Posted by SLS on December 8, 2002, at 15:23:21
In reply to Stimulants for Refractory Depression?, posted by jralphc on December 6, 2002, at 12:39:59
Hi.
Can you describe your experience with Ludiomil? It is once drug that I haven't tried yet. Like you, I have been resistant to drug treatment.
If Ludiomil produced even a mild response, you might do well with a combination of Effexor 300mg + Wellbutrin 300mg. It is worth trying psychostimulants, but I don't think it's a good bet if you are receiving little or no benefit from Wellbutrin. As far as being able to tolerate medication, you might be forced to start at very low dosages and raise the dosage very gradually so as not to "provoke" side-effects. Often, side-effects occur early in treatment and abate with time. However, it can take months for some side effects to improve. Effexor + Remeron is often suggested for treatment resistance.
Try not to think of yourself as being doomed. Some people have pursurvered for decades and finally find their magic pill. New drugs are coming out. You might want to try duloxetine (Cymbalta), which is supposed to be available within the next six months. It is a dual-action drug like Effexor. However, it inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) nearly equally. Effexor is less balanced in this regard, and is much more skewed towards 5-HT.
Have you ever tried adding Lamictal? By itself, I don't think it can maintain a strong antidepressant effect, but it can make an excellent augmentor.
I think the caring people whom have contributed along this thread have offered you enough ideas to help you feel that you have plenty of new things to try before you can reach the conclusion that you are really doomed.
By the way, there is a VERY strong association between depression and heart disease.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:130779
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021203/msgs/131025.html