I've been diagnosed with manic depression and major depressive disorder. It's really hectic to deal with, I know a lot of people are against medication but my doctor brought up that it can improve the quality of my life. I need some positive feedback. Did medication ever help anyone for this? My Effexor XR quit working for my depression a couple months back and it heartbreaking, I'm on max dose of 300mg a day and it don't work like it used to!! Anyone have any advice? I lost my interests in everything In life. Everything I used to love to do, I don't care if I do or not. I don't even feel like going out with friends or talking. I just feel like sleeping and that's it. I have symptoms of manic depression and I've heard it's very hard to treat. My next appointment is soon. Someone have any advice or have been diagnosed with the same as me?
Can I be saved from this depression?
Question posted by Randomgirl888 on 20 Feb 2021
Last updated on 22 February 2021
4 Answers
hi Randomgirl888
Hope you are feeling a little better now - sometimes just talking about my depression helps.
I have taken EffexorXR for many years and have not been able to get off of it. I take just 75 mg. in am and think it helps a bit. I have major or clinical depression and anxiety. Ask your doctor about LORAZEPAM since you mentioned anxiety. Just 1/2 mg. (.5) morning and night helped me very much for a long time - they insisted on taking it away because I was on pain meds - the difference in my depression is monumental - now totally isolated, can't sleep, and angry or crying often. Maybe it will help you.
You have to be careful with benzodiazepines because they can be habit-forming and cause long term side effects. They also interact badly with many other medications. What they don't do is address the cause(s) of depression/anxiety they just mask the symptoms.
Sorry to be a downer (so to speak) but I'm just saying that you need to be careful.
Hi, Randomgirl!
Believe me, you're not alone. There are many, many people on this forum and on the PsychCentral forums who are or have been exactly where you're at now.
I was treated for MDD for many years with various antidepressants that eventually "pooped out"
on me but then I began having manic episodes along with severe depressive episodes. I, for one, wholeheartedly support medications to treat these disorders. Without them I would not be here today. It has taken a while to find just the right combination but it's been worth every step of my journey.
Manic depression is not that hard to treat and it might involve trying a couple of different medications but when you get it figured out you'll be able to live a "normal" and productive life. If you were diagnosed as unipolar depressed, again, there are several medications available that can work wonders.
If you have specific questions or concerns or just need to talk please feel free to come back here anytime. There are a lot of great, supportive people here who are happy to share information and personal experiences.
Best regards and I hope you get to feeling better soon.
May I ask what has helped you the best even though everyone is different??
What I'm taking now is Vraylar, lamotrigine (Lamictal), bupropion (Wellbutrin), and quetiapine (Seroquel). It sounds like quite a cocktail but it's what's working for me.
Previously I took quite a few different meds but they either quit working over time or they didn't work well after a fair trial.
Hope this helps.
Hello
I agree.
This medicine has stopped working probably because your body has developed a tolerance to it after many years. There are other antidepressants available. These covid shutdowns have put a lot of people at the ends of their tolerance too so please don't give up. Get to your health care professional ASAP.
Best regards
Kevinb1953
Hello,
Your Effexor has pooped out on you. this happens frequently with the long term use of antidepressant/anxiolytics. I’d recommend speaking with your health care provider ASAP. You deserve to be happy, please don’t let depression ruin you. Contact your doctor and address your concerns. Don’t be afraid to reach out to him/her. There are many options of antidepressants to help treat your depression symptoms. Can you contact your doctor on Monday and get an early appointment? He/she will provide you with the medications that you need.
Tyrese
Thankyou effexor helped so well at first and with my anxiety I'm nervous to switch medications. Ugh my brain is so weird .
Related topics
depression, bipolar disorder, medication, disorder, diagnosis
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
