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Original poster

Medication for anxiety and depression not working

31 replies

Summersnake · 21/01/2022 19:45

Tried another medication from my doctor today …for anxiety, utterly floored me
This time pregabalin.
Yet again I can’t cope with the side effects after just one tablet
I know ,I know I have to give them time to kick in .
But I can’t spend my life in bed ,feeling sick and I’ll while I wait for them to work ..
It’s the same every time ..I can’t manage the side effects ,or they just don’t work if I do manage to get past the first few months .
Is it just me …or the autism …
Or down to the 30 years of bulimia ?
I suffer so so so badly with anxiety and depression,they have ruined my life ..please tell me if anything has worked for you .
I’m currently spending £50; a month on vitamins and herbal stuff to see if that makes a difference

OP posts:
duvetdayforeveryone · 21/01/2022 20:34

I didn't want to read and run. Unfortunately I do not have any advice, but I can sympathise.

I was put on duloxetine a few weeks ago. I took 1 pill, then 3 hours later spend 6 hours shaking uncontrollably and having green liquid vomiting out of my bum. It was so beyond horrible.
I refuse to go back onto any medication, as I am too terrified of the side effects.

Instead I have decided to go down the therapy route. I am starting a 4 week journalling course next week. I wanted counselling but that was expensive and the course I mentioned above is free. I'd rather spend the money on cake and chocolate.

I really hope my post bumps your thread and someone far more knowledgeable can give you some useful advice.

Original poster
Summersnake · 21/01/2022 20:37

Oh Thankyou ,I appreciate the reply
Hope your journaling goes well .

OP posts:
duvetdayforeveryone · 21/01/2022 20:50

You say anxiety and depression have ruined your life (I'm sure it has been incredibly difficult over the years), but you are still here.
You alone have continued to battle on. You have never given up. You should be extremely proud of yourself.
Never compare yourself to other people. They have taken a different journey to you. They continue to walk their path, and you will continue to walk yours.

ofwarren · 21/01/2022 20:50

I don't have any answers only that anti anxiety/ depression drugs make me react badly too. Whenever I've been prescribed, I never take more than one because I can't handle it.
I seem to react funny to lots of medicines though. I had an awful reaction to an antibiotic last year and felt like I was losing my mind. I also have mental reactions to lansoprazole.
I'm not sure if it's the autism.

Original poster
Summersnake · 21/01/2022 21:08

Thankyou duvetday
I appreciate your reply ,yes ,one bad suicide attempt many many years ago ,
So nothing has ever been as bad as that since ..putting a positive spin on it ..I never tried again ..yes I’m still here ..
Thankyou xxx

OP posts:
Turnitupto11 · 21/01/2022 21:12

@duvetdayforeveryone

I didn't want to read and run. Unfortunately I do not have any advice, but I can sympathise.

I was put on duloxetine a few weeks ago. I took 1 pill, then 3 hours later spend 6 hours shaking uncontrollably and having green liquid vomiting out of my bum. It was so beyond horrible.
I refuse to go back onto any medication, as I am too terrified of the side effects.

Instead I have decided to go down the therapy route. I am starting a 4 week journalling course next week. I wanted counselling but that was expensive and the course I mentioned above is free. I'd rather spend the money on cake and chocolate.

I really hope my post bumps your thread and someone far more knowledgeable can give you some useful advice.

I'd be interested in the course if you don't mind sharing.
Original poster
Summersnake · 21/01/2022 21:13

Ofwarren
Ok that’s interesting and Thankyou for sharing ,I’ve been the same with many medications .
I think it probably is me ,I still feel I’ll from taking one tablet earlier …I do wonder for me how much is phycological ..I got the tablets and spent 2 hours on line finding out as much as I could ,some of which was a study where the tablets caused heart problems,and fluid build up in extremes .
I can’t ,as people have said ,just take it ,and not look up the side effects ..I need to know .
Perhaps I need to find a different way from managing my drepression and anxiety

OP posts:
duvetdayforeveryone · 21/01/2022 22:39

@Turnitupto11 I have sent you a PM with the info.

Turnitupto11 · 21/01/2022 23:13

[quote duvetdayforeveryone]@Turnitupto11 I have sent you a PM with the info.[/quote]
Thank you.

NewtoHolland · 21/01/2022 23:16

I fell like with depression and anxiety medication is a very small part of the picture of what helps. Is there any other things that you are drawn to for soothing and comfort? What boosts you? For me it's sea swimming or more accurately wallowing the extreme cold is very grounding for me.

Turnitupto11 · 21/01/2022 23:34

I love swimming but I'm not a very strong swimmer. I couldn't face swimming in the sea in the cold though unless I could park right next to the beach and I don't know anywhere here where you can do that. I can't face booking a swimming slot at the moment, I'm better if I can just go there when I feel like it, but that's not possible in our leisure centre.

Turnitupto11 · 21/01/2022 23:34

Also what do you do with your car keys, phone etc while you're swimming?

