Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 485

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What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by ensoul on June 30, 2002, at 23:38:53

Really what do you do?
Pdoc said learn to live with it, I'm just one of those people that meds won't work for

I've tried every class of antidep. there is, various combo's of, hospitalizations, and of course therpy

there really is nothing left try

of course it doesn't help, I'm poor
being poor equals poor quality care


lynn


This holy concern for the truth - no one worries about it except liars.
~ Anne Sexton

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by bookgurl99 on July 1, 2002, at 20:22:12

In reply to What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by ensoul on June 30, 2002, at 23:38:53

Have you looked for organic causes of depression, such as a thyroid problem, diabetes, or low adrenal function?

Have you tried changing your diet and habits -- allergies you may not be aware of, coffee, cigarettes, and a lack of fruits and vegetables, plus sensitivity reactions can make us all more prone to depression.

And then, there are the studies proving that daily exercise is as effective as antidepressants.

I know it can be harder to do all this with less money. But you may be able to try some changes that are inexpensive.

good luck! i hope you find joy in life.

bookgurl99

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work? » ensoul

Posted by ShelliR on July 1, 2002, at 20:30:30

In reply to What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by ensoul on June 30, 2002, at 23:38:53

Lynn,

Have you tried ECT? It helps a lot of people that nothing else has helped.

It isn't as scary as some people think.

Shelli

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by ensoul on July 1, 2002, at 22:40:18

In reply to Re: What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by bookgurl99 on July 1, 2002, at 20:22:12

> Have you looked for organic causes of depression, such as a thyroid problem, diabetes, or low adrenal function?

yes, I do have hypothrodism and take a med for, no on on the diabetes, yes it was checked
my depression is both envrionmental and gentic

> Have you tried changing your diet and habits -- allergies you may not be aware of, coffee, cigarettes, and a lack of fruits and vegetables, plus sensitivity reactions can make us all more prone to depression.

I don't smoke, doesn't go well with asthma, I'm on 2 prescption allergy meds now

> And then, there are the studies proving that daily exercise is as effective as antidepressants.

exercise is tough for several reasons, I have rxercise induced asthma, plus I caretake for my Mom who survived a brain tumor but suffers the after effects, my sign. other was recently diagnosed with cancer and I help him out too, plus I nerve damage in one hand, on the other side nerve damage from my neck down into my hand

> I know it can be harder to do all this with less money. But you may be able to try some changes that are inexpensive.
>
> good luck! i hope you find joy in life.
>
> bookgurl99

and thank you for replying, Lynn

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by ensoul on July 1, 2002, at 22:47:20

In reply to Re: What do you do when meds don't work? » ensoul, posted by ShelliR on July 1, 2002, at 20:30:30

> Lynn,
>
> Have you tried ECT? It helps a lot of people that nothing else has helped.
>
> It isn't as scary as some people think.
>
> Shelli

I do thank you for replying but, disagree with on the ECT....I did try it and had an reaction, my family doctor was postive it was an allergic reaction to anthesia since there was slight chance in it from first time that and I have several medical allergies...My Pdoc totally dismissed on it

I saw 2 friends go through it and I saw what it did to them....permament memory loss
that and how do I function on the days I have ECT when I caretake for Mom and sign. other (see my above post for explanation

being poor means poor quality care
in two yrs I've had 5 T's, they all left agency (prob. for better pay) and 4 different Pdoc's

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work? » ensoul

Posted by Katt on July 1, 2002, at 22:56:21

In reply to What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by ensoul on June 30, 2002, at 23:38:53

not much. just sorta take it. at least that's what i've done.

> Really what do you do?
> Pdoc said learn to live with it, I'm just one of those people that meds won't work for
>
> I've tried every class of antidep. there is, various combo's of, hospitalizations, and of course therpy
>
> there really is nothing left try
>
> of course it doesn't help, I'm poor
> being poor equals poor quality care
>
>
> lynn
>
>
> This holy concern for the truth - no one worries about it except liars.
> ~ Anne Sexton

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work? » ensoul

Posted by bookgurl99 on July 1, 2002, at 23:58:42

In reply to Re: What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by ensoul on July 1, 2002, at 22:40:18

Yeah -- it sounds like situationally and physically, you're in a double whammy situation.

