Meds that work for me for treatment resistant depression

GabeGirl · Oct 08, 2014 at 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notalone11

I also use cannabis for that, it also helps with my anxiety and helps me get an appetite (or at least be able to stomach food [and managing my other medication side effects]). I've never had any pain killers have an effect on me aside from when I had my wisdom teeth pulled. I also want to avoid addictive substances because I have a tendency for dependency. (it was fun to rhyme that)

Hi, this is my 2nd post as a newbie on this site...and I noticed you mentioned use of cannabis...is this for physical pain or your depression? I was going to ask my GP about using it to help my MD and anxiety but I cant find supporting documentation to support use of it for major depression and I'm nervous about her reaction to me asking. I have been on various meds for over 2yrs now but I haven't found any magic elixir yet. I would say my depression is persistent at this point..with very little relief by way of pharma meds.

Altered Moment · Oct 09, 2014 at 07:25 AM

Welcome GabeGirl. I am a recovering alcoholic/addict/ former pot head, but I have experimented with for depression and anxiety. I found that it in no way helped depression if I was in one. Anxiety it helped with if it was the exact right strain. Some strains make me paranoid and the anxiety worse. Some strains just make me too tired. Some are just right. For me I decided I did not want to pursue it. I believe it helps a lot of people for anxiety and sleep. I doubt you will find much real research on it.

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Hellion · Oct 09, 2014 at 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GabeGirl

Hi, this is my 2nd post as a newbie on this site...and I noticed you mentioned use of cannabis...is this for physical pain or your depression? I was going to ask my GP about using it to help my MD and anxiety but I cant find supporting documentation to support use of it for major depression and I'm nervous about her reaction to me asking. I have been on various meds for over 2yrs now but I haven't found any magic elixir yet. I would say my depression is persistent at this point..with very little relief by way of pharma meds.

I have heard of people getting medical marijuana for mental issues, but from what i understand its easier to get it for physical ailments like chronic pain...I have found it helpful for depression like as a temporary relief from the worst of it. Though I'd think if you could find an open minded psychiatrist(if you'res really isn't) they might consider it especially if other treatments have failed.

I myself have never had it recommended by a doctor, though I think I'd have valid reason...costs money though for assessment and getting a MMJ card at least in my state and its kinda pricey....and places that sell it legally for recreational purposes have very high tax so plenty of people grow their own or still get it outside the regulated stores. I have seen some evidence to suggest cannabis can help depression mostly articles but most of those will have a source of where they got the info or saw the study the article is based on...most of those sources also say too much cannabis of course can contribute to symptoms and its more effective in lower-moderate dosage but i think it also depends on the strain and individual what the proper amount to be most effective is.

Brintel · Oct 09, 2014 at 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunnyrose

Thank you for timing the arrival of this new forum to coincide with my first day here. I'm pushing fifty and have been in and out of treatment for nearly 30 years.

Some meds seemed to strengthen my coping skills for a while, but I am not so sure any of them actually lift the depression to any significant degree or length of time. Wellbutrin and Effexor were pretty good until they were not, Depakote and a few others didn't help at all; I am struggling big-time right now, after a few years of reasonable success with Cymbalta. Recently started supplementing that with Trazadone and it helped a little.

Except for a lucky seven-month stretch about a year ago, I don't think I've ever been anything but depression or manic for more than a few days. The mania is rarely dangerously high (except to my bank account) but the depression can dip pretty deep and I've been hanging on the precipice for about two weeks now....which is why I am here. I tend to have a lot of anger with my depression, and I want to bite everyone's head off. Mostly I manage to restrain myself, by sheer strength of practical-reality awareness and years of practice - some days my acting reaching academy-award level.

My depression is rarely the "my life sucks" or "I am a bad person" brand; it is more along the lines of "people in general suck" and "the world sucks," so anything from a news headline to a dead kitten in the road can plague me for hours. Mostly I just don't give-a-flying flea one way or another. I don't actively want to die, but I don't particularly see why any of us work so freakin' hard to go on living in this world. Seems like the main thing "non-depressed" people have going for them is some kind of delusional gift for pretending things are better than they are.

I am really scared because after 30 years of successful medication for my depression, for the last year and a half I have been miserable, had to be hospitalized for the first time, and am now waiting to see if the optimal dose of Brintellix that I started two days ago will work. I'm on mood stabilizers and Ritalin as well now. I'm so afraid of being miserable for the rest of my life and I don't want to give up hope but hope is becoming a scarce commodity.

Bubbins · Oct 12, 2014 at 02:28 PM

Has anyone here taken trileptal? My psychiatrist recently gave me a prescription for it even though it is usually for bipolar. Other than that I am on Zoloft, abilify and hydroxyzine as needed.

longdays · Oct 24, 2014 at 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunnyrose

Thank you for timing the arrival of this new forum to coincide with my first day here. I'm pushing fifty and have been in and out of treatment for nearly 30 years.

