Why do I still feel this way? I'm taking Cymbalta 60 mg, Trazadone 100mg, Lithium 300mg, and Lunesta2 mg.?

Question

I still am very depressed and want to go to sleep and not wake up. I want to cry all the time and I only do things around the house that I have to. I've been struggling with this for 5 years and I am losing hope that I will get better.Please don't tell me I need my meds. adjusted. I have been on everything under the sun. I just don't have the willpower to believe things will get better.

For those of you who are hell bent on upsetting me even more. I was this way before I was on all of these meds.

Yes, I'm seeing a counselor. It just never gets any better. I'm talking 5 years people.

I was a happy out-going person before the depression. I might add that the meds that are supposed to produce drowsiness, don't make me sleepy in the least.

Answer 1

Possibly you should consider Cranial Electro Stimulation (CES) it is FDA approved but relatively unknown. I am trying to get my Dr, to write me a prescription for it right now as well as I am Bi-Polar this is very interesting and promising technology (I think). Check out some of the information I have found. It has been around for 30 years and is legal without a prescription everywhere except in the US.

http://alpha-stim.com/Information/Products/Educational/CES_Intro/Old_CES_Intro/old_ces_intro.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranial_Electrotherapy_Stimulation

http://www.toolsforwellness.com/ces.html

I can not tell you if it will work for you or me but I am pursuing it for myself.

Good luck.

Answer 2

The only thing I an say is this:

Put on you favorite tune...think positive and think of what you want to feel..

It may be that your addicted to your own feelings.. For some people they love to feeling of sadness. Others love the feeling of happiness or anger. This is as I see it how things work.. Our brains are a pharmaceutical company making 10's of thousands of different types of drugs from dopimena ( happy feeling) too nuroepenifren the fight of flight rush. It may be that your brain doesn't produce enough dopimeane or not in the right sequence.. hence your Dr has prescribed the cocktail of meds.

"I just don't have the willpower to believe things will get better".

Or perhaps you just like feeling the way you feel! Try this every time you feel a negative thought replace it with a simple compliment about yourself...(I have a nice smile...etc.) start small but don't ever stop! keep reminding yourself that you can do it and so forth. Don't stop taking your meds your Dr thinks you may need 'em , you can make it ...GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

Well...I'm assuming that you're Bipolar since you're taking Lithium. You don't say if you're taking it 2 or 3 times a day or if you're having blood work to check your Lithium levels to see if you're at a therapeutic level. You don't say why you're taking Trazadone. It's an old anti-depressant that is now used for sleep due to it's sedating side effects. Taking this many medications at once can be difficult to regulate. You don't say what other medications you've tried. Have you tried other meds for bipolar? Another thing...your therapist might not be doing his/her job. If you've been suffering with depression/bipolar disorder for 5 years with no relief, then I would seek treatment elsewhere. If that's not possible, sit down with your psychiatrist & talk about this issue & to revisit your medications.

One other idea, you don't mention how old you are. Have you had a good physical to make sure that it isn't another biological issue that's adding to your depression? I know that I suffered with depression until my gastroenterologist found that I barely had a B-12 level. It was 87 and barely existent. One of the effects is depression. I started getting B-12 injections every 3 weeks and it's made a world of difference. By this I'm suggesting you talk with your psychiatrist about any health situations you may be having. If you're not seeing a psychiatrist...you need to!!! Don't just see a regular MD.

Good luck to you and keep being persistent! It's your right as a patient!!!

Answer 4

They are all either sleep meds or meds which are meant to make you sleepy correct? Its fairly simple actually and something not many people know. If you take too much medication for example that helps you sleep it will in effect keep you awake. It is having a reverse effect on you. Like a child with ADD or ADHD is prescribed dexamphetamines to relax them and calm them down so they are able to concentrate and become settled, if someone without ADD was too take these meds, it would have the opposite effect. It would hype them up, acting as a stimulant in the same way that speed or ice would do. This is a huge problem with school kids these days, every kid seems to know where to get it from. This is also apparent to sleeping pills. I think your taking too much and it is having the opposite effect on you, I would say cut down by half BUT IM NO DOCTOR, see your gp ask him about what I just said and tell him you think your taking way too much more than you need. Sometimes a small amount can work better than a large amount, not to mention all the unwanted side effects. If you are on a higher amount than needed it could be dangerous, so seeking advice is crucial. I would strongly recommend a second opinion, no matter what the outcome. Peace x

Answer 5

I am truly sorry you are feeling this way. I too have had troubles with medications and finding the right ones, the right combos the right everything. I do understand what you are going through. The best I can tell you is keep hope that there is something out there that will help you. I know you don't want to hear about a med adjustment.....but you might need them adjusted .....again. Good luck to you, I mean that with all sincerity. Also there have been ppl saying you are on too much, you are on two sedatives and one anti depressant and a mood stabilizer, I am going to assume you are bipolar bc of the lithium. This amount of medication is not uncommon for bipolars. It is a very good idea to seek psychotherapy out as well as psychiatry. Bipolars need to use the combo of meds and talk therapy. But, tell that to me too,...I don't do what I'm told either!!...Seriously, GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 6

Trazadone and lithium are powerful traquilizers, lunesta is a sleeping medication,no wonder you are always tired.Try taking something that will give you energy.Adderol is an ADD med,but should give you energy and a general sense of well being.If it gives you the pep to get things done around the house you just might want to get out of the house and start meeting people.Hopefullly this would create an upward spiral in your life.

Answer 7

The hopelessness is the depression talking. The fact that you wrote this is a good sign. You are functioning well enough to look for help!

Some of the meds you are on can cause as well as help depression. Keep trying - either meds, ECT - something will work for you. Also - get all the help you can around the house. Do something outside. Get on a schedule to get out of the house. Find a GOOD psychiatrist - one who can work with you. in fact - you should be on the phone to whoever is prescribing the meds you're on - telling him/her it's not working. Go for it - it will get better.

Answer 8

I feel for you, unfortunately, some people will never be cured of their illness, like when a person has a chronic condition, and has to learn how to deal with day to day pain and still have a fulfilling life. Perhaps you might have the same situation, but your pain is not physical, but emotional. Think of an activity that you can do that will get you out of the house and doing something else. Some people join groups or clubs, go away on a trip with friends or family, get a pet or someting like that. Dont let your illness get in the way of your life.

Answer 9

When I first went to see my psychiatrist I was taking Trazadone that had been prescribed to me by another doctor as a sleep aid. When I started to feel depressed, I started to take it for that. My psyc. prescribed Lexapro and said that I didn't need to keep taking the Trazadone. Maybe you could stop taking it too. Also, since the Lunesta doesn't work, you could probably stop that too. My psy. recently prescribed Adderall because I have ADHD symptoms. It has helped me a lot because when I was just taking the Lexapro, I felt so blah. Now I feel more like I used to years ago.

Answer 10

How many doctors are you seeing? Are they all in contact with each other? Do all doctors involved know about all the medication involved? Perhaps this is a case of the right hand not know what the left is doing. If you are only seeing one doctor for this problem for the last 5 years, maybe it's time to find a new doctor. Good luck. Also, my one girlfriend swears that going to a tanning booth elevates her mood. I don't know if it would help you since your problems sound serious, but I don't think it would hurt you either.