Posted by ChrisK on May 6, 2001, at 6:54:10
In reply to Re: Question For SLS, posted by SLS on May 5, 2001, at 10:34:47
Scott,
Sorry to hear that you have so many complicated symptoms in your depression. While mine was very deep (two suicide attempts landed me in ICU for a total of 5 days) I only had a few symptoms to combat. I really don't know what can help with your cognitive problems. It seems like everything I've taken seem to deteriorate that thinking. Right now my short term memory is completely shot. I forget things that happened 5 minutes ago.
On the other hand Mirapex has been a Godsend for my anhedonia. Dr. Goldberg has a depression questionaire on his site and my average score dropped ten points after starting Mirapex (anything more than five is considered a significant change).
As far as the Geodon is concerned although he didn't say it I think that Zyprexa still has the reputation for causing TD long term and he may feel more comfortable with Geodon. He's given samples to a number of his patients and got the usual reaction to any new med. Some think it's great and some can't tolerate the side efffects. I've always been pretty med resistant so I rarely get side effects to the point of not being able to tolerate the med itself.
As far as Effexor and Nardil go - I have never taken an MAOI, always held them as a last resort. I did take Effexor for about 5 or 6 months two years ago. I was just coming out of an alcohol rehab and was completely sober at the time. I had barely any reaction to it. I was still taking Zyprexa at the time and that was sort of carrying me. I also tried Remeron during that period and it made me feel more dead than alive.
I had gone through a lot of med trials and asked to go back to a TCA because I had tried Immiprimine in the past and my father was a life long amitriptyline taker. That's when he gave me the Nortriptyline and I finally found some relief from the depression.
I tried Risperdal for a while but I had the zombie reaction to it. I didn't feel one emotion and it was a terrible feeling. I actually found it better to be depressed than to feel nothing.
I'm a big fan of finding something that helps some and then trying to augment it. If you've had meds that have "tickled" your brain a little I would go back and try to augment them. I know you read this board thoroughly so you know best the options that sound like they may work for you.
Thanks for the encouraging words. It's a different world for me these days actually having some motivation to do things. I still hang around Babbleland so that I can tell some people that there is hope. Three years ago I was in a psychiatric hospital for three different stays and two of those followed suicide attempts. Today I can work again and visit with family without having panic attacks. I can go to the golf course and enjoy a round of golf and I can enjoy the Kentucky Derby again. It's a life that I didn't think I would find. Hopefully I can give it back to someone else here who needs the encouragement.Best of luck to you,
Chris
poster:ChrisK
thread:61682
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010424/msgs/61758.html