Wellness

[violann]

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@tarsmom wrote:

Thank you for posting this - this definitely hits home for me, too!  In so many ways.  Hugs to all who are going through a tough time.  And if I could just "look at the good side of things or be grateful" yes, wouldn't that be the best option?  Unfortunately, it's not that easy.  Prayer, walks, a good therapist, a caring doctor who listens and prescribes accordingly and good friends/family around you are the best!

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So well stated! "Working through depression/anxiety" MEANS getting to know as much about yourself, your OWN FEELINGS and YOUR OWN TRIGGERS as you possibly can. 

For anyone to suggest that release from depression is as easy as "coping" implies adding a layer of guilt to a situation that is already unmanageable. Not helpful, however much it is intended to be!

[winamac1]

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@Poodlepet2 wrote:

I don't want to come off as sounding rude and nasty, but nobody here is a good resource. The only people whose opinion you should trust is a physician-preferably psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor first and foremost: there can be underlying physical issues that contribute to depression.

They have the ability to weed out what might be symptoms of physical problems, vs. psychological issues.  They are highly trained in pharmacology.

When I studied pharmacology years ago, one of the first things I learned is that all drugs can have unforseen potential side effects. Period.

Does that mean we shouldn't take them? No. It's always a question of benefits outweighs risks and starting at the lowest possible dose to achieve the desired effect.

We are putting the cart before the horse on this one however: supportive therapy and counseling may actually be what you need- but a psychiatrist is the one with the expertise to help you achieve your mental health goals.

If you don't know where to begin, why don't you make an appointment with your primary physician?  Thanks to insurance or lack thereof, many have had to fill the role of psychiatrists to some degree. They still have far more training than anybody here.

I wish you well,

Poodlepet2

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Well, you are incorrect.

I am a bit of a resource.  I sold in this market for over 15 years and educated prsychiatrists on several new antidepressants.  

I did not sell or promote Lexapro, but it was a stiff competitor in the SSRI market.

I have not taken antidepressants, but I do know about them.  Lexapro is a "good" choice as it has fewer side effects than many others--start low, go slow and don't go off these drugs without tapering down. 

One should taper up and taper down. 

If Lexapro doesn't work after about 8 or 10 weeks, I'd ask for a SNRI as the O/P may need norepinephrine too.

If one is highly agitated, Prozac is not usually a good option and neither is Wellbutrin--both can be activating. 

If one is concerned with weight gain, lower doses of Lexapro are not as likely to make one gain weight and Wellbutrin doesn't cause weight gain--dopamine is also involved here.

Good luck to O/P!

[QueenDanceALot]

I must agree with PoodlePet.

A proper evaluation of  your VERY INDIVIDUAL situation is of the utmost importance.

I don't care how much anyone here knows about drug A, B, C, D or F.  They don't know what YOU need.  And that may or may not be drug therapy.  Only a QUALIFIED physician can begin to decide what is proper therapy for you.

I have a issue with doctors who just want to try this drug or that drug (which has happened to me) without a thorough evaluation.  I don't know that this is the case with your doctor, but I do know that there are a lot of doctors out there who operate this way.

I can totally understand where you are coming from and wish for you the relief that you need and deserve.

[winamac1]

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@QueenDanceALot wrote:

I must agree with PoodlePet.

A proper evaluation of  your VERY INDIVIDUAL situation is of the utmost importance.

I don't care how much anyone here knows about drug A, B, C, D or F.  They don't know what YOU need.  And that may or may not be drug therapy.  Only a QUALIFIED physician can begin to decide what is proper therapy for you.

I have a issue with doctors who just want to try this drug or that drug (which has happened to me) without a thorough evaluation.  I don't know that this is the case with your doctor, but I do know that there are a lot of doctors out there who operate this way.

I can totally understand where you are coming from and wish for you the relief that you need and deserve.

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Absolutely one should go to a physician to get advice based on their INDIVIDUAL symptoms.  

That being said, yes, some of us can offer advice based on what some may have been through and in my case, based on the knowledge level I have from a previous job.

Of course O/P should go to a Dr.   That goes without saying.  No one is saying he or she shouldn't!

Others here, can at times, offer some good advice.   I can offer some advice based on my previous job experience and expertise.   Others who have depression can share their experiences with what has worked for them. 

[hckynut]

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@winamac1 wrote:

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Absolutely one should go to a physician to get advice based on their INDIVIDUAL symptoms.  

That being said, yes, some of us can offer advice based on what some may have been through and in my case, based on the knowledge level I have from a previous job.

Of course O/P should go to a Dr.  .  That goes without saying.  No one is saying he or she shouldn't!

Others here, can at times, offer some good advice.

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@winamac1

I am speaking for only myself. My purposes for visiting this forum is to offer information and experiences about many experiences that can be explained, in my way, by having gone through a particular medical/mental problem with the a threads topic. It is my opinion, that experiences are the only way what actually transpired during those times.

