1. < Depression & Anxiety

Is depression permanent?

Posted by rollinsk @rollinsk, Aug 1, 2020

Depression burst on my after extended pressureful work for long with little rest in 2007. Ever since I am drugs. My question, is depression permanent?

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dianecostella | @dianecostella | Sep 5, 2021
In reply to @bobby00 "Thank you Amanda. I do have a psychiatrist and she was hoping that the parathyroid surgery..." + (show)
@bobby00

Thank you Amanda. I do have a psychiatrist and she was hoping that the parathyroid surgery would help in my recovery. I am only slightly better. I am eating a little better, my blood pressure is better and I am a little stronger. But now I am developing aching joints on top of everything. She thought that the combination of seraquel and cymbalta was causing it so she switched me from cymbalta to trintellix 3 weeks ago but the joints are still aching and growing worse. Blood tests do not show any auto-immune diseases. Before the surgery she tried Ambilify, Vreylar and Latuda so maybe it is worth trying them again. Somehow, I think because my body chemistry has changed from the surgery I should try reducing everything. That’s why I am reaching out to see if anyone with Bipolar has had this surgery and what their doctor did to adjust their medications afterward.

Thank you for the links. I will look into them.

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I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a week later with uncontrollable vomiting. They stopped all my medication because I couldn’t have anything by mouth. When I was released I decided to cut my Zoloft from 200mg to 150mg. I became nervous, agitated and depressed. I just didn’t want to talk to people or see them in person. I had forgotten that I reduced the medication. On my monthly visit to my psychiatrist after talking she said I have to look over your medication and change something you are not right. The more I talk with you I can see you are just not acting right. That’s when I remembered about the Zoloft and she told me to go home and immediately take the 50mg and up the dose back to 200mg. I do feel better. The point of this is yes this proves to me that I will have to remain on antidepressants the rest of my life.

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4 replies
suzbyrne | @suzbyrne | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @dianecostella "I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a..." + (show)
@dianecostella

I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a week later with uncontrollable vomiting. They stopped all my medication because I couldn’t have anything by mouth. When I was released I decided to cut my Zoloft from 200mg to 150mg. I became nervous, agitated and depressed. I just didn’t want to talk to people or see them in person. I had forgotten that I reduced the medication. On my monthly visit to my psychiatrist after talking she said I have to look over your medication and change something you are not right. The more I talk with you I can see you are just not acting right. That’s when I remembered about the Zoloft and she told me to go home and immediately take the 50mg and up the dose back to 200mg. I do feel better. The point of this is yes this proves to me that I will have to remain on antidepressants the rest of my life.

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I think most people with depression decide for one reason or another to cut back or stop their meds. I did that recently. My decision happened after quite a bit of change and necessary adjustment in my life. Not an ideal time to stop meds. But my executive brain was in charge, and I ignored all other considerations. I was less mindful of my feelings and behavior.

Your account of recent surgery and hospitalization sounds serious and would, in my book, be cause for a lot of mindfulness and self care.

Do you have a friend or family member you can be in touch with as you go through these challenges? Someone who knows your history and can reflect back your best interests? Someone who might say, with all you’re going through, now may not be the time to adjust meds.

I’m 70 y/o and can still fool myself into thinking, aha! I’ll cut back on my meds.

Well, as the saying goes, if you were diabetic, would you cut back on your insulin? I can only say, depression is a slippery slope and I would respect it, be mindful, and find someone, doc, social worker, family, friend, that you can talk to spontaneously (phone, email, text) who will reflect back to you your concerns in a way that helps you make good decisions about your health. I’m on the hunt for a case manager because their advice doesn’t come with any history other than other people with depression.

I do a hummingbird meditation where I listen to 10 minutes of music and breathe in and out my nose, humming to the music as I go. Steadying your breath works wonders. I’ll see if I can find a link for you.

Stay the course and steady as you go ❤️ Suzanne

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suzbyrne | @suzbyrne | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @dianecostella "I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a..." + (show)
@dianecostella

I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a week later with uncontrollable vomiting. They stopped all my medication because I couldn’t have anything by mouth. When I was released I decided to cut my Zoloft from 200mg to 150mg. I became nervous, agitated and depressed. I just didn’t want to talk to people or see them in person. I had forgotten that I reduced the medication. On my monthly visit to my psychiatrist after talking she said I have to look over your medication and change something you are not right. The more I talk with you I can see you are just not acting right. That’s when I remembered about the Zoloft and she told me to go home and immediately take the 50mg and up the dose back to 200mg. I do feel better. The point of this is yes this proves to me that I will have to remain on antidepressants the rest of my life.

