1. < Depression & Anxiety

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

Posted by miray67 @miray67, Apr 22, 2020

I have fought depression and anxiety since I was about seven years old when I had panic attacks. Without revealing my age what can you take when you have tried all the older medicines? It’s been with me for MANY years. Not the panic attacks but long spells of depression and anxiety to the point I am ver shaky most of the time. I’m sure there newer medications than the ones doctors want me to try again. I am now on Paxil again after trying it back in 1995. Seems it does everything except what it’s supposed to do. My present doctor refuses to change it but has reduced the dosage again to 25mg from 37.5. I hate to keep changing doctors and trying over and over. Being confined for so long hasn’t helped, of course. I am in good health for my age, still drive a little and do most everything for my self with weak need and chronic pain.

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lucyhipp | @lucyhipp | Dec 18, 2022

I’m taking Viibryd which is somewhat newer but now available as a generic

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ilean | @ilean | Dec 22, 2022
In reply to @berard10 "My daughter has been suffering from depression and anxiety for 10 years and has struggled to..." + (show)
@berard10

My daughter has been suffering from depression and anxiety for 10 years and has struggled to finish school because depression is debilitating and anxiety to the point she can’t do anything She is now trying TMS therapy it’s a type of magnetic pulse therapy to the part of brain that controls these issues
We want to try anything to help her feel good . 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 a lot in hopes that my daughter feels good again. If you decide to try good luck It takes dedication 7 weeks everyday except weekends

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Have you tried Trintellex? It is an antidepressant that has worked well for me!!

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goingon75 | @goingon75 | Dec 31, 2022
In reply to @marjou "Agree that this staying at home time really affects my depression and anxiety to the point..." + (show)
@marjou

Agree that this staying at home time really affects my depression and anxiety to the point of crying more and less able to cope with even the slightest change. I am so sensitive to medications that am told that I am "medication resistant", but I did want to suggest a homeopathic option I have tried and seems to be of help. It's called Rescue Pastilles (lozenges) made by Bach and can be found at Swanson's a vitamins/supplements website. It also comes in liquid form. I pray that we get to some sort of "normal" again soon and safely.

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I just read something the other day I thought was interesting. It's called the 4 second breathing technician.
It goes like this:
Sit comfortably, breath in for 4 seconds or the count of 4,
Hold that breath for 4 seconds.
Then blow out for 4 seconds.
And hold for four seconds.
It's suppose to send a message to the brain to calm your body. I'm new at it and do it when I retire for the night.

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jbrathbun | @jbrathbun | Dec 31, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @miray67, I encourage you to also join in this discussion: - Depression and Anxiety at..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @miray67, I encourage you to also join in this discussion:
- Depression and Anxiety at an older age https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-anxiety-at-an-older-age/

You ask some great questions about what medications to try after having treated anxiety and depression from childhood to senior years. You said you've taken many. Do you return to medications that worked in the past? Are there better, newer ones to try? How do you work with your doctor instead of changing docs? I'd like to invite a few members who have faced these questions too, like @jimhd @pjss48 @wandasophia @stsopoci @parus and others.

@marjou and @miray67 have either of you considered genetic testing to see what drugs are more likely to work for you?

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At 63, I don't ever remember a time when I was not depressed. I started on antidepressants at age 13 and have been on many different ones over the years. I was on Lamictal and Wellbutrin for about 20 years and was switched to Trintellix six months ago. I have almost constant nausea with it. I'm going to try switching to night dosing, but I'm a terrible sleeper, and worried about accentuating that problem. I can't stay on this med any longer if the daytime nausea persists. Considering going back to Wellbutrin because it worked the longest for me. Does that make sense?
I have never heard of genetic testing for antidepressants. Where does one find that kind of diagnostician?

