Depression advice

[HashBrownHarry]

It's refreshing to see so much good advice from people on here.

[IvorBiggun2]

7 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

they’ve tried to prescribe me 3 medicines including an imported one costing 3000 baht

And those medicines were called? You claim to have 'mild depression'. A simple course of Sertraline would sort out your problem whether mild or severe. 3 months supply from a government hospital wouldn't cost more than 500 Baht. 3,000 Baht? You're havin a larf

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

And those medicines were called? You claim to have 'mild depression'. A simple course of Sertraline would sort out your problem whether mild or severe. 3 months supply from a government hospital wouldn't cost more than 500 Baht. 3,000 Baht? You're havin a larf

 

He has already tried SSRIs without result, which is probably why they presecribed something else. SSRIs do not work for everyone.

 

The cost of medication at a government hospital depends entirely on what the medication is. If an imported drug can easily be several thousand baht for a month:s supply ir even more.

 

I don:t think his depression is really that mild as he seems to feel compelled to drink heavily to cope with it.

 

I also don:t think depression is all it is, based on this report of becoming enraged and storming out of the hospital over as bill.

 

 

[Keyser Soze666]

26 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

He has already tried SSRIs without result, which is probably why they presecribed something else. SSRIs do not work for everyone.

 

The cost of medication at a government hospital depends entirely on what the medication is. If an imported drug can easily be several thousand baht for a month:s supply ir even more.

 

I don:t think his depression is really that mild as he seems to feel compelled to drink heavily to cope with it.

 

I also don:t think depression is all it is, based on this report of becoming enraged and storming out of the hospital over as bill.

 

 

Well so far you have recommended he visits a shrink and takes meds. What about anger management courses too?

 

It's fairly clear to me that he is just bored and frustrated with life, sitting around all day like a man in his 80's I'm not surprised either as I can fully relate to it, you just feel useless and that you are wasting your life. Drugs and shrinks aint gonna fix that, believe me. It's down to him to try to make a whole new way of life for himself., which is easier said than done of course. 

[IvorBiggun2]

45 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

He has already tried SSRIs without result

Christ he only tried them for 6 weeks. Of course they didn't work for him. He didn't give them enough time to kick in.

 

Quote

stopped using them after 6 weeks 

^

Quote from the OP.

 

Quote

But people typically start noticing positive changes after about 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. It can take several months to feel the full effect of the medication. But if you're not feeling any improvements after about 6 to 8 weeks, talk to your doctor about trying another treatment or adjusting your dosage.

As I stated in another post they would have started on a low dose first to alleviate any side effects he may get. If none or little and his depression didn't seem to get better they'd have increased the dosage first before trying  a different tablet. The OP did not give his initial medication time to work. Full stop. Get back on the meds They work. It's just a case of which one suits you. 20 odd years of taking ssri's is my claim to know what I'm talking about.

[cyril sneer]

12 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

And those medicines were called? You claim to have 'mild depression'. A simple course of Sertraline would sort out your problem whether mild or severe. 3 months supply from a government hospital wouldn't cost more than 500 Baht. 3,000 Baht? You're havin a larf

I was told the name but as it's one i've never heard of I can't remember it, I was also told it wasn't an SSRI when I asked - as Sheryl pointed out it's probably a new drug

 

I would have liked the chance to try an SSRI again without mixed with alcohol and for a longer period of time, or even an SNRI (as this is apparently what's in tramadol, which is the only thing that helps to date)

[theonetrueaussie]

low estrogen causes depression, alcohol consumption increases conversion of testosterone to estrogen hence it makes you feel better. Alcohol was most likely masking a much much bigger problem that you have and it would be worth getting blood tests done now while you are not drinking to find out what is going on with your body.

[IvorBiggun2]

Never been offered Tramadol as a depression medication. As for drinking beer whilst on antidepressants in the UK my psychiatrist said it was okay, but in moderation. Maximum here for me is 4 Leo and only in the evenings. It relaxes me.

Edited May 29, 2020 by IvorBiggun2

[Asquith Production]

While in shutdown I have started an online group with the LINE app. I am now in contact with many of my family I lost contact with.They live in UK, Canada and Australia so I am able to talk at different times of the day with different people and in the evening nearly everybody can join in. We are having a good laugh over old stories. Good to catch up.

Edited May 29, 2020 by Asquith Production
add text

[RBOP]

Get a therapy pet like a guppy or hamster. But remember hamsters only live a couple years, less for the guppy. 

