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Suggest Medication For Depression
Question: I have been on venlafaxine. It SEEMED to actually be GIVING me depression. So I took myself off it. NOW I just feel despondant, occasionaly, WITHOUT the huge 'bouts', I was getting. Is this just my imagination?
In effect, suffering from mild manic depression (bipolar disorder). They put me on aripiprozole, that actually DOES seem to be causing constipation, and vertigo, as I have seen are common side-effects. BUT also it seems to make me feel LOUSY. Would the new brexpiprazole be any better for me?? Cheers xxxxx.NB The 'mania', or whatever it is, does seem to be mild. I have hardly ever had a sleepless night, and the depression has never lasted more than a few hours.
In effect, suffering from mild manic depression (bipolar disorder). They put me on aripiprozole, that actually DOES seem to be causing constipation, and vertigo, as I have seen are common side-effects. BUT also it seems to make me feel LOUSY. Would the new brexpiprazole be any better for me?? Cheers xxxxx.NB The 'mania', or whatever it is, does seem to be mild. I have hardly ever had a sleepless night, and the depression has never lasted more than a few hours.
Brief Answer:
Brexpiprazole can be a better drug in terms of side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Venlafaxine is a SNRI drug and the drug is an antidepressant drug. The drug helps to reduce the depressive symptoms. But in some individuals due to its associated side effects it appears that the drug is causing worsening, but in reality it causes improvement in symptoms of depression. You have stopped taking the drug and are not feeling better because stopping the drug resulted in reduction of side effects and there is sense of wellness.
Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug. Brexpiprazole is also an antipsychotic drug and is a new drug. The drug trials are still running on. Though there are not much studies about Brexipiprazole as causing constipation or vertigo but as it is a successor of the drug and in initial trials the drug is found to be tolerated better as compared to Aripiprazole.
The drug is also a mood stabiliser and helps in mood symptoms also. So if we consider side effects then Brexpiprazole should be better for you.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Brexpiprazole can be a better drug in terms of side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Venlafaxine is a SNRI drug and the drug is an antidepressant drug. The drug helps to reduce the depressive symptoms. But in some individuals due to its associated side effects it appears that the drug is causing worsening, but in reality it causes improvement in symptoms of depression. You have stopped taking the drug and are not feeling better because stopping the drug resulted in reduction of side effects and there is sense of wellness.
Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug. Brexpiprazole is also an antipsychotic drug and is a new drug. The drug trials are still running on. Though there are not much studies about Brexipiprazole as causing constipation or vertigo but as it is a successor of the drug and in initial trials the drug is found to be tolerated better as compared to Aripiprazole.
The drug is also a mood stabiliser and helps in mood symptoms also. So if we consider side effects then Brexpiprazole should be better for you.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Uploaded the full list of my medications. One further question. ALSO have 'Type II Diabetes'. They are also giving me 'Atorvastatin'. I see reports that it can actually can effect diabetes. Also there are now indications, that, in effect, it has vey little influence over the length of your life. In view of this, is this worth taking this at all? Also it SEEMS to be giving me a pesistant 'runny nose' ('rhinosiitis' ?).
Brief Answer:
Atorvastatin will be beneficial for you
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question
Atorvastatin is a lipid lowering drug. In some studies it has been found that the drug worsens the glycemic control in some patients of type 2 diabetes. But detailed studies are needed to confirm. The drug significantly lowered the risk of cardiovascular events in patients of Diabetes mellitus. So if we consider risk benefit of the drug then slight increase in glycemic index can be ignored considering its lipid lowering effects. So in my opinion the drug should be continued.
The side effect of running nose can be seen in some individuals but it usually doesn't complicate into rhinitis. If the running nose is a problem then for some days you can start taking some anti allergic medicine in low doses. This would help to control the running nose.
Thanks. Take care. Still have doubts please ask again.
Atorvastatin will be beneficial for you
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question
Atorvastatin is a lipid lowering drug. In some studies it has been found that the drug worsens the glycemic control in some patients of type 2 diabetes. But detailed studies are needed to confirm. The drug significantly lowered the risk of cardiovascular events in patients of Diabetes mellitus. So if we consider risk benefit of the drug then slight increase in glycemic index can be ignored considering its lipid lowering effects. So in my opinion the drug should be continued.