Some meds seemed to strengthen my coping skills for a while, but I am not so sure any of them actually lift the depression to any significant degree or length of time. Wellbutrin and Effexor were pretty good until they were not, Depakote and a few others didn't help at all; I am struggling big-time right now, after a few years of reasonable success with Cymbalta. Recently started supplementing that with Trazadone and it helped a little.

Except for a lucky seven-month stretch about a year ago, I don't think I've ever been anything but depression or manic for more than a few days. The mania is rarely dangerously high (except to my bank account) but the depression can dip pretty deep and I've been hanging on the precipice for about two weeks now....which is why I am here. I tend to have a lot of anger with my depression, and I want to bite everyone's head off. Mostly I manage to restrain myself, by sheer strength of practical-reality awareness and years of practice - some days my acting reaching academy-award level.

My depression is rarely the "my life sucks" or "I am a bad person" brand; it is more along the lines of "people in general suck" and "the world sucks," so anything from a news headline to a dead kitten in the road can plague me for hours. Mostly I just don't give-a-flying flea one way or another. I don't actively want to die, but I don't particularly see why any of us work so freakin' hard to go on living in this world. Seems like the main thing "non-depressed" people have going for them is some kind of delusional gift for pretending things are better than they are.

Life gives us all gifts if we can learn to appreciate them, even when in the depressed mood

Sinking Feeling · Oct 30, 2014 at 11:20 PM

Hmmm, Zoloft AND Abilify together pulled me out of depression in just 3 weeks!

boomerango · Nov 01, 2014 at 03:35 PM

I'm watching the trials with ketamine for severe depression. there might be hope there. if given the chance, I'd be 1 of the trial participants.

boomerango · Nov 02, 2014 at 11:04 AM

Yes, it is so dynamic, isn't it? The only seeming constant is the depression. the meds might cast light for a minute, then clouds, then new meds/doses, or some other change. But the light I hope to see is forever more dim. Maybe I must accept a certain baseline of depression, of sad disability. I don't know what baseline to accept. All I can do is the minute by minute Serenity Prayer.

Nov 03, 2014 at 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomerango

I'm watching the trials with ketamine for severe depression. there might be hope there. if given the chance, I'd be 1 of the trial participants.

I spent a few days on a ketamine IV 2,5 years ago.. I was high as a kite and didn't make much sense. That was partially the other painkillers I was on, but mostly ketamine. I was more anxious than depressed then though. But that might've been because I was in the hospital and my leg had just been amputated.

notalone11 · Nov 09, 2014 at 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GabeGirl

Hi, this is my 2nd post as a newbie on this site...and I noticed you mentioned use of cannabis...is this for physical pain or your depression? I was going to ask my GP about using it to help my MD and anxiety but I cant find supporting documentation to support use of it for major depression and I'm nervous about her reaction to me asking. I have been on various meds for over 2yrs now but I haven't found any magic elixir yet. I would say my depression is persistent at this point..with very little relief by way of pharma meds.

Hi GabeGirl,
Sorry this took so long...I took a downturn and was away. I couldn't find supporting info for using it for major depression either, but anxiety and physical pain are lessened when I use it. At the stake of my short term memory... I hope that you can find something to help soon.

notalone11 · Nov 09, 2014 at 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomerango

I'm watching the trials with ketamine for severe depression. there might be hope there. if given the chance, I'd be 1 of the trial participants.

I was recently hospitalized, and the psychiatrist there had a lot of hope in it. They thought the findings were really promising for treating severe depression.

notalone11 · Nov 09, 2014 at 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tessj88

I am beginning to believe I have treatment resistant depression as the years pass. I have basically been on some kind of psych medication since I was 13--I am now 24. There have only been a couple of periods (lasting only a few months if that) I have not been on any medication due to my mood.
I am beginning to lose hope in anything working. I don't have the energy to fight anymore. My hopes get dashed too often, my attempts to change don't last and the roller coaster with the medications are starting to frustrate me.
I feel so lost and that there is no hope, no help for me. The hospitals around me are more for those struggling with addiction. For people like me, who have psych issues the hospitals are more for a stabilization or "just until the storm passes" so to speak.
Has anyone heard of TMS? Has anyone had this treatment? What was your opinion?
Thanks

Haven't tried it, but when I was last hospitalized, I asked the psychiatrist there what they thought about that. They said that TMS seemed to possibly be more of a placebo effect, but they felt similarly to ECT also. She was very optimistic about the prospects of ketamine.

That hospitalization was just to stabilize, and since I have been taking 300mg Lithium
200mg Bupropion 2x day
600mg NAC 2x Day
15mg l-methlfolate
50mcg levothyroxine
600mg omega-3s
60mg Cymbalta
Vitamin D

There is interesting research on NAC s and small doses of lithium.
I've been feeling better, if only lacking enthusiasm for life...but rarely any SI

I hope you find relief soon, tessj88!

UpHill · Nov 09, 2014 at 01:43 PM

I too have treatment-resistant depression. Except for 2 deep hospitalized depressions, I've walked around. I can't say that there have been times in the last 30 years that I have not been depressed, even with meds. I have also had ECT twice. ECT worked for about 3 weeks and went away.

