I appologise in advance for the probably stupid sounding post.

I have been feeling really down for quite a while now (probably a year)
I told my doctor about this and he said that I wasn't depressed and I was just having a 'low period' in my life.

I was prescribed anti-depressants for undiagnosed vaginal pain about a year and a half ago as apparently one of the side effects was supposed to be pain reduction. (didn't work)


I'm sick of crying every night... I had an argument with someone on the board not 5 minutes ago and just burst into tears.

I am constantly arguing with my partner and I am just thankful that he is so understanding.

I lost my job 2 weeks ago and found out that I can't get government support which means we are going to have zero money after the house payments. (talk about stress)

I just can't even be bothered getting out of bed most days and when I do, I drag myself to the couch and that's where I stay. I don't want to go out and socialise.

I was wondering if I should take these tablets for actual depression. Or do I really not have it?

I just wanted people opinions/advice/anything?

I would definitely get a second opinion. If you are depressed, getting on medication takes compliance and monitoring and the doctor will want to see you for updates on your condition. People can have some strange reactions to anti depressants so I would really be wary of taking them without talking to another doctor who can diagnose you correctly and make sure you have the right medication and support you need.

Do not take those tablets. How old are they? You need a second opinion. Also only use prescriptions that are for a specific problem you had at the time. These pills are too old.

There is a lot of stress in your life. It is hard. People are losing there jobs everywhere, I am one of those that are taking care of a family and not having a paycheck.

I am wondering why you can not get government support. There has to be some program out there, some way to get support at this time.

Yes, it could be the start of depression but then again there are some medication side effects that can make depression worse. So there is a fine line and balance to follow.

Please first get a second opinion...

Joe

I'm sending you a big hug right now Shazzy. You certainly need one. *** HUG***

Right now you have the whole world on your shoulders and are under a lot of stress.

What sort of meds did the doctor prescribe for you? Some anti depressants can make you worse, some can make you better.

Anytime I would be super depressed (like you sound) I would take an old fashioned tranquilizer called Milltown. Generic name Meprobramate (not sure of the spelling). It is basically a medicine to make you calm and tranquil and calm down your nerves. The anti depressants I tried just make me nuts (to put it mildly) and I don't seem to be the type to be able to take them. I would fare much better with the old time rx of Milltown. It had few if zero side effects with me also. I am very sensitive to the newfangled meds of today. Milltown was back from the 1950's. Costs much less also. Generics even cheaper. I used it also when I had severe back pain. I'd take Milltown during the day and I was not bothered by my pain - yet it is not a pain pill.

Just a thought...

Another thought...

There is a vicious cycle when it comes to pain.

Pain causes depression.

Depression causes more pain.

And on and on the cycle goes until you somehow break it.

I know that was very true with me until I broke the cycle.

Thank you guys, (hugs twinkie back) I'm really sorry for having a bit of a mental dump on here...

I still have the prescription for a few refills that haven't been filled so the issue of age of the tablets is no problem

I will however not take them without seeing a different doctor. I know it sounded silly but I just thought that I had taken them before so why not again... I now realise this prpbably isn't the best way of thinking.

I can't remember the actual name, I will find the prescription... I just keep old prescriptions in our "drug box" which has painkillers and cold and flu tablets and such in it.

I'm not on any other medications other than Implanon but I only had that inserted 4 days ago and I have been feeling like this for a long time.. it just seems to have peaked in the past month or so...

Jesushelper... I feel for you, I really do, It's so hard. My partner works which is basically our saving grace but he only makes $550 a week... trhe bills come to $450 that leaves only $100 for petrol and food.

Together we are right on the cut off point for government benefits. I can do a course at TAFE (school) and I will get $200 a week to do it but I have to pay for a fair amount of the tuition myself upfront and I simply don't have the money (any ideas?)

I'm sorry Shazamataz! It sounds to me like you need another doctor. I've heard there are some antidepressants that also relieve pain so can't really fault the doc for trying one with you for the vaginal pain. But it didn't work you still got the pain and you are clearly depressed and doc says its just a `low period`?? OH MY GOSH! I'd be really upset!

