treatment resistant

[Springvale23]

I have been on meds on and off since I was 21 and I am 69 now. Been on continuous anti depression meds for over 10 years. Diagnosed with Depression, cyclothymia (a mild form of bi polar) and anxiety, including social anxiety.

My question is, meds have never worked for me. I get small windows of days and some times weeks of feeling good and productive ,then spiral downwards. At a very low point now and can’t function. Not washing or leaving the house. I am wondering now if I am treatment resistant. I am considering asking for electric shock treatment. My life is wasting away.

Any help offered and opinions welcome

[gajh]

I don't know if your insurance covers it but two other options other than electric shock treatment are Ketamine and TMS Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Both are used for treatment resistant depression. You might want to check with your doctor.

[Springvale23 in reply to gajh]

Thanks. I am in Uk , but will approach my doctor.

I have been taking over the counter sleeping tablets and I do think they cause problems with depression side effect also.

[bethelbee in reply to Springvale23]

Sleeping pills, OTC or RX can have an effect on depression.

[bethelbee]

I'm 68 and became treatment resistant to meds a few years ago. Had been on them for decades. They did help for a while. My therapist recommended TMS and it was the best treatment to happen to me in a long time. I've had 3 rounds. The results of the first two each lasted about 6 months and the third is still working after close to 2 years. It is a noninvasive treatment. I would consider that way before ECT as there are risks of memory loss with ECT(happened to a friend of mine).

[Springvale23 in reply to bethelbee]

Thanks for your response. Will look into TMS

[bethelbee in reply to Springvale23]

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have about it.

[designguy]

I had difficulty finding a med that would work for me after trying a half-dozen that didn't. I ended up doing a psychopharmacological test that used my dna to determine which meds were best suited for me. The test showed that none of the previous meds were right for me and I started on one it recommended and it has worked well. I live in the states and my test was from Genesight and I don't know if it's available elsewhere. I think there is a similar test in the UK from Myogenes.