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I Ve Had Depression For 40 Years And Now Nothing
Question: I've had depression for 40 years and now nothing is working. I ache, my thinking is slow, and this is debilitating. I've been on quite a few meds over the years, the most effective being nardil and effexor. What do I need to do now? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Although I have the limited information available regarding your problem I feel changing duloxetine may help you. Duloxetine is an antidepressant from the SNRI group (same group as effexor) which has better profile in pain symptoms. The dose is 30-120 mg per day depending on the response. In addition to pain symptoms of depression at also works in pain symptoms arising from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). Since it is antidepressant it also causes posstive effects on neuroplasticity and clears the thinking process to atleast some extent.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
Although I have the limited information available regarding your problem I feel changing duloxetine may help you. Duloxetine is an antidepressant from the SNRI group (same group as effexor) which has better profile in pain symptoms. The dose is 30-120 mg per day depending on the response. In addition to pain symptoms of depression at also works in pain symptoms arising from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). Since it is antidepressant it also causes posstive effects on neuroplasticity and clears the thinking process to atleast some extent.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. XXXXXXX I read online that duloxetine is really no better than any other SSRI meds and was not proven ahead of others. I'm just telling you what I've read. I've been on this long ago and have no pain or neurpathy. Do you still recommend this instead of any others? And will it help my slow thinking? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and putting your thoughts in very clear manner.
If you ask me which antidepressant is better definitely there is no difference as every antidepressant have their advantages and disadvantages. Even if you see the highest level of research available it concluded that no antidepressant is superior to each other.
Having said this the choice of antidepressant is made depending on the patient profile. As stated above Duloxetine have better profile in pain symptoms and that is the reason for recommendation.
Regarding slowed thinking I do believe that partially treated or unresponsive depression is cause for slowed thinking. Provided duloxetine works for depression, it will also work for slowed thinking.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up and putting your thoughts in very clear manner.
If you ask me which antidepressant is better definitely there is no difference as every antidepressant have their advantages and disadvantages. Even if you see the highest level of research available it concluded that no antidepressant is superior to each other.
Having said this the choice of antidepressant is made depending on the patient profile. As stated above Duloxetine have better profile in pain symptoms and that is the reason for recommendation.
Regarding slowed thinking I do believe that partially treated or unresponsive depression is cause for slowed thinking. Provided duloxetine works for depression, it will also work for slowed thinking.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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