Depression

[madmooch]

I'm going back to the GP tomorrow for higher dose of anti-depressants, i'm already on 150mg venlafaxine and i still feel like i cant cope, i want sleep all the time, i dont want to go anywhere and feel like crying all of the time.

 

It's making me feel like i'm a weak person, i should be able to cope, everyone else seems to.

 

I've been on them for 3yrs and every so often i need to get the dose increased, but i dont want to end up being spaced out or like a zombie but i cant see any other way out of it. H isn't going to change anytime soon and my DD has problems of her own, it seems to be getting worse not better.

 

Being made to feel like a bad mother by SS & OT doesn't help either, they say all of H's behaviour is down to either diet or bad parenting.

 

Clare

[Bagpuss]

Clare <'> <'> Hope the GP can be of help, your not alone, we are all here <'>

[Flora]

Hi clare <'>

 

You're not a bad mum, and you're not alone in finding it difficult to cope.

 

Obviously your meds are between you and your GP, but just a thought on increasing the dose, maybe you could discuss with your GP an alternative medication rather than more of the same? There are so many choices of antidepressants and they all have differences, maybe there is one that will work better for you? Just a thought.

 

Hope you get some good help from your GP and that you feel better soon.

 

Flora <'>

[baddad]

Hi Clare...

sorry to hear things are so difficult right now...

Picking up on Flo's suggestion about changing meds - I'd also suggest trying to get a referral to someone a bit more qualified in depressive illness...

There's a tendency for GP's (who by definition have to be 'jacks of all trades') to either prescribe the latest wonder drug or to stick with old favourites they feel they know well. A good psychiatrist is much more likely to know about the specific pros and cons of various meds, and - perhaps more importantly - about 'tweaking' doses/combinations for the individual patient; at least, that's what i've heard(?)

So far as 'coping' goes, it's an unknown quantity for each individual, and you have to look at compound events rather than just the immediate. Given that you've been on the meds for three years, I'd say that the compound event issue is really relevent for you, and that the support you've been offered by the professionals you've consulted is part of that issue. That's not your fault, and you shouldn't beat yourself up over it...

 

Very VERY best

 

L&P

 

BD <'>

[marshmallow]

Hi, lots of these <'> <'> <'> to you and I hope you feel better soon.

[Lynden]

Hi Clare

 

I agree with Flora re possibly changing the medication. I was on venlafaxine for almost 2 years and it really did nothing at all - kept upping the dose - infact the only thing it did was cause me to gain 3.5 stones! My GP changed me onto amnitryptiline to get me off of venlafaxine (was very difficult for me) and now I'm on citralopam and its made such a difference. I wouldn't say I'm 100% but I definitely cope easily with day to day life.

 

Big hugs coming your way because its a hard illness to manage.

 

Lynne x

[Karen A]

I'm going back to the GP tomorrow for higher dose of anti-depressants, i'm already on 150mg venlafaxine and i still feel like i cant cope, i want sleep all the time, i dont want to go anywhere and feel like crying all of the time.

 

It's making me feel like i'm a weak person, i should be able to cope, everyone else seems to.

 

I've been on them for 3yrs and every so often i need to get the dose increased, but i dont want to end up being spaced out or like a zombie but i cant see any other way out of it. H isn't going to change anytime soon and my DD has problems of her own, it seems to be getting worse not better.

 

Being made to feel like a bad mother by SS & OT doesn't help either, they say all of H's behaviour is down to either diet or bad parenting.

 

Clare

Clare don't blame yourself you are not a weak person.Lots of people suffer from depression or other mental health issues at some time.It is even more difficult when you have lots to deal with.Take care.I hope your GP is helpful.Karen.

[UltraMum]

Hi Clare

 

I agree with Flora re possibly changing the medication. I was on venlafaxine for almost 2 years and it really did nothing at all - kept upping the dose - infact the only thing it did was cause me to gain 3.5 stones! My GP changed me onto amnitryptiline to get me off of venlafaxine (was very difficult for me) and now I'm on citralopam and its made such a difference. I wouldn't say I'm 100% but I definitely cope easily with day to day life.

 

Big hugs coming your way because its a hard illness to manage.

