Posted by polarbear206 on October 1, 2002, at 12:35:35
In reply to Help!!! What do I do now?, posted by the blue professor on September 30, 2002, at 22:12:24
> Hello everyone,
>
> I have been lurking for a few days. Found this board while searching for depression info.
>
> A little background: I am a college teacher (25 years now). Mid 50's. Married - 3 children, 3 grandchildren.
>
> Medical Condition: I have osteomylitis and osteoporosis. Have had 31 major surgeries. Am in chronic intractable pain. I have been depressed most of my life. I would consider it major depression.
>
> The medications I currently take include:
> cardizem
> toprol
> paxil 20mg/day
> wellbutrin 200mg/day
> lortab 10/500 4 tabs/day
> aspirin 1 tab/day
> multivitamin 1 tab/day
>
> I have tried many antidepressents in every class and none help more than marginally.
>
> My depression is getting worse. I am extremely tired all the time and feel like doing nothing but sleeping. I am an automaton completing my work and duties during the day and deriving no pleasure from anything. I am getting more and more disorganized. Things that I used to get at least a little enjoyment from I no longer enjoy at all. I believe that I am alive now only because my family needs me to be. If not for them, I just don't know.
>
> I visited my family physician a couple of days ago. He is new to me because my previous one moved out of the area. I tried to convey to him what was happening and how I felt. I mentioned the hypersomnia among all the symptoms and he prescribes Desyrel!!! I do not believe that this is an appropriate med to add to my mix. I tried it years ago for a few months and it did not help.
>
> In my reading, I have concluded that I have many of the symptoms of ADD also. The lack of concentration, procrastination, inability to complete tasks, disorganization. Also, I am not comfortable in crowds, hate meetings and social situations.
>
> My family doc set an appointment for me to visit a psychologist, but I do not think that I need this.
>
> Can anyone offer any suggestions on what to do next?Mr. Blue P.
Your symptoms of atypical depression are very simular to mine. Many bipolars have atypical symptoms. Antidepressants used ALONE and at higher doses will just exacerbate your depression and increase mood cycling. You need to find a good PSYCHIATRIST asap. They are the experts with this illness. There is a very broad spectrum to bipolar disorders. Many people who post here on this board are very well educated and offer good advice. You don't have to be "manic" or "hypomanic" to have this illness. That's why so many people misunderstand. My ups and just increases in energy and accomplishing many tasks at once. I have more lows then highs. My lows are hypersomnia, hyperphagia, leaden feeling in extremities, confusion and concentration problems. Many bipolars also have ADHD. I have been on Lamictal since early spring. This mood stablizer works as a antidepressant also. Many of us on this board are having very good results with this drug. Good Luck and find good doc who can really help you. You don't have to suffer like this! I am a psychiatric nurse and will be glad to help you out if you have any further questions. A very good book for you to read is titled "Why Your Depression Isn't Getting Better", by Michael R. Bartos M.D.
poster:polarbear206
thread:121728
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020930/msgs/121820.html