I think depression can be diagnosed with a depressed mood lasting more than (blank) amount of weeks. I don't know how many weeks exactly you need to be feeling so blue before it is called depression but I am pretty sure its less than 52 weeks.

I think you really are depressed. I think you can feel better with the right help. I think your vaginal pain should also be taken more seriously and maybe you need a new doc for that too.

Good luck.

In MHO, it would be most unwise to take those pills, as they could potentially make you even more depressed! No I'm not lying. It's happened to me.

It seems that you are dealing with a lot, and may just need to go through some group thearopy, but it for the time being appears that you are depressed. One year is an awfully long time to be down in the dumps. My suggestion, as to get a referral to a Councellor, as they have a better understanding of a persons moods, and Phychiatric issues, than a "General" Practitioner. The counselor won't know as much about medications, but they will recognize psychological issues better. A psychologist or Psychiatrist would be ideal, but referals to them take months.

You sound like you have just burned out all your energy,and now there is nothing to replace it. You're emotions are becoming difficult to control, and seem quite excentric at times, no? I'm not diagnosing you, but I'd like a better idea of what is going on.

The reason being that, may recommend you demand a referral to the counselor and then to a psychologist. That way you know.

WARNING: Do not read about it, as you may start to spiral down into a deeper state of depression, thinking you are things you are not; because when you read things on disorders you start to think you have them all! But you don't, you have the normal tendencies. Many people do this and become very stressed, dressed, anxious, afraid, confused, angery, and much more.

Please do talk to some one else, and do not take those meds! Ask to see a nother doctor, and to see a counselor.

Some things that may help you, force yourself to go for a walk every day. No matter what. Be aware of your thinking and write a few things down like on a calender write every day: your mood (good or bad) Energy (high or Low) Sleep (good or bad the hours you get)
Cut back on coffine and sugary foods if you find you are anxious/having trouble sleeping.

Get out get some sun, or tan if you must.

Write some of your thoughts and feelings out, but no matter what, at the end of your writings always end with some positives! Or have two different books and write negative thoughts/feelings/actions first, then the good.

Pay close attention to what you are thinking, and if you notice certain things trigger your anger, fear, anxiety, stress, emotional instabilities, then try to maybe avoid it until you can learn to cope with it.

Try to keep busy, do what ever you can, even if it's just going for a walk.

Good luck

May peace and kindness be with you.

I realize you know it's a bad idea now, but I"ll go into some detail about medications and mood disorders and mental illness.

You may have taken those meds before, but your brain chemistry may have changed. So you may get different results this time from the last time.

For example: Lets say a perosn with Biploar (manic/depressive disorder) took some anti depressants. They may feel better, extreamly great and happy with increased energy and motivation; but, in reality their brain is producing extra serotonin because of the anti-depressant, and this in turn is their saviour and destructor.
So they come out of their depressive state and seem find for a while. Then they become aggitated, excited over little things, energenic, motivated, and all in all Happy. This is what happens when mania kicks in, the brain is producing the serotonin because of the meds, then the brain will over produce the serotonin. This is because of the mania. Mania is a euphoric expereince as it is, imagine if you just kicked it up a few more notches. Erratic behaviours would be very hard to control. but then...
The brain can no longer produce that manic "high", nor accomidate the meds demands for serotonin. You crash and become 100 times more depressed than when you started. Everything you ever loved and cared for becomes a shadow to you. Nothing is real nor of any consequence. You feel nothing for it though you know you love and care for it all. I s'pose you could call it like being a Ghost, or shadow just watching the world go on around you.

That is just one possible danger off taking medcations you don't understand. Personally I don't even really trust my general Practitioner when it comes to Psychiatric meds. I will let them reperscribe my meds if imy Psychiatrist has agreed I should be on something, but I won't let them just perscribe me something with out a Psychiatrist, or at the very least a psychologist opinion. Mental illness is far too touchy, and dnagerous to play games with.

Take care, and get better soon.

May peace and kindness be with you.

Thank you so much for caring guys :)

I won't answr you all individually because there is so much great information here.

I will contact a counselor,my partner got into one straight away (this was about 2 yeas ago) so I hopefully will be able to aswel.
I will see what they tell me :)

I haven't really read anything about depression other than on the forum so I'll stay clear of any "diagnosis" sites, thank you.

