How can you tell if your meds are working?

I've been on meds for just over a year for depression. We recently (6 months ago) added in a second med for anxiety to support the first. To be honest, I'm not sure they are working, because I still feel very down. I know that I'm better than I used to be, but the depression has been very severe the last two months and getting worse.

I'm due for a med check in two weeks and my Pdoc always says when we increase/adjust to take XX millgrams for 2 weeks, and if you're no better, but no worse, go up to XXY milligrams for 2 weeks, and if you're no better but no worse, go up to XXYY milligrams, etc, until I reach the target amount.

I can never tell if I am feeling better, and I'm so afraid of the "worse" (we've been through some BAD worse doses) that I usually stop at the second increase. Cause really, I don't know what better feels like.

So how can you tell if meds are working?

I don't know about me too. My condition seems to be getting worst in fact ever since I sought treatment.

the only advice i can really give you is - if you notice any type of positive or negative change in yourself.

i think that's the most obvious way

I'm sorry you're going through this.

As far as telling if your meds are working, ask yourself if you're feeling better on them. If not, then they obviously aren't.

I was on meds for BP2 for over 13 years with very little positive results. The depression was never very far from the surface, and instead of realizing that I was actually MORE depressed than before taking them, I assumed it was my fault I was depressed.

After some particularly nasty side-effects emerged I went off the meds and got feeling better. About 10 months after getting off klonopin, I decided I need to go back on it due to my crazy sleep disorder where I jerked violently before falling asleep. I had always assumed klonopin was this wonderful med I couldn't live without, but with 3 days of going back on a low dose of it, I was crying uncontrollably. As the days went on, I actually started giving some very serious thought to killing myself which is something I don't believe in so I knew something was really wrong. Fortunately I remembered hearing that some meds have depression and suicide ideation as side-effects so I googled it, and there it was in black and white--what I was going through were side-effects of the meds!! I went off it, and was back to my normal mood within 3 days!! I would never have believed these meds that are supposed to help your depression and anxiety actually have them as side-effects!!

There are lots of other factors to consider in depression and anxiety such as if you're getting enough nutrients for your body to function properly. Low magnesium and vitamin D are both associated with depression. And just because you take a multi-vitamin doesn't mean your body is absorbing it fully--the average OTC supplement is absorbed at about 20% so if it has 100 mgs of a nutrient, you're only getting 20 mgs. This is due to the quality of the nutrient, fillers and any gut issues you might have.

Besides vitamins and minerals, your body needs amino acids to produce neurotransmitters for your brain to function properly. A couple that would help your depression are 5-htp that is converted into serotonin, DL-phenylalanine for dopamine and norepinephrine. For your anxiety, you could take the amino acid GABA and L-tyrosine.

Here's a link to a great book on healing with amino acids. I've got this and another of her books, and they're very helpful.

http://www.painstresscenter.com/Heal...oductinfo/AA4/

Here's another great book on treating depression naturally. You can get a used copy for as little as one cent plus $3.99 shipping. I've done very well buy used books through Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Doct...r+*+depression

Here's a link to an orothomolecular medicine website. Orothomolecular medicine is giving the body the nutrients it needs to function so it can heal itself.

http://www.orthomed.org/

For me, better is when I, myself, can recognize myself as significantly better. If it's just a feeling maybe I'm a little better, I don't count that. I'm way to picky...

To me the sign the meds are working is im out of the hospital and im not hearing voices. Im not manic, spending money crazily or having sex with multiple different people. Its not being in bed all day when I should be doing something. I guess you know its working when youre not flying or falling hard. I know in between can be so mundane too. I guess I know they are working because nothing catastrophic isnt happening

Thanks for the input everyone, I really appreciate it!

I went through a heck of a time (over a year) with my Pdoc trying different meds, none of which worked. Some made me feel sui, some put me to sleep, others shut down my body in other ways. We finally found one that didn't make me sick/tired/sui, but to be honest, I never noticed feeling better, I just noticed the absence of all those other feelings, and I felt like I could handle the depression as opposed to prior to the med parade, where the depression was consuming, and ruining my world.

Now, I just feel flat. I'm depressed constantly, but I'm still functioning. So I'm wondering if it's even worth it to be on the meds anymore, since I don't actually feel any less depressed.

@LucyG - thank you for the links! I'm a fan of holistic support, as long as I can afford it. I actually am on a Vitamin D supplement that is absorbed nearly 100%, and am searching for a vegan fish oil or some sort of Omega 3's as was recommended to me by my dietitian. I hope that works. I'll ask about amino acids, too. I have a very odd diet due to severe food allergies that limit my intake. Unfortunately, some of the meds/supplements are also on the allergy list.

