Depression?

[tom219]

For the past three months I have had brain fog. I am 19 years old and I believe it might have something to due with depression but I need some advice and somewhat help. It feels as if I am somewhat going insane. It is hard to explain. About three months ago I had gerd which caused difficulty breathing. This worried me alot. I believe that for me not being able to feel good for a long time it has out me into some type of depression. I am just wondering if depression can cause anxiety and can it cause brain fog? My doctor believes that it is a panic disorder but the perscription he gave me for the past month is not really curing anything that is why I believe it has to do with depression. Please help Tom

[birdie0907]

You can also get good supplemental info from your pharmacist because they see and talk to the users. If you are in a city with lots of choice and are going to be on something like this for a while you might try to find a pharmacist that you feel comfortable with, as opposed to one that just answers your questions as quickly as possible.
The good thing about a pharma is you don't need 2 hours for an appointment and some are open long hours. However, Ettebette's advice to see your doc is most important. I just find I am more prepped for doc if I have good background from pharma.

[tom219]

Thank you and will do. thanks for the help. Tom

[ettebette]

As I said earlier, Tom, you need to get in touch with your doctor.  Perhaps changes could be made so that you won't feel so drowsy.  Let your doctor know what is happening, even if it's not time for your next appointment.  There is no need for you to suffer needlessly.  It's the doctor's job to help you.  Please call your doctor.

Peace, good health, and many, many blessings,

Ellen

[tom219]

He put my on xanax for my panic attacks. I really dont like to be on it because it makes me feel drowsy and somewhat sick. it is only .25mg

[birdie0907]

What drug are you on? If an SSRI, they work by building up in your system, and some will work better for some people than others and vice-versa. You can't skip doses or the build up does not occur.
Wellbutrin didn't do enough of a job for me so after an 8 week trial my doc switched me to Celexa which cleared the fog. He said it would take 8 weeks to get the maximum effect, but with Celexa I was getting a good effect in a week. Within 4 weeks I was off Ativan and I never looked back. I went back to work after a huge vacation, faced demons and had bad moments, but after 2 more months passed I felt no fear, and often found myself singing (a bit too loud but fortunately no one was around) in the hallways. I was later cheated at work leading to a layoff, but never blinked an eye or skipped a heartbeat because I was happy to be alive, every minute. Three months later, I have no current need for the drug and am in the final days of tapering off it.

Unfortunately all this info is anecdotal, from me or any other user, because the results can vary and people have to self-determine if the drug works based on how they feel.

[birdie0907]

Regarding your question are anxiety and depression linked? Yes.

My pharmacist said there can be a strong link between depression and anxiety. I was prescribed ativan to control my anxiety problem which was as big a problem as my depression. Often both would hit me at the same time, and I could never figure which was "attacking". The antidepressant I used did not list anti-anxiety as an effect, but the drug solved both problems.
My pharmacist said the drug was only tested for depression because that was expensive enough (something like $500,000,000 for phase 3 studies) and the med community would know that if the drug worked for depression it would probably have an anti-anxiety effect too. Testing it for anxiety would cost another large fortune so that was never done.

[ettebette]

Hi, Tom.  I would advise you to get in touch with the doctor, and tell him exactly what you told us here.  Doctors need feedback from their patients, because emotions are something only you can feel, and need to convey.  Don't waste any time.  Why suffer needlessly?  Get in touch with your doctor as soon as you can, so that he can prescribe the appropriate medication for how you are feeling.  You are the best person to know what emotions you're feeling.  Let your doctor know, so he can help you.  Good luck, and keep in touch.  I'd like to know how things go with your doctor, and what he suggests.

Blessings and peace,

Ellen