Posted by shelliR on March 18, 2002, at 20:39:09
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression -Suggestions? » Darby, posted by SLS on March 18, 2002, at 8:10:56
" I'm sort of bipolar, and the main features of my depression include extreme fatigue, a burdonsome heaviness and weakness in my limbs, and a general lack of energy and motivation to move, even to get off a chair to go to the bathroom. Also, my memory is impaired and I can't read more than a few sentences before I have to stop - and then only with minimal comprehension."
Hi Scott,I'm not someone who thinks that everyone has chronic fatigue syndrome, but your symptoms of not being able to get up seem so much like people's description of CFS. Is that something you and your doctor have discussed? Also, I do not usually tout the use of opiates--I see them as a last resort. But I'm curious what your reaction has been if you've ever tried them. I wondering because some people feel tired on them; other people like me find them very energizing. You've been in very bad shape for a long long time. I wonder if opiates (including buprenorphine) might give you your life back until you can find a medication that works for you. (They did give me back my life.) I do know that buprenorphine set off a psychotic mania when Zoe tried tried it with a diagnosis of BPII. But I do know others with BPII who found it lifted them up and did not cause a manic episode.
But if not opiates, focusing on building up your immune system. Maybe the answer for you is not in mood stabilizers or ADs. I know that Lorraine has lots of information on the immune system and depression and fatigue. She had the same problem as I did, trying several dozen drugs and not finding any that she could tolerate AND that helped. (I do think provigal is helping her to some extent.)
Wishing you the best,
Shelli
poster:shelliR
thread:98310
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/98672.html