I’ve been depressed since my 20s (am in my mid-60s now). A year ago I took a nosedive and became anxious as well as much more deeply depressed. Everything scares me – even something as mundane as taking my car through the car wash. I used to read and listen to music all the time. Now I haven’t read or listened to anything in a year. I’ve been in outpatient groups and on a number of medicines – the latest group is buspar, anafranil, Seroquel, klonopin, lamictal and Viibryd (I’m weaning off that). Every once in a while – say, once a week – I feel OK, the way I used to when I was moderately depressed. The rest of the time is just unbearable. What’s next? Transcranial magnetic stimulation? ECT? Thank you for listening.
Liked by Sheri Donaldson, GailBL, Volunteer Mentor, Parus, lovetoall ... see all
Hi, @1lundboat – if you would like, you can communicate privately with another Connect member (or they can choose to do so with you) by going to their profile (click on the other member's username or profile image), and then you will see "Send private message" right near the top of that page.
We have some discussions related to bipolar and on addictions, if you'd be interested in participating or starting a new discussion. If you wanted to start a new discussion on either of those topics, you would go to the Mental Health group and then click on the gray box that says "Start a new discussion" at the upper left, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mental-health/
Here are the bipolar-related threads:
-on aripiprazole (Abilify), https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-try-abilify/?pg=1#chv4-comment-stream-header
-on bipolar and some simultaneous conditions, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bipolar-disorder-central-sensitization-autoimmune/?pg=1#comment-114360
– on quetiapine (Seroquel), https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/seraquel/?pg=1#chv4-comment-stream-header
Here is an addiction-related discussion you might also be interested in, on preventing lapses: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recognize-plan-prevent-addiction-lapses/?utm_campaign=search
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Jamie Olson, Parus, Lyn
Totally different meds. Clondine should help you sleep. Clonidine is used for all kinds of issues. They give it to kids with ADHD or kids having trouble sleeping. Never heard of using with POTS but I know it originally used for blood pressure. Haven't heard of bad side effects so that is good. You will know right away if it helps.
There is a great book that you can order for FREE on the Neurostar website. When you go to the website, click on "patient corner" and scroll all the way down to the bottom. The book is called "3,000 Pulses" and it is a memoir of a woman who suffered from depression for years & her story about deciding to do TMS & how it changed her life. I read it before I started & it gave me HOPE! I truly feel that you have to have HOPE that something is going to work, for it to work! Can't hurt to give it a shot! I got to the point nothing was helping me, so I said "what the heck" & I am so glad I did! Let me know if you decide to do it. Good luck!
Thanks. I found a center right near me and am calling tomorrow to see if they would take my insurance. It seems a little scary, though. Did you ever wean from an antidepressant? How did you make out with that? Thanks for telling me about this. I will check it out tomorrow.
Liked by Lisa Lucier
I will pray for positive results as you move forward. I have had issues with depression, as well, and it is no fun. And my situation is not as deep as yours. But know I am your friend when you get lonely. God bless us every one.
Liked by Lisa Lucier, barnowl53, Lyn
I have to say that I am going soon to go from 5 mg of Lexipro to one every other day and I am so scared I’m shaking and crying. I’ve never been this scared before because of everything I’ve read that people go through. Wondering what it will be like and if I will be able to take care of my special needs son when I go thru this, how long it will last and my mind goes on and on.
@farabella
Problem is I like how I felt on 10 mg of Lexipro but can’t live with low sugars every day and having low blood sodium is dangerous.
Liked by Parus