Finding the right combo of meds
Finding the right combo of meds
There are times I just want to pull my hair out over trying to find the right combo of meds for my major depressive disorder, and without a host of side effects to boot!
My biggest fear is I am going to end up with treatment-resistant depression.
Anhedonia sucks, and that was where I was at for months until Abilify was added, which worked great for about 5 weeks, and then back down I went again.
My dosage of Abilify was just increased again, and I am praying it works. My Remeron was also increased because the Abilify causes sleep disturbance, and then I am worthless all day due to extreme fatigue.
I just wish I could get stabilized for a decent period of time.
My biggest fear is I am going to end up with treatment-resistant depression.
Anhedonia sucks, and that was where I was at for months until Abilify was added, which worked great for about 5 weeks, and then back down I went again.
My dosage of Abilify was just increased again, and I am praying it works. My Remeron was also increased because the Abilify causes sleep disturbance, and then I am worthless all day due to extreme fatigue.
I just wish I could get stabilized for a decent period of time.
OMG, I can so relate to your post. The frustration, the disappointment, the fear every time a medication either stops working or any change is needed.
I have been going through this same thing for nearly 10 years now. Every time I get to feeling better the meds seem to stop working within a few weeks then I am back where I started from or worse. Then it is back to the hit or miss med changes. I can not even count how many medications I have been on over the years.
I too am on Abilify right now each am. My doctor is raising that as well right now as well as changing my PTSD med which is a blood pressure medication that is supposed to help with it. Still trying to find that ever elusive combination that will last.
Take care. You are not alone many of us are right beside you so let's all hang in there together and hope that each of us finally finds that combination that works.
I have been going through this same thing for nearly 10 years now. Every time I get to feeling better the meds seem to stop working within a few weeks then I am back where I started from or worse. Then it is back to the hit or miss med changes. I can not even count how many medications I have been on over the years.
I too am on Abilify right now each am. My doctor is raising that as well right now as well as changing my PTSD med which is a blood pressure medication that is supposed to help with it. Still trying to find that ever elusive combination that will last.
Take care. You are not alone many of us are right beside you so let's all hang in there together and hope that each of us finally finds that combination that works.
Thanks nandm. I have no idea how many meds I've been on over the years either. At least this time I'm scheduled to go back in a month instead of the usual 3 months, which I was not going to wait when the Abilify stopped working.
Oh my god, side effects! I feel great on Wellbutrin and Effexor the problem is Effexor raises the blood pressure so I have to take meds for that. The BP medication drains potassium from the body so I take prescription potassium AND it is causing my hair to thin.
The effexor gave me terrible sweats, NYCDoglvr! I think I toughed that one out for two years. I do know with the current medication regimen I am on, I overheat very easily when I am out in the triple digit temps. I keep my errands to a minimum, and my car's a/c is on high!
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,874
I know wanting to feel a stable base of mood to work up from. It is very difficult to feel always on the edge of not knowing when things will start to get better. That alone could make symptoms worse.
Someday's its enough to just carry on a little bit at a time.
Someday's its enough to just carry on a little bit at a time.
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol TN/VA
Posts: 12,431
My meds have been changed constantly over the last 3 years and I just get more unstable. I FINALLY just now have a decent dr and have some hope that I may even begin to heal. If having the illness isn't maddening enough, the treatment sure is.
I had given up hope. and it is tenous daily now.
I had given up hope. and it is tenous daily now.
My meds have been changed constantly over the last 3 years and I just get more unstable. I FINALLY just now have a decent dr and have some hope that I may even begin to heal. If having the illness isn't maddening enough, the treatment sure is.
I had given up hope. and it is tenous daily now.
I had given up hope. and it is tenous daily now.
I was on Paxil for a while but it made me thick-headed and groggy. So when I switched psychiatrists the new guy put me on a Celexa/Wellbutrin mix and it's been pretty good, for 3 months anyway.
I eventually want to get off the meds entirely and my Dr. supports that goal, fortunately.
I eventually want to get off the meds entirely and my Dr. supports that goal, fortunately.
For years my psychiatrist had tried to find the right mix for me, and it wasn't until Abilify was added to my anti-depressant and anti-anxiety that we finally found something that works. I had to increase the Abilify a few times, as well as the other meds, but it has worked wonders for me. I pray that the miracle drug works for you as well, it sounds like it will since it worked for a while, maybe the increase will help. Don't give up!! <3
For years my psychiatrist had tried to find the right mix for me, and it wasn't until Abilify was added to my anti-depressant and anti-anxiety that we finally found something that works. I had to increase the Abilify a few times, as well as the other meds, but it has worked wonders for me. I pray that the miracle drug works for you as well, it sounds like it will since it worked for a while, maybe the increase will help. Don't give up!! <3
You are doing the right thing...being honest with your doc and seeing your doc regularly.
It took me awhile as my bp dx was compounded with a new anxiety disorder after 4 years of stability. My current meds regime is working well, and i will most likely return to the work force in a couple of months.
Prayers for your sucess!
It took me awhile as my bp dx was compounded with a new anxiety disorder after 4 years of stability. My current meds regime is working well, and i will most likely return to the work force in a couple of months.
Prayers for your sucess!
Well, I've been bumped to the max recommended dose of Abilify for depression. I have to call my psychiatrist in two weeks and let him know if it has helped. If not, I'm looking at getting off of the Cymbalta and on to something else. He thinks the Cymbalta may just not be working anymore.
Well, I've been bumped to the max recommended dose of Abilify for depression. I have to call my psychiatrist in two weeks and let him know if it has helped. If not, I'm looking at getting off of the Cymbalta and on to something else. He thinks the Cymbalta may just not be working anymore.
Make sure that they are checking your blood sugar levels frequently as Abilify can raise them significantly. It is a side effect I experience and had to come off the med. I am fortunate that at this point it has been coming back down with monitoring my diet and as much exercise as I can get.
What makes a huge difference in getting the right medication or not is the doctor treating you. I strongly urge bypassing anyone who isn't a psychiatrist and/or psycho-pharmacologist. When I sank into a major depression my shrink pushed me to see a psycho-pharmacologist, who specializes in medication for mental illness. He was so expensive to visit ($500 to walk in the door, $175 for each visit after that) but he got the meds right the first time and I steadily began climbing out of the black hole.
Make sure that they are checking your blood sugar levels frequently as Abilify can raise them significantly. It is a side effect I experience and had to come off the med. I am fortunate that at this point it has been coming back down with monitoring my diet and as much exercise as I can get.
I recently got off my Abilify with no withdrawal type symptoms. I was on a very low dose though so I have no idea if that's normal.
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