LIVING WITH DEPRESSION and DRUGS

CONTINUATION

Since then, my doctor keeps trying different drugs. There are some behaviors I maintain, like going back to bed after breakfast, that screw up the timing of my internal clock. I know that but continue to pursue the same behavior; anotherwords, I know what I am doing...it's like I'm fighting back...go figure.

The doctor isn't really getting to know me. We talk five minutes and then he pulls out more drugs.

I'm thinking I should go back to one pill and find ways to get myself up at a regular time. For example, I volunteer at a local elementary school.

Sometime during this interaction, I will probably introduce a big theme in my life...being the victim.

Interesting...can we please here more?

What do you have in mind? (It may have to wait until I sleep awhile.)

Mapleleaf, Exercise Is proving to be more effective then alot of anti-depressants and regulates your sleep pattern by helping you sleep better. Find an exercise you enjoy ( mountain biking, gym, hiking, etc, etc, Or a combo thereof). You'll be healthier and fell better. If you don't enjoy it you won't do it. Look into this. I swear to you it works. It takes about a month. Alot of doctors don't tell there patiants this. They would rather pump you full of brain dope. If you do this you will at least be able to get by with less meds. Sleep better. be healthier.

I could buy into that.....

You have to do it to know. You'll see a difference in 2 weeks to a month. But really you might see a difference after the first day. This is proven in studies and documented. I suggest bike riding or hiking in nature (or as close as you can get to it) that way you get both the anti-depressant effects of the exercise and from nature. But everybody is different it takes awhile to find 'your exercise' the one you don't mind doing four times a week. I put everything I got on this advice. If you do it you'll see. But you must sweat to get the best effects. Start slow so you don't get discouraged. P.S. I'm not a new age hippie type either

I suspect you are alluding to a manic episode. Are you bi-polar?

I love every chance to try and help someone out in this situation.

Amigo is right. Exercise does help so much. Find something you love (something you can manage even when you don't want to leave the house!) and keep it simple. Focus on relaxing and having a good time. That part is important. If you attack exercise like it is a chore; it doesn't 'work' as well.
Exercise is also a good time to get some socializing in while at your best and relaxed.

Find a new doctor!! A good doc will take the time to listen to you and to help you find the best treatment for you overall. Drug pushing is not good. I'm sure you know that already. If you have troubles mustering up enough energy to do it: chunk up your time. Enlist your wife or a friend's help to write out all your concerns and what has been happening with you. Walk into the doc's office fully prepared; and bring someone if you find yourself not able to speak up at the crucial time. Research doctors and choose one that you are comfortable with: this guy/girl is important!

Diet is another area that can help. I recommend it even if you stay on your meds.

Ok. That's a long enough post for now.
Hang in there.

Still,

No, I was tied up with the flu for about three months.

flushd,

The diet part is now a main stay.

Mapleleaf, it's good to see you posting again, even though this topic is painful.

I have had clinical depression for many, many years and find that, for me, medication is the only thing that I can count on to prevent bad relapses. That said, amigo is absolutely right about the exercise. It makes a tremendous difference.

We all respond differently, so no one will be able to give you one answer that is guaranteed to work, but if you keep trying, at least it shows that you have an investment in being well.

BTW, do find a different doctor!

I have finally pulled out of a major depression--ongoing for most of my life.

I think it was the past year and a half, taking a medicine daily--not missing, or giving up or quitting. And, it's finally the right medicine for me.

It is amazing what life is like. I didn't know. It's completely different. My social anxiety from all the isolation is gone and it's hard to believe it was as easy as it is. It confounds me that it could have been this easy the whole time. I have energy. My house is sparkling, I look great, ...all the destructive things depression either causes you to do--or the healthy stuff it prevents you from doing--are all in order now.

I just hope this can let someone know that no matter how long you've lived with depression--and no matter how bad it has gotten, it can be lifted.

I had tried six medications for depression since my twenties.

Mapleleaf--

How many medicines have you tried, and have you tried them for a lengthy amount of time?

Aw, mapleleaf. I didn't know. We have depression in my family, I know it can be hard to control.

Lash-wonderful and thank heaven you kept trying. One psychiatrist told me that I was a non-responder, as I went through six or seven different medications. Now I take a combination that does the trick. Amazing, isn't it, that a person can feel 'normal' again--or, simply, like yourself instead of a tired, out of it, drudge.

Problem is, with trying different antidepressants is that it takes so long--coming off one before going on another--usually two weeks for each medication then another two to six weeks to see if the new medication will work. Tenacity takes on a whole new meaning...

I'm reading Martin Seligman's Authentic Happiness. His opening contrasts the notions of "mental health" and "mental illness" and notes that the literature spends much more time discussing Depression than examining Happiness.

Believe me, I've lived with personal depression and spousal depression and inconvenient depression of various family members of assorted closenesses. Depression is very real.

So is Happiness.

Beautiful, Noddy. Yes, happiness is very real and is a vital part of being human; without it, one really doesn't feel fully human.

Hold your dominion, dear Noddy.

Thanks, Diane. Today I've been dealing with Mr. Noddy's fringes. Some of them deserve Poor Self Images.

Wow, folks I already know.

When you live with the symptoms so long...you sometimes think that is just your personity.

Lash, I've kind of rebelled at the pill business, which is complicated by the pills required for my kidney recovery...lots of chemicals scooting through my body

Drug companies have been caught lately giving doctors kick backs for prescribing there drugs and more of them. The'll pump you full of all kinds of s**t. They don't know you from the next guy. I don't think doctors are even listening to there patients. they get drug treatment wrong for there patient more then they get it right. I think you have to do your own research and talk to more then one doctor.