Posted by stargazer2 on August 11, 2007, at 18:08:37
In reply to Re: Still no cure for my depression - tried everyt, posted by Enigma on August 11, 2007, at 17:19:06
Enigma, I am in your place with the exception of trying ECT and that is where I drew the line with the treatments I have undergone. I worked in ECT and never felt good about the results I saw. I too have been unemployed for over a year and I feel so useless and dispensible since for most of us, work gives us self esteem and in this society work is all you are. I have a few friends but they do not understand depression, who could, unless you've been there.
The latest thing I have tried is an endocrinology workup which may be a good place to try and see if you are hypothyroid or figure out if your adrenals may have pooped out with chronic depression. I just started on Synthroid and my lab values have not come back yet but the nurse practitioner felt my value of TSH from last year (Thyroid stimulating hormone) was slightly high. She felt this should be supplemented and it is known that thyroid hormone pays a BIG role in depression. THyroid meds used to be used more regularly along with AD's for TRD. Why the docs don't have us go in for a endo consult early in our depression treatment is beyond me. More of the same stuff that always keeps us from getting better is all they are comfortable doing but my treatment has been ongoing for 20 years (1987) with meds. I had results in 1987 w nardil, 1991 w marplan and some successful with Celexa, wellbutrin and adderall. Right now I am on nardil but recently had a hypertensive reaction which scared the living daylights out of me, and my doc. I had added a stimulant to the nardil and it reacted.
I swear If you give up hope and stop trying the doctors will too. Sometimes I feel the pdocs do the same thing over and over becasue even they are clueless about why to try next.
It is entirely our own battle which we choose to either continue to fight or give up at. The endocrine workup may be a good place to try an find out if your thyroid or adrenal function is working or functioning poorly. I'm not sure it is the answer but I feel more positive about the approach of the nurse practitioner there. She was very smart and just that she put me on Synthroid when my values were really only slightly high was a good sign.
I'm all for less, useless psych meds and a different type of med to try and get something going. THis may be something that could help you too.
I hope you find some relief soon, I know what you are going through, no work, depression and an existence that seems meaningless. So many of us here can relate to what you are going through and wish we could offer help and valuable suggestions. At least there is psychobabble to reach out to when no one else understands us, right?
Stargazer
poster:stargazer2
thread:775476
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070808/msgs/775540.html