I have been on so many antidepressants over the past 35 years

Hi @pj1959. Welcome to Connect! You are certainly not alone. It can be difficult to find the right combination of meds, though I know the process can be really frustrating! Do you have a psychiatrist you feel you can trust? Are you also seeing a therapist? I'm tagging @mlemieux, @joeallen, @barsta, @airtruck54 and @afterthetreatment who have also mentioned struggles with depression in the past and may be able to offer some support! Hoping you find the community you need here. We are here for you!

Can someone talk to me PLEASE

Hi @pj1959,

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I was admitted to the hospital for other unrelated illnesses...

I know exactly what you're going through. Many years ago, I too went through a number of antidepressants with no effect. Due to being on medications for most of my life, new meds don't perform as they would normally on others. I'll bet after 35 years, this is a similar situation you're facing as well.

If I may, what if any, have specialists said that was the source of your depression?

Have you tried meditation? Local help groups? Home remedies?

My mind used to race all the time, In-fact, I would be up all night because I couldn't calm my mind. The only thing that's helped so far is changes in my diet, and daily meditation. Home remedies help as well, for example aromatherapy (incense, etc.).

Anything you can tell us about how you've tried to cope with your depression can greatly help. You are not alone, I promise.

Regards,
Martin

Hey @pj1959! I wanted to check in and see how you are doing? Did it help to know you are not alone in this? We are all here for you!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I find that the concept of Mindfulness works well with patients who have a long-standing history of depression. This Cognitive Behavioral Theory encourages patients to live in the moment, and can be very effective.

I hope this info will help. Mayo in Rochester has a PGx/Genetic test that helps find medications that may work better for you. They test 12 Genes that can tell you medications that may work better for you.

I feel your frustration like millions of people. The PGx testing is amazing. We offer this to all our patients in my Home Health Care practice and has been very succesful. It is covered by most insurace companies so I recommend it highly.

I too have tried just about any anti-depressant out there since the age of 13. I can say I most always hold on to hope for the present and future for new developments. Today I read about keratine again which is being researched. It works in hours or 1 day to relieve depression not like the 10 weeks it can take for some antidepressants. I also use alternative therapies like mindfulness and music therapy. I sit under a sum lamp daily which my dr also believes helps.

Hang in there and pls stay connected.

Ketamine?

I just joined this site and saw your post. I had gene testing done and it was interesting to see how the different medications will work with my gene type. I too have been on so many different types of antidepressants and none really worked that well. I just started taking 100mg of Wellbrutin SR a few weeks ago. I haven't had any negative side effects so far but it will take a few more weeks to see if it is helping at all. I suffer from major depressive disorder.