Advice Needed please.

[60NDorsetM]

Hi All

I am a 60 year old male, have been suffering , anxiety and depression most of my life. After a very bad bout of depression in 97, I was put on paroxetine this
seemed to help me for many years although there were some bad times.

2 years ago I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, after having the cancer
removed I felt better and returned to work. Then the depression hit and hit
hard. Firstly the Dr double the dose of paroxetine , this had no affect at all
I found it hard to work or enjoy anything I had done before, and sleeping was
so bad I moved into the spare room.

I was told by the doctor that I was on the paroxetine for such a long time it may not be working any more. After many weeks weaning myself off , I was
then able to start 10mg of Citalopram , I gave this 6 weeks but the depression didn't lift, this was then increased to 20 mg I have now been taking these for 6 months.

After yet another bad few weeks, the Dr then gave me propranolol , this 10 mg 3 times a day. 2 months ago after not sleeping for more than a week
for a few hours and not eating losing weight fast, I was the given 15mg
Mirtazapine to take at night for sleep. This seemed to work well but for only a couple of weeks. I have now been taking these for 2 months.

I have again not been sleeping , not eating very much at all , and have no
interest in anything. So my questions are, Am I taking to much? , is my
dosage to low ?, should I give up on the Citalopram and ask for something new?.

Would love to hear anyone with some advice.

Geoff

[Sunnydelight]

Best advice to give I think is go back to your dr have the offered any form of therapy ?

[60NDorsetM]

Hello Sunnydelight

Thanks for reply and advice, have called Dr this morning. They are taking me off
the citalopram and increasing the Mirtazapine to 30mg also will be putting me
in touch with therapy. Just hope it works . Nice to talk to someone , hope your doing
ok.

Geoff

[pulisa]

Hello Geoff and welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry you are having such a distressing time-you sound as if you are severely depressed. I was wondering whether you have to rely on your GP for medication or whether you have considered asking to see a psychiatrist to give you a more specialised opinion on meds?

It is very hard to keep going when you feel so bad and when you don't even get any respite through sleep. We all understand what you are going through so please keep posting if it helps and we will try to support you as best we can.

[KK77]

Hello Sunnydelight

Thanks for reply and advice, have called Dr this morning. They are taking me off
the citalopram and increasing the Mirtazapine to 30mg also will be putting me
in touch with therapy. Just hope it works . Nice to talk to someone , hope your doing
ok.

Geoff

Could be that SSRIs were no longer helping and increased Mirtazapine will turn things around for you. Talking therapy should help long-term but you still need a helping hand in the meantime. Hope higher dose Mirtazapine does the trick.

[60NDorsetM]

Many thanks for replies and advice. I have spoken to Dr she has suggested that the
Citalopram is doing nothing and I should taper down and then stop these as I am having
trouble with the side affects.
I am also seeing a therapist next week, so will be hoping for so light at the end of this
long dark tunnel.

Geoff

[pulisa]

Having contact with the therapist will help you feel less isolated and alone. It can be a tricky process finding the right med to suit you but often a combination of therapeutic meds and talking therapy can bring some respite and hope and a glimmer of light in that long dark tunnel.

I'm sure that having the stress of kidney cancer and all this involved will have taken its toll on your mental health. I'm glad you don't have to wait long to see the therapist and I really hope that you find some relief in being able to talk about your issues with someone who can help you.