How long did it take you to get better

well, it depends on what caused the depression in the first place.
Say if it was a death in the family, or trauma [new or rememered] theses things have to be processed by your mind in order for a person to start to heal.

Also medication does not also do 100% for the job. we have to own the diagnosis and use coping skills to help change our outlook and perspective.

If you think this doc is not working for you, find another pyschiatrist and see if there is a better fit with someone who have more knowledge on your diagnosis or medication combos.

At the very least you should be talking to your current doc honestly and letting this person know how it is your feeling.

Peace
Trina

You know in all reality for me, I got better on the medications within a couple of months. But I didn't heal for years. It is such a long slow process. I suggest you try to embrace all the different things you go through while healing. Even if things aren't good, we can make them better...

I see a psychiatrist and a psychologist. The psychologist counsels me, the psychiatrist pretty much just writes out the prescriptions. Are you seeing a psychologist or a therapist of any type?

It kind of sounds like you need to try a different medication. It took me five or six different ones before I found one I was able to stay on. I know it is frustrating, but like you said, they don't know any more than we do what is going to work for us. It is all trial and error. If you have been five months and nothing, I would ask to try something different.

I see you are on a ssri. I started out with them and eventually had to go to a snri. The snri helps with anxiety, do you have any of that? Is that why you take the klonopin? Maybe the snri would be better. But the doctor would be the one to make that decision I guess. I would let them know you want to try something different. It takes awhile to know if one is going to work for you or not. It can become frustrating. But in the meantime of waiting on the meds, you could be working on cbt therapy or something to that effect. Maybe get a book. Or any type of self help book really. We take small strides sometimes, but we do get there.

Have a good day...

Hugs, Karen...

Same here, I take 10 also... Been at that dose for a long time...

Hugs, Karen...

Hi Karen,
Even though I've been going through this for 5 months, I've only been on the Paxil/Abilify combination for7 weeks. I'm basically just wondering if anyone saw improvement after 6-7 weeks of being on Paxil or any other SSRI.

I don't know how long to give it. I've given the other meds, Lexapro & Viibryd 7 weeks and maybe that was premature. I seem to get better but not back to my normal self.

So i'm just wondering what other's experiences are with anti-depressants. If I remember correctly I was myself again the first time this happened in several months. This time, it seems like it's dragging on or I'm not on the right type of medication.

Sorry for the confusion.

I just saw your other post and I see you do go to counseling. That is awesome. I would give the medication another week and if nothing changes, talk to the prescribing doctor. Let them know that it helps some, so they know which directions to go...

Hugs...

I have done that before. Thought about how I was feeling too much. It is good to find distractions. It keeps you from thinking about yourself and how you feel so much. With the fibromyalgia, I have constant pain. But I distract myself and I don't feel it so much. That works with obsessive thinking and the abilify should be helping with that. It does me anyway.

I hope that things get better soon.

Hugs, Karen...

Keaz-

I've no experience with Paxil but when I went on Prozac years ago, I started noticing an improvement within 2 weeks. Wasn't on any meds for 15 years until 2008. Tried Prozac again (I first took make brand. By 2008 it had gone generic). It didn't work that time so I was put on Cymbalta (mind you both times I was in a "crisis" of debilitating anxiety that was causing depression). Since Prozac didn't work, went on Cymbalta. I started feeling better by the next week on 30mg! The dose I went to was 60 & it was nothing but smooth sailing on Cymbalta for 6 years til this year when it pooped out. By poop out, I mean I was having breakthrough OCD/hypochondriasis. If ONLY I could go back & use coping skills I learned on here, I may have nipped it and not switched meds (which got me in this pickle of a year). My worst days on Cymbalta PALE in comparison on my best days this year doing the medicine dance.

A month after I switched from 60mg Cymbalta to Zoloft, I had a freak out- panic attacks (hadn't had in 15? years), couldn't sit still, etc. Looking back, it's hard to say if that was the Zoloft or possible withdraw symptoms of Cymbalta.

This year I've been on: gabapentin, Abilify, Buspar, Wellbutrin, Lamictal, Pristiq & now trying Viibryd.

My point is, prior to this year, I knew a med was working in the first week or 2 & it was permanent relief, no rebound BS like you & I've experienced this year.

Monday I dropped my Pristiq to 50mg from 100 & started 5mg Viibryd. I'm already feeling brain zaps. Assumed was from lowering Pristiq dose and it may be but I stupidly read forums on Viibryd & ppl said brain zaps were a side effect. Sigh. I'm very suggestable so now I'm trying to sabotage Viibryd and wondering if I should ask Dr to stop it now before I get to a higher dose. Did you have brain zaps on it? I don't hear swooshing or zaps, rather, I feel "dizzy in my eyes, if I move my head or eyes too fast.

Ps: I read where bruising is a reported side effect of Viibryd.

PS: I just edited this 3 hrs after posting bc I meant to say (and it's now corrected, that I read where bruising can be a side effect of Viibryd. I initially wrote Pristiq).

Pss:

Hi Karen! Christmas went very well, thank-you. I didn't sleep well last night (just not tired), so I just woke from an almost 3 hr nap lol. I too hope Viibryd works. I almost want to stop it now, in its early phase, and just try 50mg/day Pristiq, to see if I can tell if the dizzy zaps are indeed Viibryd related or bc of lowering the dose of Pristiq. I'm super achy too & she did say I may have some days of feeling fluish from switching. I'm ok with fleeting side effects IF they quell lol.

I just had a dream I went back on Prozac, ha! Those were the days when that med was my champ & hero plus when I went off of it, it's the only one with no withdraw. Merry Christmas!

Keaz,


How are you doing? I am thinking about you.

Hang on, something will work and it will get better.

chele

and i hope the second book will be a happy new year. healing thoughts to you all.

Hang in there Keaz! I had major depression and panic and it took me from April - July of 2005 to feel really good again. I know it's so hard and you won't even notice the gains you're making each day until you look back and realize where you've come from.

If you're not try to get out and walk at least a mile everyday. If you're not getting enough sun get a light box. If you're not taking fish oil, Vitamin D and B complex then start. You need to give your brain the nourishment it needs to repair itself.

You can do it!!

Hi Keaz!

For some reason I didn't get notification of your reply.

I've wobdered too if trying different meds makes a difference in the length of time it takes to get better just from past experience. I have a friend however, going through the same junk and prior to this year, she'd never been on meds. She's 52 I think.

I had decent holidays. Yesterday and today I have that dark gloom. I'm still hopeful and know it's just transition and to be patient. Easier said than done as you know. I get anxiety too. Took a xanax this morning. Planning on going to fitness center today to get out of the house. Husband home so we are going together.

Please stay in touch and keep us updated

Sending much peace and healing!
Lisa