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#1
Mar 15, 2014, 10:35 PM
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I'm suffering a treatment resistant episode of depression that has lasted for two and a half years. My history of major depressive illness goes way back over thirty years. In that time I've been hospitalised, medicated (on and off with TCAs, SSRIs and SNRIs) and therapied. So it is fair to say that this isn't just a minor period of the blues.
Over the years I've developed coping strategies and worked hard to keep myself as well as I can and hold down a full time job. I know what the statistics are like for people with mental illness and they are not pretty, we live shorter lives, we suffer discrimination, are more likely to be unemployed, etc, etc, etc. I've put a lot of effort into trying to break that mould. Part of my managing my mental health so effectively meant that I was discharged from pdoc care quite a long time ago and since then my GP has managed my meds. During my current depressive episode, I've had the following meds, Prozac (pooped), Zoloft (allergic reaction), Citalopram (inadequate response or pooped before it even started) and Effexor (side effect burden now outweighing the benefits). In previous episodes I've tried a fair few TCAs and the ones that worked have since been withdrawn. My GP has run out of prescribing options, anything that is left has to be prescribed by a pdoc and so my GP made a referral to the local MH service. On Thursday, I had an assessment with a shrink nurse, the whole experience was vile, but the worst part of all was at the end when the shrink nurse told me I don't meet the criteria to be taken on by the MH team, and therefore I won't get an appt with a pdoc and she will pass my care back to my GP. I explained about my meds and she said that it was up to my GP to prescribe!!!!!!!!!!!!! So am I being unreasonable in thinking that I should at least get one appt with a pdoc to sort my meds out? I honestly don't know what to do, I'm seeing my GP again on Wednesday, I'll ask him to refer me for a second opinion, but knowing the way the system works I expect the outcome will be the same. In the meantime, I've weaned myself down from 375mg Effexor to 17.5mg, this was done without telling my GP. I know that it was a high risk strategy but the side effects had become unbearable and the only alternative that I could see to coming off Effexor was checking out of life once and for all. The withdrawal effects have been unpleasant but manageable and far less unpleasant than the side effects I was suffering. I don't know whether this post is a rant or a question but if anyone has any suggestions or advice I'd welcome your support.
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 30ish, Anonymous37954, Curupira, nakitakunai, paynful, StarStrike
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#2
Mar 15, 2014, 11:50 PM
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I am so sorry that you're not being heard at all.
I have seen a psychiatrist to see if it would help me and I was sadly disappointed....Sure she prescribed, but overall the therapy route didn't work for me. I use my GP for my prescriptions...she's actually pretty good, but I also do my own research on what's out there..... I have heard on this board that Effexor withdrawal is pretty tough... For the ones you have tried, but didn't like, how long did you use them for? Some of the side effects do wear off after a while. Most definitely ask your GP Wednesday for something to help you through this transition stage until you can come up with a game plan. No of course it's not asking too much for a doctor to do his job... |
 30ish, nakitakunai, paynful, TheOriginalMe
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#3
Mar 16, 2014, 08:24 AM
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Opinion: You are being completely reasonable.
Quote:
 What could those criteria possibly be?!
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My dog  mastered the "fetch" command. He would communicate he wanted something, and I would fetch it.
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#4
Mar 16, 2014, 08:39 AM
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From all the posts I have read it sounds like the mental health system in the UK is a mess. You have to be way suicidal to get in. That is a shame. 375mg of Effexor is a high dose. The most I have been able to handle is 225mg. I have never had trouble coming off of it but I guess many have had severe withdrawal symptoms.
I am taking Lamactil along with Fetzima. The Fetzima I just started taking. Lamictal for a couple of months. I did notice a significant improvement in mood with the Lamictal. It is a mood stabilizer being prescribed off label for MDD.
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The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
| TheOriginalMe
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#5
Mar 16, 2014, 01:06 PM
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Quote:
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| Rohag
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This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
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