Re: Joyce - deppression

[Guest guest]

Good Morning, Pam and everyone else too!

No, I am not on anything for my depression besides seeing a therapist to talk

about it. I have an appointment with her Monday and am going to ask her

about seeing a psychiatrist for meds. I've always been reluctant to see a

psychiatrist because, in the past, they've always wanted to put me in the

hospital for a month and a half and dope me up and who knows what else. I

cannot afford the time for a hospital. And I will not allow myself to be

used as a guinea pig for drug therapies either.

The clotting disorder I have means I have to take 10,000 units of heparin 4

times a day. And being on an anticoagulant means I am very limited in the

drugs that can be prescribed for me. I think wellbutrin is one of those

forbidden to me. My primary care doctor and I have worked for two years to

find a combo of drugs that safely treat all my conditions. Besides the

heparin, I am on theo-dur, singulair, and combivent for asthma, estratest for

HRT, Vicodin 10mg, neurontin, and epidurals for all kinds of pain, and

dyazide for fluid retention. and prilosec for stomach acidity. Whew!

I have a bottle full of Atarax when the neurontin needs a little help with

the itching skin and when I need some help getting to sleep. I don't take

them that often because they make me want to do nothing but sleep for two

days after I take them. I've already lost a week of costuming work because

of the pain I've been in. Now that I'm finally getting some relief, I need

to make up for lost time. And I hope I can keep my mood up long enough to do

that.

Joyce

[Guest guest]

Good morning Joyce!

I take a big hefty swallow of Serzone (400mgs at night and 200 mgs in the

morning). The large dose i take at night and is suppose to help me sleep but it

does not get me to that point and i take a sleep aid called Ambien (just the

5mg) on a regular basis also. I had been on Remeron anti-depressant before the

Serzone but that stuff was like instant blimpo for me! All i could think of was

eatting but it was also a great sleep aid and i slept like a kitten on it.

Serzone does not cause me drowsiness during the day but on the otherhand, when i

take my Vicodin (painkillier) along side all the other stuff I take, I can not

think past my nose half the time. I do not drive as a result of all this.

I was suppose to go for therapy but have not gone... the hubby is only working

20 hours a week now and who knows what we'll do. Maybe sell bootleg gas? haha

Are you being treated with any medication other then to sit and talk about it?

I do not think my depression could or can be helped by just sitting and talking

about it. It is not like that. The medication to treat it works about the same

way as a pain killer - just sorta " blankets " the feelings but does not totally

rid you of them.

There is this stuff have heard of that some people take called Wellbuterin - not

sure of the spelling but is suppose to give you a heighten sense of well being.

There are so many different meds out there and they help in many ways to treat

depression. What works for me or does not, might not help you. You will need

to see a psychiatrist to go on drug therapy but to me, i think it is worth it.

As far as normal - never met anyone normal yet. We all have our little ticks

and quirks and who knows what others do behind closed doors. I do not feel badly

because I am " shrink wrapped. " I feel sorry for the crowds around that are on

the streets and do not have mental help. Many more of them then me.

Also, if i did not have this stupid disease crap... I think it would be a lot

easier to be off all the meds and be happy. Wait... I KNOW IT WOULD BE...

because i did not use to be so dang depressed!!!

Hope maybe this has helped you some. To me it is like the question others have

given about taking addictive pain meds - would you rather be groveling in pain

and not have them or would you rather the quality of your life be improved by

including them in your treatment. I already know the answer for me. : )

Gentle & Healthy hugs to you!!!

Always,

pam / cloud