Posted by KaraS on December 29, 2004, at 14:08:57
In reply to Re: Kara - Have you come to a decision? » KaraS, posted by jujube on December 28, 2004, at 15:48:47
> > > Hi Kara,
> >
> > No, not nosy at all. I was thinking more along the lines of VERY SWEET AND CONSIDERATE! I'm still completely unmedicated and it's been interesting to say the least. I'm only using the niacinamide currently to ward off the anxiety. (I've just recently increased my vitamin D and my fish oil though and will continue to increase the latter.) The crying at the drop of a hat is still a problem. It's like having constant PMS and I have no control over it. It's very wierd because my conscious mind knows that there's no reason to cry - yet the floodgates open nonetheless.
>
> -- I can so relate to the crying at a drop of a hat. The past couple of days (post-Christmas) it has been bad. In my case, it is a combination of PMS, which just seems to get worse every year, and still feeling down. Hopefully the Vitex will start helping the PMS problems soon. But, it is frustrating to all of a sudden get weepy and not have any reason for it!So sorry you're experiencing the same thing but glad to hear I'm not alone. I didn't realize that the Anafranil response has been so incomplete for you. I just thought that you needed the dopaminergic activity added on to your antidepressant effect. Hopefully the Vitex will help with hormonal issues soon and you can figure out how much of the problem that contributed to and how much the antidepressant is actually doing. It's hard enough to try to deal with one problem but the other issues make it so much more complicated.
> > I have gone back and forth on the Parnate/Nardil decision many times. When my anxiety was out of control I was favoring Nardil but now that that is in check I'm leaning towards Parnate again. My anxiety problems can be quite severe but it's very treatable. Any SSRI or TCA I've been on has completely "cured" me. My biggest problem by far then becomes the lack of energy/motivation followed by the brain fog/concentration issues. Parnate fits that bill better. I could always add in a little bit of a sedating tricyclic for anxiety/insomnia if needed. I have yet to see if my pdoc will go for the Parnate though. I'll see when I can talk to him in the new year. There's also one other health issue that I have to make sure is not going to be a problem with an MAOI before I can start. So things are still up in the air.
>
> -- If motivation/energy/concentration/focus are at the top of your list, then you are probably wise to go with the Parnate, especially since the niacinimide seems to be helping you with the anxiety. For insomnia, I have found that taking 500 mg of magnesium, with 375 mcg of chromium and 500 mg of Taurine seems to be helping me get quite a good night's sleep. I was surprised at how deeply I slept, with no night terrors, the first night I tried that combo.Hmmm. I have taken chromium during the day but not at night. It helps with sleep, eh? I am taking 500 mg. of magnesium currently. I haven't tried taurine yet. Right now the niacinamide helps with sleep too. Actually, I haven't been taking it much in the last few days. I did take a small amount last night though but I'm still feeling like I can't breathe again now. I'll have to try a larger dose taken more regularly. If I still feel the breathing problems, I'll have to see a doctor. Sometimes it seems like 1 step forward and 2 steps back...
> > I must confess I still do have my moments when I get scared and think about trying imipramine or something else instead.
> >
> -- I know what you mean about being scared. I avoided meds for years and self-medicated. When I finally did take something (Paxil with a small amount of Xanax for emergencies), I was kicking myself for not having done it sooner. It's so important to find something that works well and that you are comfortable with. I am still trying to find the right combo. I had such high hopes for the Anafranil, and, perhaps, I will be able to tolerate a higher dose once I elevate my blood pressure a bit. Who knows. I go back to the pdoc in early January, so I have time to make some decisions and what's next.Are you on a low dose of Anafranil or mid-range? It's so unusual to hear of people trying to raise their blood pressure. Is yours low to begin with or is this a side effect from the Anafranil itself?
