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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy To Overcome Depression

I have had depression since my teens, I am now 51. I ve been on and off antidepressants since my last child was born almost 15 years ago. My mom died 1 yr ago,I lost my job and I m head of household for my husband w end stage liver disease and 2 teenage girls. I don t have much luck with antidepressants, prozac worked on 2 or 3 occasions for a yr or so ea time. Paxil made me nervous. I have a lot of anxiety over finances and worry about my sick husband and teenagers. I was on Ritalin a few months ago and it seemed to lift my mood but I lost my health ins and only had 2 months worth. I see my NP tomorrow. What should I ask for. I was thinking Ritalin again and maybe gabapentin for anxiety.
Thu, 23 Apr 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. You have depression since many years and have been on anti-depressants on-off since last 15 years. Prozac worked in your case, and the drug is a SSRI drug. You have history of improvement with Ritalin also. Ritalin is amphetamine drug and the drug can cause subjective lift of mood. The drug is basically not an antidepressant drug. The drug can cause symptomatic improvement but the drug cant treat depression.

So in my opinion you should consult your psychiatrist and discuss about any augmentation drug for your anti depressants. Along with Fluoxetine (Prozac) drugs like Lamotrigine, Bupropion etc can help to improve symptoms of resistant depression. Ritalin can help in improving day time activities and you can discuss about that drug also. Gabapentin and also Pregabalin is a useful drug for anxiety and will help to augment the actions of your anti-depressant drugs also. Please take your drugs regularly and as per prescription and you will improve in your mental health.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care
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Suggest Remedy To Overcome Depression

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. You have depression since many years and have been on anti-depressants on-off since last 15 years. Prozac worked in your case, and the drug is a SSRI drug. You have history of improvement with Ritalin also. Ritalin is amphetamine drug and the drug can cause subjective lift of mood. The drug is basically not an antidepressant drug. The drug can cause symptomatic improvement but the drug cant treat depression. So in my opinion you should consult your psychiatrist and discuss about any augmentation drug for your anti depressants. Along with Fluoxetine (Prozac) drugs like Lamotrigine, Bupropion etc can help to improve symptoms of resistant depression. Ritalin can help in improving day time activities and you can discuss about that drug also. Gabapentin and also Pregabalin is a useful drug for anxiety and will help to augment the actions of your anti-depressant drugs also. Please take your drugs regularly and as per prescription and you will improve in your mental health. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care