Antidepressant feedback

I would try something else maybe therapy before I stared on medication. It can be a difficult process..

@equanimous Arlo, you might want to think outside the box a bit and try activities like journaling and art journaling, volunteering, increasing your social activities, talk therapy before resorting to medications.

I myself am on a low dose of citalopram [also known as Celexa] daily. It helps keep the lows from getting too low. It offers to even out my swings of depression and anxiety. But, I also incorporate talk therapy, and artwork, and journaling.

Do you think you might consider this approach?
Ginger

Not everybody have the patience for coloring books and journals. Me being one of them. Meds are. Certainly not the only way to go but I’m on seroquel and sleep like a baby and I’m 72.. coloring and other similar crafts fall under the psychological umbrella. Seroquel falls under the psychiatric plans . I use
Both 1 or two. 3 is too store for me and I is too weak . Try it

Andy

I started seraquel 2 months ago. I am on a low dose of 12.5mg for insomnia. Is that too low?

AZ-
You might research the bio-identical supplement SAM-E.
It gives a lift of mood and energy, and also may reduce arthritic pain.
I've read that in Europe it is commonly used as a "first level" treatment for depression.
It was recommended to me by a therapist many years ago, and I take it daily.
Ed

Thanks so very much, Ed. I appreciate your suggestion and will check it out. I've been feeling much better lately, thank goodness!

SAM-E was of help to me, so I think it’s a good place to start. Celexa, Lexapro and Prozac are also good choices. All antidepressants cause sexual dysfunction (decreased desire, erectile dysfunction) except for Wellbutrin (bupropion). SAM-E and St. John’s Wort (another OTC) do not cause sexual dysfunction.
Consider TMS (trans magnetic stimulation) if antidepressants and talk therapy don’t work. Insurance may not allow a trial of TMS until you’ve tried and “failed” with 2 antidepressants. TMS success rates are in the 70% range. Ketamine infusions or nasal spray works for some. If your depression doesn’t respond to these methods, consider trying a new application of TMS called the SAINT protocol. It is rapid accelerated TMS, and consists of 10 fifteen minute treatments of TMS per day for 5-10 days—the # of days is determined by how long you’ve been depressed. The effect is immediate which can’t be said about antidepressants which can take 4-6 weeks before they start being effective.
This treatment costs $6500 out of pocket but less obviously if your insurance covers it. Medicare does! This treatment was experimental (at Stanford) until about 2 years ago. It is now available nationwide in major cities.
I also want to put a plug in for psychotherapy (talk therapy), which probably should be part of any treatment for depression/anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with or without an antidepressant is extremely effective for some types of depression.
Longer term therapies are also v. helpful depending on the issues. Family or couples therapy also help, depending. Family therapy can help one establish boundaries even if those who would be on the other side of the boundary don’t/won’t participate. A family therapist can be very enlightening about “family dynamics.”

try meds as a last resort they don’t always work and they are hard to get off. try to get positive support. people around me who i gave support to split when i needed help. struggling. i have problems in morning, calm at night.

Hi Kathy,
I am and always have been rather apprehensive about taking meds. Another member kindly suggested I try
SAM-e which is a compound found naturally in the body that helps produce and regulate hormones. I've been taking it daily for about a month and it is working. I feel much better and the depression has lifted. I thank my lucky stars to have found MayoClinc Connect and all the nice folks in our support groups!

A few people have mention SAM-e which I was not familiar with. There is a Mayo article on: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-same/art-20364924

One take away from article is SAMe appears to be safe and might be effective in treating depression and osteoarthritis. However, SAMe might interact with antidepressants. Don't use SAMe and prescription antidepressants together.