What if the meds don't work?

[Istherelight]

Hello,

I am a female in my early 30's and have just been diagnosed with severe depression and mild anxiety. I have a good job that I have been working in for over 10 years and have had ups and downs in my life like most people. I had a rocky childhood and teen years however from my early 20's my life has been fairly stable and I have always been a happy person trying to do the best in life. In the space of a few weeks I felt like I hit a wall, I lost interest in everything, work, gym, getting out of bed, even brushing my hair. I felt as though I just could not  function. I have been referred to a psychologist who seems lovely and my Doctor had prescribed me medication this was nearly four weeks ago. I have had terrible side effects and I don't feel any better at all, in fact, I feel nothing, no happiness, sadness or any other feelings. I was very hesitant to touch medication, however was convinced when the psychologist  advised me it would "give me my life back". I am now worried what will happen if it doesn't work on me, I'm currently on extended sick leave from work and have had to make up an illness to my boss, family and friends because I didn't feel I could tell them what's really wrong. Especially at work I fear I would be discriminated against and seen as weak. Has anyone had  a similar experience? Does medication work on everyone?  Has anyone had any positive experiences? any advice would be so much appreciated. 

Thank you

[Guest_3712]

Hi there,

Istherelight- yes there is. There is also dark, and not so dark and not so light.

truth is depression is different for everyone.

I have responded to your post because I didn't want you to think no- one cared. I don't have a lot to offer you at the moment, but you asked if medications work.

Again it is different for everyone. In my case yes . I am on anti depressants and anti  anxiety meds going on 8 years now.

My advice grab onto anything that can possibly help. Try to keep an open mind. If you like your psych and get on well with them hang on to them.

Lastly when you don't think any one gets it and you feel so alone, come on here to BB and watch the support that comes your way . People who are much better qualified than me will be here to help

Take care

Be kind to yourself

Stressless

[White_Rose]

Hello, nice to meet you.

Medications are a bit of a minefield.  When they would they are great and help a huge amount.  First, though you have get a medication that suits you.  Doctors reckon it takes about six weeks for the medication to finally kick in.  So the bad news is, that's how long you need to wait to see if they work for you.

There are so many antidepressants available that there is bound to be one for you.  If you are having bad side effects please talk to your doctor soon.  My doctor tried a huge number of pills before he found a reasonable compromise.  Don't try and put up with it though.  While some side effects go away quite quickly others will be there for years.  And you don't need that extra stress.  As I said, talk to your doctor who should be able to find an alternative.  One size does not fit all.

Medication is not the only option.  Usually your doctor will prescribe meds in addition to some therapy.  You say you are seeing a psychologist?  Good!  Talk to him/her about medication as well.  Although they cannot prescribe they usually have a knowledge of meds and can talk about side effects and why some work and others not.

Also you will be doing some therapy work with the psychologist once you get to know each other.  This is the other part of your recovery.  Meds and therapy are often a good combination.  Stay as positive as you can.  The most unfortunate part of depression is that it does not go away as quickly as the 'flu.

We all know how hard it is to get out of bed in the morning.  Everyone manages differently, but if you can get up, do so.  I find getting up and having a shower and dressing straight away helps me to get going, but there are morning when, even though I am out of bed, it's as much as I can manage for an hour or two.  The trick is say tomorrow will be better and I will going earlier.  The other trick is to be kind to yourself.  What you did not do today can be done tomorrow without the world coming to an end.

Surround yourself with people who care, get out of the house as much as you manage; walks, cinema, visiting etc.  Leave if you get overwhelmed.  It's hard work but you do get a sense of achievement every time you take a positive step.

Write here as often as you need.  This is a supportive community.

Be kind to yourself. 

White Rose

[geoff]

dear Istherelight, I'm sorry that I have missed your post, but thanks for coming on board, where there are so many people who are still going through depression, just like Stressless and many more, and some who have overcome this horrible illness.

I tend to believe that your 'mild anxiety' is much worse than this, or much worse than you tend to believe, because if you have depression then it just escalates, and then becomes a major problem for yourself.

Your rocky childhood and teens is a concern for me, not that I'm a psych but you can talk about this later on if you want to.

Firstly I would go back to your doctor and explain that the side-effects are making you feel sick, and they will probably change the type of antidepressant, as there are plenty of different ones available, and also that they put you on a low dosage, this way you will know if they suit you, and if so then they can be increased.

Please remember that this low dosage won't have much affect on your mood, or you maybe lucky and they improve your mood, and generally they take about 4-6 weeks to begin to work.

It's always a debate on whether you tell your boss about your depression, but my view is not just yet, as it may go against you in the long run, so just wait and see.

Personally I have been on my antidepressant for over 20 years, after trying a heap more which were no good for me as they made me feel nausea, sexually no good, and once I said this to my doctor he suddenly changed them, but this was a long time ago.

Please don't feel alone or by yourself in regards to all of this, as we want to help you with advice and support, to try and get you back on your feet. L Geoff. x

[Neil_1]

Hi Istherelight?

Actually is that a question or just a rhetorical one – I don’t know the difference so I shouldn’t have started this way, but now that I have, I’m stuck with it. 

Welcome to Beyond Blue and I’m so pleased to see you’ve had some great responses already.  So much so that I can’t really comment on anything except for one thing – as everyone before me has already offered the same kind of advice that I would have – except they can do it in less words than me.

Now if I’m reading this right, despite coming here and sharing;  and you’ve also done this with your GP, can I take it that no-one else in your life knows?  As Geoff mentioned, I’d be careful regarding work, so just keep it ‘as is’ for the time being. 

 BUT is there a certain family member or a certain friend who you feel you could share this with?  I think this is an important step if you can unload to a friend or a family member and hopefully it’ll be someone who you think will be able to support you.  Don’t expect them to understand depression – I’ve had it for well over 20 years and I still don’t understand it!!  🙂  

But just see if there is someone who you can share it with and someone who you can talk too if you need – and not a psyche kind of talk – but an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on.

Just a thought.

Kind regards

Neil