Posted by JohnX2 on October 25, 2001, at 12:40:27
In reply to Re: Looking for some advice before I see the psydoc, posted by JGalt on October 25, 2001, at 9:34:59
> Sorry, just saw it somewhere else on this board and figured it meant diagnosis.
I had to register because this server is
all messed up JohnX2 = JohnX.First off, I wouln't mess with dxm and
the potential for olney's lesion. I did post
an interesting patent to a neurologist that was
using dxm in conjunction with a med that inhibited
the liver enzyme cyp-450 2d6 (which breaks in down)
in order to increase its 1/2 life (the time to
escape your body). Check my prior posts with
SLS (JohnX).Ok, Dx = diagnosis. That's what I figured.
Well, lately I have had chronic dysthymia (a lower
than normal mood, but functional) accompanied
with atypical depression symptoms (sleeping to
much, lack of interest, anhedonia).In the past 14 yrs I have had 2 trips into manic-depressive
cycling. My symptoms are closest to bipolar II.
I have been struggling the past 2.5 years with
major depression which persistant ruminations
about suicide, major anhedonia (inability to
experience any pleasure) and physical ailments
such as tension headaches and bruxism (teeth
grinding). A few times I have broken out of the
major depression and held onto a dysthymic state,
or slipped into hypo-mania (just below textbook
manic).I've taken over 23 meds (check the "levity thread").
Part of my problem was not being diagnosed as
bipolar over unipolar depression. With the aid of
anti-convulsants (epilepsy meds that also treat bipolar), I have
stabilized my mood into dysthymia. Lamictal has been
of greatest utility. I recently added Zyprexa to
help with the residual anhedonia.I did get good responses to other anti-depressants
primarily St. John's wort,Zoloft, and Wellbutrin.
Wellbutrin worked best (and btw is good for
treatment of stimulant addiction). But I always
had a problem with the meds driving me a little
hypomanic (slighly manic) followed by pooping out
after a few days. I also tried Adderall which is
basically flavors of d-amphetamine, and it helped
with the depression, but I would grow tolerant in
a few days, and on the 1st days I would be really
manic and do stupid things like make wild trades
in the stock market and lose a lot of wealth.
One time I sent out a hilarious email to a large
number of co-workers asking them to help me watch
out for manic symptoms since I didn't want to make
a fool out of myself. The day I wrote it I was
manic. The next day I read it, saw it was over
*10* full pages of typing filled with outrageous
drivel and overdisclosure about personal issues.
Man, I was so embarrassed.Before the major depression hit me I had a strange
addiction to caffeine (I drank like 1-2 cases of
dietcoke a day), and would chase that with a 6-pack
of beer everynight. Not exactly good for my health.
I also had weird symptoms of severe inability to
sit still, which would go away with walking around
or driving my car (which I typically drive > 30k
miles a year). I don't think it is a compulsive
disorder, but more a slightly ADD symptom which can
be induced by any stimulant abuse.
Anyways, I was a
compulsive overachiever in school and attended
a fairly competitive univerisity where I obtained
a degree in electrical engineering. I currently
am employed by a semi-conductor company as a chip
designer.As part of my compulsive overachieving, I abused
caffeine (since my predisposition to hypomania would
give it a "better than average" boost), to help me
achieve my career and scholastic goals.I've sinces learned that my family has a history
of depression, a cousin has attempted suicide,
sister now takes anti-depressants, lots of
alcoholics.If I could do my life over, I would have gotton
my problem treated a long time ago. I think by
abusing my body for so many years with poor diet,
alcohol, and stimulants that it has made it more
difficult for me to recover. The stimulants will
fry dopamine neurons, and they don't grow back.
My better pdoc was quite schocked that I was never
exposed to stronger stims like d-amphetamine.
This was just because I never hung around anyone
in that type of circle.I hope you can learn from the people on this
groups experiences and save your brain before things
slide any further. Feel free to say whatever you
want about your condition that you may not feel
comfortable confiding in personal acquaintances.
That is the beuty of this group. We all have problems
and can discuss them openly in an anonymous fashion.Regards,
john
poster:JohnX2
thread:81980
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011025/msgs/82289.html