Posted by T_R_D on March 26, 2003, at 14:03:04
In reply to Trying to be patient, posted by Joyful on March 26, 2003, at 12:08:40
Hang in there! I know it can be tough but it may take just a little bit more time and more of the drug. I suffer from treatment resistant depression (hence my little moniker there) and I had to be on 375mg of Effexor daily (the max outside of a hospital setting) plus have it augmented with other drugs (Wellbutrin and then Cytomel after an allergic reaction to the W.) It sounds like you might be in the same boat as the other drugs not working for you.
I always wrestle with the "what does it feel like?" or the "is this as good as it gets?" questions while being treated. I've been depressed for so long I'm always wondering what is "normal." Some of the things that I look for are motivation and enthusiasm for life and doing more enjoyable things: reading books, listening to music, spending time with people and actually enjoying myself, no more lethargy and generally, forgetting that I'm feeling as bad as I am, if that makes any sense. I don't expect to be ecstatic 24/7 but if the depression is not helping you function normally (don't want to get out of bed, loss of productivity at work--so many symptoms) then it's clear you're not being adequately treated. And oh yes, right now sex drive is a big one...depression always takes that away...a return of my sex drive is always a good sign that I'm getting better.
There are lots of other drugs out there so don't give up hope. Plus with the option of combination/augmentation you've got a long time to go before thinking about ECT. I know it's frustrating feeling like a lab rat or a pin cushion but until I've exhausted EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING--every drug, every combination--no way am I going near an ECT machine. It's very much a last resort of me too. I've heard it can help when nothing else works but the short term memory loss kind of bugs me.
So keep doing what you're doing...one factor to consider for a drug is, have you experienced at least a bit of an improvement? If so, generally the practice is to keep cranking up the volume until you are at the max. therapeutic dose. If you're still showing some signs of improvement but still feel you've got further to go, that's when augmentation or combination therapy should be used. If there's nothing to add to the mix and you're not getting any effect, the drug clearly isn't for you.
Take care and keep me/us posted!
poster:T_R_D
thread:213065
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030325/msgs/213089.html