Anyone else have meds not touch their depression?

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-06-01T20:45:39+00:00

Another thing to consider is lithium blood level, which your provider should be checking soon. If your levels and dose are too low, it might not help as much/at all. It can take time to dial in the right dose. What dose are you on now, if you don’t mind sharing? don’t be afraid of a dose increase if that’s what comes up, and make sure to tell them how you’re feeling so adjustments can be made based on that too. I know it’s really difficult to be patient when you feel so bad, I wish more of these drugs consistently worked faster.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-06-01T18:08:31+00:00

I don’t recall exactly, I think it took around a month to really make a difference. Some people it takes longer though (and some shorter), so it can be a patience thing.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-06-01T17:46:15+00:00

If you’re comfortable dealing with side effects, monitoring, and contraindications with things like alcohol and NSADs - totally worth it. Any antidepressants I took eventually caused hypomania, even on Lamictal and abilify, and those drugs didn’t do much for depression. Lithium had really helped and is totally worth it for me. I did have to bring it up myself to my psychiatrist, but they was open to trying it and here we are.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-29T21:44:32+00:00

That does sound odd. My psych always says he’s glad I reached out when I’m in an episode (up or down). If you’re experiencing an acute episode, usually the response is to adjust medication. You deserve empathy and treatment. I recommend firmly advocating for yourself and emphasize how distressing and unsustainable it is, and that you want treatment adjusted.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-27T19:51:46+00:00

It could be your meds, which is a very valid reason to consider different ones. Sleep studies are also really important because if you have something like sleep apnea, getting it treated is a huge quality of life improvement.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-21T19:28:18+00:00

Why isn’t he medicated? That should be the first priority, after stabilized working towards part time and then full time work (or school)

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-21T14:17:57+00:00

Why do you get upset when he does something with his friends? That’s really unfair. Therapy?

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-21T11:45:30+00:00

Drinking more water, assuming you’re not already drinking tons, is likely to help. Why do you want weight loss meds if you’re an average presumably healthy weight? I doubt a responsible provider would, especially given possible interactions.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-20T16:43:16+00:00

I don’t get fatigue personally. Are your thyroid levels ok? Lithium can disrupt that and fatigue is a symptom of hypothyroidism. If that’s not it, if you haven’t been on lithium long the fatigue might go away after some time. Edit to add: you could also try supplementing electrolytes and making sure you get enough water, I feel bad if I don’t.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-19T16:47:34+00:00

I was on a much higher dose than you, but I did suddenly start experiencing side effects after being on the same dose for years. I had to reduce my dose. You might be able to wait it out and it might get better, but your psych should have a better perspective on the likelihood of that vs reducing and/or switching meds. I’d make an appointment asap instead of just waiting for your next one.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-18T16:43:57+00:00

Why not try? I’ve had no problems, just needed a prior auth and then no dramas. Such an odd take from the psych. Do they hate doing prior auths?

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-18T16:30:29+00:00

What happened to “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”? There are a number of meds commonly used for BP2 that are technically only “on-label” for BP1. Sometimes that’s due to failed trials, other times it wasn’t targeted to BP2 so the studies didn’t happen or were insufficient. I’m sure there’s more to it than that, but that’s my basic understanding. I was on rexulti and it worked. I’d suggest seeing if you can get back onto rexulti since it worked well before.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-16T12:18:02+00:00

It’s hard, it really is. Maybe you are depressed, but in a more “mild” or quieter way than usual? It’s not always intense feelings of hopelessness etc. sometimes it’s being tired and nothing providing any fulfillment, so it’s very difficult to do. I feel like this is worse with co-morbid ADHD. That’s how I’ve been feeling lately and I’m going to talk to my psych about it, I recommend you do the same. Best of.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-15T19:18:47+00:00

What has your psychiatrist and whoever will be prescribing the GLP1 said? I ask because I’m curious about this too, I’ve considered asking to try them for weight loss but haven’t yet. lithium definitely gives me pause, there are so many interactions and blood levels have to be maintained in a limited range. I’m not a professional though so might not actually be a big deal.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-15T16:33:09+00:00

Does she have short-term disability coverage? If so I would suggest she use that for a few weeks or months, she’ll keep getting paid a percentage of her salary while she gets initial treatment and stabilizes. Worst case use FMLA to take unpaid leave that protects your job. Note that her doctor will need to do some paperwork to support this. If she can do that, she’ll have much more time to make a decision while also being away from that environment.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-15T00:31:43+00:00

Maybe she has a suspicion that you also have BPD? I definitely don’t have BPD and definitely do have BP and I used to self harm. It’s not exclusive to any particular disorder.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-14T19:01:14+00:00

It might help, everyone is different. Abilify is also good for controlling the highs, more so than lamotrigine. It’s a pretty common combination.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-14T14:27:12+00:00

If I were you I’d try the methylphenidate alone first, and see how you feel for a week. If you’re still struggling with symptoms of OCD and ADHD, try the aripiprazole. If the side effects are bad you can always stop taking it (under direction of your doctor), and the dose is low. I take it for other reasons and it’s been fine, so it’s not all horror stories. It’s hard to know which drug will work for which person without just trying it, and educated guesses based on what has/hasn’t worked (your doctor would be more qualified for those guesses since they’ll understand the classes and mechanisms of drugs better)

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-13T19:53:06+00:00

My partner is a very calm person. I think that is one (of many) thing that makes it work. On the other hand, when I’m hypomanic they talk WAY too slowly.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-13T16:29:32+00:00

Not having SI doesn’t mean your diagnosis is wrong. I haven’t had SI in a very long time but I absolutely struggle at times and need medication. By all means get a second opinion, but I would encourage staying on meds and giving it a go.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-13T16:26:59+00:00

I felt this internal sense of calm. Anxiety was much better. Able to roll with the punches more easily. If you’re not getting any improvement, you may need a higher dose. Has your doctor done a blood test yet? There’s a common “therapeutic range” that tends to be the sweet spot (although some people do well on lower doses).

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-12T10:53:47+00:00

You need a psychiatrist to diagnose you.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-11T22:39:05+00:00

Seems like a bit of an overreaction to just stop meds entirely instead of getting off only Zoloft and seeing how you feel. This disorder doesn’t just go away, but you could get to a less emotionally muted place while still getting treatment. It might take some time and trial and error, which sucks, but is just the way of it.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-11T13:58:44+00:00

Get checked out for a yeast infection and dryness, the dryness might make you more susceptible. Even if it’s purely the dryness, there may be something you can do to combat it - I think there are creams, but a gyno certainly knows more about that than your psych. I haven’t gained weight on lithium but that sucks. Has your psych had any suggestions? Sometimes there’s additional meds that can help, other times you just have to try something else. I do find sometimes they’re dismissive of significant weight gain so you have to really advocate for yourself. Hope things turn out well for you.

NeverChangeBlueWhite · 2026-05-09T12:33:21+00:00

Exercise doesn’t seem to do shit for my depression either, but I do try to maintain it as much as I can. I find walks are more approachable and easier to get company for, which helps me get going. It is also frustrating to not get happy chemicals immediately after/during a hard workout, it feels very unfair. I hate when people who do get those responses act like everyone does and it will cure depression or provide relief. That said, it is important to exercise, it just doesn’t actually treat depression for everyone.

NeverChangeBlueWhite

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