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Depression: What treatment can I try after so many years?
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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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?
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4 ReactionsNot good need help as Sandford Fargo isn’t getting any answers.
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1 ReactionWhat 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.
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2 ReactionsI 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.
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2 Reactions@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/
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1 ReactionI 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.
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5 ReactionsAfter 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.
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2 ReactionsI 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!