Posted by blueberry on November 8, 2006, at 21:24:43
In reply to I need help immediately!!!!, posted by john anderton on November 5, 2006, at 19:44:27
I know something that will help. It goes extremely well with the pattern you are experiencing. The first thing to do is to minimize the meds by weeding out all except the most helpful. The educated guessing game is tough. You, me, and a handful of psychiatrists would probably all have different opinions. Mine is to keep the lamictal solo.
Then...begin ECT. I've been through it. I can speak from experience. My pattern of depression was eerily like the way you describe. ECT blasted it into total nonexistence. People describe me as being more alive, more engaging, more happy, more confident, and more stable than they've ever seen me. Here's how it goes...
You go into the hospital Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. They hook anesthesia into your arm and you're out. They give you controlled electrical stimulus to the head. How it works I have no idea. It actually begins working right away, but really kicks in after a few treatments. The primary side effect is amnesia. You will forget some things and other things will be kind of foggy. The trade-off though is worth it. The amnesia only affects things right around the treatment, not everything, and not other times.
I have written a followup thread to my ECT treatment further down this page. In it I give strategies to minimize side effects, minimize the cost, and get full benefit.
I have no experience with MAOI antidepressants, but that may be something to consider if not ECT.
poster:blueberry
thread:700737
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061104/msgs/701816.html