Question:

I am deeply sorry about your suffering. For now you may want to take some Kava root for the start-up anxiety on the Prozac. (http://biopsychiatry.com/kava/index.html) As for the insomnia, look into some over-the-counter Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or Nytol (doxylamine succinate: http://www.nytol.com).  These are antihistamines with long and safe records As for the 4 weeks that it takes for a med to kick in, know that those 4 weeks are going to come and go whether you want them to or not, so you might as well work on your emotional wellness in that time with medical treatment… Keeping your best interest in mind, Sal

Response:

newsreader… > Aug. 7, 2001 — What do you give the menopausal depressed woman who’s > tried everything? Effexor, according to a study presented recently at > the World Assembly for Mental Health in Vancouver.

It’s got so many scary side effects and withdrawal problems, why did they give it to a 20 year old that hasn’t tried anything else yet?  I don’t want to be on this if I’m never going to be able to get off it! — "The Truth knocks on the door, and you say, ‘Go away – I’m looking for the truth.’ And so it goes away. Puzzling." — Robert Pirsig, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"

Response:

Hi and Welcome to the ng, > I am doing bad now.

I am so sorry… >Real bad. I cry, panic, just plain need to get away > from myself. It is bad. I cry & cry, I am so tired, yet am having problems > sleeping. I have been off meds for 4 months, and the last med I was > perscribed was prozac. I am too afraid to take it, and I cannot waite for > a med to kick in. What can I do? Please, suggest something. Also, i heard > prozac makes you more anxious at first couple days.

It sounds as if you do need an AD. Why are you fearful of Prozac? There are many med options. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1728.85773 Antidepressant Effexor Good Choice for Older Women Launches Two-Pronged Attack on Depression By