Recently "diagnosed"

Recently diagnosed, as in, I've been (finally) diagnosed by a pdoc with recurrent depression about 3 weeks ago; a struggler for years, since my previous pdoc said I was just making up depression . But today my pdoc just said kinda out of the blue that they think I'm treatment resistant. This is the fourth AD that hasn't worked or it did work, but then pooped out. I heard that's like a magic number for pdocs. Some say 2, some say 4.

But now I'm going to try Prozac... If this doesn't work fully, then my pdoc wants to try combo drug therapy. When did your pdoc/doctor decide to do combo drug therapy? What else do you have to do that's different from just regular depression I guess? I've been reading about treatment-resistant depression online for some information.

I also have done CBT and mindfulness-based CBT, which CBT helped a bit, but mindfulness-based didn't do anything. I do see a psychologist currently for therapy. And I've taking vitamin D, as I have heard since I'm quite far from the equator, depression is more common during winter, which I have problems with, and my pdoc and talked about it today. We had a lot longer session today than normal. My pdoc now recommends me to try light therapy during the winter.

I really hate depression...

I have ASD so please be kind if I say something socially unacceptable. Thank you.

Nike007,

I have treatment resistant depression also. Right now I am on Cymbalta 120mg. I've been on many different ADs over the last 30 years. I find the more active I am the better I feel. Also being outside is a huge plus for me. It doesn't matter if it is raining or snowing, I'm out in it. I have a high energy dog. She needs to be exercised at least twice a day. This forces me to be outside and keep active.

PS: I'm in Canada, too.

For me, it's just that Effexor XR "pooped out" on me after 6 months or so, which I thought was quite odd. I know Cymbalta is in the same class, so.

I have a hard time being active. My thoughts about life tend to get the best of me. Right now, it's been that I am extremely unmotivated to leave my bed to do anything, even to just get food or go to the washroom.

I am working on getting an emotional support dog, as I feel that will be very good. I just don't know how it works here in Canada. I talked to my psychologist about it and someone who deals with accommodations at my university. My current place doesn't allow dogs so. But I feel a dog would help me with my depression.

I have ASD so please be kind if I say something socially unacceptable. Thank you.

Nike007,

I have been on Effexor XR also. The same thing happened to me. After a while, the AD no longer works. For the longest time I was on 60mg of Cymbalta, then it was up to 90mg for the past year it has been at 120mg. I find the animals need my care and it forces me to think of them first. The links below might be a good place to start your inquiries.

Merry Christmas
bluekoi

National Service Dogs
National Service Dogs is a non-profit Registered Charity specializing in breeding, training and placing Labrador and Golden Retrievers with children who have autism. more
1286 Cedar Creek Road, Cambridge, ON Map
519-623-4188
www.nsd.on.ca
All ages Add to Info Cart

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program (SJA Therapy Dogs)
Therapy Dog services are provided across Canada by St. John's Ambulance in a wide range of community settings such as: hospitals, seniors residences and care ... more
ON,CA
www.sja.ca
All ages Add to Info Cart

The Canadian Foundation for Animal-Assisted Support Services (CFAASS)
Our mission is to improve the health and quality of life of people with physical, emotional, and social challenges through partnerships with companion and service animals. more
1010 Polytek St, Ottawa, ON, K1J 9H9 Map
1-888-473-7027
www.cf4aass.org

Thank you for all the information. I have realized that they are calling emotional support dogs "companion dogs" on many sites in Canada, so this will help my search. I found 2 sites that do offer companion dogs for people 18 and older and seem good. I have to figure out where I'm going to live next year, as I would like to make sure it's pet friendly. But thank you for the information.

I have ASD so please be kind if I say something socially unacceptable. Thank you.

Happy Holidays!