Antidepressants - do you take them

Wishful

Registered User
Nov 28, 2014
78
0
Background. DH has Lewy Body disease and is quite a handful especially at night. Last night, or should I say the earlier hours of this morning, because I wouldn't do whatever he wanted he was banging his fist on the bannister. This went on for half hour approx. He only stopped because he got cold and I managed to get him back to bed.

I don't currently take antidepressants, have tried a couple of times and not felt any different. I'm at breaking point and don't think I can cope for much longer. When I'm on my own I just sit and cry. Today I haven't even bothered to get dressed. I'm shouting at him, I know it's wrong, I know he can't help it and I feel dreadful after but just can't stop myself.

We do have a carer to help put him to bed but he quite often goes before they get here and the gets up when they've gone so I have to do it all again. He just doesn't understand that, as I have arthritis, I'm in constant pain.

Sorry it's such a long post but has anyone found antidepressants actually work.
 

Szaitisja

Registered User
Jul 28, 2018
146
0
Hertfordshire
Hi. I am sorry to hear you are feeling unwell and that you are struggling so much.

I've been having problems with depression on and off for 18 years now and I have been on antidepressants several times in the process when things got unmanagable. They do take a little while (2-3 weeks) to kick in and start working so you can actually feel the difference, but from my personal experience they have been a good thing and worked at least to help be get a bit more even at very bad times.
 

Manc70

Registered User
May 30, 2018
119
0
S. Yorkshire
Background. DH has Lewy Body disease and is quite a handful especially at night. Last night, or should I say the earlier hours of this morning, because I wouldn't do whatever he wanted he was banging his fist on the bannister. This went on for half hour approx. He only stopped because he got cold and I managed to get him back to bed.

I don't currently take antidepressants, have tried a couple of times and not felt any different. I'm at breaking point and don't think I can cope for much longer. When I'm on my own I just sit and cry. Today I haven't even bothered to get dressed. I'm shouting at him, I know it's wrong, I know he can't help it and I feel dreadful after but just can't stop myself.

We do have a carer to help put him to bed but he quite often goes before they get here and the gets up when they've gone so I have to do it all again. He just doesn't understand that, as I have arthritis, I'm in constant pain.

Sorry it's such a long post but has anyone found antidepressants actually work.
Hi, I’m probably not going to be much help but just had to acknowledge your post. I’m so sorry you’re having such a hard time. My OH was finally diagnosed earlier this year with Alzheimer’s and Lewy Bodies was mentioned but not confirmed, not sure how they do that, maybe behaviour as we go along, the neurologist sees him again early next year.
With regards to antidepressants, I do not take them but sometimes think I’m going to have to give them another go. My experience wasn’t too great as they seem to make me feel extremely anxious and strange after only 3 days (the doc said it would be 3 weeks before they had any affect but I didn’t like the feeling), I only took half a low dose as well so they frighten me a bit. But I do think there is a place for them and I think you should talk to your doctor again, maybe just an adjustment in dose or a different medication would make all the difference. I wonder if I should take my own advice! Take care, thinking about you, best wishes S
 

karaokePete

Registered User
Jul 23, 2017
6,534
0
N Ireland
Hello @Wishful, I don’t take antidepressants myself but agree that there is a place for them. There are many different types so perhaps a bit of trial and error is required before you find one that works for you.

What gets to me is the constant disruption to my sleep when my wife goes through periods of being very active and disruptive at night. Whilst I manage to get by by snatching sleep when I can, I do sometimes wonder if I’m going to need a short course of sleeping pills every now and then. If I get to the stage I will seek help from my GP and would sincerely recommend that you take up the earlier suggestion to do this. In general, I find my GP will help where possible.

