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Relapse with depression

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Posted 6/5/2007 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I haven't been here in a long time. I've been on treatment for depression for 2-1/2 years, and have been relatively stable for a good while. I still see my therapist every other week, and I've been on Lexapro all this time. I usually take 15mg, but at times I've had to increase my dose to 20mg... I just have a hard time tolerating the higher dose for long (due to muscle twitching and other side effects). Recently there was a death in my family (my closest cousin's husband), and I was feeling overwhelmed again so I raised my dose for a couple of weeks (my doc knows about it). Well, the side effects were bothering me again, so I went back down to 15mg. In addition, I got strep throat and was put on some really strong antibiotics (Levaquin). One of the side effects (supposedly) is that it can interfere with some antidepressants.... I'm not sure if that's what has happened, but the past couple of days I've been feeling VERY depressed. I don't cry (I rarely cry with this med), but I still feel the same overwhelming sadness on the inside. All I want to do is hide under the covers... pretty much like I was in the beginning. I can feel that I could easily become housebound again if I gave in to this.

I'm going back to the doc tomorrow a.m. (sore throat still there...) and plan to let her know about the relapse, but I'm not sure if there's anything she can suggest. I'm not sure if I'm looking for advice, or just a place to talk where others understand. Thanks for letting me rant...

Bear

Posted 6/5/2007 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, that's an interesting thought...
I was just getting to feel better when I got Strep Throat and went on antibiotics as well, then I had the worst weekend since the begining. It gives me hope that maybie it really was working....
Christina
Posted 6/5/2007 9:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi bear, it is nice to see you back but, I am sorry it is because your feeling poorly sad .  Your very right that some antibotics can interfer with antidepressants...I'm not sure if it is so much with how effective they are but with causing some negative interactions.  It is good that your seeing your doctor tomorrow hopefully they will have some ideas with what is going on. 

Please do keep us updated.  Take care  

Posted 6/7/2007 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
I went back to see the doc yesterday. She put me back on alternating doses of 15/20 every other day to see if it will help. Thank goodness she said the throat infection has cleared up, so I don't need more antibiotics.

As if things weren't already bad enough, I just found out I'm being laid off at the end of the month because our project is ending :( This was a real shock... I've worked for this company for 13 years. The job does cause me to have a lot of stress, so maybe it's for the best, but I have no idea what I will do or how I will afford my meds.
Posted 6/7/2007 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting issues TangB. My hubby was on 4 different kids of mondo strong antibiotics and it completely interfered with his mental and emotional wellbeing. At one point they also put him on Ambien because he had not slept in 3 weeks. That totally put him over the edge towards psychotic thinking. It was scary and the first time we realized that there is a correlation between antibiotics and mental health. Fortunately it all went away after he finished with the meds and he is fine now but Wow, was it ever scary.

Hubby and I are firm believers (based on experience) that the moments that seem like they are the worst we could experience turn out to be the best moments in disguise. It feels difficult now because of your job but I know you will land on your feet and make it a good moment instead. Take Care,
Posted 6/8/2007 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Ah gee Tangerine Bear ! When it rains, it pours. Sorry to read about your job. You did not need more on your plate, as you say.
Depression is a veil that seems to turn eveything to black or grey. I wish I could write something to lift that sadness you write about.
My first depression knocked me down so hard I was housebound for more than a year.
When depression took a second wack at me, I thought I would never get better, stay home and without work just as long. I became constantly anxious about spending money, trying to be as thrifty as possible. I recall buying the cheapest long underwear so I could heat less. I was so desperate about that second depression, felt my life was broken forever.
I am much better now. The second bout of depression was shorter. I was also anxious about work and money. I was savvier about drugs and asked the right questions, communicated the info that seemed to most relevant to my doc. Although I was down in the dumps, I had some "expertise" in feeling this way and I think it helped, although I was unaware of this. You seem to develop a good understanding of things : what doses might help and how much is too much. Good for you !
I hope this reflection of how I felt during that relapse helps a little.
I have come to understand that depression is not who I am but is part of my life nonetheless. I often think it is akin to the drinking problem a friend has. She knows when she is out of the comfort zone in which she can handle that illness. I too try to have a sense of where I am, how I feel, how I live through life's stuff and have some understanding of when I might fall into a depressed state. It's constant care but well invested.

Do take that care for yourself,
Rabbit
Posted 6/10/2007 3:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. Thankfully the side effects of the antibiotics is long gone now, but the reality of losing my job after all these years is just starting to sink in. I'm ok when I don't think about it... but when I go to bed at night, when my mind starts to race with thoughts of it... that's when I start feeling really bad. The anxiety attacks are starting back up again, too, and those are the worst. Rabbit, I can really relate to the things you were saying... I've had several bouts myself over the last 2-1/2 years and hope I don't fall back into another depression. Thanks again for the support :)

bear

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