 

Lynne x

 

I agree too - I was on Mirtazapine for the best part of 18 months - increasing the dose when it didn't work - I put on 5 stone! and it made no apparent difference to my depression -

 

I think I tried 5/6 different ones and I - coincidently - have ended up on citralopram and am now coping much better ... made me a bit hyper for a few weeks but I was fine after that

 

<'> <'> <'> Clare <'> <'> <'>

 

Hope life takes a turn for the better soon

[Suze]

<'> Citalopram has helped me ,perhaps a change is the way forward.I also agree with baddad, get a referral for yourself and see someone who is more specialised in depressive illnesses.Good luck and your not on your own love suzex.

[LizC]

Hey don't feel bad!! I am just the same. well since having my first child almost 9years ago I have been on and off anti ds, mainly with post natal depression. the last year I have been on them again and thie time just don't want to come off them! every time before I would be wanting to come off them again, but thsi time I NEED them lol, I was so depressed trying to deal with Matthew, he has made life really hard for me, I would rather be on them to help me cope than without as i was just totally loosing it all the time! I really understand what you are going through! are there any support groups you can go to for parents of autistic children? I have just started one and it really helps to know we aren't the only ones out there! <'>

[kerrybobs]

Hiya Clare,

 

I have just gotten over a severe bout of depression. I have been on sertraline for 5 months after being swapped and changed for the last 4 years and I can honestly say, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know my daughter is'nt totally to blame but all the stresses and strains have taken there toll.

 

I too, dont sleep, Its not that I dont want to, its just my mind races and thinks of all sorts of stupid, and sometimes quite upsetting stuff. I also never went out for 4 months.

 

I was referred to a pyschiatrist and am starting cognetive behaviour therapy (Im on a waiting list).

 

Clare, I totally understand how your feeling and would just like to say that things can and do get better. When you are depressed you cant see the woods for the trees. Things that we normally can cope with are magnified a hundred times. Although I know I have a long way to go, I am back at work and even went out on Friday night for a drink with the girls and actually enjoyed myself.

 

Just tell your doctor everything your feeling and tell him you need help. Dont be afraid, You are special with a special family and at the end of the day you are only human.

 

Take care, Please let us know how your keeping.

 

Kerry

 

 

<'> <'> <'>

[madmooch]

Thanks everyone for your kind words ( i'm going to cry )

 

The GP is very understanding and knows what i've been through, i'll tell her everything tomorrow and i'll let you know what happens.

 

 

Clare

[Bullet]

<'> Madmooch <'> .

[summertime]

madmooch, whatever anyone else says or how they make you feel you must remember you are a great mum and noone can parent your children better than you can <'> <'> <'> <'>

[Paula]

<'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'>

 

Youre not a bad mum.................

 

Ive been on anti depressants and anti physcotics due to seveare depression on and of for years.........

 

So youre not alone and it doesnt make you or any of us bad parents............

 

Wer doing our best,every days a struggle and draining............ Hell it wouyld be a miricle if we werent on "happy pills"..........

 

Unles youve suffered from depression you cant fully understand how horrid it can be.............

 

Take care.

[mossgrove]

I take Citalopram too. It works for me and doesn't seem to have too many side effects.

 

 

Simon

[TheNeil]

Just to echo what everyone else has said, if the medication isn't working anymore (and especially after 3 years) then I'd definitely be looking at alternatives to just cranking up the dose. Can't offer any advice or suggestions beyond that though (and there seem to be a lot of people far better qualified to offer advice on alternative pills to pop)

 

...and you're not a bad mum. A bad mum wouldn't give a stuff about her kids

[Frangipani]

Hi Clare, <'> <'> <'> <'>

 

Sending you lots of cyber hugs hun, you are a wonderful mum and dont you forget it. <'>

 

I agree with all the above but also ask you doctor or insist your doctor do blood tests to check your thyroid and hormone levels.

 

It has been proven that women as young as 35 can be suffering the symptoms of pre menopause as early as 35 and the symptoms can mimick depression. Talk to your GP or a specialist about this.

 

I have been following a natural essential oil program my doctor approved of, and I have been feeling fantastic, as I had early premenopause. This is nothing to do with Menopause. Stress can trigger it off. In my case a bout of Pneumonia was enough to trigger it in me.

 

Apparently if you smoke you can get it earlier too. Honestly I couldnt sleep for about 6 months I believe each night I would only get 4 hours sleep.

 

Just another thing to speak to your doctor about, and blood tests are all you need to do for an answer.

 

These days I wake up and its like 'lets go' so full of energy. I couldnt even exercise in the day, as I was just too tired.

