Sick of depression, sadness, supplements, therapy and meds. Considering ECT.

I am so tired of supplements and meds that poop out on me. Tired of the depression coming back. Tired of having to quit jobs because of changing meds, depression to the point where I can't function..meds side effects, and supplements that are not strong enough for major depression. I just want this depression removed completely or as close to it as possible. At 44 years old..tired of battling this disease, and getting nowhere. Will there ever be a cure? Maybe not in my lifetime. Perhaps the cure that I know of or have researched is ECT. Has anyone had this done or considered this? Has it helped? Thanks for any information.

Hello Rianna - have popped across from A/P forum. Just wanted to say how much I empathise over the medication problems, having drugs pooping out and then all the adjustment to a new medication, new side effects, etc, etc. One night when I couldn't sleep I counted all the different meds I'd been on (some of them only one dose) and it was 14!

I did have six treatments of ECT ten years ago. I did recover but I was given it at the same time as a tricyclic antidepressant so I will never know whether it was the ECT or the medication which got me better. It was scary and I would not have it again. I have "black holes" in my memory where I have no recollection of some things in my life. I hated having a general anaesthetic so often and I always had a horrible headache afterwards. It can work well but doctors still don't really know why. Personally I would not have it again unless I was really desperate. I think if you get to that stage you will try anything... which is where I was at ten years ago.
I wish you well.

Hi Atedogs,

Thanks for your reply. It will probably be my last resort..just don't think anything else has worked for me to this point. May try another med..maybe it will be longer lasting. There is always hope. Perhaps the Klonopin I am on is making me depressed, or perhaps it is because I am not working..having to depend on my Dad for financial help..or perhaps it is because I am a bit lonely..my friends have all moved out of the state, and I don't have a network system any more. Not quite sure if what I am going through right now is situational depression or chemical (med pooping out). It is hard to tell. Thanks again.

Thanks Sadsong. I really appreciate your reply. One day at a time I guess. Thanks again.

Hi Rianna,
The expense is always going to be a problem for most people, what i would suggest you look into, if you are in a big city, even a smaller one for that matter, There are people out there who do many of the Natural paths, that don't call themselves New agers, or aren't out to make a buck, they do what they do because they love it, and because they like people and care, and often, will make the financial aspect as painless as they can, the difficulty is finding these in the maze of the ones who want your money.

have a look about see if you can find a Natural Health University in your area, I don't know where these people get there degree's over your way, so it may be listed in other ways, but sometimes these places will offer free or near to free consultations, yes you will be a guinea pig, for the final year students, but if you can get into this, then you may have a host of treatments available to you, many that won't interfere with your med's if you are taking them at the time,
One things however, is this industry was where i would have been if my stuff hadn't happened, so i have a huge interest here, and some of these things in this industry have been like a miracle to some people, but you have to do the right research and again the financial side is nasty, but as i have said there are sometimes ways around that, at least giving you the oppertunity to find what is best for you,

Another thing i suggest a lot, is Meditation, it works but the problem is most people learn it out of books, if there are any Centres that do this in your city, even a Krishna centre, if you get a Doc to refer you they may teach you for free or discounted, Theres no harm trying, and you learn something

Organise your time, give yourself at least an hour a day, to work on a stratergy to deal with what you are experiencing, today one step, tomorrow two and keep building on the day before, Meditation will help you do this,

I had about 8 treatments about 10 years ago, and wish that I could currently find another Dr willing to do it again. They put me on a maintenance drug of Celexa. It just recently stopped working as well and was put on Effexor which I hate. I truly felt the ECT's helped and the temporary effect of short term memory loss is totally acceptable to the alternative.
Good luck.