Depression (major depression)

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• November 2, 2011 10:21 a.m.

  dear kam: sooo sorry 2 hear that u had a death in ur family, sorry therapy is so hard rite now 4 u, with ur depression doing bad, i no that ur on lamictal-what dose? have u ever tried abilify-it's working wonders 4 me!! dr. lowered my lamictal to 200 mg. (from 400), with this drug it's not always more mg. is better than a lower dose, i would truthfully say that i'm almost @ 100%-yeah!! i'm always thinking bout u 2-just remember that!! don't give up & things will get better, you might have a bad a.m. & the afernoon might be way better!! it's happened 2 me!! i'm glad u still write in!! the 3 musketeers will go on!! lol thinking of u & you're in my prayers every nite, my best to you!!

  - denise

• October 31, 2011 4:37 p.m.

  I am unable to find a therapist so I rely on medication alone. I never bloggedbefore either, how do you find a therapist?? Thx

  - Boudica

• October 27, 2011 8:51 a.m.

  Dear Denise and Annette,,Sorry I havent been on for a while .Working on some very hard stuff in therapy .., and recently lost a family member.So dealing with some very strong depression .You are in my thoughts . Denise sorry you have been having such a hard time .Do hope now things will turn aroung for you .You both inspire me so much to keep going .Tomorrow will be a better day .Best wishes to you both .Keep writing if you can . I am still able to come here and read ,,Its the writting part that is a little hard right now.

  - Kam

• October 26, 2011 3:33 p.m.

  dear kam & annette: well found out that all my symptoms r the result from wellbutrin xl 150 mg. crying, no appetite, worse depression told my dr. want to go off of it!! how's everyone else??

  - denise

• October 25, 2011 3:38 p.m.

  Jacci,thank you for your kind words.It is so sad that the world just doesn't realize how bad depression can be in your life.I too will be seeing my therapist for the last time tomorrow,because he is moving to another part of the country.I will miss him very much,because he has been wonderful. We just can't give up,and believe we will find the right meds and care.God bless!

  - Peggy

• October 25, 2011 6:56 a.m.

  Peggy, I haven't written in some time--not since mid-August--but I want to thank you, Peggy, for your kind words. You sound like a really compassionate person. I just requested that my primary physician put me in touch with a wonderful counselor I've worked with in the past, but I found out that she has moved her practice. It took a lot to finally get to the point of seeking help again, and to find out that Betty C., my old counselor, is not in the area anymore has set me back a lot. Your words, however, encourage me to try anyway. Thank you. I'll let you know how things work out. I've got to try something, and YOU are the reason I'm willing to try. Thank you, Peggy.

  - Jacci

• October 24, 2011 7:15 p.m.

  Im 50 yrs. old with major depressive disorder diagnoised by the VA, Why arent you putting more effort in seeking a cure? Ive spent the past 30 yrs. of my life talking and taking meds. It does not work. If you put out what is actually being done in the Psy. world of finding a cure this would be more beneficial than talking. Why cant you be honest and say there is no cure and that there is little on finding a cure for this illness. Asking me do I feel suicidal does not help me. If Im suicidal why would I contact the crisis hotline because they cant give me one good reason for living. More money is being spent on pharm. co. and insurance premiums than on the patient.

  - Name Does Not Matter

• October 22, 2011 12:03 a.m.

  Angie,I'm so sorry to hear about all your going through.I'm older than you,but have gone through some of the same things.I too have to tell myself that this depression isn't my fault.Society isn't very good as excepting mental illness very well. Because of thyroid disease I also have gained much weight and I have a really bad time with it.I just have no interest in anything, except my daughter and grandchildren who are now adults.I hope you find the right meds and things get better for you.We just can't give up.God bless!

  - Peggy

• October 21, 2011 2:21 p.m.

  Dear Denise. am so sorry to hear you are not doing well. I already have that in mind. Denise my thoughts are with you and am always praying for you. Pls. take care of yourself.

  - Annette

• October 21, 2011 2:13 p.m.

