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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 15:35:22
I've been depressed/anxious for over five years--on meds for almost 2. Since starting meds I'll have periods of feeling pretty good but these are always followed by times of feeling worse than Ive every felt before. Each time I up my dose or change my meds and again feel better for a few months until another wave of this depression hits me again.
Does anybody get "cured" of their biochemical depression? Mental illness definitely runs in my family--but does that mean Im going to have to be periodically practically debilitated with depression, social anxiety, all the dispair for the rest of my life?
Have others experienced this periodic relapse? And has anyone stopped meds or found one med that worked for them for more than six months in a row? I dont know if I just need to get used to this or if I should take more meds or what!! Please help.
marip
ps. i am in psychotherapy and it helps me deal but cant take the edge off the depression and all its aweful symptoms.
Posted by Arrianna on September 1, 2003, at 16:40:06
In reply to is this a life-long disease? , posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 15:35:22
> I've been depressed/anxious for over five years--on meds for almost 2. Since starting meds I'll have periods of feeling pretty good but these are always followed by times of feeling worse than Ive every felt before. Each time I up my dose or change my meds and again feel better for a few months until another wave of this depression hits me again.
>
> Does anybody get "cured" of their biochemical depression? Mental illness definitely runs in my family--but does that mean Im going to have to be periodically practically debilitated with depression, social anxiety, all the dispair for the rest of my life?
>
> Have others experienced this periodic relapse? And has anyone stopped meds or found one med that worked for them for more than six months in a row? I dont know if I just need to get used to this or if I should take more meds or what!! Please help.
> marip
> ps. i am in psychotherapy and it helps me deal but cant take the edge off the depression and all its aweful symptoms.Hi Marip. Sounds like you've been through alot. I don't know if I have any helpful answers for you since I am not a professional. But, I recently asked my pdoc the same question.
What she told me is that everyone is different. Although the med may work for a time, it may at some time "seem" to lose it's effectiveness, not because of "poop out" or that it's not working anymore, but because of perhaps a situation in one's life that may cause the depression or anxiety to flare up.
I also asked her if I stopped taking my AD if I could expect to have my anxiety, etc. to come back. Again what she told me is that everyone is different. For some, it may come back right away, and then, if it's necessary, they may want to go back on a AD. For others, she said one could be "fine" for 3 years and then it'll come back or not.
So, I guess from what she said, it's different for everyone, so you just need to do what's best and feels right for you.
Hope this helps in some way. Hang in there and I wish that all works out for you. The rollercoaster ride on Lexapro has smoothed out for me so far.
Arrianna
Posted by Sebastian on September 1, 2003, at 18:57:37
In reply to is this a life-long disease? , posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 15:35:22
Well one of my meds I have takin for 5 years now, works very successfuly (Zyprexa, for anxiety). Anouther for almost 2 years (Celexa, for depression). The other I have only been on about 6 months (Wellbutrin, for enegy, works well). I've been seaking treatment for about 7 years, who knows how long I've been sick? It took me about 2 years to find the right meds, but once I found the right med/s I have been very successful at eleviating the simptoms and living a successful and somewhat normal life. So try lots of different meds till you find the right one, you will know, it makes you feel good when you take it and you start living a normal life again. Sorry if I sound depressing and like a whacko. I'm getting frusterated with my meds and want off them (again), but they work.
Sebastian
Posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 18:57:47
In reply to Re: is this a life-long disease? , posted by Arrianna on September 1, 2003, at 16:40:06
Arrianna,
Thanks for your words of support and encouragement. It helps so much just to know that someone understands or at least has wondered the same things I have. It makes sense--that life is going to be ups and downs nomatter what ADs one takes. I guess I have to just keep trying to accept the process of it all and do the best I can in each moment.
Thanks for sharing your experience,
Marip
Posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 19:07:42
In reply to Re: is this a life-long disease? » marip, posted by Sebastian on September 1, 2003, at 18:57:37
Sebastian,
Hi-I just saw your post after Arriana's--it sounds like you stuck with it and have actually found some things that work--Just hearing that you feel like you've been leading a "normal" life for the majority of your years since starting tx. is comforting to hear. I dont know what normal is exactly--but maybe just not looking at everyone else's life from the outside and thinking that they are really living, that Ill never feel like that.
I hope it all it keeps working for you--it does get annoying having to take something all the time, doesnt it?
thanks,
Marip
ps. (you dont sound crazy at all!)
Posted by Arrianna on September 1, 2003, at 21:43:06
In reply to Re: is this a life-long disease?, posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 19:08:04
Hi again Marip!
I'm glad my post was helpful for you. No, you're definetely NOT alone in all of this. I think alot of us wonder and have somewhat the same concerns about meds. and our state of being.Lexapro is the first AD I've ever been on. Been on it for 2 months now, and thank god it's been working for me, although I struggled through the side effects as well as adjusting to it. Since I am new to the world of meds., I have been amazed by all the different meds. and switching of others have gone through. It's got to be hell to get used to one, just to have to switch to another, and then have to adjust to that one.
Anyway, take care of yourself and I'm here if you need me. Keep up the good work. I know it's hard- I struggle with depression, too, but not nearly as bad as I have in the past! Luckily, the Lexapro is helping me with that, too.
Keep me posted.
Arrianna
Posted by Sebastian on September 2, 2003, at 12:06:58
In reply to Re: is this a life-long disease?, posted by Arrianna on September 1, 2003, at 21:43:06
Actually the switching part is fun! You don't have to take the bad one anymore.
Posted by sailor on September 4, 2003, at 11:55:56
In reply to is this a life-long disease? , posted by marip on September 1, 2003, at 15:35:22
Your question brings to mind a quote I saw once: "Hope for the best; prepare for the worst" I don't take this to be pessimistic at all, rather an acknowledgement that we can never know for sure what's around the bend...but an attitude of hopefulness (and optimism), however difficult to maintain, will always carry you further than pessimism and despair. Food for thought. P.S. I've been dealing with my depression for 30+ years. I still don't know if it will be "for the rest of my life." Best wishes. Sailor
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