Posted by karaS on September 30, 2004, at 22:21:35
In reply to placebos, poop-out and Cymbalta » karaS, posted by zeugma on September 30, 2004, at 20:21:09
> yes I agree that 20% is quite low. But keep in mind the phenomenon of 'placebo drift' - placebos are getting stronger over the years! No, they're not slipping covert mood-elevators into the sucrose. People with less severe depressions, who would not have been among the populations in which the AD effects of TCA's and MAOI's were first observed, are now routinely included in AD trials. Such people are more likely to have a placebo effect. Can placebos poop out, too? Probably for someone who has a severe depression, but likely not for one who has never been acquianted with the safe confines (I mean in terms of razor-free and carefully monitored) of a psych hospital.
>
> Have you made up your mind to try Cymbalta?
>
> -z
I couldn't imagine the placebo effect changing over time but you do make a convincing case for it.Funny you should ask about Cymbalta. I just saw my doctor today for the first time in a long while. I really like him. He's very considerate of my situation. Anyway, he gave me samples of Cymbalta. I will be his first guinea pig, er, I mean patient, to try it. He would have preferred that I try something else first (maybe something he knows better?) but he didn't think this was a bad idea for me. I will start it this weekend. Fortunately I got the capsules so i can open them and start out slowly. (I'm too afraid to do it any other way.)
The interesting thing about this visit was that he brought up the idea of me possibly being one of the "soft bipolars". He said that many people without overt symptoms of bipolar disease are benefitting from treatment with Abilify, Lamictal and/or lithium. He really encouraged me to try one of these medications. On the one hand after reading a lot on this board, the thought had crossed my mind too. On the otherhand, I'm wondering if this isn't just the latest diagnosis "du jour". But if those drugs could help me, then what difference does the label or diagnosis really make? So, to make a long story short, I'm going to start on the Cymbalta and if I have no or partial success, then I'm going to look into adding one of those drugs.
How about you? Are you concentrating any better lately? Are you able to study? I read one of your recent posts and it seemed as if you were having a rough time of it. What are your current thoughts for treatment (other than periodically going back on the Strattera)?
I am hoping that you find a good solution soon. You are one of my favorite people here.Kara
poster:karaS
thread:395372
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040927/msgs/397657.html