Posted by Bekka H. on April 6, 2002, at 21:18:54
In reply to Sleeping my life away, posted by Phoebe Hayes on April 6, 2002, at 3:46:02
Hi Phoebe,
Wow! I certainly can relate to your post! I felt as if I was reading about myself. Unfortunately, the SSRI's and Effexor have not only NOT been able to help me with my seasonal variations, but they actually exacerbate my problems. I hibernate and I feel much more depressed, although somewhat LESS anxious. Effexor was one of the worst for me. I told my pdoc that Effexor should be re-named "Ineffexor."
I wonder whether you are able to go to a few other doctors for consultations to see which one you get along with best AND which one will be most psychopharmacologically creative. It sounds as if you need at least one med that is activating. Is Wellbutrin (bupropion) available in Australia? Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that is activating. Is your doctor willing to prescribe stimulants to augment the other meds? If not, I'd find someone who will.
Several years ago, I bought a light box that I saw advertised in a medical journal. It's very helpful, although not as good as spring and summer. I use it all year round, but I spend more time in front of it in the winter. If we have a long dark spell (a week or more of overcast, rainy days, for example), I use it in the summer, too. The one I have is from Apollo Light Systems in Utah. The Sunbox Company is another one that is good.
Recently I read that some doctors believe that SAD (seasonal affective disorder) might be a variant of mild bipolar disorder or bipolar II. If that is the case, I wonder whether something like Lamictal might help you? Many other posters on PB have done very well on it. I tried Lamictal recently and had rather severe insomnia, but I intend to give it another try soon, perhaps at a lower dose or combined with Neurontin (gabapentin) at night.
If you try all of the above options and you find that you still can't get out of bed, then perhaps you can find a job that allows you to work flexible hours or to work "second shift." Here in the U.S., many organizations have shift work. For example, since hospitals never close, many hospital workers can work either 8am-4pm, 4pm-12 midnight, or 12midnight-8am. Perhaps you could try the 4-12 shift?
I think the first order of priority is to be very assertive with your pdoc and tell him exactly what you've told us. If he's not willing to be more adventuresome with your meds, I'd find another doctor who will give you something more activating.
Good luck, and let us know how you are.
Bekka
poster:Bekka H.
thread:102125
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020402/msgs/102186.html