Help Please with Meds

[farns]

I am back at the Phyciatrist tomorrow to start my 5th lot of medication for Depression, I know I cant mention Meds names but I am after some advice or comments from people that have been in a similar boat and came out the other side okay, I am aware they take 6-8 weeks to start working but I am getting to that stage feeling OK but then for some reason they stop working....any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Legion]

Hello farns,

 Just a thought but perhaps you could ask your Dr about a "Cytochrome P450 2D6 Gene Test" (CYP450)

When this test was coming to Australia a few years ago the TGA approached a lot of  Psychiatrists about suitable patients and I was one of those "test" cases. The results of the simple blood test was astounding in it's accuracy of the meds that work really well and the ones that don't based on my already established history.

Worth a try I think if it helps.

[White_Rose]

Hello Guys

Wow Legion, that is an amazing piece of information. I have tried many , mostly SSRI, medications that have awful side effects and mean I cannot take a proper dose because of the side effects. Does this test also weed out drugs that will have bad side effects for some people.  I was taking an SSRI that was the same as a colleague of mine. She had absolutely no problems while I thought I would go crazy.

Hello farns. Sorry to go away from your post, but that info from Legion is amazing. I was unaware that anything like this existed.

To go back to your comment. Yes meds often take a few weeks to fully kick in. I recently had a completely different AD for the above reason, and found a small but continual improvement in mood on many days. I think this is about as good as it's going to get, which is not bad. I could hardly function in the mornings a while ago but now I feel fine.

However, this is not your complete question. Why do they stop working? I have noticed with some ADs that there is a reduced effect after a while but I have always presumed it was because I had become used to feeling well, and as we all know, we still have not so good days. That's just life. Other people have commented on this on BB and I have never read an answer.  So I'm sorry I really cannot provide an explanation, except to suggest you ask your psychiatrist.  And in the light of Legion's comment, ask about this test.

Do you find the drug stops working completely and you are back to square one? Or is the effect reduced over time? I have no idea about the first suggestion, but I do wonder if our bodies get used to a drug and the effect is not as high. But if it is still working and you feel OK I would see this as a bonus.

The other suggestion I have is imagining the drug like a race. When you get to the end you continue running almost on impetus until you have crossed the winning line. Then you slow down and get your breath back. Perhaps drugs have a similar effect. They jump into the system and go like a bat out of hell, run out of steam and need to get their breath back by reducing the effect a little. Or maybe the body has a system that stops drugs as it were, going over the limit.

If my suggestions sound like rubbish, then they probably are, but I cannot think of any other explanation.

When you find out, please let us know.

Mary

[farns]

Hey Mary, not rubbish at all....I think our bodies do get used to them but probably need tweaking with the dosage, I had a good one which lasted 6 weeks and I was feeling about 70% but then it just stopped so back to square 1 I went, I am also on high chronic pain meds which hopefully doesn't affect anything.

My counsellor said yesterday to look at it like your swimming up the river away from a waterfall and you need the strength and determination to push through.....but that you also need to want to do that, I mean by helping yourself with breathing, taking time out for yourself to cry if you need to, walking and even buying a set of playing cards just to lessen the impact the depression has on you....Life wasn't meant to be easy.

Its so complex I am finding it, being moody, tired, agitated, angry and  very sleepy and tired...the worst thing is the effect it has on my wife and kids to the extent that she mentioned to me last night if you don't love us you can leave any time....that breaks my heart.

[farns]

Hi legion, thanks for the comment and I will check with him tomorrow when I see him, thanks again.

[White_Rose]

Your counsellor is absolutely right. It is your determination that does the trick. No amount of pills or anything else will get through this, though these things are a big help.

Have you explained to your wife what is happening to you? This is so important otherwise it does look as though you don't care for your family. This web site has a huge amount of information about depression. Please go through the blue tabs at the top of the page and look at all the information sheets and booklets. You can download information or ask BB to send it to you. There is information for families as well which your wife may find very useful.

Ask about the interaction of pain medication and ADs. I was prescribed a strong pain killer and was taking an SSRI antidepressant. Turns out this particular combination were very bad news and I fell into a huge heap. You can check online to see the manufacturer says about your medications. It is a possibility.

Mary

[farns]

Yes my wife knows exactly what's happening with me and has been absolutely fantastic, I had a great meeting with my counsellor yesterday which was very positive and I'm off to see a physciatrist today to sort out my Meds....Chronic back pain and Depression are a lethal mix but I will be determined to get to the bottom off it....Thanks again for your feedback