I am just tired of feeling like crap 24/7. When I'm at work, I'm busy and distracted and therefore feel fine, but as soon as I leave, I fall apart.

Glad to help.

With your food allergies, have you had allergy testing done? I used to think I had tons of food allergies as I would get so bloated. Turns out I'm not allergic to hardly anything, and after talking with my naturopath yesterday while having a vitamin injection, he told me to increase the Betaine HCI [hydrochloric acid] digestive enzymes I'm taking as he thinks I'm not digesting my food. It helping, but this has been going on for 20 years so I suspect it will take some time.

A good place to get reasonably price supplements is Vitacost.com. My naturopath looked at all I was taking, and commented that 'if they have in them what they say, they look pretty good' which was encouraging as my husband loves the brand, as do I.

I think a therapist would help a lot to.

Sometimes part of the problem is not being able to comprehend stability if you've had constant depressive episodes for a long period of time. Therapists can also help you understand your anxiety and help you work through it so you can manage it better and not have to rely on medication as much. (Esp if they are PRNs)

It's not an easy path though, and often therapy is very difficult before it becomes easier.

If you are questioning if your meds are working they probably are not!. When your meds finally kick in you will know it because you will feel better. I am only now speaking of my depression as that is all I know.....but for me the dark shade covering my eyes and my world went up, and I saw brightness, and light, and peace, and a feeling of happiness.It truly for me was a dark shade, and sometimes I could really feel it lifting and I saw the world clear, not like before. I was happy, and realized this is how normal people feel. I never knew this and it was strange. I lived for years in a world of darkness not even knowing it till I was on meds.

I'm on five medicines, and believe me, I need all of them just to stay on an even keel. I definitely notice when I don't take any of them--I'm not a pleasant person to be around. So far, I've been doing well; sometimes I wonder why I didn't get help any sooner than I did.

@Lucy - yes, I've been through the annoyance of allergy testing. I am hoping that no more are discovered, as my diet is limited enough! I have considered seeing a natropath before, they are just so darn expensive! It might be time to start a little savings to check out the alternative med side.

@Confused - yes, therapy does help, a lot! I've been working with an amazing T for two years and a great Pdoc as well (they talk regularly which helps me a lot, too!) Therapy is hard and painful and ugh at times, but it is worth the work.

@Missbelle - I had a hunch that was the case, that I'd really *know* when they were working, and if I have to question it, then they probably aren't. I just hate the idea of having to go through the trial and error again, yet, I know there is light out there somewhere?

@Night - yes, I'm on quite a few different ones as well, each serving their own purpose, all closely monitored by my doctor. I'm glad you're doing well, and hope to be able to say that about myself soon!

Things have been really dark in general, pretty much all the time for the last few weeks. I know that I am concerned, and usually I don't care. But this time, the depression is so strong that even I know it.

I can relate...

Also for me, it is like treatment with medication doesn't return the joy and pleasure to my life. It just takes away the edge of the depression. I feel flat. I can function for the most part. I don't feel insane or hopeless, but I don't feel happy.

The only way I knew the meds were affecting me was the stupid side effects.

Exactly.

With that answer, I'm actually still in the hopeless category, so this is driving home the fact that no, my meds are not working

I knew the current one I'm on was doing something (took about 6-7 weeks to level out) when I became able to enjoy a few things again. Before, I had no interest in even eating. It's like I was just existing. It isn't 100% back, but it's getting better.

*nods* The flat feeling is there. It makes me feel unmotivated to change my life which is a contributing factor to my depression in the first place.

By nature, I am very sensitive and emotional. Not on this med. I force myself to be but I don't feel it like I used to. I care, but don't feel the emotions. I feel more logical now. "I love this person, so I know I care, but I don't feel it." Kinda blows.

Are you in therapy? Learning to change my behaviors and identifying what choices I make, the coping skills I used, and how they affect/ed my life is helping.

Part of the daily struggle is getting outside of your head - I think you mentioned when you're active you feel better, or more OK - that may be key. Being engaged in something most of the time. My Grandma was this way until the day she died and I believe it was what saved her from depression. She was always on the go, or knitting, or cooking or baking.

It obviously takes time and patience to find the right med combination but have to keep working on it, believing that there is probably a combo that will work. We just have to keep trying.

Thank you for starting this thread. Hope you find the right medication or treatment plan soon, and start feeling better.