[idorb]

I am the midst of a severe depression and see no way out. All the anti-dpressants make me speed like amphetamines. If it were not for bensodiazpines (Klonopin, Ativan) I would not be able to sleep, but during the day I have constant anxiety accompanied by nausea, tremors, sweating, nueropathy---as if I were experiencing withdrawal symptoms. My nervous system is a witch turned wide open and won't shut off. I have to force myself to eat as I have no appetite. My life is miserable and I have thoughts of suicide so that this suffering will end. The psychiatrist wants to do ECT, but he needs clearance from a cardiologist who will not give if because I have a condition know as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome that I was borm with. I don't want ECT anyway as it wouldn't change my negative thinking or life situation of being almost totally alone in life. I'm not usre how long I can go on this way. The psych doctors have cut me loose as all; they can do is give pills that my system can't tolerate. One psychiatrist said I don't have enough serotonin and I will probably land up killing myself! Can you imagine telling a patient that?
I look on the internet and can't find anyone quite like me, but I imagine they are many somewhere that can give me suggestions to escape this nightmare.

[SophiaG]

Have your doctors even tried to get you to change your lifestyle instead of doing so many medications as a bandage? Jesus...

This is what makes me upset. When doctors just drug you up and dont try to solve what caused the seritonin imbalance in the first place. -_-

[Fresia]

I am so sorry you are going through this. I can understand your frustration and would like to tell you what happened to me:

I can really relate to much of what you lament over and even had been on every anti-depressant available literally, looking at ECT and also was not a candidate b/c of a health condition. I had a major depressive episode but got ampted up as you describe on anti-anxiety meds or reactions to them, had insomnia, and severe anxiety. Treated for years for all three with individual meds. I moved and had to change docs. New doc saw signs in me for bipolar disorder just currently being in a depressive episode and b/c of the way I was responding to the anti-depressants. Regardless of diagnosis, for me, changing to the anti-psych class changed my world for the better. I just needed help no matter the classification.

I am not saying that I see this dx for you at all, only to relate there might still be options in treatment and not to give up hope! Do some research and contact your doc or to get a second opinion, there might still be possibilities out there thinking outside the box. Hugs, and hang in there!

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello idorb,

Welcome to PC. There are a few people here who suffer with this problem, however their problem is caused by having treatment resistant depression.

I don't see how all the medications make you "speed" though. I'm on one that doesn't do that because of epilepsy.

But there are 100's of medicines out there that are reactive to some and non-reactive
to others and if you work with your doctor you should be able to find a med that suits