Depression

jim and i
jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
edited April 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Haven't been on the board for awhile since filling in for a pastor has become more involved than planned.

Anyway I wanted to bring upt he subject of depression. Jim has not recovered energy since his treatment ended in August 2011.Yeshe had a shunt put in his brain January which set him back a bit but three months later still tired all the time. I kept telling him he was depressed, he said no. I even was getting depressed and I was on anti-depressants. Last week we went to the PC doctor and I suggested to Jim that he had all the signs of depression. Once again he said he did not feel depressed. Well first thing the doctor said when he heard the symptoms was, you are probably depressed. Would you try anti-depressants?

Jim has taken the anti-depressants a week and he has done a complete turn around in attitude and outlook.

All this is to say. It is ok to take anti-depressants. As Jim's doctor said, "You aren't crazy. I would think something was wrong with you if you weren't depressed after all you have been through."

Debbie

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    Bingo
    you just did a good thing. Not all depression is obvious, and certainly not to the person who is affected by it. Make absolutely sure he stays on the med long enough. Too soon discontinuation leads to relapse. You may now take a bow:)

    pat
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    #3
    Anti-depressants
    Most take at least 3 weeks to work so make sure he keeps at it.
    Good job on getting him started!
  • Sooner79
    Sooner79 Member Posts: 29
    #4
    What works?
    What did his doctor prescribe for him? For others taking them, what are you taking and what worked and didn't work for you? I've taken several different ones with not much success.
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #5
    Sooner79 said:

    What works?
    What did his doctor prescribe for him? For others taking them, what are you taking and what worked and didn't work for you? I've taken several different ones with not much success.

    this works for me
    Sooner, I've had good success with Effexor..I have been on it for about 18 months now and have not had side effects... have so many side effects from rads, that I probably would not know if I had side effects from the Effexor or not, but we had tried a few others without success (Xanax and Lopressor)
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #6
    Sooner79 said:

    What works?
    What did his doctor prescribe for him? For others taking them, what are you taking and what worked and didn't work for you? I've taken several different ones with not much success.

    The doctor prescribed Prozac
    The doctor prescribed Prozac I have take Effexor for 7 years with no side effects but I have Clinical depression. The prozc has worked great for Jim after only a week. Improved his attitude and outlook. Different brands for different people. My sister took Prozac which didn't work for her but the Effexor does.

    Debbie
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    Hi Debbie
    I am so glad you finally got Jim feeling better, the Doc is so right after all we been through there is a lot to be depressed about. God bless you as well for being his loving caregiver, I would be dead without my caregiver by my side. Every now and then I come home with some flowers just for her, no reason, just to say I care.

    Hondo

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