[Bender Rodriguez]

On 5/27/2020 at 7:28 AM, cyril sneer said:

I would like to go down the medical route initially but in the past have tried both SSRIs/SNRIs and have felt literally nothing off them so stopped using them

do a 23andme dna test, cheap, 99 - 199$ and later you can find out with your dna, that you have to input into other analyze sites (thank you FDA to forbid the free included service) and see what medicine will NOT WORK good for your dna variants (called SNP)...

 

all these medications are methylated (converted, metabolised) in your liver & other organs...

 

[NCC1701A]

this you already know and it is not easy to stop. 

 

https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/alcohol-and-depresssion#1 

 

try to change your diet for the rest of your life. 

 

https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/therese-borchard-sanity-break/foods-eat-every-day-beat-depression/

 

find a place to live that has a view with a big window. even a city view will get you outside your head. 

 

exercise. anything. walking. jumping jacks. all free. you don't need equipment.   

 

its not hard to find a friend in Thailand and if you tell them right up front about your issues they can help you get out and walk. and talking with someone who is not depressed will help you get going. just walking around a market with a friend beats sitting at home.      

 

stay out of bars. they are some of the most depressing place. 

 

stay off the internet. don't read the news. listen to music.    

 

make plans for the future. travel. hobbies. start visualizing what you could be doing.   

 

good luck.

 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

26 minutes ago, RBOP said:

Get a therapy pet like a guppy or hamster. But remember hamsters only live a couple years, less for the guppy. 

How is a guppy therapy? it's a fish right?

[robbioff]

On 5/27/2020 at 11:45 AM, cyril sneer said:

There is literally nowhere to walk to apart from the mama papa store 1-minute away

 

Everywhere else requires transport which I don’t have until 7pm each evening

 

I can’t even go to a restaurant or buy food to cook (unless its eggs and mama noodles from the local shop)

 

My partner has just managed to take tomorrow off work and take me to a specialist in the city tomorrow morning, so I’ll see what they say then..

Have you thought about buying a bicycle?

[Keyser Soze666]

What is this modern day obsession of throwing drugs at the problem?? It's <deleted> ludricous. I blame social media.

 

The OP just needs to get himself a life, failing that a DOG.

[mserror]

Keep busy. Watch TV, cleaning, walking, cooking, anything that requires some effort.

 

The worst thing is to stay in bed and think about whatever. Sometimes friends and family do not realise this and make the situation worse by enabling one to stay in bed (and stay sick).

[Lacessit]

16 hours ago, HashBrownHarry said:

It's refreshing to see so much good advice from people on here.

I'm waiting eagerly for what yours will be.

[HashBrownHarry]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I'm waiting eagerly for what yours will be.

If i had any i'd have given it obviously, don't be the one to turn this thread into a mess, why are you trying to get into a slagging match?

[Keyser Soze666]

41 minutes ago, mserror said:

 

 

The worst thing is to stay in bed and think about whatever. 

Don't think anyone would disagree with that. Staying in bed is a big no no, you always feel better when up...and showered!

[norfolkandchance]

2 hours ago, RBOP said:

Get a therapy pet like a guppy or hamster. But remember hamsters only live a couple years, less for the guppy. 

Hamsters didn’t last that long with Freddie Starr around.

[Dap]

On 5/27/2020 at 10:59 AM, orchis said:

I would be very wary of Thai psychiatrists esp. in government hospitals, and I speak from extensive personal experience (1997-2011), as they tend to be pill pushers, trying to solve problems by increasing doses and substituting one med for another or prescribing combinations that are contra-indicated. Trial and many errors all the way. There are very few good psychiatrists in Thailand, most based in Bangkok, and no psychopharmacologists.  Since 2011 I stopped taking antidepressants; the accumulation of drugs and side-effects outweighed the benefits and I have been more than fine. (note that this is not advise to anyone to stop their meds). 

Absolutely Spot-On advice 

[Keyser Soze666]

1 hour ago, HashBrownHarry said:

If i had any i'd have given it obviously, don't be the one to turn this thread into a mess, why are you trying to get into a slagging match?

I think he thought you were being sarcastic?

[cyril sneer]

1 hour ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

Sounds amazing, really.

 

The OP is not depressed, he is just bored. People thrown around the 'depressed' line way too easy these days. I blame social media.

There has 100% been change in my happiness the past couple of weeks without changing any of my habits or the things I do to keep myself occupied, why would I suddenly become bored with whats previously made me happy.

 

I feel the worst waking up before i've even had time to think about anything or do any kind of activity. Also the depression isn't triggered by any particular thoughts. 

 

It's comparable to waking up with raised anxiety levels due to heavy drinking.

