a few questions

[debrae4]

ok i was depressed for years have a abused background as a child. was on antidepressants for years they all made me suicidal i even took quite a few overdoses and laned in icu for days and then in state hospitals as well. well18 months ago i went off all mpsych meds cold turkey becasue i was losing my family. well the depression is back and my therapist said to try St Johns Wart does it work or not? i am having health issues as well and i am scared the could be from my overdoses from when i didnt want to live anymore. i still feel like it at times but not going to try to end it anymore i have 4 teenagers that need me. i just want out of this dark hole i am falling into again. i even went thru 25 ECT treatments  7 years ago with no luck.

[debrae4]

ok i been on all sorts of psych meds combos even the hard core ones and all kinds of doses since 1992 till late 2007. i do have a pyscharist and i am waiting to see her i see her in 2 weeks thats the soonest i can get in she is over seas right now.i am her first appointment back she prescribes me ativan for my anxiety now she was ok with me going off meds i was fine depression wise till the last 2 months or so. now its getting bad. i will not try st johns wort unless she says i can i see my reg medical doctor friday and he has in the past worked with her on my meds so he might do somhing then.

[LeftCoastChick]

Think of St. John's Wort like any other drug IF you try it. I personally don't recomment it.
There a multitude of meds out there that aren't anitdrepressants, but work as such. It's a tough one with refractory(hard to treat) depression. Personally, because none of the AD's work for me, I've moved over to the Mood Stabilizer class of meds. SSRI/SNRI's made me ill and in 1998 and July of 2008 suicidal. Especially refractory, I haven't heard any good stories.

Do you just have a Pyschiatrist?  If you don't I highly recommend you do.Therapists  do not have training in psychopharmacology. I'm on Lamactil, originally brought on the market as an anti-seizure med, it's done wonders. I still have a day or two of depresson, mostly situationaly, like my Aunt being really sick, can make me super depressed for a couple of days, which is normal.. I'm switching an anti-anxiety/hypomanic drug, and has caused me some mood swings.(grrrs) but I'm not seriously depressed. There are many new drugs out there, so don't give up home okay?

Keep in touch,
LeftCoastChick
Depression Community Leader