STEPHEN FRY

what is a cpn? is this a uk term?

that's interesting that they feel the stress would make a diagnosis confusing.
i guess that makes sense, and it's great that they make you feel comfortable.

i'm confused though (not about your post, but about a proper time to get a diganosis) and have a general question for all:

doesn't something like md or other mood disorders show up when someone has a stressful time? maybe they wait for the time to be over and see how you deal with it?

or do drs want to make a diagnosis when nothing is going on? (...whenever that is)

I'm glad you're getting help

You may have major depressive disorder, which is no less serious that MD as both can lead to suicide. Both can seriously effect quality of life.

What antidepressant did your gp put you on? Let me guess - mirtazapine (zispin). That's a current favourite and causes an increase in appetite and helps sleep. Or was it something else? You can talk to your doctor about not liking the side effects and wanting to try something different. (Unless it was really working, then you have to decide if the side effects are worth the weight gain).

Ask for a referral, it is your right.

KSx

Zo/loft can cause weight gain. Is that the one you meant caused weight gain or are you worried about your new med?

20mg of fluoxetine (prozac)... Mmm, that doesn't tend to cause weight gain, in fact it tends to decrease appetite, (which is why it is used at higher doses to treat bulimia), so any weight gain is probably nothing to do with the med. Maybe you are comfort eating - hey, no judgments, I do it. Or maybe because you are depressed you are less active?

KSx

Hello!
Sort of update. Not much to say really. No proper diagnosis still. I don't think I have manic depression now. I switch between normal behaviour, just plodding along like you do, and very bad days, of just wanting to lie down and do nothing. No housework, not going out, nothing. And staying up worrying and not sleeping till I drop.
I haven't seen my adorable grandson since last year(september 07) I am not allowed to see him, as my daughter hates me, because It was left to me to report her to the social services. His real dad and his family wouldn't lift a finger to take him away from his mum and violent stepdad.
So I have crippling guilt that I should have kept my mouth shut and kept in contact with him, and worrying about how he is. I can't get in bed as I just lie in bed crying about him.
How can a doctor help you with that?
My cpn has gone off sick, and have not seen her, or anybody since December 07.
Can anyone recommend a better anti-depressant that Fluoxetine? I need a happy pill, to lift my mood, as I hate my life at the moment and I need to get organised and get a life, so my cpn said to me, I need to raise my self esteem!
Thanks for any replies.

Can anyone recommend a better anti-depressant that Fluoxetine? I need a happy pill, to lift my mood, as I hate my life at the moment and I need to get organised and get a life, so my cpn said to me, I need to raise my self esteem!
Thanks for any replies.

Your medication is something you need to talk to a doctor about, preferably a psychiatrist, but GPs do a great job (a third of the people they see are there for depression).

From what you have told me you have only been on SSRIs. If you think they don't work for you (and they don't work for me!) then maybe you need to try a different class of antidepressant - namely a tricyclic, an MAOI, or maybe a newer drug like a NaSSa although you mention weight is an issue - and you should ask your doctor to prescribe something that does not cause weight gain if at all possible. The NaSSa mirtazapine can cause significant weight gain, so maybe not that. Tricyclics... Mmm... they can cause weight gain, some more than others, BUT they are great antidepressants. Maybe lofepramine would be good, I lost weight on that. I'm on amitriptyline now which works great, but caused weight gain. (And you are unlikely to be prescribed it because it is so dangerous in OD). And as for MAOIs - with the older ones you have to follow a restrictive diet, (e.g. no cheese) or risk a hypertensive crisis that can even kill - but moclobemide is a reversible MAOI and does not need a special diet - so that's a possibility. So which ever it is you need professional help. I can make suggestions but I am just a name on a forum - see your doctor.

BTW - you may benefit greatly from therapy or counselling.

No (legal) pill will make you happy, all a pill can do is take away depression - not the same thing as making you happy.

KSx

Thanks for the help.
I will mention to my doctor about something that won't put weight on.
I am not lonely, as such, as i have 3 kids at home with me and my ex pops round every few days, to take the kids to his flat, so I get a break.
I just want to see my grandson and I know my daughter won't let me and she will give me loads of verbal abuse down the phone, and i can't take any more from her.
i am annoyed at my grandsons real dad and his family.
There were all worried about him but did nothing to get him away from the house he lived in with his mum and stepdad.
It was left to me to ring social services and they stood back and let me, knowing I would I would get the blame, which I did.
So I need to deal with this anger, regret at not keeping my mouth shut and still having contact (at the time it was agreed I would ring and report her)
And also the fact I can't see him anymore.
Plus, I can't cope with stress or normal life, like work and having freinds.

My counselor was good, but she went off sick and is not coming back . She kept going on about raising my self esteem. I feel like I have to do something stupid, to get seen by someone who will diagnose me properly.
I see my doctor, get upset and come out with a prescription.
Thanks for reading .

Sounds like your best bet is aligning yourself with the real dad of your grandson and then seeing your grandson when he is staying with them. You may have to pretend you understood why he didn't do anything. Sometimes apologising when you weren't at fault is necessary to get something. Ask yourself whether it is worth forgiving the boy's dad so you can see the boy?

Of course, I am presuming you could see him if his dad sees him. That may not be the case. I don't see how your daughter can stop you seeing him when he is with his dad.

The alternative is to apologise to the daughter. It all depends on how much you want to see your grandson.

I notice you said you were under stress with work. Is that related to what is going on or separate?