My on/off partner of over five years ( on/off because in depressed states he ends things) recently had a mild heart attack. He has been taking anti depressants for years now which I don't think have been very effective. I'm not sure if they're the right meds and dosages or not. His depression has hit an all time low since his heart attack. His GP mentioned that his new heart medication (metoprolol) is notorious for causing depression. I'm wondering if this has been anyone else's experience or if anyone knows of alternate medications that would be less likely to cause depression. I'm also wondering if other medications he takes for things like hypertension are reducing the efficacy of his Ads.
hi KP, I'm sorry all of this seems to be a 'catch-22' situation, and I don't know what your substitutes could be, but maybe he could get another opinion, because it doesn't seem to be feasible to take medication that is going to cause depression, because as we know that's a orrible illness to get.
Does your partner like to do any mild activities that could help his heart, by starting off walking, just saying. Geoff.
Hi Geoff, thanks for your response. The poor guy is understandably hesitant to add anyone else to his health care team. He's been working with his GP and a psychiatrist for years and right before the heart attack started seeing a psychologist. I'm hoping he has continued with this as I feel CBT could help but as he is shutting me out at the moment I'm not sure. He's also now of course involved with a cardiologist. Regarding exercise, yes prior to the heart attack he was an avid swimmer. He would regularly go to the pool to swim laps which definitely helped with the depression. He has tried to return to swimming but finds he is frustrated because he just doesn't have the energy post heart attack. It's awful to watch this happening to him. He has to take meds to stay alive but the quality of life as a result of the meds is terrible.
