GP said Valdoxan was my last try

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 8:13am #1

Im along time sufferer from depression, over 20 years now at the age of 37. Have been going to my GP through those years and recently went back. He has told me that we have tried all groups of antidepressants and Valdoxan will be the last one, after 13 weeks I am still the same.

Does anyone know of another route to take drug wise? Has any other drugs prescribed worked to help with depression besides antidepressants?

Gremlinertia · 19-01-2017 12:10pm

Have you asked your gp for a referral to a local mental health services?.

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 1:34pm

Gremlinertia wrote:

Have you asked your gp for a referral to a local mental health services?.

I think thats whats coming when I go to visit him next. He did it before when I was 23 and went to a local health centre and they weren't much help to be honest and I stopped going. Being trying to push through it since.

Gremlinertia · 19-01-2017 1:52pm

I attend my local psych outpatients frequently have been for a number of years. Same age as you, it might be worth another shot?.

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 2:39pm

Gremlinertia wrote:

I attend my local psych outpatients frequently have been for a number of years. Same age as you, it might be worth another shot?.

You on antidepressants yourself?

Gremlinertia · 19-01-2017 2:54pm

Yup among others, have been for about a decade now i think. Took a while to find my levels but they've been great for me..

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 2:59pm

Gremlinertia wrote:

Yup among others, have been for about a decade now i think. Took a while to find my levels but they've been great for me..

What would you mean by levels? More than one at a time or the dosage of the one your on? I find they kinda misfire for the first few weeks, getting a rush now and again then nothing.

Gremlinertia · 19-01-2017 3:09pm

I was the same, by levels i mean how much of the medicine, started out on low dosage, effects wore off a bit, upped it again four months later and once again another few months later. That was the dosage i settled at..

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 3:14pm

Gremlinertia wrote:

I was the same, by levels i mean how much of the medicine, started out on low dosage, effects wore off a bit, upped it again four months later and once again another few months later. That was the dosage i settled at..

Ive tried the max dosage on most for about 3 months each time and nothing, just the groggy feeling you get when your on them, which I could handle if it worked.

Gremlinertia · 19-01-2017 3:16pm

That's why i suggested getting a referral, i'm on a combination of meds because i have BPD so have various issues.. A gp is a great resource and starting point but like any other illness sometimes you'll need someone who specialises

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 3:21pm

Gremlinertia wrote:

That's why i suggested getting a referral, i'm on a combination of meds because i have BPD so have various issues.. A gp is a great resource and starting point but like any other illness sometimes you'll need someone who specialises

Ill try again I guess but it will have to wait, thanks.

19-01-2017 3:23pm

I think you should seriously consider engaging with mental health services OP. Anti-depressants can be a lifesaver for so many but really at the end of the day without other resources they are just a band aid. The fact that you've tried so many and found none to be effective makes me wonder if you're looking for a magic wand?

Valdoxan is used to treat major depression. That's a really tough illness to carry OP. You one of to yourself to consider other methods as well as antidepressants.

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 3:31pm

Deleted User wrote:

Valdoxan is used to treat major depression. That's a really tough illness to carry OP. You one of to yourself to consider other methods as well as antidepressants.

Its just very disheartening at times, its an absolute destroyer of most of my life and it can seem so definite, that it will never let me rise above it. Good days, bad days.

19-01-2017 3:39pm

Bracken3000 wrote: »

Its just very disheartening at times, its an absolute destroyer of most of my life and it can seem so definite, that it will never let me rise above it. Good days, bad days.

Ah Lord

Isn't the mind an awful place at times? It's part of us but yet causes us such distress. I can sense you're at the end of your tether with it. Give the new meds a shot but absolutely try talking to someone.

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 3:48pm

Deleted User wrote:

Ah Lord Isn't the mind an awful place at times? It's part of us but yet causes us such distress. I can sense you're at the end of your tether with it. Give the new meds a shot but absolutely try talking to someone.

Im ok thanks, would be worse if I wasn't asking for advice than doing something silly.

19-01-2017 4:55pm

Bracken3000 wrote: »

Im ok thanks, would be worse if I wasn't asking for advice than doing something silly.

Mind yourself

alchemist33 · 19-01-2017 10:11pm

There are of course non-medication options (CBT, other psychotherapies or counselling) which might help, but you may have tried these. If you're determined to stick with the medication route and have exhausted lone antidepressants there are augmentation strategies such as adding lithium, antipsychotics with antidepressant actions, or even combining antidepressants. But your GP probably won't instigate any of these on their own, so it would be best to see the local mental health services who ould discuss these options with you and help you choose.

