I've been taking it for several years. Are you not taking it because of a warning that comes with the medication? Sometimes we get side effects and can't take a medication but we don't know that we are going to get them until we try taking it.

I don't know why it would cause dehydration, we all have to watch out for that anyway.

It has been a big help for me and I hope it is for you too wiggles. I started out on 20MG, then it was increased to 40MG to 60MG a day. The usual dose is 20-40mg per day.

thank you te. im taking it but wonder if the diarrhea will go away so i dont end up dehydrated.

It is all a matter of degree, I think. Having diarrhea, even chronically, does not mean you will be dehydrated. I've had diarrhea for nearly 40 years, sometimes mild, sometimes severe, but I can count on one hand when I've been dehydrated to the point of needing IV fluids. Basically, you just have to take in more fluids and be careful when you are active in the heat.

That said, some people are just more susceptible to it and wind up in real trouble. Maybe it will help counteract the slowing effect of the antibiotics!

In general, any drug can cause diarrhea, but typically, if it does occur, it usually resolves or at least improves as your body acclimates to it. The thing is to focus on whether or not it is doing what it is supposed to be doing (and that takes time too!).

Jan

thanks so much jan. im going to try and stick it out.

Good luck. I know it is difficult to be patient when you are struggling with uncomfortable symptoms and not knowing if there is a relationship between those symptoms and your treatment.

I have not personally taken any antidepressants, but know many who have. Sometimes there is an immediate positive effect, sometimes it can take a couple of weeks before you see it. Also, sometimes it is the people who are close to you that notice the difference in your attitude and affect, before you do.

I have a friend whose husband suffers from severe depression. He felt like the antidepressant wasn't doing anything and he was worried sick about his liver (his grandfather died from liver failure). But, as the wife, my friend said he really was a different person and easier to get along with, even if it was not perfect. But, her husband felt like it was "fake happy," and wanted to stop the treatment. This is putting a real strain on their marriage, as you can probably imagine. Takes two to tango... I am hoping my friend can convince her husband to stick it out, and maybe that "fake happy" will turn into real happy over time. I wonder if he has been depressed so long, it feels wrong to feel happy and he needs to get out of that "loop" of unhappiness.

I have no idea if this applies to you, but maybe you can ask your wife to tell you if SHE sees a difference when you are taking the antidepressants.

Jan

im going to do that because im not sure my brain is the best gauge right now. havent made the best decisions lately.

Good idea, and hopefully you trust your wife to be straight with you. It is hard to see a clear image in the mirror when your eyes are blurred with tears.... It is usually little things that other people notice, like you are complaining less, or you are sleeping more soundly, or even paying more attention to your appearance. Stuff that you may not even be aware of.

Jan

man that is me. i used to be so well groomed and since my surgeries i have a hard time even getting motivated to shower. i told my wife that even when i had uc i still liked myself and was always hopeful i would beat it and stay in tact but since the surgeries i dont particularly like myself anymore. im kinda weird like that. im extremely ocd, for example if i had and item that i loved and it became damaged i didnt like it anymore. i feel damaged like those items. dang brain of mine.

Please give it time to work. It will take a few weeks to a month. Plus your dosage might need adjusting. I really think you should give it a chance as all of the things that are happening to your body now are difficult and scary at times. At least that's the way I felt after surgery.

that is exactly how i feel!!!