Ineffective medication

[LeeC]

I experienced a major depressive episode in November last year. I was suicidal and basically a blubbering mess. I was almost hospitalised (waiting list meant I was no longer an emergency by the time they got back to me - I should have just rocked up!). Anyway, it was bad and I am still recovering now. I see a psychologist on a regular basis and my GP prescribed medication for me. I am on the highest dose and I don't think it is working. I still have suicidal ideation and experience extreme sadness, lethargy, withdrawal, and generally the black dog feelings.

I saw a Psychiatrist to get an opinion on the medication - she misdiagnosed me as having Borderline Personality Disorder (after sitting with me for 40 minutes!) She recommended I stay on the medication.

I don't think it is working and any improvement in my mood, I think has been from the ACT work I have been doing, but am yet to master. Have others experienced medication that doesn't work? What have you done about it?

[LostNConfused]

Hi LeeC,

I recently started meds, Feb this year.

It was X, I went from 50 mg to 150 mg within the span of 4 months? and i still didn't feel better, i told my psych and was changed to another meds brand and dosage amount, which I am still trying out. A friend of mine told me that it took them 1-2 years before doctors found the right dosage level for someone.

my advise is stick it out, and try new meds if you don't feel any effect from your current one. but consult your doctor first.

Best of luck

[Mel_D_1978]

I'd see another psychiatrist! He/she sounds a bit rude. Anyway yes I have had adverse reactions to:

X, Taken for one day. Zombie not reacting to anyone or anything was like being drunk.Had a major panic attack.

Y, cranky and violent, would have lived on sugar if I could.

and even my current medication Z killed me for the first 6 weeks, ringing in the ears, panic attacks, vomiting, restless legs, couldn't eat, muscle pains, exhaustion.

[geoff]

dear Lee, absolutely, I tried many types of antidepressants, some that did nothing, and some with bad side-effects, so I had to keep going back to my doctor who changed them, it did become frustrating and I was almost going to give up, until finally this last one worked. Geoff.

[bandofbrothers]

Hey LeeC ^_^

You need another psychiatrist  they sound rubbish too text book if you ask me . You need to find one that has gone through hard times in there life believe me they make the best psychiatrists and truly understand and can diagnose you correctly in my experience .

I lost my mother to suicide and i found her too and before i met my true psychiatrist and was put on the right meds my life was hell because i was misdiagnosed and taking medication that was aggravating my depression and anxiety.

There are so many dodgy psychiatrists out there you need the right one to work for you

My psychiatrist is in western sydney, she is awesome i know because i saw 3 before her

Also lee i know its hard at the start but try not to rely solely on the medication if you get put on other meds too mix it with outdoor activities and approved indoor activities 

You are not alone brother

[geoff]

dear Bandofbrothers, good point as you say 'that has gone through hard times', I totally agree, and although I had great psychologist for 20 odd years, I asked her and those before her if they had suffered from depression, and the only one who said yes was the one I stuck with for all those years, because she knew what it was like to suffer from depression. I also asked my immediate doctor, as my psych. was also a gp, but had another gp, and he had gone through depression, and his son is still suffering from it. Geoff.

[LeeC]

Thanks everyone it certainly helps knowing I'm not the only one. I have a great psychologist but haven't really bothered with a psychiatrist apart from the one I saw. Both my GP and Psychologist thought her diagnosis was wrong.

I read an article a while back where Peter Hickey was talking about the new mental illness manual - he basically said that the US need such a manual because their health system sucks and people need a diagnosis in order to get heath insurance cover. Here, we don't need an actual diagnosis and the practitioners can assess and deal with the symptoms. I really like this method. Treat me as an individual and work out what medication (if any) and other activities do I need to participate in in order to manage my ups and downs. Unfortunately, I think some practitioners like to diagnose and categorise people because it feels safer.

 Anyway, thanks for all your comments - I appreciate them and will work on your suggestions.

Lee