1. < Mental Health

What to expect from my first time on an antidepressant?

Posted by scottbeammeup @scottbeammeup, Sep 24 5:02am

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2024 and started treatment right away. My treatment was radiation, which I finished in June and Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) which I am still on. One of the side effects of ADT, and probably of just having cancer, is that I've been EXTREMELY depressed. Not just sad, but feeling a grief I've never known even when someone I love died.

I've been seeing a therapist and they think I could benefit from an antidepressant for a few months while I'm still on this treatment. I've never taken one and am wondering what to expect. The specific drug is Wellbutrin. The doctor said I may feel anxiety for a couple days, but that will go away and that within about two weeks I should start to feel a bit better.

My oncologist omitted a lot of side effects of my treatment (such as depression) so I don't trust that this doctor is giving me the full story either. What are some of the bad things I can expect as a result of taking an antidepressant? Good things? Do these kinds of drugs actually work?

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Sep 24 8:23am

@scottbeammeup

Good morning, I am glad your provider is giving you something to help deal with depression. I see you had posted earlier about his reluctance to address the depression.

I have taken Wellbutrin for years, and it has been a good medication for me. When I first started taking I would not say I had anxiety, but felt like I drank two pots of coffee. That settled down within a week. Like any anti-depression, it takes time to work, so give it a month to see how you feel. If at that point, you do not feel it is helping or having side effects, talk to therapist / provider about a change in dosage or different medication.

I am on an extended release dosage (XL), did provider put you on XL version?

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1 reply
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 24 8:29am

@scottbeammeup My brother had prostate cancer and his oncologist told him about the possibility of depression while taking medication for the prostate cancer. My brother was already taking an antidepressant and did not feel any more depressed or anxious during his treatment.

In my opinion your therapist provided you with good advice and a way to be proactive. Yes, you may experience some side effects when you start taking the medication but as your body adjusts those side effects will lessen. Anxiety and insomnia can occur when you start Wellbutrin. If the side effects are alarming to you then you can ask the prescribing doctor or your therapist about that and hopefully get more information and reassurance. With some antidepressant there is weight gain. However, Wellbutrin does not typically result in weight gain. I have heard that people on Wellbutrin feel more energy and not sedated (as happens with some antidepressants).

Does this answer some of your questions?

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1 reply
scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Sep 25 7:23am
In reply to @roch "@scottbeammeup Good morning, I am glad your provider is giving you something to help deal with..." + (show)
@roch

@scottbeammeup

Good morning, I am glad your provider is giving you something to help deal with depression. I see you had posted earlier about his reluctance to address the depression.

I have taken Wellbutrin for years, and it has been a good medication for me. When I first started taking I would not say I had anxiety, but felt like I drank two pots of coffee. That settled down within a week. Like any anti-depression, it takes time to work, so give it a month to see how you feel. If at that point, you do not feel it is helping or having side effects, talk to therapist / provider about a change in dosage or different medication.

I am on an extended release dosage (XL), did provider put you on XL version?

Jump to this post

Yes, 150 mg XL. You're right--it does feel like I drank a lot of coffee, but not overly so. Yesterday was the first day in awhile when I was able to plow through a lot of work without being exhausted so even if the grief is still there a few times throughout the day, at least I feel I'm accomplishing something!

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2 replies
scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Sep 25 7:25am
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@scottbeammeup My brother had prostate cancer and his oncologist told him about the possibility of depression..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@scottbeammeup My brother had prostate cancer and his oncologist told him about the possibility of depression while taking medication for the prostate cancer. My brother was already taking an antidepressant and did not feel any more depressed or anxious during his treatment.

In my opinion your therapist provided you with good advice and a way to be proactive. Yes, you may experience some side effects when you start taking the medication but as your body adjusts those side effects will lessen. Anxiety and insomnia can occur when you start Wellbutrin. If the side effects are alarming to you then you can ask the prescribing doctor or your therapist about that and hopefully get more information and reassurance. With some antidepressant there is weight gain. However, Wellbutrin does not typically result in weight gain. I have heard that people on Wellbutrin feel more energy and not sedated (as happens with some antidepressants).