Bracken3000 · 19-01-2017 11:21pm

alchemist33 wrote:

There are of course non-medication options (CBT, other psychotherapies or counselling) which might help, but you may have tried these. If you're determined to stick with the medication route and have exhausted lone antidepressants there are augmentation strategies such as adding lithium, antipsychotics with antidepressant actions, or even combining antidepressants. But your GP probably won't instigate any of these on their own, so it would be best to see the local mental health services who ould discuss these options with you and help you choose.

Yeh, I feel medication is the answer for me. Thank you, I will look further into this and get as much knowledge about it before I go head to pursue this option.

mrsmags16 · 21-01-2017 8:58am

If someone has tried all the pharmacological options at max dose, one should also consider
1. revisiting diagnosis. Lots of things can look like depression and sometimes we forget to go back to square one and reconsider this.
2. are alcohol or other substances an issue? Will affect any psychotropic medication's effect
3. augmentation with non-pharmacological means e.g. (proper) CBT (delivered by an accredited psychotherapist)

I would think a fresh assessment by local mental health services is warranted, even if only so they can give advice to your GP or point you in the right direction. That might not be of much instant 'use' but you will have been assessed and an updated impression/ diagnosis (or re-diagnosis) might be beneficial at this stage. Good luck!

Bracken3000 · 21-01-2017 9:03am

mrsmags16 wrote:

I would think a fresh assessment by local mental health services is warranted, even if only so they can give advice to your GP or point you in the right direction. That might not be of much instant 'use' but you will have been assessed and an updated impression/ diagnosis (or re-diagnosis) might be beneficial at this stage. Good luck!

Maybe, it can feel like a 101 things are going on in my mind with depression being the out come but its hard to tell personally, feels like abit of a mess in my head but ill see what they think, thanks.

StillThinking · 21-01-2017 9:39am

Am on effexor and remeron at the min and they seem to be doing the job for me. I couldn't do it alone though. CBT worked great for me once I found the right person to help me, first 2 therapists I couldn't take to at all, I'm in my early 30s and my depression started around puberty, started taking meds and therapy from late teens.
Remember you're not alone and you can get through this.

Bracken3000 · 21-01-2017 10:47am

StillThinking wrote:

Am on effexor and remeron at the min and they seem to be doing the job for me. I couldn't do it alone though. CBT worked great for me once I found the right person to help me, first 2 therapists I couldn't take to at all, I'm in my early 30s and my depression started around puberty, started taking meds and therapy from late teens. Remember you're not alone and you can get through this.

Sometimes it feels like this is unique to me and there isnt anything for it, the way it ruins even the smallest things in life.

Gremlinertia · 21-01-2017 11:39am

Bracken3000 wrote: »

Sometimes it feels like this is unique to me and there isnt anything for it, the way it ruins even the smallest things in life.

Back track and pursue a referral to local services, things evolve maybe there will be another path to try.

Bracken3000 · 21-01-2017 1:46pm

How has depression impacted on your life? Day to day and overall when you look back at your life?

Graces7 · 21-01-2017 2:15pm

mrsmags16 wrote: »

If someone has tried all the pharmacological options at max dose, one should also consider
1. revisiting diagnosis. Lots of things can look like depression and sometimes we forget to go back to square one and reconsider this.
2. are alcohol or other substances an issue? Will affect any psychotropic medication's effect
3. augmentation with non-pharmacological means e.g. (proper) CBT (delivered by an accredited psychotherapist)

I would think a fresh assessment by local mental health services is warranted, even if only so they can give advice to your GP or point you in the right direction. That might not be of much instant 'use' but you will have been assessed and an updated impression/ diagnosis (or re-diagnosis) might be beneficial at this stage. Good luck!

endorsing this. I was on psych drugs decades on a misdiagnosis.

Bracken3000 · 21-01-2017 2:57pm

Graces7 wrote:

endorsing this. I was on psych drugs decades on a misdiagnosis.

It does feel like your a guinea pigs at times with drugs til they pin it down with what works

StillThinking · 21-01-2017 3:29pm

Bracken3000 wrote:

How has depression impacted on your life? Day to day and overall when you look back at your life?

I would have to say it is my life at this stage! Its just part of me, a horrible nasty part but still a part that I have to deal with everyday. It's always in the back of my mind trying to undermine me, tell me I'm not good enough, telling me there's no point in anything I do.
Looking back, it held me back in life but I can't look back for too long. If I do I'll just drag myself down.
I've come to terms with my depression, I don't hide it from anybody, I acknowledge it and deal with now.

GP said Valdoxan was my last try

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