re: Any of you baws ever been diagnosed with depression?

Yeah, I was a fricking mess at one point. Pretty much two years of it. The meds made everything worse, but I did 2 things:

1) Worked out nonstop. I can not encourage everyone who is depressed enough to do this.
2) I went on a week long spiritual retreat.

That was the final thing that got me out of it, although week long spurts of it took hold on occasion. Now I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I got a great job, moved to a city I love, and am in a happy relationship. Things can turn around man, I promise you.

I’ve struggled with depression on and off since I was 20 or so. It got really bad when I moved up to STL. I couldn’t see it myself, but my wife eventually convinced me to get some help. I did talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy and it helped a lot.

I had relapse and eventually started Wellbutrin. The effect was subtle. Just a little more pep in my step. After a few months, I tapered down.

Now I just work hard at emotional hygiene-sleep, exercise, cbt.
Depression is real and not a personal failing. I’m happy to talk further.

Is EVERYONE on some kinda mood drugs nowadays?

Yes, and forced myself to do physical things outside and also saw a doc for some meds. Things got better. Also, prayer helped as well!

Dawg I'd go get some blood work. Specifically a thyroid and endocrine panel. Run you estradiol also. Free testosterone. Total testosterone. Find an endocrinologist and speak with them. Your GP can help with the blood work.

Are you overweight and sedentary? What's your age? If your test is somewhat low but thyroid function is working most likely you are out of shape. Have them run a vitamin panel.

Start eating right. Make sure they check your cholesterol. You need that to make harmones. Adrenals need checking as well. No more eating out of plastics. Get glassware. Off sodas. Tea is a good substitute.

Very least get up and get moving. Heavy weights. Large muscle groups. Your body will naturally jack up your test and dope your blood with it.

You should get a good feeling for a few hours after. Euphoric almost.

Take it from someone whose dealt with a lot of health issues and surgeries and medicine side effects that ravaged my endocrine system. I was so low everything hurt and I pretty much didn't want to live anymore.

Bloodwork, correct meds (no ssri's), exercise saved my life.

I’m mildly bipolar. Excerise, treadmill plus weights, medicine and eating right helps greatly. Plus some prayer

I did and I got Zoloft. Doesn't work for me. I usually have to pull myself up by the bootstraps.

I've struggled with Anxiety/depression my whole life. One can cause the other and vice versa. The advice given in here is the truth. Exercise, eat right, talk to someone. Force yourself to go out and do stuff, even when you don't want to.

I know this may seem silly, but try to remember how good you have it. I'd be willing to bet you're better off than 90% of the people in this world.

quote:

---

What medicine have you tried and what were the bad side effects?

---

Tried many different kinds. Cymbalta worked.

Side effects with others were: nausea, headaches, dry mouth, "zombie" moods where I was never happy or sad or anything - just nothing, some made my insomnia worse, some made me sleepy all the time, dry eyes, diarrhea, some made my depression worse (suicidal thoughts), some made me almost manic where I would go 0-100 in an instant then back down.

Cymbalta has a bad adjustment period of about 3-4 weeks where I had nausea, loss of appetite, dizzy spells, no sleep, but it was helping my depression so I stuck with it. After the side effects died down I was on my way.

I see a shrink, he does counseling as well. psychologist cant Rx you any meds. Shrink can.