Husband Stopped Taking Medication!

For the past aprox ten years, my husband has complained of aches, pains, overall exhaustion, weight loss, escessive sleep habits, not to mention, not wanting to go anywhere or do anything after he comes home from work.  Finally, after numerous trips to the Dr and extensive blood work, he finally exhibited a clue that let us know what the problem was - he admitted thoughts of sucide.  I got him into the Dr asap who put him on the antidepressant Effexor ER and it done wonders for him.  I felt as though I had my husband of 30 years back until a few short months after the start of the antidepresants I noticed he wasn't taking his meds.  I confronted him with this and he replied that they kept him awake at night and that he was fine now and didn't need them.  I explained that he only thought he was fine and that it was the meds that were making him feel fine and that the Dr could try him on a new Antidepressant.  My husband would not hear of it and soon after I began to notice more signifficant signs of depression and talk of sucide.  He still refuses to see the Dr. or medicate himself.  My question is - what can or should I do? I can't talk to him w/o him about it or anything esle without him becoming outraged.  It gets scary at times and I feel like I'm in this alone. No one can talk to him about it, even his only son.  I need help ;(  Thanks for taking the time to read my thread (s)

That's exactly what I've been thinking could happen is that it can pull me down with him.  I'm assuming your suggesting a counselor as in a professional person?  I thought about making an appointment with his Dr. (an MD) and explaining the situation to him and see what he has to say.  I personally believe that my husbands depression has been brought on by Tramadol that he takes 4 of on a daily basis as he didn't have the depression prior to the Tramadol.  His Dr. prescribes Tramadol for Restless Leg Syndrome and since it gives my husband relief he won't change medications.  He's a very stubborn man to say the least but after nearly 31 yrs with him I've learned that when he says no he won't take any medications other than what he's on for his legs then he means no.  Sometimes, it's almost unbearable to be around him when he's really at a low point in his depression.  He says he hates pills and doesn't like having to treat his RLS let alone anything else...I'm not in a pleasant place in my life right now and it's hard to not just "give up".  Keep us in your prayers and I hope to talk to you again. I'm open for any and all suggestions out there.

Thanks for responding Darren :)  I can use all the advise I can get.  My husband is pretty much a recluse and talks to basically no one but me and considers his personal life just that.  It doesn't give me a lot of options yet it is something that just won't go away on it's own and seems to get worse.

Hi Kitt!  Thanks for your response and advise.  I agree that my husband needs to see his Dr but he won't as he doesn't think he needs help.  I believe that the Ultram is the culprit of his problems and most likely he is addicted to it although he stays with the prescribed dosage of 4 per day. I hadn't thought about the Dr. not talking to me due to the Hippa regulations but your right he most likely won't.  I think I will look into some professional counseling to help me deal with all this.  Thanks again and have a great holiday season.