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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Best Possible Treatments For Depression?

I have been treated for depression since 1989.
July of 2012 - started Zoloft 200 mg. (in gradual increments) Daily at bed time
2/3/2013 - added Efexor until June 23, 2013 started gaining weight. Excessive sweating at all different times of day and losing focus
June 23, 2013 stopped Efexor ~~ started Viibryd 40 mg. started daily at bed time also.
Oct. 2013 decreased Zoloft to 150 mg daily - Not able to focus, Asked Family Physician if I had Alzheimers. He said no.
Started with slight aches and pains during the fall. I felt it could be from slowing down my exercise. I also have Sleep Apnea. Drs. went back and forth saying my issues were the other Drs. expertise. Pain started to increase. Difficult walking a flight of stairs. Now saying this is due to lack of sleep. Oct. 13, 2013 Blood tests revealed extremely low iron and several sizes in my red blood cells. I was not aware of this until 12-13-2013 at which time I was prescribed 50 - 150 mg of TRAZADONE. I started to sleep much better. However the pains are greatly intensified. Jan. 22, 2014 I saw a Hematologist/Oncologist he ordered more blood tests, Again very low iron, and red blood cells of various sizes. Started 325 mg of Iron 3 times a day on 2/4/2014. Both my Family Physician and Hematologist say that I am bleeding internally. I am scheduled for a consult with a GI physician for a Colonoscopy, EDG, and a GYN Physician on 2/24/2014. Knowing I will complete the appropriate tests in the near future. A friend introduced me to this Web Site. I have read the interactions of the 3 antidepressants from your site. And of course I became quite concerned as these 3 drugs combined received a red MAJOR! for their classification. I am in search of a new Psychiatrist right now.
My pain is continuous. Joints and muscles. Even lying down, you would think the pain would be less. The other day I was lying on a bed reading to a 3 yr. old and I had to move. My entire left side was in pain. Muscles and joints. My fingers feel arthritic.One finger on my left hand has started to get stuck in a curved position several times a day. In Nov. of 2013 I was told I had OsteoArthritis in both knees. No Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Due to the internal bleeding I have not taken any anti inflammatory meds.
You can see that I am trying to get a handle on this pain. I am thinking that this pain could be a result of taking the 3 antidepressants.
Any information you can share with me would be greatly appreciated. I am only 58 years young. :-) I am scheduled for a trip to Seattle, WA on this Friday to visit my daughter. I also have some headaches/dizziness but not all of the time. I don't know if the antidepressants need to be addressed immediately or can I wait until after 2/22/2014?
Thank you in advance for you help and attention!
Mary



Fri, 14 Feb 2014
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Sexologist 's  Response
Hello Mary
I think you have received inadequate trials of several medicines in inadequate doses for inadequate periods of time. First and foremost, Zoloft could have been raised to up to 300 mg for at least 12 weeks before concluding that it is totally or partially ineffective for you. Any ways. If I were to treat you, I would first evaluate your illness in great detail ,specially looking for comorbid conditions like ADHD or Fibromylgia. Depending on the symptom profile, family history and other illnesses, a drug would be selected and an adequate trial would be given . If not getting any response, I would try another medicine with different mechanism of action . Then augmentation strategies are worked out with drugs, psychotherapy or rTMS , Deep Brain Stimulation etc. It is a long and very scientific method of treating depressive disorder.
DR SAATIISH JHUNTRRAA
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What Are The Best Possible Treatments For Depression?

Hello Mary I think you have received inadequate trials of several medicines in inadequate doses for inadequate periods of time. First and foremost, Zoloft could have been raised to up to 300 mg for at least 12 weeks before concluding that it is totally or partially ineffective for you. Any ways. If I were to treat you, I would first evaluate your illness in great detail ,specially looking for comorbid conditions like ADHD or Fibromylgia. Depending on the symptom profile, family history and other illnesses, a drug would be selected and an adequate trial would be given . If not getting any response, I would try another medicine with different mechanism of action . Then augmentation strategies are worked out with drugs, psychotherapy or rTMS , Deep Brain Stimulation etc. It is a long and very scientific method of treating depressive disorder. DR SAATIISH JHUNTRRAA