gradually and stopped even more slowly.

I agree No Medication is best if not needed, but the right medication at the right time "saves lives".

We might save one life, and moreso make many people struggling, have a good (best time of our lives) for many of us, instead of being miserable. 

You are quite right Phyl, and as well as saving lives, the right medications also vastly improve our quality of life. Some time ago, a friend put me onto glucosamine sulphate. Until then I had aches and pains all over the place and while i was mobile, the accompanying moans, groans and bitching were annoying my family. I now find that while I get the odd pain, my life has improved dramatically -I would recommend it to anyone with arthritis, "bad knees", etc.

While I dont need meds for sleeping, depression etc I would take them without a second thought if they did become necessary - we owe it to ourselves to have the best quality of life we can.

Maybe we can start a new category for tips, hints, meds etc that really work and help us stay young and active (relatively speking, of course). Good news ought to be shared among friends.

Yes I agree that sometimes one might have to take medication to get through a tough time.  I also know that there are many Drs that are quick to say

("oh well at your age" ) etc and don't seem to want to give a hoot, if they are like that then get rid of them as I did.

Phyl I am so glad you are back on board and pleased to hear you are so much better.

I am so glad to hear you found what helps you also kfc. and keeps you trim and fit and pain free to a good degree..

A forum is great for people to share most things, and  many of us here like to share. 

_______

Thanks P.B. thought I was safe from Appendicitis :) hope not tonsils next :(