By the way, asthma frequently comes from weakened adrenals, which is not surprising if you're hypothyroid or under stress. Also, asthma meds can deplete the body of specific vitamins. There's a book titled _Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies_ by Daphne Roe at my local health food store that could be a useful reference for you. Also, my mom -- who has asthma -- bought _Adrenal Fatigue: the 21st century stress syndrome_ by James Wilson and has found some improvement by following the suggestions.

You know, I'm hypothyroid too, and I find that I do better on armour thyroid than synthroid (levoxyl) sometimes. Has your doctor considered giving you a med with some t3, not just t4?

Anyways, I know it can be really tough to find the joy and happiness, especially when you're chronically sick. I hope you can empower yourself somehow.

good luck, :D

bookgurl99

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by leor on July 7, 2002, at 10:04:29

In reply to What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by ensoul on June 30, 2002, at 23:38:53

Hello.

You might want to investigate the effect that your allergy meds are having on your depression.
I know that any product with antihistamine, decongestant or analgesic effect leaves me feeling very depressed.

It couldn't hurt (and might help) to interrogate
your pharmacist, p-doc and family doctor about
possible interactions between those allergy meds, your depression and-or any meds
you are taking to manage your depression.

Be forewarned - many doctors are not aware that such interactions are possible. If either of the physicians say there is no possible interaction demand that they do some research - just to be sure.
After all, it`s their obligation as good doctors to insure
that the medications they prescribed
are not doing you any harm.

I realize how tremendously difficult your total
situation must be. Never forget, though,
that if you can stabilise your health new categories of possibilities may open up for you, and perhaps allow you to do positive things unthinkable right now.

For example: while in the doldrums of my depression I was unable to work during the summers (I am a University student from September to May). Apparently I was unemployable, held back by my lack of marketable skills, fatigue and poor concentration. This went on for four terrible years,.

During the past year my medical situation has become somewhat more manageable. Thanks to the resulting increases in confidence, organization and focus, I have drawn more deeply upon what resources of skill and experience I possess. The result has been that I have gained employment (all be it only at an entry level), am devising new ways of developing marketable work skills and am enjoying life more fully.

A turning point in my ordeal came when I resolved to become an equal partner with my p-doc in working to find an effective treatment for my combination of manic-depression, seasonal affective disorder, attention deficit disorder & hyperactivity. (Many specialists had told me that my situation was untreatable). My p-doc, as it happeans, is s a world renowned specialist in bi-polar disorder and even he could`t figure my condition out until I did a great deal of research and conveyed it to him. Why? Because I understood my body far better than he ever could.

I had to read a great deal in order to come up with treatment options that my doctor had not thought of on his own. I had to research countless different treatments, conditions associated with depression, log and reflect upon my own symptoms & e-mail specialists for over two years before I came up with results. Doing so did not require much scientific knowledge. In fact, I obtained much valuable information from psycho-babble postings.

It was a long painful battle and often their seemed to be no possible escape from ruin. But I made it in the end.

I know that this may not provide much in the way of consolation while you are in the midst of a darkness which seems infinite. Still, try not to focus on the future. Focus on making the most of the resources you have to battle your illness. Often, I believe, perseverance, and a personal effort to understand one`s condition and the treatments available for it count for much more than the level of `expertise` that one`s p-doc has.

Best of luck!

Leor

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by LostBoyinNC1 on July 10, 2002, at 22:50:10

In reply to Re: What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by bookgurl99 on July 1, 2002, at 20:22:12

> Have you looked for organic causes of depression, such as a thyroid problem, diabetes, or low adrenal function?

