Posted by Blue Cheer 1 on March 8, 2002, at 23:17:32
In reply to Re: Drug/Diagnosis History (or why never to give up) » Blue Cheer 1, posted by Ron Hill on March 8, 2002, at 1:34:38
> Blue,
>
> Just think if you had saved all your empty med bottles. You could have quite a collection!That's funny, Ron. As far back as the 70's, I used to think about that because at times I accumulated so many drugs. The VA has given me a ton of medicines over the years at no cost. I considered starting a bonfire a few times. :)
Fortunately, I'd only "try out" many of the drugs, or I'm certain I'd have tardive dyskinesia by now. I have a friend who goes to the VA, too, and he's prescribed ADs, APs, and benzodiazepine anxiolytics every month, and he doesn't take a single drug. He keeps taking them so that they'll think he's schizophrenic and that way he continues to collect his 100% service-connected disability compensation. But, he hoards the full bottles (Rx shampoos, skin ointments, nitroglycerine for his heart.. you name it - in empty beer cases, which is about the only "medicine" he uses. I've know this guy for 30 years, and the only thing I know for sure is that he has some kind of explosive personality disorder, and a touch of PTSD.>
> Best of luck to you my friend.Thanks, and I wish you the best, too. Psychiatry is an art as much as a science, so I think perseverance and patience are essential. Also, recognizing that what works for you now, might not work 10 years from now, and that treatments get better all the time.
Blue
>
> -- Ron
> ------------------------------
>
>
> > > Blue,
> > >
> > > Just out of curiosity, are your current meds working.? If so, what are the meds?
> > >
> > > -- Ron
> > > --------------------
> >
> > Ron,
> > I had a protracted mixed episode, then crashed into a severe, vegetative depression (one-year duration), and lately I've been feeling a little better (i.e., cognition, mood, energy) with no cycling. My goal is to become relatively free of depression, or euthymic - without any further mood elevation. I've mainly been restricted to using the few drugs that I can tolerate (Lamictal 250 mg/day, Lithium 900 mg/day, Trileptal 450 mg/day, Aricept 10 mg/day- to prevent cycling, and Valium 12.5 mg/day). I just started Inositol (#5 - 950 mg. capsules/day - to go up to 12 grams/day). About 3 weeks ago, I got my nephrologist's clearance to re-start lithium, went down from 900 mg. to 450 mg. of Trileptal, and from 20 mg/day Valium to 12.5 mg/day. Both Aricept and Trileptal will be d/c'd following the inositol study because my doctor doesn't think they're doing anything. So, since resuming lithium and going down on Trileptal and Valium, I've improved a little. Also, I usually improve with the advent of Spring and the increase in sunshine. I'd say that the combination of lithium and Lamictal, and low-dose Valium have been the best drugs for me. SSRIs used to help a little, but now they cause agitation and contribute to mixed states. I can't tolerate APs at any dose, don't drink any alcohol or use any illicit drugs.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Blue
poster:Blue Cheer 1
thread:96853
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97134.html