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RE: Depression - 6/28/2008 12:41:19 AM

hisannabelle

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bookworm,

first of all...*big hugs* i've done the med cocktail thing (am still doing it) and have struggled with major depression for several years on top of other things so i can totally sympathize with this. i have been having a few really good months right now but several months ago i was considering going ip even if only for a few days because of how just completely unable to function i felt. i don't have any major words of wisdom, other than - seriously, if being hospitalized is what you need to do, DO IT. in my case, i was worried about upsetting people around me who didn't get why i felt so unstable or that it was even serious - i was afraid putting myself in the hospital would be seen as seeking attention or being melodramatic, so my doctors offered to have me hospitalized (in florida we have the baker act which allows for hospitalization officially against someone's will for 72 hours - i'm not sure if there is something similar in your state or if it would help you but it's something to consider). being hospitalized absolutely sucks - i had a friend who was baker acted three times within like a month and a half around the same time but ultimately it got her to a place where she could make it through the day. if you feel like it's what you need or even that it might be helpful, it is so worth it. your health is more important than anything.

if you can afford it, please please have your vitamin levels checked. in my case, i have b12 and iron deficiencies which contribute to both my depression and cognitive functioning issues - in the case of b12, there are shots and supplements that can help raise your b12 levels which can really make a difference. i am thinking of you and sending lots of warm fuzzy thoughts your way...please let us know how things go. i'm always available by msg if you ever want to talk.

a'ishah.

< Message edited by hisannabelle -- 6/28/2008 12:45:31 AM >

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RE: Depression - 6/28/2008 2:38:59 AM

TMIk

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I"ve suffered from depression for quite a while things in this lifestyle often don't help the situation. Be around people that really care about you and watch funny movies that helps me at times. when it gets really bad I close up and take time for myself, do a bit of reading, writing. listen to music that relaxes you and the b12 does help a bit.

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RE: Depression - 6/28/2008 9:10:14 PM

Aswad

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

For some people the meds just don't do it.

Absent external stressors, I'd have to go with what one experienced doc said:

"I've never met a treatment resistant patient, but most of mine have been refractory."

quote:

The other option is ECT which is unlikely to cause the problems it did 30some years ago. Don't give up.

ECT is not the only other option, and it has retained some of the same problems, such as a tendency to cause memory issues. VNS implants are available. DBS is getting to the point where it's available as an alternative to neurosurgical interventions, which are also options (albeit pretty much "last straw" ones). TMS is promising.

That said, I have never met a regular pdoc that was familiar with all the meds out there, either.

And a number of them weren't even familiar with all the kinds of meds out there.

quote:

Find a psychopharmocologist if possible, and exercise every day. 15 - 20 minutes without sunscreen in the sun increases Vitamin D levels which are very important, and in most of us too low.

This, I'd have to agree with.

The B6, B12, DHA, EPA, etc., advice seems good too.

Health,
al-Aswad.

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RE: Depression - 6/29/2008 6:30:41 AM

bookworm966

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First of all, THANK YOU to everyone that reached out to me. I feel somewhat better today, and I think it has been a reverse combination of the things that triggered the depression... a paycheck with a little overtime, my friends have been really supportive and making an effort to draw me out, my love has supported every mood, and my mom, who never even liked to acknowledge that I am a person with a mental illness, has also been very supportive. I'm still taking it day by day as far as hospitalization goes, but its a little less of a necessity than yesterday. You guys ROCK, and if I can ever return the favor, please dont hesitate to email me.

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RE: Depression - 6/29/2008 7:30:45 AM

GreedyTop

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*hugs*

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RE: Depression - 6/29/2008 6:43:55 PM

Aswad

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Glad to hear it, bookworm.

Continued...

...health,
al-Aswad.

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RE: Depression - 7/1/2008 3:05:02 AM

MsArcEnCiel

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Happy to hear that things are getting better. :)

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RE: Depression - 7/3/2008 1:53:31 PM

DesFIP

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Can I say that your mother's an idiot? Her attitude makes it worse. Having been there, I know. Telling someone to hide the problem only adds stress which you don't need. Not allowing you to have a support system, ditto.

What they say in AA is "you're only as sick as your secrets". This I find is true. People who aren't taught to feel shame at mental illness but instead to think of it as just another illness like diabetis deal with it better. They talk more openly, get more support including from others who never dared talk about it and all of that is important.

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RE: Depression - 7/4/2008 12:43:57 AM

candystripper

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This is all JMO:

You are not receiving adequate care. I have no idea whether you need better talk therapy or better meds or both, but I recommend you get a referral from your primary care MD or someone else you trust and change your presciber and therapist NOW.

Hospitalisation is NOT inevitable and is generally NOT helpful unless the patient is 'a danger to himself or others'. There probably is no place on earth more depressing than a psych ward.

I wish you well.