Yes, this is the first thing that should be done when your antidepressants "poop out." Checking the thyroid is particularly important in women. In men, particularly older depressed men checking testosterone levels in addition to thyroid should be done. Basically a full physical done by your family physician is in order, although you may find that having your psychiatrist test your thyroid is best.

Also check vitamin B levels, B-6 and folate.

>
> Have you tried changing your diet and habits -- allergies you may not be aware of, coffee, cigarettes, and a lack of fruits and vegetables, plus sensitivity reactions can make us all more prone to depression.

No...diet and coffee habits have nothing to do with depression or whether or not your antidepressants activate good. The only diet related factor that could cause your meds to not work good is if you drink booze. Drinking even small amounts of booze can make antidepressants not work effectively. Also, I have read that the artificial sweetner Nutrasweet can cause depression. So its probably a good idea to avoid Nutrasweet. But as far as foods, smoking, coffee, etc. no that has absolutely no bearing on antidepressants.

Coffee can aggravate anxiety however.

>
> And then, there are the studies proving that daily exercise is as effective as antidepressants.

For mild depression sure, daily exercise maybe all thats needed. But exercise is never a replacement for medications in severe forms of depression.

>
> I know it can be harder to do all this with less money. But you may be able to try some changes that are inexpensive.
>
> good luck! i hope you find joy in life.

After youve been checked out physically, if everything checks out OK and meds do not work the usual thing to do is to have ECT. Some may respond to MAOIs. But generally, ECT is the treatment reserved for people whose medications "poop out" severely.


>
> bookgurl99

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by ensoul on July 10, 2002, at 23:06:31

In reply to Re: What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by LostBoyinNC1 on July 10, 2002, at 22:50:10

> > Have you looked for organic causes of depression, such as a thyroid problem, diabetes, or low adrenal function?
>
> Yes, this is the first thing that should be done when your antidepressants "poop out." Checking the thyroid is particularly important in women.
Yes, I do have hypothrodism and have treated for it for over a year now


<< Basically a full physical done by your family physician is in order, although you may find that having your psychiatrist test your thyroid is best.>>
Also check vitamin B levels, B-6 and folate.
I take complex vitamin supplement and I do see my dr fairly regulary because of allergies and asthma

>
> Coffee can aggravate anxiety however.>
I don't drink coffee, have a maxium of 2 cups of hot tea a day...thats my only caffenine intake & I don't drink pop
>
> >
> > And then, there are the studies proving that daily exercise is as effective as antidepressants.
>
> For mild depression sure, daily exercise maybe all thats needed. But exercise is never a replacement for medications in severe forms of depression.

right you are! if it were only that easy
> >
>> After youve been checked out physically, if everything checks out OK and meds do not work the usual thing to do is to have ECT. Some may respond to MAOIs. But generally, ECT is the treatment reserved for people whose medications "poop out" severely.

All ready done MAOI's...started on ECT, had an allergic reaction the 2nd time around to the anthesia, Pdoc said that was impossible, but my family dr and pulmonogist said it was slight change in the anthesia and it was an allergy

I won't touch ECY, having seen 2 friends go through and saw the permanent memory loss

lynn

Dying is easy it's living that scares me to death
~Annie Lennox (from her song, Cold...Diva CD)


 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by denise529 on August 13, 2002, at 8:33:08

In reply to Re: What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by ensoul on July 10, 2002, at 23:06:31

Lynn,

are your two friends still depressed?

Denise

 

Re: What do you do when meds don't work?

Posted by ensoul on August 13, 2002, at 14:33:38

In reply to Re: What do you do when meds don't work?, posted by denise529 on August 13, 2002, at 8:33:08

> Lynn,
>
> are your two friends still depressed?
>
> Denise

All the current studies on ECT show that has a high rate of recidivism, its effects are very often just temporary

and as for my friends that had it...
Robin died of an overdose, so clearly so was still depressed
and Bill had a heart attack and died, ECT only providied temporary relieve for them

and as I said I have tried MAOI's, didn't work
have tried ECT...has a bad reaction to it

lynn


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