after a history of depression, anxiety, cyclothymia and various meds over nearly 50 years. Although past 15 years continuously taking meds. I started Mirtazapine 15 mg in August 2024. First tablet to help lift my mood and sleep better. But side effects of muscle pain are severe. Especially in my fingers and upper arms and legs. Struggling to move around. I decided to reduce to 7.5 mg hoping side effects less , but my mood plummeted and I was in a state of distress. So have increased again and after 4 days of taking 15 mg my mood has rallied. But pains severe. Will continue with meds albeit with the pains as I can’t go back to the terrible state I was in.
any tips on help for pain. Not nagging pain like toothache, dull pain and stiffness are sore when moving. Dr gave me naproxen and co codomal .
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Springvale23
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Hi Springvale23: These are questions for the GP (re: the pain) and for a psychiatrist with a strong background in psychopharmacology. Members here do a great job offering sympathy but no one here has the capacity to offer professional advice. Sympathy may help you to feel a bit better but will not solve the problem.
Thanks. My GP is kind and attentive but is recommending a different anti depression and at same time pointing out all meds have side effects. Will have a chat again and ask for referral
That's true. All medications have side effects but not all medications have the same side effects, plus particular side effects occur with greater frequency (common) or lesser frequency (uncommon). Individuals react differently so it is possible that you will not experience a given side effect. The only way to evaluate side effects is to start the medication and take a "wait and see" approach. Some side effects are short-lived and disappear in time. Others are chronic and you have to decide if it is worth living with them or not (cost/benefit). Sometimes if you cannot live with a certain side effect, a medication change will be indicated. Sounds like you have a good plan. I'm happy to hear how things work out (or don't) if you are up to sharing.
Hi Springvale23, mirtazapine really helped me with my anxiety, insomnia and just about everything but eventually seemed to stop working and gained about 15 pounds plus higher cholesterol. The all time best medication was nefazodone but it had the potential to cause serious liver damage so I quit it, it is still available as a generic by tevia I believe. Meds are not an easy journey. I like recommendation of psychopharmacologist and possible combination therapy, as I never had an SSRI work by itself. Some people have mentioned imipramine, an older med as possiblity. Good luck, it's not easy. Take care
I have never had a successful anti depression tablet. As I have cyclothymia , I experience pleasant highs and confuse this with the thought that meds are working. Only to crash and realise they aren’t . Thanks for responding
Hey oh I don't like to hear that your in pain, you should know though that meds only mask the pain and after taking them so long your body builds a tolerance just like it did for Everything else, and of course the temp answer is always another med. Smh, it's never too late to fast, and use pure herbal remedies because most med Are petroleum based, and That Is part of the problem. I am not saying to stop anything, I'm just saying that the meds are part of the issue. Your body is not going into neutral or remissing because of meds, your natural protections are actually systematically being turned off or muted. The body is a metabolism machine, minerals, vitamins , fats, and enzymes Are all natural when we medicate we tell those Lil workers to do something else, I know disease is prevalent and must be addressed, but the cure for any ailment has forever lay on the body's ability to perform its function. Herbal teas, and one I know works immediately, rubbing alcohol and crushed avocado pits, mixed in a spray bottle let sit for 2 hours, spray and rub on affected area, immediate relief from pains in joints or muscles. Try it. Cheers hope this helps.
Have you considered alternative treatment to meds for depression? After decades of being on antidepressants they were no longer effective. The last few I had tried either didn't work or gave me intolerable side effects. Luckily my therapist recommended TMS and for me it's been a game changer, at one point literally a life saver. It's a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses targeting a part of the brain to reduce/eliminate depression. I had 3 rounds; the positive results of the first two each lasting about 6 months and the 3rd is still working after almost 3 years! As with any treatment results vary and for some it doesn't work but for many is successful and definitely worth looking into. Talk to your doctor. Feel free to ask me more about it.
There is no other medication you can take that does not cause pain? How can one's depression get better when the cure is worse than the illness? I hope you find the right medication. If you are suffering side effects that require a routine NSAID perhaps this is not the right drug. I would get a second opinion. You do what is right for you. Good luck.
Yes I do plan to get back in touch with GP. Just back from a mini local break with family. I was in bed most of time resting. Enjoyed the few hours of being out at shops and a meal. Still glad I went. Know I can’t go on living like this. Only reason I have delayed coming off tablet is that I am not distressed as I usually am and my mood has rallied a bit. But know I can’t keep living like this.
Thought I would give an update on my meds situation. After being away a few days my BP was high. Am currently on lercandipine 10 mg. Checked in with Gp and told to increase dose to 20 mg. Took advantage of call and brought my situation with my current anti depression tablets causing severe side effects. As result of chat it has been agreed that I switch to Vortioxetine low dose 5 mg to start with. Getting follow up call next Wednesday. Worth a try
Keep me posted. I am rooting for you. Have you had a GeneSite test? The test checks your DNA to find which psychotropic meds you best metabolize. It takes away the "Russian Roulette" of trying to find the right med by chance. Just a thought. With my replies, you should take what may be of help and leave the rest behind. You are the professional on you. Good thoughts to you.
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