Posted by sweetmarie on April 2, 2001, at 13:52:20
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression » SLS, posted by phillybob on April 2, 2001, at 12:43:33
> > I am curious if your doctor prescribed it [the Adderall] and who's idea it was.
> >
> > By the way, I need to take 300mg of Lamictal to receive any benefit from it.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> Hi, Scott. The Adderall was my idea after some thinkin' about my past brief experiences with Ritalin and recently talkin' with the younger bro about his experiences. I definitely have always had ADD problems but never got past a Ritalin trial, for some reason. I remember reading John L's concise analysis and discussion of "line of fire" approaches to depression treatment, including benign and fast-acting stimulants ( http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/20873.html ). Anyway, the pdoc and I discussed Adderall and Dexadrine and felt, based upon my bro's success, Adderall would be worth a trial right now.
>
> Nonetheless, based upon my brief (almost 2 months) but "total" "cure" for my symptoms (atypical-type AD-treatment-resistent depression ... an oxymoron?) with Topamax, I think this class of "neuromodulatory" drugs would have good long-term efficacy for me. [From the Topamax Experiences thread ( http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50878.html ), I discontinued Topamax due to a bad side effect of receding gums; however, I would certainly re-visit it at a lower dose in the future as an adjunct for a partial or in lieu of a failed Lamictal response.]>
> My pdoc is very receptive to what I have to say due to my fondness for research and his own broad experience with most all meds. Bottomline, if it makes sense, he's game. He was, however, a bit more squeamish about the Lamictal trial due to his concerns about the rash (Steven-Johnson's). Ultimately, he's been quite fine as a professional in keeping my impatience in cheque (i.e. taking the titration slowly).
>
> (I actually had, years ago, fairly exhausted the bulk of my psychotherapy needs with another counselor who happened to be my pdoc's daughter! Of course, there is still on-going ancillary psychotherapy-type discussions with my pdoc as I fine tune my understanding of my life and reactions to life.)
>
> What kind of benefit do you think you receive from Lamictal? (Also, I forgot, what other meds are you taking and at what dosages?)Phillybob,
What is ADD? Also, how would you define atypical depression? I sort of know what this is - I was diagnosed as having atypical depression, but I`m fairy sure that this was a misdiagnosis (the psychiatrist didn`t really know his arse from his elbow, and labelled any depression he couldn`t treat as `atypical`). Also, what kind of medication is Adderal (i.e. a tranq or what)? During you `well` period, what caused it to end? What is your brother`s illness (if this is not a personal question)? Your psychiatrist (psycdoctor, as I think you call them) seems pretty switched on. I`m not sure about my new psychiatrist, as I haven`t actually been `under him` yet. It`s rather a confusing situation: I retain my own psychiatrist (in my area - we are allotted psychiatrists according to area here. There is no choice unless you kick up a fuss like I did). However, she has referred me to this specialist geezer at another hospital which deals exclusively in treatment resistant depression, so will now be acting on his instruction. I have totally forgotten why I`m telling you this ... I think that I was trying to say that it`s very hard to find a psychiatrist who will actually act on any input from the patient. My psychiatrist was very sniffy when I suggested something to her, and I have a feeling that this professor guy will be the same. Having said that, he is supposedly one of the best with treatment resistant depression, so I hope it won`t come to that. How do you come upon all this info - is it via the Net? I wouldn`t have a clue about neurotransmitters etc. Anyway, sorry for this long, drawn-out and pretty pointless message. Give the anarchist a cigarette!
Scott,
I thought that you were gradually increasing the Lactimal - you seem to be saying that you are on 300 mg. Have you been on it before, or have you pushed yourself up to this dosage? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick? You say that it has an effect - how much of an effect, and how long did it take to achieve it?
Let me know,
Anna.
poster:sweetmarie
thread:55847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58461.html