I'm not doing very well...

My heart goes out to you because I too know how debilitating depression can be. I have been on several medications myself for over 27 years. What has worked the best for me are the SSRIs (Zoloft originally and now Paxil). But even with them I still struggle occasionally.

I found a self-help CD set called "Up From Depression". One CD is a self-hypnotic version and the other is subliminal with ocean sounds and light music. I use them regularly. I bought a pillow speaker so that I don't bother my hubby, and put the hypnotic side on continuously play at night and fall asleep to it. I have the subliminal CD in the car and sometimes bring it into the office if I am having a particularly bad time.

My therapist told me about it back in the early 80's and the first one I had was on a cassette. They now have it downloadable for MP3 players as well. I found this "tool" when I was at my worst and I believe that it gave me just enough hope to not take the bridge (literally).

There is the link to the website if this is something you might consider.

http://www.thepotentialsunlimited.com/tape-depression.htm

I wish you peace and send along a hug in thought. Pam

Check your messages!

I only had PPD and that was very short but I will never forget that dark cloud I felt like I was being suffocated by. I wanted to send you cyber hugs and tell you I hope that you find your light at the end of the tunnel.

Hugs

I wish I knew the answer... I would share it with all of us. You are in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's hard to see someone we care about suffer so.

I have a friend that has clinical depression and she and her doctors are looking into something..... i wish I knew the medical name of it but it is some sort of implant they put in your brain that does stimulant, electrical currents, or something. I'm so sorry, I didn't listen closer, but it scared me when she told me about it. Maybe this is something you can look into.

VNS.  Vagal nerve stimulation.  They implant a thing, kind of like a pacemaker, under the skin in your chest, then there is a wire and an electrode that runs up your neck (under the skin) that stimulates the vagal nerve.  It was developed as a treatment for epilepsy and then they found that in some cases, it helps depression.  For some people, apparently, it helps a LOT.  But one study I found said something like only 50% experience relief from depression with VNS.  I've t hought about it but I don't think I want to undergo surgery that only has a 50% chance of working.  Surgery is risky.  Also, I don't think they've done long term studies about safety with VNS, at least not yet.

Yep, that's it.
I think it is a "last resort" kind of step for her. She insists it's not as bad as it sounds.
In any case, I sure do wish you all the best.
HUGS

I haven't totally ruled it out and maybe I will discuss it with my doctor.  Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds, I don't know.  It seems like a lot to go through with only a 50% chance of helping.  Of course, if it really did work, it would be totally worth going through it.  But I would not have had RNY if I thought there was only a 50% chance it would help me lose weight.  Those just don't seem like very good odds to me.

I think VNS is kind of a last resort for all that do it.  It's more invasive than psychotherapy or medication, and both those things have better success rates than 50%.

 I have an occipital nerve stimulator, which sounds similar.  Mine is for migraines.  It feels like a TENS unit going 24/7 in my skull.  (It's actually kind of cool.)  The battery is in my buttock.  It's rechargeable; the recharger works through the skin, so I basically sit on it to recharge.

It helps somewhat with the migraines.  The first year of my 4+ year migraine I rarely got out of bed.  Now I have some good days mixed in with the bad days.

Kelly, if there is any way in which I can help, please let me know.  I've been there, too, and it's a dark place.  I know there isn't much anyone can say to help, either.  Just know that if I can help, I will.

Gina :~)