Is it normal for depression to return so quickly?

[Rach1211]

I am going to briefly explain my situation before I ask my question. My doctor put me on Wellbutrin about 7 months ago. On its own, Wellbutrin has been relatively ineffective. When I saw my doctor again, he gave me samples of Pristiq to take in conjunction with the Wellbutrin. This combination worked extraordinarily well for me and I finally saw purpose and meaning in life again. I saw my doctor a couple of weeks ago as I had nearly finished the samples he had initially given me. We discovered that my insurance does not cover Pristiq and he had no remaining samples at his office. I had enough to get me through a few more days, at which point he asked I call him because he was going to attempt to locate more samples. If he was unable to do so, we were going to find an alternate solution at the very least. When I called my doctor, he told me he had not yet located any but would call me right back. He never returned my phone call. I have been attempting to contact him for nearly three weeks now with only two returned phone calls from the nurse who had not yet heard anything from my doctor. I was subsequently forced to abruptly stop taking the Pristiq. I have experienced some rather unpleasant discontinuation symptoms. However, the physical symptoms have disappeared for the most part. It actually took me by surprise how quickly my depression returned following discontinuation. Nearly everyone I know who has been on an antidepressant typically feels better regardless of how they discontinue their medication. I know that the discontinuation of antidepressants is meant to be a gradual process, but I had no choice but to abruptly stop mine. Is it normal for depression to return almost immediately? I was able to schedule an appointment with my doctor for this week seeing as all of my phone calls have been ignored, but I am worried he is going to feel I am exaggerating about the severity of my depression. As I said, I am surprised by the sudden intensity. I'm having an extraordinarily difficult time sleeping and dealing with many suicidal ideations (NO plans, just thoughts). I don't want to get out of bed in the morning because I have no idea how I'm going to make it through each day. Again, I am just uncertain whether or not it's normal for depression to return so quickly with such intensity. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[boognell]

Was your depression this severe pre-meds? If it was, the depression coming back so quickly (in tandem with the withdrawal symptoms that only make you feel worse) is normal. As for the people you describe as "feeling better regardless of discontinuation of their med," remember that everyone is different and responds differently to medications. Maybe their depression wasn't as severe, maybe their doctor did his/her callbacks? How is your relationship with your physician? Personally I had a doc who didn't call me back despite repeated attempts on my part, and I fired him. Of course, then he called back! lol At your appointment please verbalize what you have stated here; you were placed in a potentially hazardous condition, medically speaking, because of his/her negligence, and it should be addressed. Keep in touch. Good luck and God bless.

[Poo44clooner]

That has happened to me when because I am on disability and when the insurance put me in the "donut-hole" which means the following month I would have to stop  my depression medication "cold turkey." This has happened several times. Each time my depression returned and I felt worse than ever and was basically nonfunctional because that was the only medicine that seemed to work for me besides even in the medicine insert it says that you are supposed to stop the meds gradually never abruptly because it can be dangerous. Well that would happen at about every Oct or so and then they would make the medications affordable again the following January. But then when you take the med it just doesn't work immediately, it has to reach its therapeutic level which took about anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks. So yea you are not alone.
As far as your psychiatrist goes, I would go shopping for another one. I had a really bad one and was referred to the one I have now who is one of the best because he cares and knows his medicine.
Hope this helps,
Angela