depression due to kidney failure

[stuman413]

I was wondering anyone else has experienced the following:

I've been a kidney patient for 14 years, I've had a transplant and have been on dialysis for a cumulative of 8 years.  During this last few years I developed serious depression, to the point of almost committing suicide.  I got help, started treatment (drugs and therapy) finished the therapy and stayed on drugs (Prozac) for another year.  This last year my insurance changed and I can't afford some of the meds so I decided to quit cold turkey the Prozac.  I found that not only was I in some sort of a fog, but bits of my personality have been coming back as well as a general desire just to do things.  But at the same time I also noticed that I tend to get explosively angry over tiny little things; nothing to the tune of violence, but just yelling and screaming at people, the computer and even myself.  I am pretty sure that this comes from being depressed and just not being able to do the things that I used to before dialysis (even though that was eons ago). 

So my question to the community is:  Have you experienced this?  I'm glad that I'm getting back a sense of self, but at the same time I'm worried about my anger issues.  If you have gone through this, how have you handled it?  Most of the support online says get help from a professional or start drugs.  I'm trying to avoid more drugs.  Being a dialysis patient I already take enough medication. 

Any help would be appreciated.

[jeannea]

Quitting Prozac cold turkey is very dangerous. It really screws up your brain chemistry. In some people quitting without a taper schedule can lead to more suicidal thoughts. Quitting abruptly is prob why you have anger issues. The only truly safe way to fix this is to go to a psychiatrist and get him to prescribe the right drugs to fix your brain chemistry. Then when you've done that the psychiatrist can help you get off the drugs the right way.

Please, if anyone is on an SSRI-Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Lyrica, a few others-never quit without a doctor's help.

[skg]

There are lots of different reactions to different drugs. Because one doesn't work well, doesn't mean that another one won't. I think it's worth trying different meds.

Going off of meds varies from one individual to the next as well. Always a good idea to have a psychiatrist involved and many of the drugs seem to do better with gradual increases/decreases in dosage.

There are also programs which can help with costs, sometimes, at least. Again, worth trying. Talk to Dr. about costs -- often there are older, cheaper drugs available -- and sometimes they work as well or better for some individuals than newer, more expensive ones.

cheers,
skg

[Sugarlump]

Anger is an outward expression of depression.
I think you go through various stages during your dialysis career ...and that sometimes you hit a flat spot.
When it all seems too much effort. Things not going well.
And yes you miss the life you had.

God I miss the freedom.
Being able to travel.
Going down the pub and getting sozzled.
Being able to wear skimpy clothes.

You have that Why me moment...

And there are no easy answers.
But it is more common than you think.
Some say counselling helps. Or a good friend.
Or medication. (Wouldn't recommend prozac though)

Don't give up hope.
Find a way through.