[Futurama91]

Hi everyone. I'm new here.
I am being treated for depression. I have temporal lobe epilepsy and my neurologist feels that I am very depressed and anxious. Well, I couldn't agree more. He put me on Lexapro 6 months ago but I don't feel any better.

I see a counselor, but she's pretty half-donkeyed, if you catch my drift. My neuro is trying to get me refered to someone who's more on the ball.

So, I have been diagnosed with depression and some anxiety, but not as bipolar, offically. I am going to find out about that, though. I have been having manic episodes since I was a teenager, and I'm 33 now. I'll feel giddy, happy, energetic, inspired, indestructible. For no reason. And I'll just run with it and enjoy it and do things then. But the rest of the time I am so sad that I feel as if someone died.

Could it be that that's why the lexapro isn't working, because it's not the kind of depression my neurologist thinks it is?

Well, anyway, hi.

Futurama91

[Rhapsody]

Hang in there and let your doctor know if your medicine is NOT working for you after 4-6 weeks.... I personally had to try several different medicine before we found the right one that worked for me and my body.

[Futurama91]

Yeah, I'm just hanging in here. I take A LOT of epilepsy medicine. My dr increased the lexapro dose, but honestly, there's no difference. I am advocating for myself and trying to get some serious, stable counselling.

[SecretGarden]

Seems to me that some ot the epilepsy meds should assist with that up and down thang.

That is a med that is often prescribed for up and down moods. But yes 4-8 weeks.... for new meds... to sink in and be effective.

[(JD)]

Has the neuro adjusted your med Lexapro more than once during those months? I sure hope so! Why not try another med, if it's as high as he can take it.

Unfortunately, depression is common with any chronic illness

It really depends upon your system as to how soon you will notice a change. . . but the medicine begins working as soon as it enters your system. HOW depressed you are (and how much chemical adjustment the med needs to make) determines how long it needs to build up to a therapeutic level. Keep trying!

[Wants2Fly]

I had to try many meds, too, before something was hit upon that works (Effexor).

[sabby]

Hi Futurama91 and Welcome to PC!

Is your epilepsy under control with your meds? I work with an individual who also has epilepsy, depression, etc. It's been almost a year since she has had any seizure activity and I've noticed her mood swings have been on a much more even keel. She also has a Vagas Nerve Stimulator which has done wonders for her.

I wish you good luck getting a med that helps you soon!

Hugssss
J

[Futurama91]

Hi folks.

Yeah, my doc did increase my dose. I've been on it for six months, sooo...I don't know. I'm on 20 mg right now. He didn't want to increase it further until I got better councilling.

No, my seizures are not well controlled. I mean, it's relative. I have had way worse times than now, as far as seizures go. But I have little seizures all the time. (By 'little seizures' , I mean simple partials and complex partials.) I have never been able to drive. I can't work. I take carbatrol, zonegran, and ativan when I need it to stop the seizures.

I have been feeling so bad for so long. At least now I'm getting something done. At least my doctor is helping me. I always kind of put myself down for being sad, as if I've failed to accomplish yet one more thing. The doc says it's neurological, though.

That makes sense, if it's a brain thing, a brain chemical thing, or an epilepsy-related thing. Honetly, I feel like it's beyond my control. Different seizure meds have made me very depressed and when I decreased the dose I felt better, so I know it can be a chemical thing.

Also, Sabau2, you mentioned the VNS. I asked my doc about that and he says I can't have it. He wants me to have brain surgery for my seizures. I am horrified by that idea. I would have to be awake while they remove part of my brain!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEk!!!