 

This should have been a quit drinking thread actually, as I see it as the main cause.

 

The main reason for the thread was to find a way out of the cycle of drinking, preferably with short-term medication, then once out of the cycle, the medication wouldn't no longer be needed.

[Keyser Soze666]

2 minutes ago, cyril sneer said:

There has 100% been change in my happiness the past couple of weeks without changing any of my habits or the things I do to keep myself occupied, why would I suddenly become bored with whats previously made me happy.

 

I feel the worst waking up before i've even had time to think about anything or do any kind of activity. Also the depression isn't triggered by any particular thoughts. 

 

It's comparable to waking up with raised anxiety levels due to heavy drinking.

 

This should have been a quit drinking thread actually, as I see it as the main cause.

 

The main reason for the thread was to find a way out of the cycle of drinking, preferably with short-term medication, then once out of the cycle, the medication wouldn't no longer be needed.

Because you reached a tipping point. Once you go back to work or whatever you will feel a lot better.

 

Just stop drinking, don't say you can't, 'coz you can. As for meds, you said you stormed out the hospital as the bill was 3k? if you were that desperate you would have paid it?

 

Fwiw, I feel the same as you when I wake up and a lot during the day, but I know the only person that can fix it is me, not meds, a shrink or strangers on an internet forum. 

 

You have had plenty of advice on here to get you out of your rut, maybe you should try some of it if instead of just ignoring it, if you think this may help?

 

[AgMech Cowboy]

On 5/27/2020 at 7:28 AM, cyril sneer said:

I have no energy or motivation to start doing it again...

I know what you mean. I'm in the forced retirement group. It really sucks. I've zero motivation. I'm just happy I quit drinking (mostly... I haven't sworn off. I just haven't had a drink since sometime last year) and don't smoke (anything)(anymore ????). Life goes on. I hope we find a cure.

[Keyser Soze666]

7 minutes ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

I know what you mean. I'm in the forced retirement group. It really sucks. I've zero motivation. I'm just happy I quit drinking (mostly... I haven't sworn off. I just haven't had a drink since sometime last year) and don't smoke (anything)(anymore ????). Life goes on. I hope we find a cure.

I've never understood the 'I quit drinking' line meant as a positive (alcoholics aside) What is possibly wrong with going out and having a few beers/wines with friends etc, surely it's one of life's pleasures, no?? I find it all very strange. Can you not trust yourself just to have a few beers or glasses of wine?

 

The only people i've ever met who totally stopped drinking are alcoholics or extremely dull people with no friends. 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Keyser Soze666

[cyril sneer]

11 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

You have had plenty of advice on here to get you out of your rut, maybe you should try some of it if instead of just ignoring it, if you think this may help?

 

why makes you think I am ignoring it?

[Tony125]

Study: Staying Active Amid Pandemic Can Help Manage Depression and Anxiety

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/mentalhealth/study-staying-active-amid-pandemic-can-help-manage-depression-and-anxiety/ar-BB14J58k?li=BBnb7Kz

[Keyser Soze666]

32 minutes ago, Tony125 said:

Study: Staying Active Amid Pandemic Can Help Manage Depression and Anxiety

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/mentalhealth/study-staying-active-amid-pandemic-can-help-manage-depression-and-anxiety/ar-BB14J58k?li=BBnb7Kz

You needed a study to tell you that lol

[rumak]

On 5/28/2020 at 10:51 AM, cyril sneer said:

So just spent 3 hours at a government specialist where they’ve tried to prescribe me 3 medicines including an imported one costing 3000 baht

 

Stormed out without paying. I expect this at private but not <deleted> government, disgrace. 
 

time to hit the booze 

I would definitely not be happy in your situation.  And looking at many of the farangs i see here i would not be happy in their situations.   Either they have a "partner" who they do not seem (to me) to be happy with.  Or they have little to do to occupy themselves .  ( those are the 2 biggies, and there are of course some others). 

All the advice in the world seems to help in a VERY few cases,  because it finally comes down to only a very few seem strong enough to make changes.   I have had a few partners,  and moved many times.  The reason ?   Not because i had to,  but because i did not want to spend my one life living with someone or in a place that I was not longer happy with.

So my "advice" is always the one that nobody wants to hear:   Make a change !

In your case i don't know if you and your partner are a real match,  but it is obvious that you

have chosen the wrong place to live.    Unless you are a recluse who needs nothing other than your four walls (which you say make you depressed)....... then MOVE. 

Sure,  easy for me to say.  but there it is.   And for the record,  I am 100 % against taking medicines for depression.