> > That's interesting about your experiment with the salt tablets. Have you seen any benefit yet? I was thinking that you were going to change directions rather than increase your Anafranil - but maybe with the NADH and DMAE increasing your motivation, energy and focus, you're more content on the Anafranil. I don't think I tried DMAE at a strong enough dosage. NADH had no effect on me but all dopaminergics tend to not work well on me so at least until I can improve that situation, NADH isn't really an option unfortunately. From your other posts, it sounds like you're functioning really well now though you've still got issues to work on. Am I reading the situation correctly?
>
> -- You are right. I have been thinking about changing directions. However, since I don't see the pdoc for a few weeks, I will give the Anafranil a little more time before giving up completely. I have to admit that the NADH/DMAE/Vitex combo has certainly given me some much needed energy. I still have issues, which I find not only frustrating but also embarrassing. When I get depressed and anxious, I develop a bit of an avoidance tendency with irrational fears, and get really nervous about doing certain things (like going out for dinner and to the mall). I have usually been able overcome these tendencies just by getting out and doing things, but this time it has gone on for a few months (it really came to a head when I was on Depo Provera) and it is getting harder to get back on track. I feel so ashamed of myself and so weak, and know that my family and friends are getting somewhat frustrated with me. I just have to keep reminding myself that "this too shall pass", and try to pull through. I have to return to work at the end of January, and I am scared that I will no longer be a good performer. Fortunately, I will be going on course for a two to three months upon my return. So that should make things a bit less stressful. Hopefully, my fearfulness will have subsided by then. It's so weird, I am not usually afraid of anything (except flying creatures and escalators). So, I don't know where these emotions are coming from.I know exactly what you're talking about regarding irrational fears especially when going out. It sounds like you might have GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) as I think I have right now. Sometimes even reading can elicit that fear in me. I tend to get like this when unmedicated though both the SSRIs and the TCAs seem to work well to counteract this in me. Unfortunately, the DMAE might be exacerbating the situation. (Better ask Lar)
> > I'd don't know about you but I'd really prefer to be on only holistic type treatments. I just don't have the time now to taking the chance of trying lots of different things and giving them months of time. Nor do I have the money to get complete holistic testing done (but someday I hope to). My situation requires that I get fully functional and soon. Otherwise I'd have to give up my apartment and I can't bear to think about what would happen to my 2 cats.
>
> -- I like the holistic approach as well. And, I think, when my health is relatively good, it is much easier to implement a holistic plan with success. I really haven't been in the best shape physically and emotionally for months and months, and realize that a strictly holistic approach may not have the UMPH I need to get through this episode. Like you with your precious cats, my little baby (my dog Dakota) needs me functional!I guess it's good that we have our "children" who need us. It give us more incentive to get well.
> -- I had some relatively good news yesterday when my dad came over to exchange Christmas gifts, etc. There is a doctor that I have been trying to get in to see for months, but he isn't taking new patients. He is regarded as some kind of "witch doctor" (he's that good). He is trained in both Chinese and Western medicine, and, apparently, can tell you what is wrong with you just by looking at you. And, apparently, he is never wrong. The grandson of a friend of mom had severe asthma and was on two puffers. He was treated by this doctor, and barely uses a puffer anymore. A woman a friend of dad knows had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy years ago (by a number of doctors, including doctors at Johns Hopkins). When she went to him, he looked at her and said she had Muscular Dystrophy. She said no - she had Cerebral Palsy. He said no - MS. She went back to her doctor, had more tests done, and, sure enough, she has MS. Anyways, my dad has a friend who is very good friends with this doctor, and he told my dad if I wanted to see him, he would arrange it. So, I am very happy about that. I think he treats his patients with both traditional approaches and acupuncture. Anyways, he is supposed to be outstanding.Wow! I'm always fascinated by those kinds of stories. I can't wait to hear about your meeting with him. Wish I could get an appointment!
> Well keep me posted on how you are doing and the decisions you make. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you. Take care, and be good to yourself.Same to you. Talk to you later.
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:434103
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041228/msgs/435350.html