Depression: What treatment can I try after so many years?

Are u able to get answers from a doctor on this site?

Hi @johnson5, Mayo Clinic Connect is a forum for patients to connect with each other. It's a space where patients and family caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others.

If you would like to speak with a medical professional at Mayo Clinic, you can request an appointment here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

How are you doing?

Not good need help as Sandford Fargo isn’t getting any answers.

What is challenging you right now?

I have aged anxiety and somatic symptom disorder with severe depression. I have had ect and I am not feeling well ringing in ears tight chest
And numbness from head to feet with dizziness. Fargo says they can not do anymore and has me on a bunch of drugs that I think is causing me not to function.

I have severe depression
Aromatic symptom disorder and anxiety. I lost my husband a year ago. I feel I am on too many meds but they won’t give me an answer.

@johnson5, I moved you to this existing discussion in the Anxiety & Depression group that @miray67, started, called:
- Depression: What treatment can I try after so many years? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/when-you-are-much-older/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect more easily with fellow members like @marjou @jimhd @pjss48 @wandasophia @stsopoci @audriana @jasmai @catmomma @cococoyote and more.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I think you might appreciate joining the discussions in the Loss & Grief group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/loss-grief/

I have dealt with major depression and anxiety most of my adult life. What has helped the most is finding a wholistic psychiatrist (looks at meds, but also food, sleep, focus, etc) and a good therapist. It took a long time to find one; that part is difficult. Maybe reach out to your local NAMI group for suggestions. Also, I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Mayo taught me how to treat those, and the treatments have improved my mental health. I’ll attach the wheel they provide (hope that’s ok). Start small. Focus on one area. Laughter is probably the best medicine for me; I like to watch goofy animal videos on YouTube. Please continue to reach out. You are not alone, a lot of us are dealing with the same things.

After several different prescription didn’t work my doctor wanted me try Rexulti as an adjunct to my medication but I was reluctant because of the side effects.
Instead of being a guinea pig I opted to get the genetic test.
The test result confirmed that the drugs my doctor was prescribing were not suitable for me. My doctor switched medications and will now wait to see the effectiveness of the new medication.

I have taken pristiq for many years. Went into a bigger depression recently. My doctor gave me rexulti. Game changer. All my anxiety disappeared. Still depressed but manageable. Thank goodness for rexulti!