Krow

Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I have had bouts of depression for a majority of my life, though I've usually forgone treatment. Occasionally, I do actually take medication for it, or speak with a professional. But usually, I just try to live with it.

Treatments

Effexor Not Working

I used this for a while but stopped. Not only was it not working, but I couldn't stand the sexual side effects of it.

Elavil Not Working

I had taken this for a few years at several doses. It was like a sugar pill.

Paxil Not Working

I had heard good things of this but never received any benefit.

Support from Friends & Family Not Working

I've never been able to include those around me with the depression I've felt. It has always seemed to me that if I did, it would change our relationship.

Trazodone Not Working

This was a disaster. I was not able to go on any type of regimen because I had an allergic reaction. My blood pressure bottomed out.

Wellbutrin Not Working

I attempted to take this, not for depression but to try to quit smoking. I had an allergic reaction giving me hives on like 75% of my body. It wasn't a pleasant experience.

Writing Not Working

I attempted to do this in lieu of institutional treatment. It didn't work because I didn't feel comfortable having my thoughts on paper where my friends and family could find it. Well, that and the fact that I've never been able to stick with any task.

Open Insomnia

My insomnia became a real problem starting in 2000 following a car accident. Though, I'd had a very hard time keeping any type of normal sleeping schedule going all the way back to 1989..or even earlier. Now, it's to the point where I just don't sleep without medication, period. I'd get like 1-2 hours. As it is right now, with Ambien, Gabapentin, Methadone, and Benedryll. Still, I get like 5 hours of sleep at the most. I get hallucinations and then blackouts before sleeping now.

Treatments

Ambien Working / Worked

It does help to keep me asleep longer, relatively speaking. However, the hallucinations aren't good - though they may be partially blamed on the other medications I take as well.

Counting Sheep Not Working

One of the more ridiculous concepts. I hope it actually helps someone.

Lunesta Not Working

The perceived weakest of all of these. It did nothing. I did like the commercials though.

Music Somewhat Helpful

Music can sometimes relieve the tinnitus enough ...and can help me take my mind off of my social and personal problems enough to sleep a little. Good distraction.

Pamelor Not Working

Very weak. Wasn't worth the time or money.

Reading Not Working

I love to read too much. So, this was rather counter-productive. I'd spend like 5 hours reading before attempting to sleep as a real attempt.

Rozerem Not Working

It didn't seem to work. I felt it was too weak.

Sonata Not Working

It seemed very, very weak. I don't feel it helped at all.

Trazodone Not Working

My blood pressure bottomed out on this med. I had to be taken to the hospital to take care of the allergic reaction.

Benadryl Working / Worked

One of the most helpful sleeping medications on the shielf. This works better than many of the prescriptions ones for me.

Open Kidney Stones

I was told that I likely had kidney stones just before I went through a surgery - a little over a year ago. But, the doctor "put it on the back burner", as he said. I've recently gone to a new doctor asking for a diagnosis. It was proven that I do have them, between 1-3mm. Not too big. I've passed 4 or 5 of them without any problem. I'm joining to try to learn more about kidney stones and what everyone else has gone through.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Too Soon to Tell

Since my doctor didn't do anything or give me any info about kidney stones, I read up and stopped drinking coffee, believing that to be my problem. After about 5 months of going without coffee, I had to start drinking it again or risk going crazy. I love coffee - and I'm not ashamed to admit it!

Open Loneliness

I don't know if this is the right support group for what I'm feeling. I feel lonely. But, most of the time that I'm with people, I still feel isolated and that I don't belong there.

Open Syringomyelia

I have an Arnold-Chiari Malformation which caused this Syrinx to occur. I refuse to have a surgery done because I don't feel the benefits outweigh the risks. If you'd like to discuss this, let me know. But I will not have this surgery until it is clear that it is absolutely necessary.

Open Tinnitus

I have had tinnitus for as long as I can remember - at least to early teen years. No doctor I have ever had has attempted to treat it. They either don't ask or disregard my statements about it.

Treatments

Neurontin Not Working

I've been on Nuerontin for several years. Even at maximum dosage sustained for a couple of years, it did not help.

White Noise Not Working

I have attempted to use "white noise" but it has never worked.

Open TMJ

I broke my jaw and damaged the jaw joints in 1990. I've had very bad jaw pain since then with no real relief other than a stronger pain somewhere else on my body. In addition to the pain, my jaw clicks, pops and locks.

Treatments

Mouthguard Not Working

While this did stop me from grinding my teeth or biting down in my sleep, it caused the same amount of pain from pulling my jaw forward.

Open Migraine Headaches

I've had migraine headaches since a car accident in 2000. The headaches are likely being caused by the Chiari Malformation. They have increased dramatically after a recent surgery.

Treatments

Caffeine Working / Worked

I love coffee and it helps get rid of headaches. But, I have to stop drinking it because it's interfering with my treatment of kidney stones and because it causes acid reflux for me giving me a sore throat.

Excedrin Working / Worked

It worked a to a small extent sometimes.

Maxalt Working / Worked

This seemed to work a little. But not as much as I'd hoped.

Naproxen Not Working

Doesn't work

Tylenol Not Working

Too weak. This wouldn't work to cure anything.

Open Self-Injury

I have not injured myself in 9 years. Recently, all of the things that kept me from doing it before have left the playing field. I have my tools out and sharpened. And I don't have much will to speak of.

Treatments

Group Therapy Not Working

Had this after lock up....didn't work

Outpatient Treatment Program Working / Worked

I was discharged from it within 4 minutes.

Psychotherapy Not Working

one doctor was hitting on me....he's in jail for it. Other doctors said I didn't have a problem.

Red Marker Not Working

All this did was give me a stencil by which to cut.

Rubber Bands Not Working

never, ever worked

Squeezing Ice Not Working

not quite the cut I'm looking for

Talking Not Working

If they didn't know what drove me here...they sure as hell can't drive me out.

Tattoos Working / Worked

I love ink. It helps so much with cravings. Let alone the bonus ink...and it covers your past scars.

Open Anxiety