Posted by Racer on May 3, 2000, at 20:47:37
In reply to Re: no medicine works for me, help!, posted by Bonnie on May 3, 2000, at 14:29:39
Dear Bonnie:
I'm so sorry you're going through all this. I've written so much to you below, I thought I'd stop back up here and tell you that even if you don't read it all it's all written with hope that you feel better very soon, and that your doctor responds to your concerns.
Here's one piece of advice, though, before my marathon: write down all that you can, neatly, in some sort of order, and take it to your doctor. List the reactions you had to all the drugs, the symptoms of depression you've experienced, any good effects of the drugs, etc. If you have it in writing, the doctor may take it more seriously. Especially, write any specific events. If you say, 'gee, I feel lousy all the time', that's easy to ignore or brush off. If you can say, 'gee, I felt really lousy on Monday. I couldn't even get out of bed without crying, and the thought of school was like a black cloud. Tuesday, though, I felt pretty good around 4PM when I took the dog for a walk.' That's specific about symptoms and relief. That sort of thing carries more weight.
> > i am 15 years old and have been suffering from depression for about 9 months and i am so sick of it and want it to be over it.
Well, even if we can't offer anything else, we can at least offer company in wanting relief. Most of us here have experienced a good deal of trial and error in finding the right drug or combination of drugs to help us. There's little worse than trying a bunch of different drugs with different side effects, and no guarantees that at the end of the time we'll feel better.
I will say, though, that if you can find the magic bullet, you WILL feel better. Don't 'just hang in there', but do know that there IS help, even if it doesn't always feel that way.
I have tried Prozac, wellbutrin, Celexa, and Effexor. None of these meds have worked.
This is a long enough list that it must be overwhelming for you right about now. Ask the old timers around here, they'll tell you that it took about two years to find the combination of drugs to help me. Of course, this was largely because of a totally wretched excuse for a doctor prescribing them! It won't take that long for you, with any luck at all.
I am working my hardest and think I am making people around me depressed.
This is the worst part of depression. It really does rob you of many social contacts. I won't call them friends: friends stick it out! Remember that: anyone who walks away because you're depressed is worse off than you are.
I just want it to go away,I would appreciate any advice.
Here's a piece of advice: Stick with it! Get help now, fight for it with everything you have. All the research I've read says that the sooner you get effective treatment, the less chance you have of going through it again!
I was morbidly depressed at 15, with a home life like something out of a horror novel. It went on, and on, and on. It took until I was almost 30 to find a doctor willing to try meds on me, and even then it took until I was 35 to find a truly effective combination. The best part of it is this: it's long been said that a drug that is effective once will likely be effective again. That means that if/when the depression comes back, I can probably go back on the same combination of drugs.
Again, your story is very different from mine. For one thing, when I was 15, the only drugs out there had so many side effects and were effective in such a relatively small percentage of cases that they simply were not prescribed for young people. You WILL get help now, and it WILL help you through the next critical years of your life. I believe that, and I believe that this is a great place for you to come for understanding, advice, support, and a safe place to vent your fears and frustrations with this process.
Just don;t say "hang in there". Thanks
> My doctor really hasn't done anything besides hand me medicine and tell me to take them. There hasn't been any tests or anything. I appreciate all the responses i am getting back, thanks. it does help me
poster:Racer
thread:31993
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32141.html