ARE YOUR MEDS HELPING OR HINDERING YOUR DEPRESSION?

Posted by grandmaR @grandmar, Apr 23, 2019

Good Morning All!

I was cleaning out my saved messages this morning when I came across an article I was saving to share with my doc.
I might have shared it with you before, can't remember.
Even if I did, I think it is worth another share.
Many of us are on multiple meds for multiple conditions.
Although they might be helping for that specific ailment, can we be sure that it is not having an impact on our mental health?????
As I re-read this, I realized WHY I kept this article; I am taking many of the meds on this list (for other ailments).
Can these meds not only make my anxiety worse, but impact my ability to wean down from my Effexor?
Food for thought.

Have a happy mental health day...……..
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2019/depression-side-effects-prescription-drugs.html?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-WBLTR---NMCTRL-031519-F1-3638047&ET_CID=3638047&ET_RID=8426170&mi_u=8426170&mi_ecmp=20190315_Webletter_NM_CTRL_Winner_685000_1009402&encparam=JhroBFvDhdqKSRvuiZYWnFU93kHt%2fyyxTjsBbtXPqkE%3d

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Oh, yes, I can identify with that! Been there and done that. Dismissed the prescriptions of my doctor and told him. Ate well, changed friends sometimes, reached out to people, got out of the house, tried to not be dismayed at lack of support for my issues, as I live alone. I learned to lean on my faith and gained support for getting out of the chair and getting busy. Learned to treat myself with anything but food. Leaned to help others more, knowing that I can't help others if I don't help myself first. I continue to believe in myself and be nice to everyone. When I have pain, I don't complain to others. They won't have confidence in me in the future, and back away. Sometimes I play hymns on the piano and don't do my chores. It feels good to let go sometimes.
No one realizes that my house has not been cleaned today and I laugh about that. I have had psychological counseling, exercise programs, all that.
I still believe that I can succeed at some things in my old age. I dwell on my good memories from my hard past. Today I feel like doing a few chores.
My life is better than some of my friends. I am grateful. For me, pills are not the answer. I am kind to my doctor who knows no other options and said so.
I need one good friend to confide in at a time. My daughter is warm and supportive of me. That means everything at this point. If I have any more ideas, I will share. I lived through back surgery and can walk and do a little gardening. The sun makes me well. Live is still good on the farm. Dorisena

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@dorisena

Oh, yes, I can identify with that! Been there and done that. Dismissed the prescriptions of my doctor and told him. Ate well, changed friends sometimes, reached out to people, got out of the house, tried to not be dismayed at lack of support for my issues, as I live alone. I learned to lean on my faith and gained support for getting out of the chair and getting busy. Learned to treat myself with anything but food. Leaned to help others more, knowing that I can't help others if I don't help myself first. I continue to believe in myself and be nice to everyone. When I have pain, I don't complain to others. They won't have confidence in me in the future, and back away. Sometimes I play hymns on the piano and don't do my chores. It feels good to let go sometimes.
No one realizes that my house has not been cleaned today and I laugh about that. I have had psychological counseling, exercise programs, all that.
I still believe that I can succeed at some things in my old age. I dwell on my good memories from my hard past. Today I feel like doing a few chores.
My life is better than some of my friends. I am grateful. For me, pills are not the answer. I am kind to my doctor who knows no other options and said so.
I need one good friend to confide in at a time. My daughter is warm and supportive of me. That means everything at this point. If I have any more ideas, I will share. I lived through back surgery and can walk and do a little gardening. The sun makes me well. Live is still good on the farm. Dorisena

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You are doing FANTASTICALLY!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAR)

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@pearlbaby7

I appreciate TMZ's coverage of Britney Spears' struggles. They have called attention to the fact that some meds work to start with but may, after a period of time, no longer be effective. They've also talked about that finding the right medication or combination can take time. They have been talking about mental health but I've noticed that people with RA have the same issue.
For some it's new meds that provide relief. For me it was going back to an old med that very few prescribe any more (MAOI). Finding a doctor who even mentioned this med took several years. Please do not give up finding an ethical doctor who will do what's best for you. They are out there.

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I was taught in my graduate level class that some of these meds for depression need to continually be increased in order to keep up the desired benefit to the brain. Then there is the side affect issue. My previous doctors didn't differentiate between anxiety and depression because they didn't live in my dysfunctional home. I once told a doctor to have my husband take the pills, not me, because he was the one with the problems. He said he never thought of that. I should have left my marriage but knew there would be no one to care for my declining husband, so I stayed, with the help of Xanax at bedtime. At least I was able to sleep .I went off the pills a few weeks before Husband's death without problem and was quite stable after that. Life was much better and I live without guilt in the matter. The term "till death do us part" has a special meaning to me because I did my job and am living pretty well in my old age.
Dorisena

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I take medication, Humira and formerly others as well, and anything that can affect the gut has been recently shown to potentially impact mood. In so far as being less symptomatic with Crohn's goes, that is a big boon for my depression and anxiety. I try to keep my gut healthy in other ways, too, to be mindful of overall physical and mental health. Other medications may be a problem for people, and it's important that they are all considered in tandem for how they impact us, I agree with this assessment.

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Nearly any medication can do this. I was recently on an antibiotic which has affected my gut flora and my mood. Takes a while to get things back in sync. When this happens I use a quality probiotic. It helps me.

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@gingerw

It is my humble opinion that medications may help or hinder depression. There are so many different medications these days for the same diagnosis and my belief is that because each body can react differently to the same medication you have to have a variety. Sometimes it's a matter of trial and error to find the right combination. I do agree there are pharmaceutical companies that will give a bonus to doctors or clinics or hospitals if they promote a specific drug. I've seen it happen and it's shameful.
Ginger

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@gingerw I have seen this too. Yes, it is shameful. Grrrrrr.

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For me, lexapro 20mg is helping a lot more than the previous 3 that I tried. There's another secret that most of you already know about meds. I try to exercise/walk or go to community center for 1 1/2 and work out. I also go you 2 men's meeting a week to talk about different subjects. I have tried talk therapy but I first found out that I have to get rid of the anxiety attacks and the overwhelming anxiety of every event in my life. So, in conclusion, THE right
med for you will work but it needs to be supplemented with exercise, talk therapy, yoga, etc, etc so that your body endorphins also are generated. Your body knows what to do. Keep working with what works for you.

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@stsopoci

For me, lexapro 20mg is helping a lot more than the previous 3 that I tried. There's another secret that most of you already know about meds. I try to exercise/walk or go to community center for 1 1/2 and work out. I also go you 2 men's meeting a week to talk about different subjects. I have tried talk therapy but I first found out that I have to get rid of the anxiety attacks and the overwhelming anxiety of every event in my life. So, in conclusion, THE right
med for you will work but it needs to be supplemented with exercise, talk therapy, yoga, etc, etc so that your body endorphins also are generated. Your body knows what to do. Keep working with what works for you.

Jump to this post

@stsopoci You have expressed well what has worked for you, thank you. I agree that each person finds the best combination. Never be afraid to try different things to find to reach the comfort level that you feel the best with.
Ginger

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