 

If you can get out walking for 10 mins each day and gradually build it up, that helps too. Play your favourite music as you walk, forget about life for a while, walking is my Prozac. Enrol in a creative arts class, for beginners you will love it.

 

Just a few alternatives to think about.

 

Take care

 

<'>

[madmooch]

I spoke to the GP and she is going to talk to the psychiatrist to see what he recommends and i have to go back next week.

 

Hi Frangipani, I had a blood test for my thyroid 4 weeks ago and it came back ok, but i never feel ok i wish the GP could up my dose of Thyroxine but he's said it can give you brittle bones if you take too much

 

btw i might feel 60 but i'm only 32 * pulling out grey hairs inbetween typing *

 

 

must get my hair dyed again!

 

 

Clare

[Karen A]

I am pleased the Gp was helpful.Hope they are able to come up with some treatment that will help when you go back.Karen

[dooday24]

GLAD IT WENT OKAY WITH THE GP AND YR NOT A BAD MOTHER WE JUST GET TO STAGES WHERE WE CANT COPE ANY MORE U HAV REALLY HELPED ME AS WELL AS I AM BOOKING A APOINTMENT TO SEE MY GP AS I AM NOT COPING AT ALL, KEEP CRYING OR SHOUTING BUT WASNT SURE WAT I NEEDED BECAUSE I WAS ON PROZAC AND HADNT GOT A CLUE WAT I WAS DOING SO I STOPPED THEM. WELL HANG IN THERE AND SENDING LOADS OF THESE <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'>

[Frangipani]

I spoke to the GP and she is going to talk to the psychiatrist to see what he recommends and i have to go back next week.

 

Hi Frangipani, I had a blood test for my thyroid 4 weeks ago and it came back ok, but i never feel ok i wish the GP could up my dose of Thyroxine but he's said it can give you brittle bones if you take too much

 

btw i might feel 60 but i'm only 32 * pulling out grey hairs inbetween typing *

must get my hair dyed again!

Clare

 

 

Hi Clare,

 

I would still insist your GP do a blood test for your hormones too, this is a different test to the thyroid, and could very well be the culprit. If the hormones are out of balance this could be Perimenopause, it has nothing to do with Menopause but can affect people as young as 30 triggers are stress, smoking, I never smoked, but long term illness or immune disorders, many things can trigger it. It can feel like depression, but truly its just as bad.

 

I have a great book I could PM you if your doctor comes back and says yes this is the culprit. No doctor can advise you without a hormone blood test though.

 

Hope this helps. <'>

 

[madmooch]

Thanks Frangipani,

I have to go back next week so i'll ask her, but this has been going on since my son was born, i went on fluoxetine and then came off them because i wanted another child, though i didn't realise it at the time i was wicked carrying my daughter, snapping at everyone and my poor son who wasn't diagnosed at the time got alot of abuse off me so i think i suffered depression while carrying her and because she had a very bad birth 1 week after my son was diagnosed it went downhill from there.

 

The GP has just phoned and has increased my dose of Venlafaxine to 225mg she used to work in psychiatry and said she nows of people on mega doses of the drug, but i have to go get my blood pressure checked and a heart trace done apparently there was a scare out that this drug can cause heart problems but then they turned round and said it's ok but she just wants to make sure. Thats all i need!

 

Clare

[Frangipani]

Hope things settle down for you soon <'> <'>

 

Still get those hormones checked as well, so many doctors overlook this. <'>

 

Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[Corcaigh]

Madmooch, have you tried therapy? I have been on and off Prozac for years (I have been diagnosed clinical depression in 2001 but i have been suffering from it all my life) but only a very successful therapy was the key to finally get control over the illness. I had tried therapy before in my 20s and was unsuccessful, the therapist completely missed my problem. You must get lucky and find the good psychologist: it happened to me eventually and that changed my life.

I dunno, maybe you did it already, but I strongly recommend you to try some form of therapy, so you'll be able soon to lower your antidepressant dosage.

 

In the meanwhile <'>

 

Martina

[UltraMum]

<'> <'> <'> madmooch <'> <'> <'>

Hope you have a good weekend

[madmooch]

No, I havent tried therapy, i tried councelling which didn't work

 

 

DD is out with the neighbours daughter and hubby has took DS down to see his nanna and granda so i have a bit time to myself - Yippeeeeeeeee.

