Posted by JohnL on September 18, 1999, at 8:54:32
In reply to Treading Water, posted by Noa on September 17, 1999, at 19:59:13
Hi Noa. Me too...double depression that is. I have read that dysthymia is actually tougher to treat than a straight forward major depressive bout. Dysthymia is thought to need higher doses and much longer time. I believe that. I seem to have recovered enough to feel relatively safe from those severe crashes, but I am mostly treading water through life as you said. I told my doc I felt euthymia briefly for a few days and then it was gone. I couldn't get it back. I know it exists, I know what it feels like, it's there. He hinted to me that I may rarely feel that good, but that where I am now may be about as good as it gets, and that at least I am a lot better than some of his other patients. Real encouraging, huh?
I refuse to accept that treading water is as good as it gets. I'm not ready to throw in the towel and accept mediocracy. Your case sounds especially difficult because you are already on quite a cocktail. Since you haven't yet felt complete recovery, that hints at two things...1) it hasn't been enough time yet, or 2) the right drug is not in your arsenal at this time. Trying to find that right drug is tough. I have heard though that some top docs regard effexor+remeron as being "big guns". Just a thought. Your mention of Lithium is a good one. Remeron is probably a lot easier to handle than Lithium. As you know, only a personal trial of whatever will provide answers.
Brief euthymia that I felt was drug induced. Had nothing to do with attitude, lifestyle, counseling, taking care of myself, etc etc. Sadly it didn't last. But it's there somewhere. If I found it once, I can find it again. Others already have. I believe you and I will too. Someday we won't be treading water anymore. We'll be sailing in the sun. (Boy, that's optimistic dreaming isn't it? :) )
poster:JohnL
thread:11727
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/11737.html