I also have ADD and for me it is the Concerta that actually does help with lifiting the depression mood, mood being mood and etc. It doesn't always shift me, but sometimes it does.

The most worstest issue for me with this is that my family doesn't believe that depression can be this way. I've done my best educating them. Coping with these denials is very hard on me.

Hellion · Nov 10, 2014 at 10:07 PM

I forgot to mention I think psychedelic substances have potential...in my personal experience I notice after a good trip I have a noticeable mood lift that is ongoing after the drug effects wear off. I would never advise anyone take such things on a daily basis...but maybe when used sparingly they can have beneficial effects. It would be interesting if there was more research being done on this, especially since physically they are quite safe so for people it could help there would be minimal side effects. But I doubt they are going to star prescribing psilocybin and LSD anytime soon.

Altered Moment · Nov 11, 2014 at 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellion

I forgot to mention I think psychedelic substances have potential...in my personal experience I notice after a good trip I have a noticeable mood lift that is ongoing after the drug effects wear off. I would never advise anyone take such things on a daily basis...but maybe when used sparingly they can have beneficial effects. It would be interesting if there was more research being done on this, especially since physically they are quite safe so for people it could help there would be minimal side effects. But I doubt they are going to star prescribing psilocybin and LSD anytime soon.

It is being studied Hellion.
Ketamine is being used but they are studying mushrooms and LSD. I believe John Hopkins is currently studying it. There have been other recent studies that show promise.

The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs: implications for the treatment of mood disorders : Abstract : Nature Reviews Neuroscience

dfwsteph · Nov 11, 2014 at 09:15 PM

Is ketamine a short-acting thing? as regards psychedelics, is there some way to control how it acts? I had a bad trip more than once (back in the day)....maybe I'm too anxious.

Methamphetamine would really help me...depression, weight, production, oh well.

stephanie

Altered Moment · Nov 11, 2014 at 10:06 PM

I used meth for five years. It's the best anti depressant and causes the worst depression. Over time it messes your dopamine system up so much it causes psychosis. I don't recommend it.

I think I would only try ketamine or psychedelics with a doctor. I've been clean and sober to long to self medicate.

I think good trip or bad trip depends very much on your mood at the time. Feeling great and confident....good trip.

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Hellion · Nov 13, 2014 at 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfwsteph

Is ketamine a short-acting thing? as regards psychedelics, is there some way to control how it acts? I had a bad trip more than once (back in the day)....maybe I'm too anxious.

Methamphetamine would really help me...depression, weight, production, oh well.

stephanie

I've had two bad trips with mushrooms...as far as I know there isn't a way to 100% control how it acts, but there are ways to influence it such as being in a comfortable setting, make sure you have a long enough time period without obligations or anything stressful for the duration of the trip and time to sort of process you could say.

As for strong stimulants(not caffine/nicotine)...have tried adderall, however pretty sure if I started taking it regularly it would more than likely have detrimental effects and increase anxiety.

boomerango · Nov 16, 2014 at 11:25 AM

Has anyone tried Cymbalta (duloxetine) plus Wellbutrin (bupropion)?
I am tired all the time with the duloxetine. Everything has made me tired. I love coffee, but there isn't enough coffee in the world to undo the tired.

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Bubbins New Member Member Since Oct 2014 Location: United States Posts: 4 9	Oct 12, 2014 at 02:28 PM #25 Has anyone here taken trileptal? My psychiatrist recently gave me a prescription for it even though it is usually for bipolar. Other than that I am on Zoloft, abilify and hydroxyzine as needed.
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Sinking Feeling Member Member Since Sep 2014 Location: Rochester Posts: 428 9 23 hugs given	Oct 30, 2014 at 11:20 PM #27 Hmmm, Zoloft AND Abilify together pulled me out of depression in just 3 weeks!
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boomerango Member Member Since Nov 2014 Location: usa Posts: 150 9 417 hugs given	Nov 01, 2014 at 03:35 PM #28 I'm watching the trials with ketamine for severe depression. there might be hope there. if given the chance, I'd be 1 of the trial participants.
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dfwsteph Member Member Since Nov 2011 Location: Foat Wuth, TX Posts: 32 12 45 hugs given	Nov 11, 2014 at 09:15 PM #37 Is ketamine a short-acting thing? as regards psychedelics, is there some way to control how it acts? I had a bad trip more than once (back in the day)....maybe I'm too anxious. Methamphetamine would really help me...depression, weight, production, oh well. stephanie
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boomerango Member Member Since Nov 2014 Location: usa Posts: 150 9 417 hugs given	Nov 16, 2014 at 11:25 AM #40 Has anyone tried Cymbalta (duloxetine) plus Wellbutrin (bupropion)? I am tired all the time with the duloxetine. Everything has made me tired. I love coffee, but there isn't enough coffee in the world to undo the tired.
	Reply With Quote