I no longer am suffering from depression at all. In 2020 due to health reasons I retired. My condition created severe depression and anxiety. The meds prescribed
me made me very angry and hostile or left me feeling stoned or dopey. Neither were acceptable to me. I discontinued all meds including pain, alcohol and maintenance for blood pressure on Dec 5th 2021. Atorvastatin 10MG, to lower cholesterol and raise my eGFR for upcoming kidney transplant and vitamin supplements are all I take now. Between my neurologist, PCP and pain management team I was taking an assortment of pain and psychotropic drugs. Marijuana helped temporarily without the anger issues. I no longer use that as it is no longer needed. I now volunteer to assist in helping those with dependence and SMI issues. So smoking marijuana would be hypocritical of me. Doing things for people in need has gives the opportunity to feel good without the psychotropic medicine many doctors are happy to prescribe. Physical therapy does not end the pain. Nothing ends my pain. I prefer pain to the dopey feeling and anxiety of needing a pill to feel better. The feeling of being dependent on a drug can raise anxiety thus increasing depression. Removing that anxiety of dependence decreased the depression. I replaced psychotropic drugs with activities that benefit my physical, mental and emotional well being. Now I am a certified Peer Support Specialist and can assist others with my experience. I volunteer and continue training at a local Mental Health Clinic.