FAQ/Help |
Calendar |
Search |
Member
Member Since Feb 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 441
11 92 hugs
given |
#1
As the title says. I've been trying medications for 2 years now and nothing has taken even the edge off. Antidepressants actually seem to make me worse. This last one (Invega) was hopeful. For about a couple days to a week I felt better, more talkative, more motivation. So they upped the dose and then nothing. It's never going to end is it?
Also wondering, when should one go inpatient? __________________ "The days were dark And the nights were bright I would never trade tomorrow for today" -Rush |
Reply With Quote |
Fuzzybear, gayleggg
|
Legendary Wise Elder
Community Liaison
Member Since Apr 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 26,619
(SuperPoster!)
11 10.4k hugs
given |
#2
I went inpatient when the thoughts of suicide became overwhelming. They were able to change my meds while I was in the hospital so they could monitor how I reacted to them. This was back in early September and I'm feeling good now after a very long period of depression. I, too, am med resistant but so far Fetzima and Saphris are keeping me stable. I hope they find something to help you soon.
__________________ Bipolar I, Depression, GAD Meds: Zoloft, Zyprexa, Ritalin "Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most." -Buddha
|
Reply With Quote |
Rose76
|
Rand.
|
Wisest Elder Ever
Member Since Nov 2002
Location: Cave.
Posts: 96,404
(SuperPoster!)
21 81.4k hugs
given |
#3
no words of wisdom but I'm here with you
__________________ |
Reply With Quote |
komet68
|
Rand.
|
Member
Member Since Dec 2014
Location: Lancaster ca
Posts: 146
9 1 hugs
given |
#4
Hi. I totally understand how you feel. I don' feel like I am on the right medications either. I am on Cymbalta 30mg in morning and Geodon 20mg 3xs a day. I also have a difficult Psychiatrist. He doesn't want to seem to adjust my medications. I know everyone has told me to find a new one, but I have Medicare/Medi-cal and where I live there aren't many doctors who take that. So I hope both you and I find the right answer soon!
|
Reply With Quote |
Rand.
|
Rand.
|
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
#5
Quote:
The Cymbalta has seemed to do 2 things for me that cause me to stay on it though. First, it seems to "keep a floor under me", as I like to say. In other words, it seems like it keeps me from sliding so far down that I become actively suicidal again. When I do start getting that low, it seems like it kicks my sorry butt back up to a level where I just don't really give a rip one way or another. The other thing the Cymbalta seems to do for me is to keep me from having little outbursts of anger, which used to be common. From my perspective, & based on my experience, I am convinced this is about as much as I can expect an antidepressant to do for me. I've tired of continually trying new med's. They never do any better; and the continual upheaval of changing from one med to another is disturbing. As far as inpatient hospitalization goes... I've been involuntarily hospitalized twice following suicide attempts. Each time I was admitted to the psych ward of a different general hospital. Based on my experience, again, I 'd have to say the only value there is in being in the hospital on a psych ward is to keep one from making an attempt on one's life. Beyond that I don't believe I gained anything from my 2 experiences. Occasionally, when I get down, I think perhaps I should consider going back. But then I recall what it was like before & I conclude, what's the point, unless I'm truly a danger to myself. |
|
Reply With Quote |
komet68, Rand.
|
Rand.
|
Grand Poohbah
Member Since Oct 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,589
9 1,785 hugs
given |
#6
Quote:
|
|
Reply With Quote |
Member
Member Since Feb 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 441
11 92 hugs
given |
#7
Thanks everyone I hope I'm able to find something that will do something but I'm not gonna hold my breath over it at this point :/ I hope to never be hospitalized against my will, but sometimes I wish I was. I don't really understand why I would want that, though. Maybe just feeling desperate.
I've been to group therapy, DBT and individual counselling so far, the latter which I'm still in an hour every 5 weeks or so. That's about all I have at my disposal as of now. I have no other options here. Also, my medications are strictly limited to what my pDoc has in Dr. samples or what is very inexpensive (like I'm on Trazodone for sleep which only costs me a total of $5.50/month). I have no way of paying for my medications and I can't get any coverage for it. I'm beginning to run out of options there, too. :/ __________________ "The days were dark And the nights were bright I would never trade tomorrow for today" -Rush |
Reply With Quote |
komet68
|
Member
Member Since Feb 2014
Posts: 90
10 |
#8
I understand completely what you are going thru. I'm on five meds and still find no happiness or joy out of life. One of the meds I'm on cymbalta seems to take the edge off but I still get sui thoughts here and there. My pdoc is at a loss of what to do with me. I'm actively In therapy, have done dbt, have been impatient 6 times and am involved in aa. I have an optimistic heart but my head says otherwise. Going to the hospital isn't fun but it's totally worth it if yr life is in danger. NEVER hesitate to go if you feel sui. They can get yr meds stabilized and keep you safe. I hope you find some relief soon. It's really tough...be kind to yrself
|
Reply With Quote |
komet68, Rand.
