New user, longtime sufferer

[ratcat]

I've been suffering with Depression for over 20 years now. I'm in my early 60's and live alone and no immediate family. I've gone through the trauma of my younger brother being killed by a drunk driver, watched my Father pass away with dementia and finally took care of my mother by myself at home for the past 5 years. She passed away late last year in December with Parkinson's Disease. This week, a long distance relationship has gone sour and quite frankly I don't remember feeling this bad with depression and anxiety. I have made an appointment with a GP for this Tuesday. I've been usingmedication at the same dosage for most of the 20 years. Do antidepressants need to be changed after long periods of use? I'm worried about long term effects of medication and or withdrawal symptoms if change is required. Should I be looking at changing meds? I feel terrible.

[Sophie_M]

Dear ratcat, Firstly, thank you so very much for choosing to join the forums as an active contributor! We are delighted to have you, and hope that you will get as much from the community as we will by having you! Mostly, we wanted to offer our most sincere condolences on all that you have had to endure these last years. The loss you have suffered is truly significant, and there are no pithy lines, or words of wisdom that can truly capture, soothe or encapsulate that; as much as those of us in Mental Health work might wish otherwise, there are no magic words that take that sort of pain away. Thank you so much for the courage and the self-awareness required to make this post, we have no doubt many who read this will feel safer in reaching out! To your question, swapping up medications periodically is often advisable, but most especially if it doesn’t seem to be working or supporting anymore – and certainly, speaking to your GP about this is never a bad idea. Have you had a referral to a psychiatrist before, ratcat? Sometimes an overview by a specialist can be beneficial – so just some food for thought! In the meantime, the aftermath of grief, most especially since last December, may be having no small impact here, so we would love to bring your attention to the existence of Griefline! You can read all about them on their website by clicking here – you can also give them a call on 1300 845 745 Of course, we would love for you to feel welcome to reach out to us as well, call us on1300 22 4636  or you can click here to start a webchat with us. Again, thank you immensely ratcat for choosing to join us, and for your first post. Please stay in touch! Regards,   Sophie M.

[geoff]

Hello Ratcat, I am so very sorry for your family losses, as it's not easy to be without your younger brother who would have looked up towards you to guide and help him through life, and for our parents who brought us into the world, to pass away like they did is something we never want to happen.

The medication we take which could be for a long time, and in your case for 20 years, should be reviewed by your doctor, especially when your position in life or when unfortunate circumstances do happen, and please note I'm not a doctor, however, our personalities do change for whatever reason, plus new AD's are brought onto the market and perhaps something else could be more appropriate for you.

I know that changing them does require perseverance but it's certainly worth discussing this with your doctor.

Geoff.

[Leisa68]

Hi ratcat

I am so sorry for your losses, you seem to have a lot of challenges in your life. I am no doctor either, but my psych recently changed my medication of 15 years and told me that its efficacy had changed and I needed new medication. I did change the medication as he directed, however it took a few weeks before I felt normal again. Now I'm pretty good. It is good that you are going to see the doctor, all I can really say is that I needed the change, and I did everything he told me to do. I really hope you feel better soon.

Leisa68

[ChildHeart]

Hi, there ratcat!

First of all, I am sorry for all you have gone through and for losing those that you loved.

I too cared for both my sick parents my father had cancer and like you, my mother had Parkinson's. This lasted six years before they passed away about a month from each other. I know that seeing your parents affected by such illnesses as dementia and Parkinson's can be tough to experience and accept and the grieving can be on a whole other level. I never realised the effect Parkinson's can really have on somebody until my mother was diagnosed. I was I suppose ignorant in thinking that it was merely the shakes and such difficulties, but I never expected to see the changes I saw in her and go through the struggles we did such as her losing all mobility and eventually losing her memory and then unable to talk or even eat or drink.

I am also terribly sorry to hear of your brother's passing and although I cannot relate to this personally, I am sure it was just as difficult if not more to process alongside the illness and passing of your parents.

I won't go any further at this point than to just say that you are not alone and here you will find support from many including myself and if you would like to talk further I'm here to listen.