[Hanging-on28]

I am looking to share thoughts and advice with others using meds to treat depression and anxiety. I use to take Effexor and now on VIIBRYD. How have others reacted? Has anyone had to change meds because their body changed after pregnancy? Has anyone ever become tolerant of their meds after being fine for several years? What are people's opinions about a primary care giver vs. a psychiatrist? Is anyone having to take additional drugs to remedy the side effects of a new drug their taking? Wanting to open this up to anyone. Thanks.

[Travelinglady]

Well, I have been on many drugs over the years for bipolar and for BPD. I have taken Klonopin for years. And I have had to change meds many times for bipolar.

Generally, primary care doctors are only willing to prescribe a bit for psychiatric problems. That's the expertise of psychiatrists.

[onionknight]

If you're having recurrent bothersome symptoms, it is best to see a psychiatrist.

It's not uncommon to have to change meds due to tolerance or changed life circumstances. I'm somewhat new to this so I haven't encountered it, but I remain aware that it can.

Good luck!

[shezbut]

I definitely recommend working with a psychiatrist with your medications. PDoc's specialize in this line of work and therefore they get know the meds, how well they work, common & uncommon side effects a lot better than a typical GP.

I am on Effexor XR myself, and have had to add a couple other meds to balance my treatment-resistant depression better. An anti-anxiety med, Buspar, is taken twice daily. I also take Abilify once a week to manage the depression better as well.

That said, I have physical and emotional disabilities which do become intertwined. I am on an AED (for epilepsy and chronic migraines) which has pushed me into a deep depression. I also have BPD, PTSD, DD-nos. I think that's it.

[babybear404]

there must be a reason for depression. i am on meds but i do not believe it will completely go away. i am constantly looking anything other then medicines can overcome this problem. you are not alone there are many people

[Sabra]

Originally Posted by Hanging-on28

I am looking to share thoughts and advice with others using meds to treat depression and anxiety. I use to take Effexor and now on VIIBRYD. How have others reacted? Has anyone had to change meds because their body changed after pregnancy? Has anyone ever become tolerant of their meds after being fine for several years? What are people's opinions about a primary care giver vs. a psychiatrist? Is anyone having to take additional drugs to remedy the side effects of a new drug their taking? Wanting to open this up to anyone. Thanks.

Good morning,

I was on Prozac in 1990 for 3 weeks......had a serotonergic surge and had to drop it.. SSRI's are out for me. The next pdoc put me on Stellazine and it felt like my brains had been sucked out of my ear. I couldn't think and was exhausted. Finally found a pdoc who was a a wizard in tweeking meds. He put me on Klonapin, Elavil and Welbutrin. The doses have changed over the years, but I am still on them. I haven't built tolerance, I don't understand why not, but those are the winning combo for me. I had Ativan thrown in during particularly stressful times.

I believe therapy is a must in dealing withmental illness. I haven't been in therapy continually, but when things get difficult with life, I see a therapist.

Sabra

[unhappycamper463]

Originally Posted by Sabra

Good morning,

I was on Prozac in 1990 for 3 weeks......had a serotonergic surge and had to drop it.. SSRI's are out for me. The next pdoc put me on Stellazine and it felt like my brains had been sucked out of my ear. I couldn't think and was exhausted. Finally found a pdoc who was a a wizard in tweeking meds. He put me on Klonapin, Elavil and Welbutrin. The doses have changed over the years, but I am still on them. I haven't built tolerance, I don't understand why not, but those are the winning combo for me. I had Ativan thrown in during particularly stressful times.

I believe therapy is a must in dealing withmental illness. I haven't been in therapy continually, but when things get difficult with life, I see a therapist.

Sabra

Geez. I think I fear being on drugs and in therapy for the rest of my life substantially. Does it ever go away?

[Sabra]

Originally Posted by unhappycamper463

Geez. I think I fear being on drugs and in therapy for the rest of my life substantially. Does it ever go away?

The brain is the most complicated organ in the body. Just like any other organ, it can cease to function properly. My brain doesn't make enough neurotransmitters and as a result I have depression which is complicated by PTSD. I take daily meds and see a therapist as needed.

I am grateful for the meds. Fifty years ago the treatment for depression was ECT and/or a long rest in a sanatorium. Suicide was a "treatment", in my family......3 members killed themselves bkz they didn't have the opportunity for meds. Self medicating with alcohol or illicit drugs is also a treatment of choice.

If I look at diabetes in the same light as mental illness, there are similarities. If my pancreas ceases to produce insulin, I get sick. Chances are a doc will give me medication. To enhance the meds, I am sure I would have to watch my diet and exercise. I would have to follow this plan for the rest of my life if I chose to be as healthy as possible.

Your last question, " Does it ever go away?" Yes. If your depression is situational or reactive, it can be resovled. The same can happen with anxiety disorders.

Sabra

[WhatItIs]

I too was on Effexor for a number of years. It seemed to stop working for me right around the time I stopped breastfeeding my second child (note: I took the medication with pediatrician's okay).
Still working on finding the right medication for me.

[nicoleb2]

Originally Posted by Hanging-on28

I am looking to share thoughts and advice with others using meds to treat depression and anxiety. I use to take Effexor and now on VIIBRYD. How have others reacted? Has anyone had to change meds because their body changed after pregnancy? Has anyone ever become tolerant of their meds after being fine for several years? What are people's opinions about a primary care giver vs. a psychiatrist? Is anyone having to take additional drugs to remedy the side effects of a new drug their taking? Wanting to open this up to anyone. Thanks.

I have been on a ton of meds & combos of meds. Some I reacted poorly to, others worked for a while and then quit.

I see a psychiatrist, because theoretically they should have more experience and knowledge of psych meds.

Be careful of medicating the side effect of a medication, it can become a nasty circle, and you can end up on way too many meds. I almost died because of an incompetent psychiatrist that treated side effects and I ended up on a LOT of meds. Its not good