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Hi 👋 I’m trying to post the link to the music. Hope this works. Will get hummingbird breathing to you as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXEeONm6hy8
Yay it worked 👏

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3 replies
Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @suzbyrne "Hi 👋 I’m trying to post the link to the music. Hope this works. Will get..." + (show)
@suzbyrne

Hi 👋 I’m trying to post the link to the music. Hope this works. Will get hummingbird breathing to you as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXEeONm6hy8
Yay it worked 👏

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This is an excellent video to start and end the day, or anywhere in between! Thanks for sharing this, Suzanne! ☺️

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dianecostella | @dianecostella | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @suzbyrne "Hi 👋 I’m trying to post the link to the music. Hope this works. Will get..." + (show)
@suzbyrne

Hi 👋 I’m trying to post the link to the music. Hope this works. Will get hummingbird breathing to you as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXEeONm6hy8
Yay it worked 👏

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Thank you

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @dianecostella "I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a..." + (show)
@dianecostella

I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a week later with uncontrollable vomiting. They stopped all my medication because I couldn’t have anything by mouth. When I was released I decided to cut my Zoloft from 200mg to 150mg. I became nervous, agitated and depressed. I just didn’t want to talk to people or see them in person. I had forgotten that I reduced the medication. On my monthly visit to my psychiatrist after talking she said I have to look over your medication and change something you are not right. The more I talk with you I can see you are just not acting right. That’s when I remembered about the Zoloft and she told me to go home and immediately take the 50mg and up the dose back to 200mg. I do feel better. The point of this is yes this proves to me that I will have to remain on antidepressants the rest of my life.

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@dianecostella Antidepressants can play a major role in our management of everyday life. I have been on a mild one since July 2020 now, and it is the third time going onto this. As has been described to me before, it evens out the peaks and valleys of my mind-play, and allows me to navigate more safely. It is not something I play around with, and follow the guidelines of my dr, who feels this is a good working solution for me. Along with this medication, there is also a monthly "check-in" as it were, with a psychologist, and I do a lot of journaling, checking in with myself.

There is an ongoing discussion about journaling you might find interesting, and all it takes is a piece of paper and a pen to get started, pretty simple! It is amazing what will flow when you take the censor away from yourself! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/ Will you consider giving it a try?
Ginger

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dianecostella | @dianecostella | Sep 6, 2021

I do have a therapist I connect with on a weekly basis and family and friends. I figured since I wasn’t given it in the hospital on both stays I would cut back and see what happens. I have such Gaberpentin brain from taking for a neurological disease I have, that and the stress of the surgery and complications I truly forgot I did it. I won’t do it again as I know I really need it.

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sears | @sears | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @dianecostella "I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a..." + (show)
@dianecostella

I have major depression disorder reoccurring. I had surgery two months ago and was readmitted a week later with uncontrollable vomiting. They stopped all my medication because I couldn’t have anything by mouth. When I was released I decided to cut my Zoloft from 200mg to 150mg. I became nervous, agitated and depressed. I just didn’t want to talk to people or see them in person. I had forgotten that I reduced the medication. On my monthly visit to my psychiatrist after talking she said I have to look over your medication and change something you are not right. The more I talk with you I can see you are just not acting right. That’s when I remembered about the Zoloft and she told me to go home and immediately take the 50mg and up the dose back to 200mg. I do feel better. The point of this is yes this proves to me that I will have to remain on antidepressants the rest of my life.

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This situation doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to take antidepressants the rest of your life. You cut your daily dose down much too quickly. This was the reason for the change in your behavior. Antidepressants must be tapered down very very slowly taking months or even years to get to 0. Cuts are very small until your brain adjusts to each cut. 50 mgs. was just way too much at one time.

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dianecostella | @dianecostella | Sep 6, 2021

Thanks for your feedback makes perfect sense.

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marionwilhelm | @marionwilhelm | Sep 7, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "@rollinsk That is a very good question. For many of us who live with depression, it..." + (show)
@gingerw

@rollinsk That is a very good question. For many of us who live with depression, it sometimes seems so, doesn't it? I believe some people are more prone to depressive episodes, or have a tendency to slide into them. I am one of those. For me, it takes work, sometimes hard work, to stay positive, and rally against the depression, to return to the more positive approach of life. There can be so many triggers that would bring on a depressive episode, and we need to be self-aware of those; it's seems to be different for everyone.
Is it permanent? Well, my thought is it doesn't have to be first-and-foremost, at all times. We can work to keep it at bay, and congratulate ourselves when it happens.
Do you feel it is permanent for you?
Ginger

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My depression rolls in &out sometimes lasting for days & sometimes for just a few hours. I think it will be with me all of my life. I'm 67 now & my depression was a result of childhood onset anxiety. Drugs help & cannabis edibles in the evening are relaxing & ensure sleep.

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