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RE: Depression - 7/4/2008 3:39:02 AM

sirsholly

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quote:

ORIGINAL: candystripper

Hospitalisation is NOT inevitable and is generally NOT helpful unless the patient is 'a danger to himself or others'.

oh really?????

Hate to tell ya this...but hospitalizations are VERY helpful when monitoring the patient to ensure the right level of medication has been obtained. And that is one of several reasons why hospitalizations are deemed necessary...

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RE: Depression - 8/21/2008 11:45:14 AM

SavageFaerie

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

For some people the meds just don't do it. The other option is ECT which is unlikely to cause the problems it did 30some years ago. Don't give up.

But if there's no suicidal ideation, then you don't need hospitalization as of yet. Find a psychopharmocologist if possible, and exercise every day. 15 - 20 minutes without sunscreen in the sun increases Vitamin D levels which are very important, and in most of us too low.

I noticed she mentioned anxiety and having problems leaving the house, these two I know well. I recently had a full blood check up and found my Vitamin D level was 15, he said 40-50 (no idea what type of unit) were on the low normal side. If she is having problems leaving the house just going out the door can turn ya back. My dr is now pushing 5000 IU of Vit D a day with 1000 daily, I never knew how much not having it takes out of you, affects depression levels, anxiety, health of course. Calicum need vit D to help adhear (dont qupte me on that but he did say that) I told the dr I did use indoor natural lights and he ppshawed them away and they didnt do anything really except give excellant light for reading, crafts ect.

OP I know I have the symtpoms you have and delt with them for several years so far with no inpatient, I just waited out the black days. Im on disability for it so fortunately I doesnt effect my imcome, LOL I just always poor.

I have also run through most of the gammit of drugs for depression and always reach the top tolerance level and the dr goes hunting and pecking for another good combo. For myt anxiety xanax has always been the only one that really works and the dr keeps me on a maintenance low low several times a day, rather than using as a rescue dose. (as needed)

Aswald I wish I had a printer so I could print out your list to take to my dr, this new one doesnt seem to just rely on the new and pushed depressants. I try to always look up and stay up on my drugs, question the dr if it is an also used to sexiures or other impairments and how and why they would help chronic depression. I absolutely refuse to take any drug associated with bi- polar disorder because thats chemically not my problem and those types, like zyprexa, depacoate (sp) does ntohing but make me sleepy and make me gain tons of weight in a short period. I will refuse those.

nIn Closing OP ( sorry my memory sucks, damn depressiom) I would all honestly try and locate a different dr for at least a 2nd opinion. You professional knowledge should have no bearing on your actually state of mind you, just like those of us who deal with it long term, probably have darn near a equal footing of knowledge of our disorders)

Personally I would be sitting on anothers Dr doorstep for even suggesting because your a nurse you get treated differently and to jump in as an inpatientl. If your having trouble going to work, being in a unfamiliar bed, with unfamiliar noises in a hospital setting just seems to be jumping from one fire into a bigger one.

But thats me, I avoid inpatient, I would lose my safe place, my familiar things and be all the worse for it.

If you ever want to just talk to an old timer who has been through the gammit of alot of what you are dealing with now at your age, feel free to contact me on the other side, Im no pro but sometimes having a person to talk or chat to about it that knows whats it feels like in your head, look me up. I have no life and am usually on, just let me know if your interested.

SF

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RE: Depression - 8/21/2008 2:15:04 PM

kiyari

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Vitamin D is healthily and naturally produced with about 20 minutes of full sun exposure.

That has to be out-of-doors, as sunlight through a window does not work.

If supplementing, look for D3... that approximates the "natural" D.

...and yeah, most of us are astoundingly deficient in D.

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RE: Depression - 8/21/2008 3:50:57 PM

SavageFaerie

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Oh I agree its naturally produced with sun exposure. The reason my Vit D count got so low is I do suffer from Agoraphobia and probably in the last 8 years spent 90 % of the time indoors as it was very hard for me to walk past the front door. When I was living in Texas I had a private balcony and we made it a smoke free house. But even then I was not directly exposed therefore little produced naturally. Im bad about going to medical dr unless there was no choice whatsoever. Mental health professional's I endure and keep regular appointments.

I was shocked and amazed when the dr did a full blown screeninng that my D count was 15 (in whatever units) and normal was on the low end is apparently 40-50. So Im on a strong D routine of 5000 IU twice a week with 1000 IU a day. I have since found out that Vit D deficiency afftect your bone strength which works with the calicum which  also was low. It also affects depression and anxiety....I should I have figured that out

I have now eating veggies with Vit D, started drinking milk again, ect.   Working on getting out, it's more of a must in in nyc as if you wanna get there ya walk or pay to ride. Most all I need is in about in a 10 block area. I am trying trying to recitify for myself naturally till I get the next test to see how my levels are are.

It amazes me how one Vitamin deficiency can affect so many things.   Other than that Im healthy as a horse, now to fix the mind.

< Message edited by SavageFaerie -- 8/21/2008 3:54:24 PM >

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