 

Now i'm off to have a nap - my favourite pastime

 

 

Clare

[Karen A]

Hi thought I would mention.Therapy can work really well for depression if you find a good therapist.However it depends on what is causing the depression.The therapist would need to work with you to decide what to do about the medication.You could ask the GP if therapy is an option and who they would reffer you to.Karen

[Sallya]

http://www.depressionalliance.org/

 

This might help

 

s

 

xxx

[lil_me]

<'> Clare, hope things go ok at the doctors.

 

Been considering the dreaded trip to the GP myself but made several appointments and get scared and don't go. Also they have me ones that made me sleepy last tiem which is of no use at all.

[madmooch]

Well, the higher dose of Venlafaxine isn't working and i feel really low, i'm not coping well at all, Hubby has had to take alot of time off work to help me out during the day and we cant afford it.

Dr has said to give it another couple of weeks to kick in but i dont know how i'm going to manage another 2 weeks, if it still doesn't work i will have gradually reduce the venlafaxine and try something else which is going to take even longer.

 

I am starting to get panicky about leaving the house and wont go anywhere unless someone is with me.

 

Clare

[dooday24]

<'> <'> <'> REALLY FEEL 4 U BUT YR A GREAT MUM JUST TRYING TO DO HER BEST WE ALL ARE BUT AT TIMES WE JUST GET BOGGED DOWN AND EXHAUSTED SOME DAYS I WISH I COULD CRAWL UNDER A STONE AND SLEEP MY LIFE AWAY. <'> <'> TAKE CARE

[Bagpuss]

Clare <'> <'> <'> Hope the GP can offer you an alternative medication and/or therapy that works and life looks alittle brighter soon...thinking of you <'>

[rainbow queen]

hello <'> <'> <'>

 

 

please dont feel guilty

 

im on medication ,maybe the tablets you are on are not working for you,some can make u feel really sleepy -i know cause i was like that for a long while-also sleeping is a form of escape,ive tryed lots of different ones.

 

i also have to take a mood stabiliser too,and have checkups with pychatrist,before i had these mood stabiliers i was getting like that about leaving the house ect.....it also doesnt help when your children have put you through some terrible ordeals in public too -i think thats effected me in a way-dealing with that as well

 

you musnt blame yourself

make sure your eating well ,to get your energy levels up,and vits can help too.

take care xxxx

[UltraMum]

<'> <'> <'> hang on in there - things will brighten up eventually <'> <'> <'>

[madmooch]

hello <'> <'> <'>

please dont feel guilty

 

im on medication ,maybe the tablets you are on are not working for you,some can make u feel really sleepy -i know cause i was like that for a long while-also sleeping is a form of escape,ive tryed lots of different ones.

 

i also have to take a mood stabiliser too,and have checkups with pychatrist,before i had these mood stabiliers i was getting like that about leaving the house ect.....it also doesnt help when your children have put you through some terrible ordeals in public too -i think thats effected me in a way-dealing with that as well

 

you musnt blame yourself

make sure your eating well ,to get your energy levels up,and vits can help too.

take care xxxx

 

I think for me the sleeping is a form of escape ( when i'm asleep i dont have to think about the problems ) and i think it's partly my underactive thyroid , though the GP said it's under control

I just wish i was back to normal - i dread having to take my daughter to nursery, i just want to be alone and sleep.

I have to go back and see the GP on monday, so i hope she does put me on something else because i feel as though i'm getting worse not better since she upped the dose.

I kept my little one off nursery today because i couldn't bear to go out and feel soooooo giulty about it, i told my hubby she was complaining of a sore tummy

 

 

Clare

[Bagpuss]

Clare.. <'> <'> Please know your not alone hun <'> <'>

[lil_me]

<'> Hope GP has some answers, I know of many parents who can confess to an off day when they have chosen to take their child off nursery, don't feel guilty.

 

I made the step and the GP put me on Prozac, seems to be working a little, got some motivatin back.

[madmooch]

Well, I went back to see the Gp and she told me to reduce my dose of Venlafaxine gradually to nothing and then start Seraline(i think ) anyway first couple of days brill, so i stopped them altogetther thinking the withdrawals cant be worse than feeling so low, now i feel like death warmed up, I feel asthough i have really bad flu with vomiting, stomach cramps, the runs and mood swings ontop of being depressed now

Wish i had reduced them slowly now.

I feel like a junky ( gimme my Venlafaxine back, all is forgiven )

 

I'm biting the bairns heads off all of the time, esp. darling daughter as she never shuts up.

have to go feel a wave of nausea again,

 

Clare