Posted by ramsea on December 27, 2003, at 15:40:08
In reply to Re: PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by linkadge on December 27, 2003, at 6:40:53
sorry to hear of your condition. remember this is an illness, and if your doctor isn't up to handling your illness I really suggest you try another one and if that doesn;t work, another one still. I mean if you are on a terminal course it is imperative that you try many different treatment options known to relieve and lift severe depression in many cases. I believe there are MANY things you can do.
Some posters have offered good advice.My benzo was increasing my depression at one point--took a long time to realize it--but getting off of it was a real help. Maybe instead of Ambien you could try lowdose Seroquel. Or the hormone Melatonin.
ECT is vastly more friendly these days. A search on the latest info at MEDSCAPE might help. For a person at the end, ECT is definitely worth a try. What have you got to lose?
A stay in hospital could help if you need ECT or a change in meds or a place of safety. So what if they just release you once you aren't suicidal anymore? I thought that was the idea. And if you get suicidal again, you go back in again. That's what the place is there for. It's like if you were having a kidney problem or something---if you had to keep being brought back in to save your life, well, so be it, that's what hospitals are meant to do.
If you have never tried lithium, it can help some unipolar treatment resistant folks. I take it for bipolar,and am aware of its antidepressant affects. It may be that the lithium would also augment your antidepressant. You know, a really sharp, fresh psychopharmacologist would be worth the cost of a visit---again, when you compare it to eternity, what have you got to lose? Find the best and most sought after one you can and by hook andby crook, get to him/her. There are so many options.
If you can get the worst of this depression under control, there are still other avenues you can go down in seeking relief. Lifestyle changes, therapies, etc. But first the biological issues need sorting. I suspect you may need some second opinions and some medication adjustments. Don't give up. You can experience pleasure again, and a sense of wellbeing. Just push a little for the correct treatment you deserve.
poster:ramsea
thread:293653
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/293806.html