Posted by rmshed on June 23, 2001, at 23:14:01
In reply to GENERAL QUESTION - TO EVERYONE, posted by sweetmarie on June 22, 2001, at 14:42:54
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> Anna here,
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> You may have read my postings before, but if not I`ve got a bad case of treatment resistant depression.
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> Without going into a tedious list of all the meds I`ve been on, I`ll just say that I have been on LOTS. Also ECT. With the exception of Dothiepin (100% effective whilst I was on it, but failed to have any effect when I came off it and went back on ), I have had limited success in the meds I have tried. Over the past 3 years I have been very severely depressed with virtually no respite.
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> Currently I am hospitalised in a unit that specialises in treatment resistant depression, where I have been for 9 weeks now. I have been on a combination of Mirtazapine and Venlafaxine for 6 weeks now. This is actually irrelevant to my question, though.
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> Yesterday, I was speaking with the charge nurse, who told me that there was the `real possibility` that I wouldn`t get better than I am now (v. depressed). He actually said that 3 things were equally as likely to happen: 1) I would get better, 2) I would remain as ill as I am now (for the rest of my life), and 3) I would get worse.
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> I had actually managed to talk myself round to thinking that there WAS light at the end of the tunnel, but this has really kicked me in the teeth. I can`t stand the thought that there is no hope and that I may have to `adjust` my life according to my illness. I don`t mean that I want 100% happiness - I`d settle for continual mild depression. He seemed to be saying that even this may be outside the realms of possibility.
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> Has anyone got any thoughts? Should I throw in the towel now? CAN I get better? (note - I don`t say `will` I get better. I`ve learned not to ask that question.)
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> Dr Bob, if you`re reading this, do you have any thoughts on the matter?
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> Basically, this question is for anyone. Thoughts/remarks urgently required.
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> Cheers,
>
> Anna.Your post left me a little short on words. I was told by my doctor 3 months ago that he didn't know what other medications to treat me with. I left his office and had thought about accepting what he said and live life like a flat line. On my last visit with him, I told him that I was just existing. I felt as though there was no hope. Then he suggested Effexor XR along with my prozac, doxepin and xanax. I have only been on effexor xr for 8 days, and I hope that only better times are ahead. I have felt very different this week, in a positive manner. I didn't think about suicide this week. Suicide was on my mind many times a day for about the last 6 months. I feel more focused, I actually want to get some things done on the weekends now. I usually sleep my entire weekend away. Please don't give up yet! The nurse was giving you accurate information. I got on the internet, went to the library and decided that if one doctor doesn't help, I will find another. Good luck and try and take advantage of the support and security of your hospitalization, I have been there and the stays are usually not pleasant. I have been hospitalized for my depression about 10 times in the last 20 years. I never got any better by being hospitalized. I never wanted to get comfortable being in the hospital.
Take Care.
poster:rmshed
thread:67494
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67627.html