GiveYourHeadAWobble · 21/01/2022 23:37

What dose of Pregabalin did you try, and what were your side effects?
Honestly, Pregabalin saved my life. I was completely unable to function with panic disorder and it helped me so much. I know it doesn’t suit everyone but I’d really recommend you persevere with it if possible. I’m on 75mg twice daily but my psychiatrist said I could go up to 600mg a day if needed. I didn’t need to though.

NewtoHolland · 22/01/2022 05:03

@turnitupto11
Ah if you're interested in trying the cold water swimming perhaps you could have a go at some of the Wim Hoff method as part of your self soothing? He does videos on breathing and building up tolerance to cold water with cold showers and then cold baths. It's random but it's something that has helped me a lot because sensory wise that ticks my boxes and gives me a feeling of being there in the moment which soothes my usually anxious scattered brain. I wonder if there are any lidos nearish you?

NewtoHolland · 22/01/2022 05:07

...often these stay open in the winter and may have more flexible slots...or perhaps an alternative indoor swimming pool to your local one?
Exercise obv has a fab evidence base for helping with anxiety and depression. What other kind of stuff do you love? Making some time for stuff you love could be part of your symptom management and healing.

The other thing is thinking about that spoons analogy have you seen that? So for those of us that aren't NT what we spend our energy on..what drains us and what does rest/boosting our energy look like for us, if we can work it out and get life into a better balance, can help reduce some of the load xx

Monty27 · 22/01/2022 05:15

You need to persevere. You would see the benefits in the long run.
It's finding the one that suits you.
It's taken years for me and I wouldn't be without it.
Everyone is different. Keep going back to your GP. But don't give up OP. You'll get there. Best wishes.

Original poster
Summersnake · 22/01/2022 08:24

Give your head a wobble
25mg on the box it says per tablet
So not much
Felt sick ,kept needing to drink lots and lots ,my head felt so heavy I couldn’t lift it of the pillow ..but I didn’t feel anxious.
I’m kind of scared to try it again .
Also worried my doctor will get fed up of me keep contacting him .
It was my doctor who suggested I might be autistic,so he’s really good and I don’t want to annoy him keep bothering him

OP posts:
BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 22/01/2022 09:12

My antidepressant doesn't work that well by itself, so I'm supplementing with nootropics for both depression and anxiety.

I take:

Ashwaghanda - really good, can totally recommend for mood and it has physical health benefits.

Mucuna pruriens - helps my adhd, increases dopamine and helps mood also has antidepressant properties. I take it every other day because you don't want to increase dopamine too much.

Magnolia bark - anxiety

L tyrosine - general brain functioning

Rhodiola rosea - helps the body cope with stress.

Tesco Stress Relief at night.

I haven't had any depressive relapse since starting these. The anxiety can flare up depending upon what's happening in life, but it's far more stable now.

If you can only take one thing, I'd recommend the Ashwaghanda. It comes in different strengths. The 4000mg lowered my blood pressure too much so I'm only on 500mg at night now and it's been fine.

I also low carb which helps my mood. Carbs can cause lethargy and exacerbate depression. Blood sugar spikes contribute to anxiety as well.

BoozeSuitcase · 22/01/2022 09:17

Things that can help:
Walking in nature, a nice park, mountain, beach.
Standing with your face in the midday sun.
Time with animals.
Reading Dorothy Rowe.
Exercise: walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, pilates.
Having a nice home, clean and cosy.
Watching good TV.
Listening to music.
Dancing, no one is watching, right? Grin

Original poster
Summersnake · 22/01/2022 11:48

I’ve tried one more ,but I’m going to go out and see if I forget I’ve taken it ,I might not get any side effects.
I take
Omegas ,well woman vitamins ,iron b12 and zinc and magnesium extra to the well woman ,and 5HTP
It’s costing £50 a month ,which I cant really afford .
I’m vegan ,have been for years ,so that’s why I take so many vitamins
I just wake up every day feeling like it’s a dentist day …
I can remember being six ,and the dark morning at 7 am and feeling the same sense of dread I feel at nearly 50 ..so this is a lifetime of depression and anxiety…it absolutely has to stop …I will try everything on here everyone has suggested …I’m so great full for the replies

OP posts:
Original poster
Summersnake · 22/01/2022 11:53

Sorry ,dentist day ….worst thing in the world for me …
So I wake up ,and dread the day
I don’t want to get up and face it ..I hide and try to go back to sleep
I’ve no idea why I’m like this ,.

OP posts:
duvetdayforeveryone · 22/01/2022 11:57

@Summersnake Could you give us a brake-down of what you do on a typical day?

Original poster
Summersnake · 22/01/2022 12:15

I swim ,and walk dogs ,and home educate my son .two dc with autism at home ,

OP posts:
duvetdayforeveryone · 22/01/2022 12:43

Sorry, do you have a 2 year old son or do you have 2 sons?

Original poster
Summersnake · 22/01/2022 16:15

2 sons with autism

OP posts: