Posted by seado on July 10, 2000, at 16:39:13
In reply to Re: I feel like giving up--will I ever be balanced?, posted by quilter on July 7, 2000, at 22:48:37
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> Dona,
> There are many more medications that you haven't mentioned trying. Are you seeing a psychiatrist? An antidepressant from a different class, or a combination of medicines might help you feel more able to face the problems in your life right now. Please don't think that you have run out of options. Keep after your Dr. until you get the help you need.
> Psychotherapy can also help, especially with the grieving process. I have also discovered that adequate pain relief is essential if I am to control my depression, so don't neglect that issue when you see your doctor. Quilter
I agree with Quilter on this. Strongly agree! I have spent many years working with people on antidepressants and I have taken them myself. There are so many different medications (and combinations of meds) available to you. There is also a wide "variety" of doctors able to prescribe them. I hope you are seeing someone who has a lot of experience with these meds. There are General Practitioners willing to and capable of prescribing them, and in many cases, this is a good thing, however, for some people, who don't respond completely to the more common meds and doses, a very experienced and patient psychiatrist is called for. I have worked with some very conservative M.D.'s and others more willing to work with the individual patient. In this day of Managed Care, the patient must be the one to say "I'm not well yet, let's try something new." This is a great board for familiarizing yourself with the vast array of treatments being used. I have spoken with patients who say "I tried antidepressants once and I really did'nt feel much better." Or, "They made me feel funny so I stopped taking them." Many could have gotten better with an alternate drug or change in dose. I'm not saying that meds alone will solve all of your problems. Each case is so different. But, if it is determined that you could benefit from an antidepressant, then you must find the right one. Psychiatric meds are a trial and error thing and the patients subjective report is what you've got to look at. If, say, you were diagnosed with high blood pressure, and a doctor started you on a diuretic, and your BP went from 220/160 down to 200/120, after ample time, you would certainly not consider this improvement enough. Another drug would have to be tried. No patient, taking an antidepressant should accept anything less. Feeling "slightly better" is not good enough. If you are saying "I feel like giving up", this would indicate a serious problem. As serious as a BP of 220/160 if not more so. That is no way to live. Learn to expect more for yourself and demand it. I suggest that you discuss with your M.D. his thinking on trying different meds. He should take the lead and talk to you about whats available. If he minimizes your situation, find a new doctor. Good luck. Now,sit down and make a plan. List every last detail of what you need to do for yourself . Visualize yourself getting the list done and gradually getting better. Take it one day at a time and keep that list by your side everywhere you go. Add to it, cross things off as you go. And there is no deadline. Take all the time you need and get yourself better!
poster:seado
thread:39712
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000708/msgs/39990.html