How can you tell if it's treatment resistant?

I've had depression since Jr High School. I've been on a lot of different meds. It seems like it's working for awhile and then suddenly my depression is out of control again. I take 16 pills every morning, 2 at lunch and about half of the am dose for bedtime. I am soooooo tired of taking medication. I know I need it but I'm tired. I always feel depressed, every day, all day no matter what I do. I have "up" moments to make everyone think I'm okay but I'm feeling like I'm not. Any suggestion? I have a psychiatrist, a therapist, PCM, Neurologist, Rheumatologist, ENT, Allergy and Asthma, Audiologist, Podiatrist, Pain Management, Bariatric Surgeon and I think that's all of them.

First, let me welcome you, as this is your first post!
Welcome!

Your list of specialists is similar to mine.

Usually, the treating psychiatrist determines if a depression is treatment-resistant. Have you talked to your pdoc about this?

I get tired of meds, too. I also "mask" my depression, which can make it seem like I am okay (when I am not).

You describe your current experience as treatment-resistant. Have you tried lots of meds over the years and found no help?

I suggest you ask this question of your pdoc and see what s/he has for input?

I hope life, somehow, gets easier soon.

Keep posting -- here and/or anywhere in the forums!
Many people suffering depression and treatment-resistant depression post under "Depression," too. You don't have to stay alone here in this forum.
After 5 approved posts, you will have access to chats and to the Private Messaging system.

There are lots of forums here. Make yourself at home!
I hope to see you around!

WC

hello,

I am a mother of 19yrs old son, who is suffering from Depression, Anxiety and ADHD from last 5 yrs, been on many diffrent medication , nothing has so far worked well. Currently he is taking Latuda 40mg(just started,stoping Abilify),Viibryd 40mg,Xanax 3mg ,Ritalin 54mg and Mirapex 1mg. we have not seen much improvement.Except Latuda rest of the meds he is been on for last two months.no major diffrence.

Hi and welcome!

If your son is just stating Latuda, it may take a few weeks to find it helpful.

Generally, psychiatrists determine if a patient is treatment-resistant.

I'd be concerned, too, if at 5 years my son was not improving.
Do you have access to his psychiatrist? Have you been able to tell the psychiatrist that you are concerned your son is not getting better?

I want to mention this again, if you are in the U.S., you might get a lot of support from NAMI's family programs. www.NAMI.org.

Please tell the psychiatrist of your concerns. If the psychiatrist is keeping his/her relationship strictly between the doctor and your son, that is fine. You can still express your concerns on the doctor's voicemail. Sometimes, when confidentiality laws forbid docs to talk, nothing forbids them from listening.

I hope this helps somehow.

WC

Thanks WC,

Yes i do communicate with hid psychiatrist, and i have raised my concern, sometime she replys to us.i am in usa i will look into NAMI family program.Thanks

Have you tried ECT? It has a good success rate. The short-term memory loss is nothing to worry about. I had 3 trials.

How did ECT help you? It has been brought up to me, but I’m a little leery of it.

You are similar to me, I too have lots of specialty docs and see that you too are in FL. I'm in Tampa. Every morning I pretty much want to be dead but in the eves I feel better knowing bedtime is coming where I won't have to think for 8 hours ugh. Hit me up, we can be buds if you'd like.

I too am thinking of ECT but man, I suppose I'll go broke ugh.

none of the depressions are "treatment resistant"--just some people, the medication does not work well.(my sister, nothing worked on her.)

ECT alone will not just "do it all."And I have seen people with ECT still hurting---not all doctors recommend that--before you do ECT, get a 2nd and third opinion.Years ago,a whole hospital in California,refused to do it.Many doctors said,"ECT IS NOT A CURE ALL."--and people who did it else where,came back, and still hurt a lot.I noticed, it didn't SOLVE all your problems.My sister,no pills worked on her,she was told"keep working,stay doing things!!!P{It worked she gradually got better.)

Do you have any hints WHY YOU FEEL DEPRESSED? DREAMS OF STUFF?ANGER,HORROR,CRYING, PAIN?dreams ALWAYS CAME UP, FOR ME,MAYBE CAUSE MY SUBCONSCIOUS KEPT SAYING"hey you pay attention to this!!--LISTEN TO ME!!OUCH,I HURT,I AM ANGRY,PAIN"my subconscious demanded equal time to be heard.

Finally, i listened told my shrink my dreams,.ALSO EXERCISE CAN help some depression.--any exercise!! walking, hopping, dancing, "dish washing", for me.House work, YES, THE DREADED HOUSE WORK!!--or room cleaning!!Some physical stuff you like to do?I watch old movies,musicals, and try to dance along to them,no one sees me,I can do what I like!!the cat is shocked, that's all. hah hah. I don't have to BE FRED ASTAIRE!!

this morning i am helping, clean up the kitchen.I really let it go!!so its really exercise for me.Don't give up.I am surprised none of your docs said."medicine alone does not fix this up--you have to start doing things,talk,talk,"d house clean, walk the dog.DO THINGS ACTIVELY my doc says to me.--do mild excercises--so i do them'oh oh time to stretch!!

[QUOTE=Wild Coyote;6057442]Hi and welcome!

If your son is just stating Latuda, it may take a few weeks to find it helpful.

Generally, psychiatrists determine if a patient is treatment-resistant.

I'd be concerned, too, if at 5 years my son was not improving.
Do you have access to his psychiatrist? Have you been able to tell the psychiatrist that you are concerned your son is not getting better?

I want to mention this again, if you are in the U.S., you might get a lot of support from NAMI's family programs. www.NAMI.org.

Please tell the psychiatrist of your concerns. If the psychiatrist is keeping his/her relationship strictly between the doctor and your son, that is fine. You can still express your concerns on the doctor's voicemail. Sometimes, when confidentiality laws forbid docs to talk, nothing forbids them from listening.

I hope this helps somehow.

WC[/QUOTE

If you want to hear the truth, some improvement in depression may take years--many people do.there is no set path that says"you will be better now."And if you have doctors telling you"the depression will comply healed.go away--and not return"that is an untruth.

Once there is Depression, there is no very predictable schedule or route.Stop thinking"I have to fix this person."

It even depends on WHAT KIND OF DEPRESSION IT IS. For example,if a close person dies?People get sad and depressed about it.With time,it can get better,if you resume life..It will get less,it may never get not sad completely.But the original pain will go away.

However, a "depressive reaction"or a "depressed breakdown"is different.The person's mind has been affected.Once your mind has greatly been influenced by a major depression,the person does not usually"just get well."Its not easy to fix,like a broken arm.Often depression can run in families.

Often someone else,a parent,can often have some mental illness,or gets depressed.--You are affected by your family,parent(s)grandparents, sisters,brothers.WHAT is going on in the family?Often the family needs counseling.FAMILIES AFFECT SEPARATE MEMBERS A GREAT DEAL.It is called "family dynamic."--Ask if this can be possible--obviously parents and relatives can affect your child.--so,ask your doctor to look the the family dynamic.WHAT'S GOING ON, IN IT?

((((Everyone)))) I'm so sorry for everyone who is struggling. I hope everyone will be able to help a normal, happy, healthy life one day - it will take time, for sure, and there will be ups and downs, but I think it's totally possible to get there. Please, don't give up