Need med(s) for depression & anxiety…advice?

They function differently biochemically in the body, so one isn't better than the other. I need both!

Sooo Good to Hear...most freebies like physical activity do wonders to our health.
Stay as Far away and for as Long as U Can from meds, which often have bad side effects.
I'm rooting for you!

(Yesterday I walked briskly for 90 minutes -- with my 8 lbs of grocery on way back -- and walked many floors to do laundry. Result? I had sound 9 hours sleep. True, Nature is Healer)

I agree with another response that everyone responds differently to medications. I have the same three problems that you do. The medication that ended up working best for me is Effexor. I was on it just a few days when I felt the calming effects. Suddenly the world was a better place for me. This may not be the medication that works best for you, but take comfort in knowing that there IS a drug out there that will help you find relief! Talk to your doctor, and keep trying until you find the right one.

Be careful with Effexor, it does work quite well, but has notorious side effects and is very hard to stop.

Of course I’ve been on 450 mg for thirty years, so there’s that.

All the best on your journey,

Good morning @1k194 You are dealing with what for me has been a lifelong challenge. I was diagnosed with GAD several years ago. As we know, anxiety can lead to pain if you have any kind of chronic issues. Then the pain leads to anxiety and it goes on and on. I have finally found a "duo" that works for me. My morning medication includes both Duloxetin and Buspirone. At bedtime, I just take Buspirone. I am going to list the results that I have experienced with these two medications.
1. Elevated mood.
2. Increased sense of optimism and positive outlook.
3. Increased sense of confidence.
4. Increased energy level.
5. More organized approach to daily activities--planning and prioritizing.
6. More likely to apply "mindfulness" to daily stressors.

And just a note of interest: I found out that my granddaughter has also found Buspirone helpful for her anxiety so there must be something genetic going on.
A few months ago, I also began working with a behavioral therapist and she has helped me organize my life activities to help with the aging memory situation as well as the anxiety. Add to that my daily meditation and mindfulness practice and it appears that I am as good as I can get.
Any questions or worries?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Hello. Because I grew up in a profoundly dysfunctional family, I've engaged in a lot of talk therapy and I've tried many antidepressants over the years. None of them have helped me (and my doc is Hopkins-trained and very smart, so I think he knows his stuff).

I *have* had short-term relief from taking 5mg of dextroamphetamine 2x a day -- prescribed! -- BUT please note that the short-term well-being and motivation are then replaced by jittery feelings. This has been worth it for me at times, when I've needed to tackle some tough life stuff and needed that boost of motivation.

I also experience a sense of well-being and freedom from anxiety when I take 5mg oxycodone for pain from my cancer (also prescribed); it's short-lived, but it isn't replaced by anything unpleasant. Obviously everyone needs to be careful with such addictive drugs, but after 5 mos. I'm still taking on average 1.5 oxycodone per day ( = sometimes none, sometimes two), and I don't see any indication that I'm addicted -- i.e., no unpleasant sensations on the days when I need none/take none.

Good luck.

ETA: A different psychiatrist whom I saw noted that St. John's Wort is very effective for depression -- there are a lot of studies in Europe about its effectiveness. (Didn't help me, but I'm mentioning it just in case.) Please note, though, that it too has side effects, so you need to find a reputable co. that standardizes its products, and you MUST have your doc's OK bc of side effects and drug interactions.