The side effect of running nose can be seen in some individuals but it usually doesn't complicate into rhinitis. If the running nose is a problem then for some days you can start taking some anti allergic medicine in low doses. This would help to control the running nose.
Thanks. Take care. Still have doubts please ask again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
In view of my medications, might you be able to suggest a better anti-depressant, for me, than 'Venlafaxine'??Thanks for your advice. It's late (early) here in the UK! Loggining off now. 'Mania' often results in high creativity. Go to www.yyyyyyy.yyyyyyyy.com/yyyyyyy.html for a resume of my career. Also uploading one of my drawings. The last 23 years since 'losing my job', must have been one of the most creative periods in my Life! Thanks again! xxxxxxxx.
Brief Answer:
Other antidepressants can be used
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and I am sorry for late reply
If we consider other drugs for depression in bipolar disorder then newer drugs like Agomelatin can be used. The drug is relatively safer and help in good sleep. This will also ameliorate the need of taking a hypnotic drug for sleep in long term. You can consider taking this drug.
The SSRI drug especially Fluoxetine can also be used. The drug is having good efficacy and is safe to use.
Yes patients of mania have high energy and if this energy is channelised in right direction then results are extraordinary. Most of mania patients gave good creative mind but energy should be focussed on constructive things.
Thanks. Still have doubts please ask again
Other antidepressants can be used
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and I am sorry for late reply
If we consider other drugs for depression in bipolar disorder then newer drugs like Agomelatin can be used. The drug is relatively safer and help in good sleep. This will also ameliorate the need of taking a hypnotic drug for sleep in long term. You can consider taking this drug.
The SSRI drug especially Fluoxetine can also be used. The drug is having good efficacy and is safe to use.
Yes patients of mania have high energy and if this energy is channelised in right direction then results are extraordinary. Most of mania patients gave good creative mind but energy should be focussed on constructive things.
Thanks. Still have doubts please ask again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Again from the UK! Consideing 'Agomelatin', if I took this at night, would this be beneficial towards my sleep? As you might have seen, I worked in high-stress jobs, in computing and research, for nearly 15 years. I now seem to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. I am quite frequently having 'anxiety' dreams, and waking with migraines. You are quite right, that the 'energy' should be focussed in constructive things. I have been highly trained to be 'creative', and half the battle seems to be keeping my mind diverted and occupied. To this end I am absorbing my mind designing computer programs, which I am putting up on the Internet on my web sites, but also I deliberately joined a local Art Class. This is less mind-taxing, and puts me into a social situation. BTW One 'doctor', at College described me as both 'obsessive' and 'phobic'. I DO have 'phobias' about things.Must log-off again. Another 'component' seems to be 'worry', which also might be 'genetic', in origin. Here in the UK, it takes up to a fortnight to see my G.P. and several months to see the Consultant, so getting any sound medical advice is difficult, and this helps 'rest my mind'. In actual fact, I am due to see the Consultant, again, on the 10th, so I can discuss this all with him, then. Up to 40 years ago, at College, if I had received Councelling, I might have realised some of these things sooner. An unusual mind. A good and long memory and a long 'span of attention'. Also I seem to have both a 'scientific' and 'artistic' side. The 'Aha' reaction - The sudden realisation of what is happening/going wrong. A training in mathematics, I think, tends to 'analysis' and 'obsession', neither, of which, are very good for one! The 'phobias' seem to result in habitual thoughts, at habitual times, in habitual situations. Good Morning from the UK! xxxxxxxxxxx
Brief Answer:
Yes Agomelatin will help in sleep also.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up question
Yes Agomelatin will surely help in improving the sleep. The drug will help to correct the altered sleep rhythm. This will surely help in low mood, anxiety and sleep. No need to worry. The drug is relatively safe also.
For phobia symptoms behaviour therapy especially systematic desensitisation can also help. This therapy help to correct the symptoms of depression.
Thanks. Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Yes Agomelatin will help in sleep also.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for asking a follow up question
Yes Agomelatin will surely help in improving the sleep. The drug will help to correct the altered sleep rhythm. This will surely help in low mood, anxiety and sleep. No need to worry. The drug is relatively safe also.
For phobia symptoms behaviour therapy especially systematic desensitisation can also help. This therapy help to correct the symptoms of depression.
Thanks. Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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