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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dani B on November 20, 2005, at 23:04:53
My 14 yr-old daughter deals with depression/anxiety issues. She's taken Effexor (worked pretty well) Lexipro (no effect really) and now is on a combination of Cymbalta & Trileptal. So far so good, although it's only been a few days...
My question: It seems that most of the messages I read on boards like this are full of stories that are *not* positive with regard to meds. Are there any good stories/testimonials of phych meds actually working well for people? I get discouraged with so many crummy experiences...
Posted by gardenergirl on November 20, 2005, at 23:13:46
In reply to Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by Dani B on November 20, 2005, at 23:04:53
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 0:10:29
In reply to Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by Dani B on November 20, 2005, at 23:04:53
No doubt, meds are a mixed bag. For some people they work quickly with few side effects. Others are not so lucky.
Don't feel too discouraged. We all post more when things aren't going well--it is when we need the most support!
Is your daughter in any sort of therapy? I would absolutely encourage it. Of course, it is no magic bullet either, but it can really make a difference. 14 is an awful age under the best of circumstances and dealing with depression and anxiety on top of that can make being a teen especially tough.
Also, just one more piece of unsolicited advice. Not everyone here will completely agree, but make sure that a psychiatrist is rx-ing for your daughter rather than a general practitioner. Psych meds are very complex and GP's are notorious for getting in over their heads (using poor choices of meds, using ineffective doses, missing other psych probs, etc.) Since your daughter is young and has already tried a number of meds, it sounds like she may be a tricky case who needs a savy doc w/ lots of experience.
Welcome to babble. I hope you find it helpful!
Best,
EE
Posted by med_empowered on November 21, 2005, at 3:03:58
In reply to Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by Dani B on November 20, 2005, at 23:04:53
hey! yes, meds can be tricky; I'll be the first person to tell you that. Personally, looking back,I found that Trileptal+Klonopin was pretty effective and good for me...not many side effects, nice calming action, etc. etc. Personally, when it comes to anxiety, I think that benzos beat out just about anything else pretty much all the time...also, in a lot of cases of depression, a mood-stabilizer can help (or just treating the anxiety will help for a lot of people).
Posted by spriggy on November 21, 2005, at 21:04:22
In reply to Re: Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by med_empowered on November 21, 2005, at 3:03:58
Yes, I've had a positive experience.
I agree with med empowered- sometimes getting the anxiety under control makes a HUGE difference in the depression.
That is the case for me.
I have depression but it seems to come mostly with my anxiety- if my anxiety is controlled, my depression is much more manageable.
I take .5 Klonopin and it has made a huge difference for me. I feel normal again.
Posted by blueberry on November 22, 2005, at 6:35:48
In reply to Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by Dani B on November 20, 2005, at 23:04:53
There are actually millions of people out there with positive experiences. The thing is, they are out in the world living decent lives and not visiting psychobabble. This board is mostly populated by folks having a hard time with side effects and meds not working, so it is kind of a one sided picture. Just try to keep that in perspective and try not to let it frustrate you.
Personally I have had about an equal number of postive and negative experiences.
Posted by Kimbersaur on November 24, 2005, at 18:02:47
In reply to Re: Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by Emily Elizabeth on November 21, 2005, at 0:10:29
I think a lot of the people that come on to message boards here are having problems or worries with meds and come seeking answers. The people out there whose meds work great for them probably dont feel the need for this kind of support, and thus don't post here.
I have had my share of negative med experiences, but overall the medications have stabilized my moods and allowed me to live an almost "normal" life.
Posted by fairy princess on November 25, 2005, at 10:21:30
In reply to Re: Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by Kimbersaur on November 24, 2005, at 18:02:47
Heya
Yeah I am having a positive experience at the moment with my medication, though had bad too.
Was on Prozac which did nothing for my depression and only made me agressive, a personality trait I have never had and so was very scary for me and family/friends.
Now on effexor and thats grand my depression is much more undercontrol and also doing CBT to help.
Even though psychiatrists know more than doctors about the meds I would take in everyones advice and look into it yourself before letting your daughter take any other meds. For me my psychiatrist didnt give me the greatest advice and Im glad I was clued up enough about certain meds to be able to accept or decline them. Also we are all difference and so one drug may be great for some and bad for others
Wishing you and your daughter much love&luck,it takes time but she will get better. xx
Posted by Dani B on November 25, 2005, at 14:43:36
In reply to Re: Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by fairy princess on November 25, 2005, at 10:21:30
fairyprincess... you mentioned "CBT" What is that?
Posted by fairy princess on November 29, 2005, at 13:45:30
In reply to Re: Any *positive* experiences on meds??, posted by Dani B on November 25, 2005, at 14:43:36
Hi
Its Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
It focuses on automatic negative thought that occurr when people are depressed or anxious.
It looks at the links between behaviour and our thoughts and feelings which all affect each other. CBT aims to help to change the way we think about a situation and therefore this will change the way we feelif you search the net there are loades of sites with more info about it, was originally developed by a psychologist called Aaron Beck.
xx
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