is there anyone else out there suffering from treatment resistant major depression?

Question

I have been taking an immense variety of different medications and medication combinations for six years with no results. I had a series of 8 ECTs earlier this year with no perceptable improvement. Please don't suggest meds, I've already got a psychiatrist, and none of them work anyway. Last year I lost my job and my mind only functions 30 to 90 minutes a day.

Answer 1

I too suffer from TRD, since early adolescence, but undiagnosed until my late 30's.
I am now 45 and am considering VNS therapy as a hopeful relief of continual symptoms to improve my quality of life.
I am responding better to tricyclic antidepressants, more so than any of the other dozens of medications I've tried, yet it is certainly not a "cure" for the illness.
I have also sought individual and group therapies, as well as DBT therapy.
Also, hospitalization, and partial hospitalizations, as well as various outpatient services have helped me cope with my ongoing illness.
Having understanding, loving support from friends/ family is also crucial.
I wish you relief soon.

Answer 2

Prescribing andi-depressants is as much an art as a science. Some people have to try a variety of different medications, and combinations of medications, before they see satisfactory results. There aren't a lot of silver bullets out there that work equally well for every patient.

And, as you probably already know, andi-depressants can take up to six weeks to become effective. Unfortunately, it isn't like taking an aspirin for a headache. So make sure you give your medication enough time to work before trying to have it changed.

In addition, other underlying physical conditions -- such as thyroid problems -- can cause symptoms of depression. In those cases, identifying and treating the actual problem will have a better outcome than treating the symptoms alone. You may benefit from a physical checkup and some blood tests. (I know, it's a pain in the neck, especially if you're depressed already. But the more information you have, the more successful your treatment can be.)

I suggest discussing all this with your psychiatrist -- including a physical and blood tests to rule out any other possible problems. He or she should be open to your suggestions -- if not, you may want to see another psychiatrist for a second opinion.

Many psychiatric journal articles have been discussing the use of combinations of medications to for treatment-resistant depression. Some of the best results come from this approach.

If you want to discuss more, just click my picture at the left and send me a note.

Answer 3

YES! IN 1993 I HAD A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN WHICH INCLUDED 3 MAJOR SUICIDE ATTEMPTS IN 9 MONTHS. I THEN SPENT THE BETTER PART OF THE NEXT 3 YEARS IN THE HOSPITAL. I HAD 10 ROUNDS OF ECT TREATMENT. BASICALLY ONLY GOT MEMORY LOSS AND SEVERE HEAD -ACHES. I WENT THRU MANY DR AND THERAPIST CHANGES PLUS I PLAYED MEDICATION ROULETTE UNTIL 1997. FINALLY I FOUND THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF MEDS.I SPENT 1 YEAR IN ALL DAY OUT PATIENT THERAPY. GROUP IN CONTROLLED SETTING 8 HOURS A DAY 4 DAYS A WEEK. I ALSO WAS DECLARED MENTALLY DISABLED IN 1994 AND STILL AM. HOWEVER I HAVE NOW BEEN STABLE SINCE 1997 I STILL TAKE MEDS AND AM DOING MAINTENANCE THERAPY AND AM LIVING A HAPPY AND FULL LIFE. SO HANG IN THERE , BE AS INFORMED AS YOU CAN AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN YOU TREATMENT PLAN. IF YOU ARE DIS-SATISFIED WITH YOUR PROGRESS KEEP LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT DOCTORS, THERAPISTS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS.
GOOD LUCK,
DODA

Answer 4

I had that... My Dr's would put me on a new anti-depressant, I'd try taking it as prescribed for about a month with no releif, then just end up being so depressed I would take the whole bottle at once...I don't take anything for it now. I felt good for a long time, moved to a new city, new career, etc., but now it is creeping back up on me...good luck

Answer 5

There are other types of antidepressants besides the popular SSRIs. People who are resistant to those often do better on some of the older drugs.

Answer 6

Do ask your doctor about the tricyclic antidepressants that have been around awhile, like Desyrel (trazadone). They are inexpensive and have less effect on one's libido (mine did not diminish at all). For some reason, they are prescribed less than SSRI drug therapies.

Answer 7

I've suffered from two bouts of major depression in my life, and both were made worse by medication. I tried seroxat and citalopram, and they made my condition much worse, and I considered suicide. I've yet to find anything to 'cure' my depression, I have found ways to manage it. If you want to talk, feel free to email me

Answer 8

Yes, I am. I take a low dose of Zoloft and it helps before I hit one of my low lows, and I take Ritalin and it helps some, but pretty much when I get this bad, I am stuck. Email me if you want, its a real bummer.

Answer 9

Fortunately mine is reacting to a medicine. I take Cymbalta. Has your doctor given you any other options? I hope so.

Answer 10

i have depression, but i just pop back up through my own will. Don't need any medicine if you try. and it's ok if you have depression sometime, but always try to get back up