I'm New.

[CathAn13]

Hi All, I'm new to this forum. I've been battling depression since the age of 12 but wasn't diagnosed until the age of 18. I'm 35 now and having a lot of difficulty finding medication that works. All the old standbys--Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexipro--give me horrible side effects. Currently I'm on Wellbutrin. It's not working and seems to actually make me worse. Yesterday I felt like jumping in front of a moving truck.

Does anyone else have this much trouble finding relief? It's been suggested to me to find a psychiatrist, because supposedly they can better tailor medication to suit your needs. My insurance doesn't cover any kind of mental health services, so it's looking very expensive.

It just plain sucks. I'm tired of not being able to get help. It seems mental health relief is a luxury for the wealthy or those who have awesome insurance.

[CathAn13]

I should add that last year I saw a counselor weekly, but had to stop after two months because I couldn't afford it.

[BonnieSue]

The good news is that your Dr. has stopped trying the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which are Prozac, Zoloft and Lexapro, and is trying a different type of antidepressant which is Wellbutrin/bupropion. You may respond well to this different type of drug. It isn't unusual to have to try a few drugs before you find one that works for you. If you continue to feel worse, stop the drug and call your doctor for advice.

Side effects are part of trying out drugs and can greatly reduce after a few weeks. I hope you've given the SSRIs 4-6 weeks to see how the drugs work and how the side effects lessen. Unfortunately, you seem to need a psychiatrist, someone who is educated and trained to diagnose correctly and choose the right meds for you. That's their whole job that they've studied and trained for...these days most don't usually counsel patients because they aren't trained to. So 15-20 minute app'ts. to check on medication is all you need the psych Dr. for and once you've settled into a routine the app'ts. will be spread further out.

Then you do need counseling but that can be accomplished with lesser educated persons, a LCSW or LMHC, or a different kind of Dr. called a PhD. LMHC's and possibly LCSW's can be found working under the umbrella of churches and charge based on a sliding scale, which is reduced for your income level. Belonging to the church isn't necessary or pushed. I have an excellent counselor who does this kind of arrangement. You really do need the counselor so I hope you'll look for one who doesn't charge full price.

Yes, it sucks, but you still have to deal with it and you might as well get the best treatment possible for the least money and the quickest answers to feeling really good. Best wishes to you.

[CathAn13 in reply to BonnieSue]

Thank you SueSz. I spoke with a psychiatric center yesterday for that purpose. When they discovered my insurance wouldn't cover the visits, they refused to see me, even though I have cash and can pay for services day of. I was told they don't do "cash visits". A friend recommended another one to me, hopefully this one works out.

I also found a counseling service that works with a Christian organization in my town and willing to work with my income needs, since everything will be out-of-pocket. I'm hopeful.

[BonnieSue in reply to CathAn13]

Fantastic! You're making good progress for yourself in spite of the 1 bad experience. I'm sorry that the 1 practice was so unwilling to work for you. This does happen sometimes, but often medical cash patients are welcomed and the cost is reduced for them because there's no middle man, i.e. insurance companies, and no billing charges incurred. Getting recommended by a friend may be helpful, and I certainly hope so.

[Ddorne]

Can you get on some kind of state sponsored insurance ? I am on Medicaid because I make little money, but it's great it covers everything. You really need a psychiatrist for meds they know more about them and that's mostly what they do,prescribe and manage meds. I've had a few friends try Wellbutrin and it made them very anxious. It's probably not for you. I have been taking Prozac for years and don't have bad side effects. There are tons of antidepressants out there, but you really need a psychiatrist to go over them. It takes a while to find the right ones.

[CathAn13 in reply to Ddorne]

I make too much to be on state-sponsored insurance, but not enough that I can afford good health coverage. So far I've been turned down by two psychiatric centers for not having mental health coverage. The third psychiatrist scheduled me in, but I read his reviews online and the feedback from three different websites was HORRIBLE. I canceled. A friend recommended one an hour away that she likes; I'm going to call today. Last resort. I'm tired.

[BonnieSue in reply to CathAn13]

Hang in there, you're worth the effort. That was smart to check 3 different websites regarding that 1 doctor. Even a good doc is going to get a bad review here and there. People tend to complain rather than find the reviews simply to praise a good doc. And you can be seeing 1 doc to get through the here and now and on the waiting list for another if the wait is for a really good doc. You can also tell them at the office that you're willing to be on a cancellation list to get a sooner app'tmt. with less notice.