Chemical vs. enviromental depression: To pill or not to pill?

ReneeBeth · 06-01-2005, 12:51 AM

So I'm wondering. I've been on a high-dose of Paxil for a year now, but that's mainly to control my anxiety disorder.
I went to the Dr. last week, and I was complaining about total lack of sleep, back pain from hell (from a bad epidural), and a few other things. So what does she do? She gives me percocet for the pain, and Elavil, claiming it will help me sleep. Wasn't until I got home that I remembered Elavil was just another antidepressant.
So, I'm wondering. Does taking an antidepressant when you have good reasons to be depressed..do they make any difference? I mean, how can a pill turn back time and make the bad things never happen? Does my Dr. really think that putting me on another antidepressant will make me a happier or more normal person?
I happened to see her on the last day she was working in this city, so I plan on going to my other Dr. to ask for some actual sleeping aids, because I need sleep.
But I don't get it. she said "I think it's easier for you to feel the physical pain than the emotional pain" is what she said while writing out the RX for Elavil. Umm...ok...then why do I cry and hurt 24/7? I'm not ignoring my pain, at all...my pain isn't mental, it's physical. I guess it got me really pissed that she just gave me Elavil and told me it was all in my head.

Anyway. Yeah, I'm depressed as hell, suicidal even, but...welll...I have good reasons to be so. So should I keep on taking the Elavil? I've been taking it, and it does nothing to help me sleep. My depression isn't any better (yeah, only been a week, I know). But why add another pill? I dunno. I think she, and everyone else, is afraid I'm going to go off myself, so she put me on something to help numb my emotions or something.

did any of this make any sense?

hopeless · 06-01-2005, 01:39 AM

My opinion is that if you think a drug isn't going to work for you, and you're resistant to taking it...then don't take it. (obviously there are some that you just have to take...but that might not be the case here) Seek out a doctor that will listen to you, and not tell you that your pain is in your head. I spent basically 5 years trying to get help before I found a good doctor. They're out there...just kinda hard to find sometimes!

In terms of chemical/mental depression....I think it's both. For me, anyways, I needed pills to help lift the chemical aspect of my depression. Once that was fixed up, I was really able to work on myself and my attitudes towards life. And now, when I start to get depressed again I can be a bit more objective and try to evaluate if the origin is chemical or emotional. If it's chemical, then it's easier for me to ride it out because I don't get carried away by my emotions.

So...yeah. I think that it could help, even if you have past issues that make you depressed. It could lift the chemical factor enough to deal with the emotional. I, personally, also think that your mood affects your body chemistry. So, if you're depressed (for a reason) then being in that state can alter your chemistry...and perhaps in a negative way.

Also, if you feel the need to talk..but don't have anyone to talk to, try journalling. Sometimes I'll have something on my mind, but I"m not sure what it is. I sit and write until it comes out. Sometimes the first paragraph or 2 is just babble...but it gets me writing enough that the other stuff comes out.

((hugs)) Hang in there...and keep us posted.

I hope my post makes sense...

LaurAnnHere · 06-01-2005, 01:59 AM

Renee, I don't think there is a pill in the world made to help a broken heart. Some of these pills may help your ability to sleep a little. I don't see what real benefit any pill for depression is going to have. I wish there was a magic pill to help. Maybe there is, but I don't believe it. I think your doctor just wants to do something to help you, but has nothing else in her power to do. I don't believe that any person in their right mind could think your depression is "all in your head." Then again I know there are a lot of ignorant people out there. ((( hugs )))

AvivaElona · 06-06-2005, 06:50 PM

Hi Renee,

When I lost Isaac I didn't take any pills because I felt like I was just "sad" but not depressed. The two are really two different things even though being really sad sometimes comes with depression and vice versa. However a few years ago I had broken up with a domestic partner ... an environmental cause... but was really depressed besides being sad. I went to a doctor and she prescribed Prozac. The Prozac didn't make me any less sad about the end of the relationship, it just made it a bit easier to cope with that sadness.

So, I do think that taking an antidepressant can help even if there is NO way its going to make you a "happier" person right now. It just may turn the volume down on your emotions to a point where at least you can breath.

I don't know anything about Elavil, but I do know also that some antidepressants have additional effects and that for some of them, increased "good" sleep is a result. While you have really good life reasons for being depressed and sad being unable to sleep is just going to make it all worse, so its possible that she prescribed that to help you get some sleep at least.

If you are up to it though, why don't you call her and ask. Say that you are concerned that she prescribed another anti-depressant and ask why. I'm so sorry about the epidural headaches. It is just one last thing you shouldn't have to deal with right now. I hope you get some answers.

Aviva

TickledPink · 06-09-2005, 11:30 AM

I am so sorry you are hurting

I wish I had words to take away your pain!

Have you concidered a second opinion?

(((((hugs)))))

ReneeBeth · 06-09-2005, 11:54 AM

Thanks everyone.
I finally shut up and called the psychiatric hospital, after calling the reg. hospital where I birthed my sons and being told I was too much for them to handle. So I made an appt to be evaluated at the psychiatric hosp. (thankfully not AT the hosp, it's a satilite office of sorts, cuz I don't want to be near that place). They told me NOT to stop my Elavil, because it's one of those "withdrawls from hell" meds, so...I'm stuck with it for now. After talking to the lady there for 20min, she said it sounded like I'd either need inpatient care (which I told her was not an option), or intensive outpatient care. So I have an appt on Monday to be evaluated, to see just how much care I'll be needing.
So I'm stepping up and starting to do what I need to.
I think my problems, depression exp, are not environmental, OR chemical. I think, at least with the depression, it is simply who I am. My dad agrees. I've been depressed since I was born. It's just me. Oh well.

TickledPink · 06-09-2005, 11:56 AM

I am glad you are getting help, please keep us posted!