Posted by Maxime on March 13, 2005, at 20:15:22
In reply to Hi Maxime, posted by pretty_paints on March 13, 2005, at 4:08:01
Hi Pretty-Paints :)
Well that is what my doctor calls me - a high-functioning depressive.
Trileptal is like Tegretol and it is a mood stabiliser. I like to describe it as Tegretol with an oxygen atom on it ... because that is exactly what it is. When I was on Tegretol I had some bad side effects and it is contraindicated with many other meds. But that one little oxygen atom makes Trileptal have less side effects and not interfere with other meds. The Clonazapam is called Rivotril in Canada and Klonopin in the U.S. It is a benzo, but it is the only benzo that is indicated to treat bipolar illness. I don't have any anxiety. I had one panic attack and that was it (and enough).
I tried Nardil, another MAOI, but I became so sick on it that I could not stay on it. After two weeks of throwing up and being dizzy and I had to throw in the towel. Maybe I will give it another go since my system is clean of all ADs right now.
I take the Thorazine to help me sleep. I can be exhausted but my brain will not shut down. Thorazine brings a calmness over me. I have been in a psychotic depression before and I had to take Risperidal and Zyprexa and lactate. Finally I stopped taking them because I couldn't handle the side-effects (of lactating).
I have my Masters in Communication Studies.
I know what you mean about the whole shower thing. It's sad when you can't shave your legs or in my case remember what I am suppose to do in the shower. There are too many steps involved.
I will see you in Babble mail. ;)
Oh Maximus lives in Quebec, the same Province I do. But we don't live near each other. His first language is French whereas mine is English. But in order to survive in Quebec you really need to be bilingual.
xoxo
Maxime> I'm so sorry you're not doing well. I know what you mean about a high-functioning depressive. I know it wasn't supposed to be FUNNY but your post made me laugh. The bit about wearing underwear on your head. It's good you can still see what is funny to others, even tho you probably don't find it funny yourself! I used to be like that. I'd say something so-say ammusing, even tho I myself couldn't laugh about it.
>
> I can't believe that you've completed a masters degree, whilst having two hospitalisations. That is amazing. I couldn't even bear to be at Uni right now. I don't know how you did it! What subject was it in? I'm v impressed!
>
> Anyway, what are we going to do with you! We are going to get you well, YES!
>
> Right, you said you have been on many medications. But don't worry, there will still be one that will work I am sure. You won't need to try ECT if you don't want to.
>
> I know it's hard but just try and see if you can make it till tuesday. That sounds patronising, I don't mean it to. Just if you aim towards some particular date, it might help. Make sure your doc really understands this time about how bad you're feeling. Tell him you're suicidal and that you can't stand the way things are right now. Is there anything like a Crisis Team available (a group of people who come and visit you each day if things are getting really bad)?
>
> I don't take a shower some days. It really seems like a huge ordeal. I think there are two ways things can go. Either you don't CARE enough to take a shower, like, "what's the point?", or you want to, but you just don't have the energy. Like, you CAN'T, rather than you don't want to. I usually am wanting to have a shower but just CAN'T. Even if I get myself in there, I'll just sit at the bottom of the shower with the water falling on my head, looking at my hairy legs that need shaving with not enough energy to actually SHAVE them. Ha ha ha.
>
> So your meds are Trileptal and clonazapam. What is Trileptal? I'm assuming Clonazapam is a sedative? Like, diazepam or lorazepam? Do these help?
>
> What do you take the Thorazine for? How does that help? Do you have psychotic symptoms at the moment, as part of the bipolar illness?
>
> It's difficult for me to say "hey have you tried this?" and suggest medications, because you have been on so many. So I don't want to suggest things you've already tried. But maybe a different MAOI instead of parnate?
>
> I think it's really great that you are doing volunteer work, and well done on the $25,000!! I admire you because there's no way I could do volunteer work at the mo. It just seems so difficult and big. Hopefully you will be able to make it along.
>
> Right well I will send you a babblemail so we can have a chat, but I just thought I'd post here too. Haven't really made any suggestions have I? DOH. Just wanted to reply and say hi really. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> ps: WOW, you speak French! I had fun decoding what you wrote, took me back to school! How come you replied in French to Maximus? Is he/she french?
poster:Maxime
thread:470221
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050312/msgs/470634.html