Seeking advice on Handling Depression

[Guest guest]

I am in my sixties, living alone, and have been hiv+ since '88. Approximately

six months

ago, my doctor changed my meds, and put me on efavirenz. I did not tolerate

this, and

after two months of deep, deep depression, breathlessness, insomnia, and an

inability to

concentrate, he now has me taking viramune, norvir and lexiva. I now can

concentrate,

sleep, and breathe, but, after several months on this new regime, I am

experiencing a

return of paralyzing depression.

Might these new meds be connected to the depression? Are there effective anti-

depressants which I should request from my doctor?

Any advice will be appreciated.

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear you are on a regimen that you find agreeable. As for the depression, there are effective meds. I would recommend seeing a Psychiatrist, if possible, because they are experts in the use of these meds. They still may need to consult with your doctor as I find that specialists often don't know the interactions with the anti-virals you are on.

Once your meds start working on the depression, you might consider getting help in the form of a counselor or a support group. I keyed in on one word in your message, "alone." Living alone has its challenges, and we don't reach out to people when we are depressed, even though that may be just the antedote.

All the best, Steve

Seeking advice on Handling Depression

I am in my sixties, living alone, and have been hiv+ since '88. Approximately six months ago, my doctor changed my meds, and put me on efavirenz. I did not tolerate this, and after two months of deep, deep depression, breathlessness, insomnia, and an inability to concentrate, he now has me taking viramune, norvir and lexiva. I now can concentrate, sleep, and breathe, but, after several months on this new regime, I am experiencing a return of paralyzing depression.Might these new meds be connected to the depression? Are there effective anti-depressants which I should request from my doctor? Any advice will be appreciated.

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