Started crying this morning before I even got out of bed because I tried to send a message on my phone and it failed.
I just feel so silly about crying when I 'pick up' a bit and feel better. It's a strange feeling.

Thank you again, everyone, I will keep you posted when I get an appointment :)

Thankyou so much for caring guys :)

I wont answr you all individually because there is so much great information here.

I will contact a councellor,my partner got into one straight away (this was about 2 yeas ago) so I hopefully will be able to aswel.
I will see what they tell me :)

I haven't really read anything about depression other than on the forum so I'll stay clear of any "diagnosis" sites, thankyou.

Started crying this morning before I even got out of bed becuase I tried to send a message on my phone and it failed.
I just feel so silly about crying when I 'pick up' a bit and feel better. It's a strange feeling.

Thankyou again, everyone, I wil keep you posted when I get an appointment :)

It's an emotional time, and your are being pulled in so many directions, but none of them up. You, keep yourself up and going, even though things are though.

You may disagree, that you are keeping yourself up, but don't for get that you are seeking help, you are taking the necessarry steps to get better and finding an answer. It may take time, that is for sure; but, in the end, "Time is not important, only life."- The 5th element.

May peace and kindness be with you.

P.S. Bemindful of the journaling. Be sure to end with some positive thoughts, or you may spiral down too deep and become more depressed. Try to write about good things that happened in the day too, not just the bad eh.

Thank you...
I was actually looking for a quote for my signature the other day and I ended up just reading pages and pages of inspirational quotes which really helped... I think I'll jot some down in the journal :)

I have some you may find interesting. They string together quite nicely.

"Believe nothing no matter where you read it, no matter who said it, no matter if I said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and common sense.

First rely on the spirit and meaning of the teachings not on the words.

Second rely on the teachings not on the personality of the teacher.

Third rely on real wisdom not superficial interpretation.

Fourth rely on the essence of your pure wisdom mind not on judgmental perceptions.

If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let one meal pass with out sharing it in some way.

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Neither fire nor wind, neither birth nor death can erase our good deeds.

You yourself, as much as any one in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.

There is no fire like greed, no crime like hatred, no sorrow like separation, no sickness like hunger of heart, and no joy like the joy of freedom.

Health and contentment are your greatest possessions, And freedom your greatest joy.

Look with in, be still, free from fear and attachment. Know the sweet joy of living in the way.

The thought manifest as the word, the word manifest as the deed, the deed develops into habit, and habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and it's ways with care, and let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt, doubt separates people, it is a poison that disintegrates friendships, and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts, it is a sword that kills.

The tongue like a sharp knife kills with out drawing blood. Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.

Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.
Everything is based on mind, is lead by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a polluted mind, suffering will follow you. As the wheels of the Ox cart follow the foot steps of the Ox. Everything is based on mind, is lead by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a pure mind, happiness will follow you, as a shadow clings to a form.

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

Hatred dose not cease through hatred any time, hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned.

What we think, we become. Fill your mind with compaction.

Pay no attention to the faults of others, things done or left undone by others. Consider only by what one's self is done or is left undone.

An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast. A wild beast may hurt your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. Avoid all hottie, conceded proud and arrogant minds. And remain peaceful and subdued.

Generate compassion for lowly beings, and especially avoid despising or humiliating them. Do not be jealous of the good qualities of others, but out of admiration adapt them for yourself. Do not look for faults in others, but look for faults in your self and perg them like bad blood. Since you can not tame the minds of others, until you have tamed your own, begin by taming your own mind. No one saves us but our selves, no one can and no one may. We our selves must walk the path.

Abandon wrong doing, it can be done. If there were no likely hood I would not ask you to do it. But since it is possible and since it brings blessing and happiness, I do ask of you, abandon wrong doing. Cultivate doing good, it can be done. If it brought deprivation and sorrow I would not ask you to do it.

We are what we think, all that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make our worlds.

All conditioned things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Try to accomplish your own salvation with diligence.

Do not believe in anything simply because you heard it, do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many, do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books, do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders, do not believe in traditions because they have bin handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."- Buddha

I find these help calm me down. Keep me mindful of thngs.

May peace and kindness be with you.

Peace and kindness be with you.