If you think talking to the help line would be of use, the details are
National Dementia Helpline
0300 222 11 22
Our helpline advisers are here for you.
Helpline opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday 9am – 8pm
Thursday and Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm
 

margherita

Registered User
May 30, 2017
3,280
0
Italy, Milan and Acqui Terme
I have been trying to understand if I am really depressed or only tired, exasperated and fed up with the life I am forced to live.
Those rare times when I can go out on my own or meet with a friend my moods are completely different, I feel my heart light and the world around me is no longer grey and dull.
You say " when I am on my own I just sit or cry". That's a bit worrying . Hope your GP or a specialist can understand if you are really depressed or only tired and exasperated.
Years ago I took antidepressants. They did not work miracles, but were helpful.
 

Guzelle

Registered User
Aug 27, 2016
426
0
Sheffield
Hello @Wishful, I personally don’t take antidepressants although at times I’ve thought about it. But like Margherita I feel a weight has lifted when I am away from him and feel like myself again. My OH takes antidepressants and risperidone which make him sleep and calm him down. I wonder if your O H is taking anything similar if not it might be worth asking the doctor for some help with medication. I too cry a lot as it is difficult and frustrating dealing with dementia day after day it makes you want to scream!
 

Wishful

Registered User
Nov 28, 2014
78
0
Thank you all for your replies. I think Margherita and Giselle may have a point regarding tiredness it really is a 24/7 caring role. Yes, when I do go out to meet up with friends I do feel better, not always and have been known to cry if someone is 'nice' to me.

DH has been on the same medication for five years. I did email our neurologist a copy of a couple of carer's reports about his behaviour but nothing back. Our six month appointment in reality is 10 months. Our GP is guided by the neurologist in medication as DH has had other neurological disorders.

He is in respite next week for five days I have someone from the memory team coming next week so will have a chat with her.

Once again thanks for your replies they have been most helpful.
 

tryingmybest

Registered User
May 22, 2015
638
0
I take U Calm which is St Johns Wort and find it keeps me calmer and more able to deal with caring for Mum here at home with me with late stage dementia. I'm personally very much against all these antidepressents the doctors hand out like smarties to people and have known young people getting addicted to them and left on them long term and no follow up. I would always be inclined to try something natural first.
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
Hi @Wishful Im glad you are getting some respite next week - dont worry if you do little more than sleep during that time!
Yes, do mention the night time problems to the memory clinic they may be able to help with medication, or at the very least, get the appointment with the neurologist brought forward.

Ive struggled with depression several times and have found anti-depressants helpful, but they do increase the symptoms for the first week or so before they settle down and the effects kick-in after about 3 or 4 weeks. You really do have to give them a go for about a month before you know whether they help or not.
 

Wifenotcarer

Registered User
Mar 11, 2018
341
0
77
Central Scotland
I have suffered from clinical (not reactive) depression for years, long before OH had FTD. GP used to only give me 6 months of antiDs at a time and every time I came off I went back into the depths of despair within a couple of weeks. Now I have a repeat prescription and will take Citalopram continuously for the rest of my life. There is no way I would still be coping (just) with the 24/7 carer's life without them.

However, I think it is quite different to be taking anti-Ds long term for Reactive Depression i.e Depression caused by events. Useful perhaps to tide you over a crisis, but not addressing the real problem which is that you have too much on your plate, too many responsibilities and duties with no time off to recuperate. So what I am saying is by all means have a short course of ADs but use that calmer time to ensure that regular respite and help are put in place to tackle the issues that are causing you to be depressed.
 

garfield3

Registered User
Jun 30, 2018
417
0
I take U Calm which is St Johns Wort and find it keeps me calmer and more able to deal with caring for Mum here at home with me with late stage dementia. I'm personally very much against all these antidepressents the doctors hand out like smarties to people and have known young people getting addicted to them and left on them long term and no follow up. I would always be inclined to try something natural first.

I know this isn't the same, but I take vitamin D. I feel it really helps. Hubby is on tablets which cause depression and takes it too. His mood is so much better and feels better.

I know what you mean about antidepressants. Had them is the past like to avoid them if possible.