I can read about them, listen and/or watch expert opinions/statistics and book based knowledge. Were I to have based several of my life threatening issues on only the sentence prior to this one? My death would have come 15 years ago. I had knowledge/statistics/so-called symptoms, all gained by reading listening, but not fully believing those things were the only way to recognize potentially deadly situations?

Advice on this forum is not something I give anyone on this forum. If they perceive it as advice, they are greatly mistaken. People that have been through some of these medical routes, many times can help a person understand more clearly, that having knowledge and statistics.

I understand you worked in a specific profession and possess much greater knowledge of certain aspects of medical and/or mental issues, and that will never be overlooked by me. If your have your own personal experiences of having lived through any life threatening medical issue, that in addition to your knowledge would be hard for most to supersede.

Appreciate all you have added to this specific topic,

hckynut(john)

[Trinity11]

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@winamac1 wrote:

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@QueenDanceALot wrote:

I must agree with PoodlePet.

A proper evaluation of  your VERY INDIVIDUAL situation is of the utmost importance.

I don't care how much anyone here knows about drug A, B, C, D or F.  They don't know what YOU need.  And that may or may not be drug therapy.  Only a QUALIFIED physician can begin to decide what is proper therapy for you.

I have a issue with doctors who just want to try this drug or that drug (which has happened to me) without a thorough evaluation.  I don't know that this is the case with your doctor, but I do know that there are a lot of doctors out there who operate this way.

I can totally understand where you are coming from and wish for you the relief that you need and deserve.

---

Absolutely one should go to a physician to get advice based on their INDIVIDUAL symptoms.  

That being said, yes, some of us can offer advice based on what some may have been through and in my case, based on the knowledge level I have from a previous job.

Of course O/P should go to a Dr.  .  That goes without saying.  No one is saying he or she shouldn't!

Others here, can at times, offer some good advice.

---

@winamac1, I think your experiences are extremely helpful regarding meds. I enjoy reading your knowledgable posts and educated perspective.

[winamac1]

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@Trinity11 wrote:

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@winamac1 wrote:

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@QueenDanceALot wrote:

I must agree with PoodlePet.

A proper evaluation of  your VERY INDIVIDUAL situation is of the utmost importance.

I don't care how much anyone here knows about drug A, B, C, D or F.  They don't know what YOU need.  And that may or may not be drug therapy.  Only a QUALIFIED physician can begin to decide what is proper therapy for you.

I have a issue with doctors who just want to try this drug or that drug (which has happened to me) without a thorough evaluation.  I don't know that this is the case with your doctor, but I do know that there are a lot of doctors out there who operate this way.

I can totally understand where you are coming from and wish for you the relief that you need and deserve.

---

Absolutely one should go to a physician to get advice based on their INDIVIDUAL symptoms.  

That being said, yes, some of us can offer advice based on what some may have been through and in my case, based on the knowledge level I have from a previous job.

Of course O/P should go to a Dr.  .  That goes without saying.  No one is saying he or she shouldn't!

Others here, can at times, offer some good advice.

---

@winamac1, I think your experiences are extremely helpful regarding meds. I enjoy reading your knowledgable posts and educated perspective.

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Thank you so much for your kind comments!

[winamac1]

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@hckynut wrote:

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@winamac1 wrote:

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Absolutely one should go to a physician to get advice based on their INDIVIDUAL symptoms.  

That being said, yes, some of us can offer advice based on what some may have been through and in my case, based on the knowledge level I have from a previous job.

Of course O/P should go to a Dr.  .  That goes without saying.  No one is saying he or she shouldn't!

Others here, can at times, offer some good advice.

---

@winamac1

I am speaking for only myself. My purposes for visiting this forum is to offer information and experiences about many experiences that can be explained, in my way, by having gone through a particular medical/mental problem with the a threads topic. It is my opinion, that experiences are the only way what actually transpired during those times.

I can read about them, listen and/or watch expert opinions/statistics and book based knowledge. Were I to have based several of my life threatening issues on only the sentence prior to this one? My death would have come 15 years ago. I had knowledge/statistics/so-called symptoms, all gained by reading listening, but not fully believing those things were the only way to recognize potentially deadly situations?

Advice on this forum is not something I give anyone on this forum. If they perceive it as advice, they are greatly mistaken. People that have been through some of these medical routes, many times can help a person understand more clearly, that having knowledge and statistics.

I understand you worked in a specific profession and possess much greater knowledge of certain aspects of medical and/or mental issues, and that will never be overlooked by me. If your have your own personal experiences of having lived through any life threatening medical issue, that in addition to your knowledge would be hard for most to supersede.

Appreciate all you have added to this specific topic,

hckynut(john)

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Thank you John.  I really appreciate it.  Have a good day!

[Catiele]

All the information that has been given is very helpful for anyone  who has experienced depression. One important point is finding the right Doctor. They aren't all good. Finding the right one is key.

[reena22]

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@Catiele wrote:

All the information that has been given is very helpful for anyone  who has experienced depression. One important point is finding the right Doctor. They aren't all good. Finding the right one is key.

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ITA @Catiele!