  Dear Kam how are you? happy to hear from you as always. hope you can find a med that can help you for sleeping. how long you will have the talk therapy and is it every week? nice that you can do it. For me am using remeron 15 mg for sleep but as of now I split it up coz am always feel sleepy and it works only tho I sleep good sometimes I feel a little bit down so keep myself busy or take a walk. thank you for making me smile for calling us musketeers lol. you are always in my prayers.

  - Annette

• October 19, 2011 2:03 p.m.

  Dear Denise,, Am so sorry you are not feeling well ! Have missed chatting with you . Please take care and write when you can . Going through a hard time my self right now ,,so I totally understand ! Was nice to hear from the other musketeers!Wish you both well .

  - kam

• October 19, 2011 1:54 p.m.

  Dear Annette Very nice to see you back ! Missed chatting with you.So glad you are doing well .Going through a hard time right now . Night time is my only curl up time too .Tryed some new meds to help me sleep . Didnt work ,but had to try .Best to take one day at a time right now .Take care great to hear from you .

  - kam

• October 18, 2011 7:15 p.m.

  dear kam & annette: not doing well on the couch all day & my computer was broken too, dr. upped my medicine & i'm waiting 4 another one sorry can't really talk

  - denise

• October 17, 2011 9:04 p.m.

  Hi I have a friend who has major depression. She's a psychologist so I have no doubt of the diagnosis. She also has an eating disorder protecting her from the effects of chronic post traumatic stress disorder. For over a year I have been a support to her focused on the ED. While she still talks about her ED and it still runs her life, I am beginning to realize I am not aware of how to support her in her depression. For ED there are places to go to learn how to support someone and what to expect. Is there such a place for depression? I don't want to push her deeper and just want to know how to relate to her in a way that is safe and supportive. And I want to know what to expect generally. Thank you!

  - John

• October 16, 2011 12:10 p.m.

  Dear Kam how are you? Hope you are doing good. Glad you`re therapy is helping you. It`s ok if you are in curl mode you can get your rest you need. If I`m home want to curl too but dont have the time to, can only permit myself in the evening. I consider to work from 3 days to 2 days so that I could get enough rest that I need. I still do not feel the same but thankful it is a better than the previous months. Am worried about Denise we dont hear from her anymore. We know that she is active here. You take care too.

  - Annette

• October 16, 2011 1:31 a.m.

  I have had this horrid condition to varying degrees since childhood. I have been on medications, received counselling. Nothing lasts. I am so tired. I believed that eventually I would have to improve but it is now so hard to live without hope. I have a cabinet full of failed medications.

  - Di

• October 9, 2011 8:17 p.m.

  Dear Annette ,, Glad to hear from you. Hope all is well .Going through some hard stuff in therapy right now,so want to curl up alot .take care ,write soon .

  - kam

• October 9, 2011 6:07 a.m.

  Dear Kam and Denise.How are you both, miss talking to you. Denise hope you are ok. hope the med you are taking now is the med for you. Kam am glad you`re doing ok.am happy for you. Am taking remeron 15 mg for sleep and effexor 75 mg for my depression, as of now am doing ok thanks God. hope these meds work longer for me. My vacation in Israel was good, actually it was not a vacation but a pilgrim. was very tiresome and was very hot. I have no idea how hot it is there. but nice to experienced how hot it is in the desert. I felt sick for 3 days and thought oh oh this is not good and prayed pls God. sunday the whole day was staying in bed just went down to the hotel restaurant to eat. miraculously on monday felt better again. thank God was very happy to see almost all the places in Israel. Pls. take care and thanks to be my friends here. as always you are in my prayers.

  - Annette

• October 6, 2011 10:51 p.m.

  Dear Lee, I am new to this blog. Lee this post is for you. I am sorry to hear about your pain. I relate to what you wrote. I try to keep busy--my ex-husband died last december--but the loss is there. Everyone says the bad feelings will pass and I hope they are right for you. Good for you to take the trips and take care of yourself. Kate

  - Kate

• October 6, 2011 10:41 p.m.

  I have been diagnosed with dysthemia and now a major depression. I was on Zoloft 100 mg for a year after taking Prozac 40 mg for about 15 years. Zoloft didn't work and now I am back on Prozac for about a month. When can I hope to see some relief?