Does this answer some of your questions?

Jump to this post

Very much so. I'm not worried about weight gain because I'm now underweight. I've lost over 40 pounds since being diagnosed due to just not feeling like eating. I was about 15 pounds overweight from the pandemic (too much ordering food in) but now I could stand to gain back about 20 pounds. I view this as a good problem to have 😃.

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milly54 | @milly54 | Sep 25 10:37am

These drugs save and improve our lives for good reason. I’m happy you’re starting a regimen! It might take a few tries to find the “right” one that clicks for you but it’s so very worth it. Give it a real chance to work.

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Sep 25 2:34pm
In reply to @scottbeammeup "Yes, 150 mg XL. You're right--it does feel like I drank a lot of coffee, but..." + (show)
@scottbeammeup

Yes, 150 mg XL. You're right--it does feel like I drank a lot of coffee, but not overly so. Yesterday was the first day in awhile when I was able to plow through a lot of work without being exhausted so even if the grief is still there a few times throughout the day, at least I feel I'm accomplishing something!

Jump to this post

@scottbeammeup That’s very good news about having more energy yesterday. The increase in energy and focus is what I’ve heard Wellbutrin is supposed to do for depression.

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Sep 25 2:41pm
In reply to @scottbeammeup "Yes, 150 mg XL. You're right--it does feel like I drank a lot of coffee, but..." + (show)
@scottbeammeup

Yes, 150 mg XL. You're right--it does feel like I drank a lot of coffee, but not overly so. Yesterday was the first day in awhile when I was able to plow through a lot of work without being exhausted so even if the grief is still there a few times throughout the day, at least I feel I'm accomplishing something!

Jump to this post

@scottbeammeup

So glad you had a better day. Even though I am retired, the work ethic is still there. The need to feel I accomplished something every day. Some days I give myself a pass, the body needs to rest and regenerate. There will good and bad days, just be thankful for good days.

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mgrubbs221 | @mgrubbs221 | Oct 7 12:35pm

I have suffered depression for many years, but only started dealing with it heavily over the past 9 years. I take 3 antidepressants and Wellbutrin is one of them at 50mg/day. I’ve been in it now a little over a year. It definitely helps me. The only side effect I have had is the uptick in anxious energy. I can’t take a nap during the day, but it is a good lift for my spirits along with prayer to Jesus and his help.
So, for what it’s worth, I offer that it probably won’t be too heavy on side effects.

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kell504 | @kell504 | Oct 19 12:39pm

3 weeks ago I started the first anti-depressant that “seems” to be working.
Many years ago, my PCP prescribed Wellbutrin, and in the 2nd week, I began having have anger or moments of rage according to my husband😏☺️
This was a first according to my PCP. I hope you are tolerating it well and would love to know how you’re feeling. Your post was on 9/24. I began the Citalopram on 9/27, so we should both be feeling some effects by now.

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1 reply
scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Oct 19 3:44pm
In reply to @kell504 "3 weeks ago I started the first anti-depressant that “seems” to be working. Many years ago,..." + (show)
@kell504

3 weeks ago I started the first anti-depressant that “seems” to be working.
Many years ago, my PCP prescribed Wellbutrin, and in the 2nd week, I began having have anger or moments of rage according to my husband😏☺️
This was a first according to my PCP. I hope you are tolerating it well and would love to know how you’re feeling. Your post was on 9/24. I began the Citalopram on 9/27, so we should both be feeling some effects by now.

Jump to this post

Thanks for asking. My attention span and ability to concentrate has improved tremendously. I don't feel like I have self-diagnosed ADD anymore. I also haven't been crying or feeling truly hopeless like I was, but still have some sadness and grief, which seems manageable.

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