|
Rand.
|
Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
10 |
#9
Quote:
__________________ 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 |
|
Reply With Quote |
Rand.
|
Rand.
|
Grand Poohbah
Member Since Oct 2014
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,589
9 1,785 hugs
given |
#10
Quote:
I suspect that at some point, you've been told the the options for treating depression are antidepressants and therapy. However, there are things you can try that statistically speaking work better than either drugs or therapy and they cost nothing. I'm thinking of exercise, improving your diet and meditation. If you look in the "Depression Success Stories" section, for instance, you'll find people who report that they have completely resolved their depression just with meditation. If I were in your shoes, I would give these things a very serious try. You can also try this http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...n-escaped.html which is easy to try and also free. In post #45 above and web sites by Mark Hyman and Andrew Weil, you can find ideas about diet and possible underlying medical or nutritional issues. - vital |
|
Reply With Quote |
Rand.
|
Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
10 |
#11
Quote:
I would like to see the studies that say statistically speaking exercise and meditation is better than meds and therapy combined. It seems the common consensus is that meds and therapy combined is the best approach. I would strongly encourage anyone to add these other methods or go with therapy and other methods without meds if meds haven't worked. You might check out this thread. There is no way to know if those that reported lasting success relapsed or not and actually there are very few who reported lasting success. http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...s-stories.html __________________ 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 |
|
Reply With Quote |
Rand.
|
Member
Member Since Feb 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 441
11 92 hugs
given |
#12
Thank you both!
Prescription drugs in Ontario are tricky. You can get a sort of insurance through the government called TDP if you have financial problems covering your prescriptions. Trick is, I'm considered a part of my parent's household so I would have to pay 4% of their annual income for the year. If I was able to get disability (I've been denied twice so far, appeal is next and I may have botched that up because of my illness but I digress), it includes a drug plan. I actually do eat pretty healthy (I have my moments though!) and I exercise at a gym It just seems healthy living to me so I didn't think to include that. I have... a lot of problems meditating. I have ADHD and the APs make it worse... I can't even focus on TV properly. I'll definitely check out all the resources you've both given me when I get some time to. I'm actually about to go to the gym now lol. __________________ "The days were dark And the nights were bright I would never trade tomorrow for today" -Rush |
Reply With Quote |
New Member
Member Since Nov 2014
Location: Elberta
Posts: 6
9 |
#13
Quote:
I too am in aa and it seems everyone in there is happy joyous and free of depression. No one talks about being depressed. I guess I'm the only one whose depression is not cured simply by working the program. What do you think? |
|
Reply With Quote |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
#14
Quote:
In terms of what to do when nothing helps, I got so desperate that I had ECT and it did help my depression. It hasn't completely gotten rid of it but I think there are some lifestyle things (for example, lack of a volunteer position or job) that are keeping me slightly depressed. Exercise is another thing that improves my mood (jogging for me). |
|
Reply With Quote |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
#15
what about St Johns Wort? meant to be very, very helpful for TR depression. i am thinking of trying it.
|
Reply With Quote |
New Member
Member Since Nov 2013
Location: usa
Posts: 1
10 |
#16
My mood tracker score always improves after going for a jog. It's weird how effective it can be for some people or perhaps most.
Greywolf |
Reply With Quote |
vital
|
vital
|
Magnate
Member Since Jul 2012
Location: gone
Posts: 2,224
11 1,739 hugs
given |
#17
I hope that you will find ways to feel better soon. A lot of good ideas here, and remember that you will feel better....be well.
Jade |
Reply With Quote |
Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
10 |
#18
Sorry, I didn't see this. I will answer you tomorrow. I have thoughts on it.
__________________ 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 |
Reply With Quote |
Junior Member
Member Since May 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 16
11 1 hugs
given |
#19
What do I do when nothing helps?
SUFFER Seriously though, I just keep trying. NEVER give up! __________________ "When my mind plays tricks on me I can deal. But when my mind plays tricks on my mind I can not tell what's real" ~Stanley Victor Paskavich |
Reply With Quote |
Rand.
|
Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
10 |
#20
Here is a recent post that shows why you never never give up.
http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...ch-better.html The same is true for me in the last year. I have found a med that is working better than anything I have ever tried. I can give you a list two pages long of all the things I have been doing for the last twenty years to treat my depression besides meds. __________________ 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 |
Reply With Quote |
Rand.
|
Reply |
|