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18-09-2020 03:56 PM
18-09-2020 03:56 PM
Severe Treatment resistant Agitated Depressinon
Hi. I'm Zoe. I used to be a Registered Nurse. I grew up on a farm. I have 2 adult children and 3 beautiful Grandchildren.
Been married to a wonderful man for nearly 35 years. We have stuck together through thick and thin on both sides. I have been his carer since a severe episode of treatment resistant Agitated Depression about 16 years ago. It took 3 years then to get my Husband back: Over 100 ECT treatments, various medication changes due to ineffectiveness. Then they put him on a last resort, old fashioned antidepressant.
For the last 13 years he has been an extremely stable, very active man with a very dry sense of humour.
Last year there was a shortage of his medications, but I managed to maintain his supply by making many phonecalls and lots of running around. This year, in May, our Pharmacist notified us that his medication had been discontinued. Whilst we still had a small supply, I endeavoured to get him a Psychiatrist appointment for guidance in coming off the drug. By the time we saw her in Mid June, I had already reduced him down to 2 tablets a day, just to get him through to the appointment. After a further week on 1 tablet a day, he needed to have a 2 week washout, before commencing another antidepressant.
Within 36 hours of ceasing his Antidepressant, his symptoms started reappearing, and within 3 days he was admitted to hospital.
He returned home after 3 weeks, heavily dependent on an antianxiety drug to function in any way. This has been a nightmare of a rollercoaster ride. He has been back in the Older Persons Mental Health Unit for 2 weeks, and has commenced ECT treatment again. 😢
It has been devastating to see him go through this again! He only leaves his room to go to dining room at meal times. He is scared of the most basic things, like showering. He will only go for a walk outside with me or his son, and shakes constantly while we are out, always looking for danger. He is still having suicidal thoughts, as he doesn't think he can get through this again. He thinks they will lock him away.
I have to limit my visits to him to just over an hour, as it distresses me too much. I need to stay strong for him. I also ring him twice a day, but the conversations are very depressing.
If you read all this, thanks for listening. My big fear is that they won't find an effective medication for him to be able to return to normal life. X
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19-09-2020 02:48 PM
19-09-2020 02:48 PM
Re: Severe Treatment resistant Agitated Depressinon
hello and welcome to the forum @Zoe87
hugs and how are you today
my husband has had lots of different diagnosis , and has gone through lots of meds , still having lots of ups and downs
@Former-Member, @greenpea , @Determined
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19-09-2020 10:04 PM
19-09-2020 10:04 PM
Re: Severe Treatment resistant Agitated Depressinon
Very tired today after visiting my husband. It's so draining, but I can't even imagine what he is going through. I hope they find something to help your Husband. 💜
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21-09-2020 08:08 PM
21-09-2020 08:08 PM
Re: Severe Treatment resistant Agitated Depressinon
I'm so sorry to hear what is happening to you and you rr family, I too am in deep trouble with my partner tf and son both with mental issues
It's hard
One day at a time
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21-09-2020 11:53 PM
21-09-2020 11:53 PM
Re: Severe Treatment resistant Agitated Depressinon
Hi Zoe , my heart goes out to you xx As I read your story- I felt like I was reading ours. My husband (also of almost 35years!) has just returned to hospital - second time since August and begun a course of ect. In his fist admission, he was eased off his current drugs, clean for a week then began a new course- a very old drug. He seems to have best results with the older drugs. I don't think it had 'kicked in' and at home he deteriorated and all he wanted to do was die. They were very dark and hard days as we waited for a bed. It is a nightmare for him and a nightmare for me- for us all.
take care Zoe, look after you. I will be thinking of you each day as we journey along
JL3 xx
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22-09-2020 03:42 PM
22-09-2020 03:42 PM
Re: Severe Treatment resistant Agitated Depressinon
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01-10-2020 04:51 PM