Slightly hopeful

I have been fighting depression, panic and obsessive compulsive disorder since 1985.

As a consumer of mental health and one who was a case manager in the public mental health sector, I would caution you about taking Ativan.

A number of psychiatrists use it in treatment and then others don't.

It is a benzodiazepine and very addictive. 

Cymbalta is a new antidepressant and works for some.

A have found what is important as a patient is that I start a medication the doctor says I should (In this day and age I also study it on good internet sites), I then keep taking it and then give feedback to the doctor or his nurse about my side effects.

He will generally as a physician raise my medication dosage until my depression, panic etc. is alleviated or the side effects become intolerable. He then may move to another medication.

Depression anxiety is very treatable.

Psychiatrists are very busy but you should not be afraid to call them between

sessions and talk to their staff about your problems

My wife and I say so much more about our treatment in our book Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It, (c 2005) Kregel Publications.

http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

Sincerely,

Rev. Steve Bloem B.A. M.M.

Director of Heartfelt Ministries

Grand Rapids, Michigan

http://www.heartfeltmin.org/

hi,i was on cymbalta.i liked it but even with insurance it was $50 for mewhich was a pain in the wallet.also,it is said cymbalta helps with pain but i guess my pain's too severe for cymbalta.if i could get a steady supply of cymbalta samples i'd go back to it but in the mean time i'm on zoloft to the max & clonzapam for the anxiety.the other medicine you mentioned i'm not familiar with.i have to watch my money since i haven't worked but 3 half days since the end of feb. i've been having a lot of back pain & been trying different prescriptions from my dr. for that.that can cause added depression & anxiety!i wish you well with your medicines! God bless you!

Hey good luck! I don't know either of those drugs...but I know that I worked out a lot of stuff with a good therapist. You can do it. Dig deep and confront the pain that paralyzes you. I found my way out..you can to.

A

Hi Lauren, 

I've never been on those particular drugs but can certainly relate to the promise of taking a new approach to address the different symptoms and issues we experience.  You may find that you might need to work with numerous different medications until you find that combination that works for you.  I've been through more that a few combinations myself and some things just really don't work.  At times it's a very inexact science but...Be patient and hang in there!!!  We all have different physiologies and responses.  What's important is that you're taking steps.   I wish you the best of luck!  :)

I have been taking Cymbalta for depression for the past two years with excellent results after being on numerous other depression medications that only helped for about 6 months.  I also take 1mg of Klonipin for anxiety, but only when I need it.

Most important for me, I learned not to expect miracles and that the medication did their part but i personally had to do my part.  Therefore, I decided I was not going to entertain unnecessary issues I had no control over and to honestly look at what my options were and work it from there. I learned that the attitude I lived by played an important part in how I dealt with issues.  I decided I was tired of feeling bad. I try not to have an idle mind and keep myself busy doing things that i enjoy.  I wish you the very best of luck.  gloria