Posted by Katz on February 7, 2001, at 15:26:11
In reply to Re: Why did you stop taking Ritalin, Kathy?, posted by PhoenixGirl on February 6, 2001, at 11:23:46
Hi Phoenix,You are absolutely right...it is a crime and I believe a case of malpractice! These doctors are playing God with peoples lives. When something works, it works. Nobody aside from that particular individual knows what's going on inside their head and the effect that a particular med is having on them. When I told this particular doc that the effexor was actually making me more depressed, she was incredulous! She actually tried to convince me that I must be mistaken. Needless to say, I ditched her fast!
I can relate to what you have said about not wanting to live like an 80 year old woman at 23. You shouldn't have to. You should give yourself lots of credit for continuing to seek the correct treatment and not giving up or losing hope. That's exactly what I did all those many years ago and as a consequence watched my youth and my life slip through my fingers. Whatever you do, don't let that happen to you! I can tell you from first hand experience that if you suffer from social phobia, the more you isolate yourself the worse the problem becomes. It is nearly impossible for me to leave the house at this point in time. I have grown more and more reclusive through the years. My condition has deteriorated from Social Phobia to Avoidant Personality Disorder. Again, please don't let this happen to you.
Have you considered trying amisulpride? It would only be a short investment in time (4 days) to discover whether or not it would work for you. Have you heard of Reboxetine. It is a reuptake inhibitor of noradrenaline specifically. I had mixed results with this one. I plan to do a retrial in the near future. It is not currently approved for use in the US but can be purchased easily overseas w/o prescription. You might want to consult with that new doc in Atlanta (when you find him/her) about a trial with either of these two along with the andrafinil that you mentioned.
I am keeping you in my prayers.
Best wishes,
Kathy
>Hi Kathy,
>
> It really IS a crime that no doctor will prescribe Ritalin for you. In this country, we have such a ridiculous and paranoid attitude about drugs. Just look at our supremely unsuccessful but continued "drug war". But there must be a doctor who will prescribe it for you. You may have to build up a relationship with a doctor so that she knows that you're not a drug abuser. That's so stupid, but it might come to that. Just tell the doctor what you told us.
> I was put on imipramine at 13, and have since tried Zoloft, Effexor, Luvox, Serzone, Anafranil, Celexa, trazodone, selegiline, Remeron, and now desipramine. The reason I changed meds was usually because of having only partial effectiveness. Actually everything I've ever tried was only partially effective. Many of these drugs ruin my sex life.
> The desipramine seems to work a little better than others I've tried. I think that the majorly noradrenergic meds work best for me. The desipramine has sexual side effects for me, but they are less severe than with the other meds I've tried in the last few years. My next goal is to try modafinil, adrafinil, or another stimulant to see if it will allow me to reduce the desipramine. I just refuse to live like an 80 year old woman when I'm only 23.
> You've tried so many ADs, like me, so a doctor must see your desperation. It sounds to me like the benefits of Ritalin outweigh its risks. There is just no excuse for prolonging your miserable so unnecessarily. I think that if you found a pdoc who was a real BIOpsychiatrist, he would be more likely to prescribe the Ritalin. Good luck, take care.
>
>
> Hi PG,
> >
> > I'm sorry to hear that you have suffered so long and so much. I'm happy that you are still here! You are obviously a kind and loving person willing to extend your hand to help fellow suffers. Your imput is valuable and very much appreciated. You are so young, yet so wise. Your whole life is infront of you. I hope you will find the happiness you deserve. If you don't mind my asking, what meds are you currently having success with?
> >
> > Back to your question. If it were up to me, I would still be on Ritilin. I cannot find a doc in my area to prescribe it for me. Personally, I think it is a crime. Several years ago I was seeing a doc three states away who prescribed the Ritilin for me. The expense of traveling so far (gas, food, motel, etc.) became prohibitive. The doctor required that I make the journey once a month. I just couldn't do it.
> >
> > Wishing you continued success,
> >
> > Kathy
> >
> > Hi Kathy,
> > >
> > > I understand the hell that you're going through. I've tried many meds with only partial success with any of them. But don't give up! I'm 23, and have had serious depression and social phobia since age 12. When I was 17 I tried to kill myself, but I'm glad I didn't give up because I've made progress since then.
> > > In your post, you said that methylphenidate helped you, and that after 6 months you hadn't developed tolerance. Why did you go off of it? Maybe you should go back on it because you are obviously suffering considerably. Hang in there, you're not the only one.
> > >
> > > PG
> > >
> > > Hi Kathy:
> > > > I can certainly relate to your situation.I wish I could help but unfortunately I am no expert in pharmacology like Andrew.
> > > > Please hang in there! I've suffered from depression and social phobia for 10 years. I, too, drank excessive amounts to medicate only to become an alcoholic.
> > > > Believe me, i know there is medication out there to help you.
> > > > I finally begged my Doctor to let me try Mirapex along with a low dose of risperdal and it has been my success story. Risperdal alone used to do the trick but it sort of pooped out on me. Then I added Mirapex and I can honestly say my life is a lot better. I, too, used to spend a lot of time in bed. I used to sleep a lot, that was my way of escaping esp. after i quit drinking.
> > > >
> > > > Maybe, you can try adding the Bromo. or Requip to Reboxetine.
> > > >
> > > > For me personally, I have to take Risperdal and Mirapex together to get the desired effect. I went 10 days without risperdal and got severely depressed. Same with Mirapex.
> > > >
> > > > I wish I could help more.
> > > >
> > > > All the best and keep posting.
> > > >
> > > > Nat
poster:Katz
thread:53287
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010131/msgs/53457.html