  - Kate

• October 3, 2011 10:51 a.m.

  Dear denise,,, WOW !!!!! That is SSSOOO AWESOME! Im so happy for you .That is so Huge for you . Hopefully this is the med for you .I really am happy for you .I have been doing ok .Kinda in curl up mode . Opening up some real hard stuff in therapy .They gave me a new med to help me sleep .Its ok .Some unpleasant side effects .Will give it a chance .Hand is doing well.Still go to therapy once a week for that . sorry it took me so long to write. You are in my thoughts . Take care .I also hope Annette is enjoying herself.

  - kam

• October 2, 2011 4:08 p.m.

  My husband quit drinking and smoking for 4 months, because he was told it was inhibiting his medication. He has be awful. Like a zombie. No feeling, no desire for anything. We haven't had sex for almost 4 years, and he say's he just can't, WHY! I just want him better. He started drinking a little lately, and he is so much better I can't describe it. WHY? I understand the suroundings have alon to do with it, and I don't help since I am Bi-polar, manic depressant, w/ severe depression. But mine is fairly maintained by medication. Can you give me any answers?

  - Dee

• September 29, 2011 10:02 a.m.

  I too am tired of pretense. For the past several years my depression has been growing. It began with getting ill. Had several operations/procedures since 2007. That along with getting lay-off,being deeper in debt,losing everything I had in storage,depending on someone else for a place to live,going back an forth to hospital for tests and procedures put my mind in a spin. Emotions play a big part in this as there are times that for no reason I would laugh,cry or have an outburst of anger. Got to the point of drinking heavily and thoughts of suicide. Went to the hospital and remained there for 12 days when I was discharged. Meds used to help but now only make me sleepy and nauseous. Was supposed to be given a therapist when discharged that never came about. Having nightmares, my mind races with thoughts all the time making it difficult to rest as well. Have diabetes type 2 as well as chronic kidney failure due to stones. Have plenty of meds to take for a variety of things,17 kinds at present. Tired of them all. I go for walks which help but that causes too much time to think,which for me is not good. Would like to return to hosp. but ins won't cover it unless its a matter of life an death, they are sending me the bill for the last stay! Tired,Depressed,angry and confused!

  - Paul

• September 28, 2011 3:13 p.m.

  Dear Pat, Just read your post & felt compelled to write. Your description of "sadness wrapping around you like a web" is exactly how I felt until I got help. My description was "head in a blender"; couldn't stop my brain from spinning. The day came when I just couldn't take it anymore. I took enough sleeping pills to warrant a visit to the hospital. I was "Baker Acted", admitted to a mental health rehab for 9 weeks & went to counseling sessions that were part of a daily regimented schedule. My doc just happened to give me the right mix of meds & in a week I felt I was recovering. Upon leaving rehab, I was enrolled in a 4 week outpatient program. More counseling, interaction with other patients, and a Dr. That was 5 years ago & I'm doing fine taking my meds everyday. Pat, please seek help. It is a difficult step to take but believe me, you'll be ever so glad you did. Hoping to hear you will find the courage to take the first step to recovery. I'll be checking back to see how you are doing. It's wonderful to be able to say, "been there, done that" & I'm not going back.

  - MaryAnn

• September 27, 2011 5:39 p.m.

  dear lee: welcome to the blog & i'm glad u wrote in, i'm so sorry about you losing your husband, i no that you've tried many things, but i was thinking about all the good books that r out there about dealing with grief, i was also thinking about the support groups that they have in several cities (not sure if they have them where u live) but these were just things that have crossed my mind, i no how it is being your age (i'm 56) but i sure can't imagine losing someone that u loved & cared so much about, you haven't said anything about seeing a counselor or a psychiatrist have you tried either one of those?? I surely don't want to tell you what to do, it's just some thoughts that i had in my head, by the way i'm not a professional, just a patient like you (i've sufferd from depression for almost 35 yrs. now) 20 of those yrs. or so the drs. found the right medicine for me, but then the "wonderful" menopause came along & there went everything out the window-lol!! well i think i talked enough good luck to you, i hope this helped & please write back & let us know how you're doing

  - denise