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2 replies
eileenschauer | @eileenschauer | Jan 2, 2023
In reply to @jbrathbun "At 63, I don't ever remember a time when I was not depressed. I started on..." + (show)
@jbrathbun

At 63, I don't ever remember a time when I was not depressed. I started on antidepressants at age 13 and have been on many different ones over the years. I was on Lamictal and Wellbutrin for about 20 years and was switched to Trintellix six months ago. I have almost constant nausea with it. I'm going to try switching to night dosing, but I'm a terrible sleeper, and worried about accentuating that problem. I can't stay on this med any longer if the daytime nausea persists. Considering going back to Wellbutrin because it worked the longest for me. Does that make sense?
I have never heard of genetic testing for antidepressants. Where does one find that kind of diagnostician?

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Prestige is the best I’ve found

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 4, 2023
In reply to @jbrathbun "At 63, I don't ever remember a time when I was not depressed. I started on..." + (show)
@jbrathbun

At 63, I don't ever remember a time when I was not depressed. I started on antidepressants at age 13 and have been on many different ones over the years. I was on Lamictal and Wellbutrin for about 20 years and was switched to Trintellix six months ago. I have almost constant nausea with it. I'm going to try switching to night dosing, but I'm a terrible sleeper, and worried about accentuating that problem. I can't stay on this med any longer if the daytime nausea persists. Considering going back to Wellbutrin because it worked the longest for me. Does that make sense?
I have never heard of genetic testing for antidepressants. Where does one find that kind of diagnostician?

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@jbrathbun, you'll find useful information about drug-gene testing (also called pharmacogenomics or pharmacogenetics) and experiences of other members in this related discussion:

- Why Genetic Testing for Mental Health Meds is Important https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/why-genetic-testing-for-mental-health-meds-is-important/

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TSB | @terrirussell | Jan 6, 2023

I’m taking Effexor time released and love it! Principally used for anxiety/panic. Remember that untreated anxiety disorder can result in depression. It is listed as an antidepressant but I never had that diagnosis. I also have Ehlers Danlos and I know that the lower the anxiety the lower the aching or pain! Check it out! I’ve been on it 25 years! Thrilled! Grateful!!!happy!

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kareena | @kareena | Jan 14, 2023

CBT and DBT can be very helpful.

My experience has been that sometimes things have been so deeply that even psychotherapy, medication or the above are good to a point but I was still triggered at times. I have done 12 sessions of EMDR therapy. It is very different in that it actually changes part of the brain structure. It is not long term and seems to really help. My medication has been more effective because of the EMDR.

Thank you.

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1 reply
jbrathbun | @jbrathbun | Jan 15, 2023
In reply to @kareena "CBT and DBT can be very helpful. My experience has been that sometimes things have been..." + (show)
@kareena

CBT and DBT can be very helpful.

My experience has been that sometimes things have been so deeply that even psychotherapy, medication or the above are good to a point but I was still triggered at times. I have done 12 sessions of EMDR therapy. It is very different in that it actually changes part of the brain structure. It is not long term and seems to really help. My medication has been more effective because of the EMDR.

Thank you.

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Has anyone out there tried ketamine? If so, what can you share about it? Thanks!

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1 reply
netter9064 | @netter9064 | Jan 15, 2023
In reply to @jbrathbun "Has anyone out there tried ketamine? If so, what can you share about it? Thanks!" + (show)
@jbrathbun

Has anyone out there tried ketamine? If so, what can you share about it? Thanks!

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Yes! I had a ketamine infusion when I was inpatient many years ago and it was a game changer!! I didn't realize how depressed I really was until I was on the other side. Unfortunately, the clinic I was going to getting the infusions stopped doing them by infusion and only by injection.. because of insurance or something. The effect wasn't near the same. It didn't help at all.. the depression returned, suicide ideations, crying.. all of it. The only places that I can get the infusions again don't accept insurance. I'm on SSDI and only work part time, so it's out of the question for me. I even tried the nose spray form of ketamine, Spravato.. didn't make much of a difference. I have tried ECT and TMS, too. The only thing that helped was the ketamine infusion. I'm now trying to get Vagus Nerve Stimulation or Deep Brain Stimulation. I've tried everything else.

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