Depression pattern?

Hi PC friends (and people I haven't met yet),

I've had a very difficult day, lots of crying and worrying about my own well-being. I noticed that this is the third time in a row, more or less, that after about 2 weeks of very good emotional stability, I fall back into mid-high anxiety and crying breakdowns.

Has anybody experienced this type of pattern before? About two weeks upswing, and than about a week downswing.

I started taking Effexor in November and have been making some good improvement since then, except for these periods of depression. What do you think, does it warrant a new dosage (I'm on the lowest therapeutic dosage right now)?

Thanks!

RJ

I'm not sure if I'm answering this right. I found that some months are way hard then other like oct-jan are the worst for me. But I've been depressed in the summer but not as bad in those months. Not sure why.

Hi RJ,

I guess my pattern was from day to day, trying so hard to lift myself up in the morning, feeling 'foggy', exhausting myself thru the day, and ending at night with a million questions and few answers. It wasnt like you described of feeling good for any long period then down. Just repetitive day after day, like, I never learned anything that stayed with me longer than half a day or so. I remember noticing, after several years, that I was unable to retain any learned knowledge from day to day, like each day I was born all over again and completely ignorant.

I know thats not the info you were looking for but I thought I would share my experience for what its worth.

I wonder about the effexor? You might try posting this in psych meds?

Sorry you're down friend and I hope you find the answer.

Re: Effexor
I took Effexor for about 4 years (300mg/daily). It was very helpful. Unfortunately, last summer it stopped working well and I've been on a search to find an effective new med since then with my doctor.

Yes, I totally know how that feels! It's like an emotional rollercoaster. I tried Effexor and it made me so aggressive that I couldn't stand myself. I'm glad it's working better for you than it did me. If you're like me, my body will start becoming accustomed to the dosages and I have to keep increasing them until I've maxed out and have to start another med. I hate that.

I have experienced this kind of cycling in mood, it can be very trying---feel so good, build up those hopes and dreams and WHAM, like the rug gets pulled out from under again (like a voice saying "gotcha" for me)---A dose boost sounds like a good way to go, Effexor is often titrated up from low to a therapeutic dose, which of course varies person to person. Best to you, and hang on to the good times!

Depression and BP for me is one bad cycle that doesn't end. Like an emotional rollercoaster. I've been on SSRIs, MAOs, older anti-depressants plus ECT. Been on effexor (75 mg w/no side-effects) for 6 yrs and it keeps me from dipping really low. My PDOC told me it's one AD that works completely differently at higher doses: It changes which neurotransmitters it works on. At 75 mg it works on one neurotransmitter, at 150 mg it works on two completely different neurotransmitters.

Thanks everyone. My pdoc has increased my dosage, I'm currently taking 150mg, and I'm going to jump up to 225mg, which is in the optimal dosage range. We'll see how that goes. Had a much better day today, which was a relief.

Hugs to you all,

RJ

My better day yesterday tanked today. I feel dejected. I think I'm doing everything right - regular, vigorous exercise (2-3 times per week); peer support group; on new meds; biweekly therapy; reach out to family and a few friends; time to relax every day; spend time with loved ones regularly; on PC every day; meeting new challenges at work; etc, etc - and yet I can't quite get it "right."

I spoke with my brother tonight and mostly just cried, he's like my coach and I love him dearly for it. He pointed out that I've made a lot of progress in the past three months, but when I'm in this place it seems as hard as the first time I was severely depressed. Why is that?

I've promised myself to start some sort of regular and consistent relaxation technique. Does anyone out there have a favourite?

RJ

I think the most helpful for me was 'white light' meditation. There are many links available, I just grabbed this one randomly.

White light Meditation

That happens to me, too. Even in Southern California, I noticed I got more depressed during the holiday season, and when the days were shorter. I moved to Washington state about 13 years ago, and my depression has gotten much worse, especially during those same months. My therapist thought it may SAD (seasonal affect disorder).

Still struggling today, mid-level anxiety with racing thoughts of worthlessness. Tough times on my end, trying to relax right now, it's working pretty well.

RJ

RJ,

I worked with this meditation for about a year straight, then off and on as needed. Increasing from about 10 minutes to over an hour per day. I just let myself go as long as I felt I could. Ive also used the OM meditation for quick, short, simple, supplemental meditation. Believe it or not it made me so relaxed that, once again, I didnt fit in with the crowd and felt like I needed more stress just to be around other people again. Crazy but I began looking for things I could be angry about so I could have something to talk to others about.

Whatever technique you're using Im glad its working. You are a good person, be at peace with that if you can.