Posted by KarenB on June 27, 2000, at 11:52:02
In reply to Re: JohnL and Thomas, posted by JohnL on June 27, 2000, at 4:36:29
Andre: > > Whoa there Johny Boy! Don't get the guy so excited about something that might not work.
>
Johnny Boy: > ......Why not? Hope is crucial. I've been in Thomas's shoes way too often. Hope was the only stepping stone to get through the next hour. With nearly all drugs, eventual despair followed. But with the anticipation of yet another choice, hope was restored. You're right, it might not work. But neither might anything else. I think Thomas should get excited. Adrafinil in my experience stands a greater chance of working than nearly anything else I can think of. I don't say this haphazardly. I don't say it lightly. Believe me, I've been around the block more times than I care to remember.Me: Hey, I think it's important to get excited about ANY new med that might work. But after a while, despair does follow if you are treatment resistant. I would venture to say that we have more than your average share of this type on the Babble board. SSRIs and tricyclics have not worked for me either and I have given them all a fair trial, except when side effects were unbearable. Now, I am trying stimulants which seem to be closer to what will work. The only meds that have truly worked for me are not available in the US and are also from Europe (Amineptine - a psychostimulant and Sulpiride - a neuroleptic, taken together). I am trying to get something that is available here but if I can't, I can't. At least I am giving it a try. Do you really think that FDA approval means that we have the best that is available in the world, here in the US? We really do have center-of-the-universe-complex in this country, don't we?
Andre:> >I am not very familiar with Adrafinil although I do know that it is not yet available in North America.
Me: So...does not being available in North America make it suspect? Why would you be adamant about a drug you know little about?
> >Adrafinil is not an antidepressant because it generally does not give antidepresant effects.
Me: Huh? Do a search and check it out, Andre. People are using it as an antidepressant all over the world, including the States. Adrafinil is currently in research, as is Provigil, as a new ADD drug and for use in all forms of fatigue, ranging from MS to Chronic Fatigue Syndromes. The great thing about it is that it not only stimulates but brightens mood and increases motivation. It is suggested as an adjunct to many ADs, should there be residual fatigue during treatment.
Andre> >Any stimulant will cause euphoria or a high.
I beg to differ. The wrong stimulant causes agitation, anxiety, annnnnnger and worsens depression in some (like me). The right one can be like a miracle.
Andre: > >Smoke crack, snort eight balls of cocaine and I am sure you will feel a little better.
Me: As a teenager, attempting to self medicate, I tried many things but none of them made me feel "normal." I think that's what we are aiming for here - not to feel "high."
I am with "Johnny Boy" on this one. This girl is not about to settle for minor or even 50% improvement. I want to be well. I may die trying but to lose hope for me is to give up my chance at a life.
I have been where you are, Thomas. It's time to read. Time to become informed. Time to take your mental health into your own hands and use your doc to help you. No one will ever care about what's happening in your mind like you will. Except God...and that's a whole nutha subject.
Karen
poster:KarenB
thread:38333
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000619/msgs/38447.html