[dawnhopeful]

Hi there,
I have been off this awful drug for 3 weeks now. I put on about 10 lbs. during the first month. Now I am feeling depressed again. Is this because of the fact that I am dreading the hemmorhoid treatment? Surely anxieties such as one's health can make one depressed? I phoned PDoc and he said to wait till I see him in 3 weeks. I really dont want to wait as I know it takes about 5 weeks to feel the effects of the new drug. By the way my DH came back from the Canadian Psychiatric conference and this is what he reported back to me. Certain drugs have about a 5% improvement in depressive symptoms above the others They are:
Effexor, Zoloft, Ciprolex (correct spelling? ) and Remeron. I have at one stage or other tried all of them, except Ciprolex. So when I see my GP on Tuesday , I will request that he prescribe me this drug. The trouble when your husband is involved in giving you advice you tend to self doubt yourself. I am now asking myself: am I really depressed or not?
Wish me luck
dawnhopeful

[justfloating]

((((((((dawnhopeful)))))))))

It can be a very long, frustrating process of finding a medication and dosage that works for you, but I'm glad you're forging ahead! Is your husband a psychiatrist or other mental health professional? Because if he isn't, I would stick to my doctor's advice over his. And even if he IS a mental health professional, it's possible that he has a personal bias about your condition, so he might not be the best source of advice anyway. I'm sure he cares about you and is just trying to help, but you may need to steer clear of anyone's advice on the matter but your doctor and/or therapist if you have one. If you don't have a therapist, have you considered therapy? It might help to talk out some of the things you've been feeling, I know it did for me. Drugs by themselves often aren't enough to combat depression. From my experience, the medication gave me just enough of a boost to start working on myself and climbing out of the hole the depression had put me in. I couldn't have done it without the meds, but the meds were just PART of the treatment for me.

As for whether you're "really depressed or not", I've wondered that about myself quite a lot. But I now have two doctors, two therapists and one psychologist who have confirmed the diagnosis -- the way I see it is that many professionals can't be wrong, no matter how much doubt I have on the subject. Part of the lie the depression told me was that I was not sick, I was just naturally weak-willed and lazy and pathetic, and that I was using the depression as an excuse to hide what a truly horrible person I was. It takes a lot to combat thoughts like that, which is why it's important to keep up a strong support network of loved ones and professionals. I hope that your support network helps you get through this difficult time, and if you don't feel like it is ... add to it. See another doctor or counsellor, talk to a friend or religious leader or family member, or just keep posting here. Whatever you do, don't forget that you're not alone and you can get through this!

[dawnhopeful]

Originally Posted by justfloating

((((((((dawnhopeful)))))))))

It can be a very long, frustrating process of finding a medication and dosage that works for you, but I'm glad you're forging ahead! Is your husband a psychiatrist or other mental health professional?

My husband is a Psychiatrist

Because if he isn't, I would stick to my doctor's advice over his.

I suppose I could mention to my Pdoc, that coming from the CPA meeting recently in Toronto, my husband has the latest info. re AD.

And even if he IS a mental health professional, it's possible that he has a personal bias about your condition, so he might not be the best source of advice anyway. I'm sure he cares about you and is just trying to help, but you may need to steer clear of anyone's advice on the matter but your doctor and/or therapist if you have one.

I think that part of the problem is what I consider a personality clash between me and my Pdoc. We are both quiet people. I really have to work in order to engage him. I will bring this up next session. I hate to be upfront with people in case I offend them

If you don't have a therapist, have you considered therapy? It might help to talk out some of the things you've been feeling, I know it did for me. Drugs by themselves often aren't enough to combat depression. From my experience, the medication gave me just enough of a boost to start working on myself and climbing out of the hole the depression had put me in. I couldn't have done it without the meds, but the meds were just PART of the treatment for me. As for whether you're "really depressed or not", I've wondered that about myself quite a lot. But I now have two doctors, two therapists and one psychologist who have confirmed the diagnosis

I am surprised (as far as the therapist is concerned) They dont seem to believe that there is an illness called Depression. I went to therapy for years and never got anywhere with it. Until finally, 10 years ago I started taking AD.

-- the way I see it is that many professionals can't be wrong, no matter how much doubt I have on the subject. Part of the lie the depression told me was that I was not sick, I was just naturally weak-willed and lazy and pathetic, and that I was using the depression as an excuse to hide what a truly horrible person I was. It takes a lot to combat thoughts like that, which is why it's important to keep up a strong support network of loved ones and professionals. I hope that your support network helps you get through this difficult time, and if you don't feel like it is ... add to it. See another doctor or counsellor, talk to a friend or religious leader or family member, or just keep posting here. Whatever you do, don't forget that you're not alone and you can get through this!

Thanks for your words of support,
dawnhopeful

[dawnhopeful]

Originally Posted by dawnhopeful

Thanks for your words of support,
dawnhopeful

P.S. I am on Wellbutrin XL at the moment. So I am not totally without a med.
dawnhopeful