Posted by dewdropinn on July 31, 2007, at 11:55:52
In reply to Re: My Experience Mirrors Yours, posted by linkadge on July 31, 2007, at 8:43:48
As you are probably well aware, all anti-convulsants have proven effective augmentors of antidepressants, with the exception of Zonegran and Keppra (both of which are so new that I don't believe any studies have occured yet -- and I feel truly sorry for those depressives who participate in the Keppra study -- it reduced me to a raging, blubbering blob.) So, even if you proceed with the unipolar depression hypothesis, there's good reason to believe you will benefit from the addition of an anti-convulsant. There will almost certainly be some trial and error involved in finding the right med, but these anti-convulsants are all unique in their own fashion, so there's a good chance that you will ultimately find one that works for you. Last but not least, keep in mind that almost all anti-convulsants make a bad first impression and only become your friends after you get to know them -- which usually takes 2-4 weeks.
Best of luck.
Drew
> >think you're right on all counts -- and I >definitely empathize with your frustrations and >hope you can find a solution.
>
> >I can't tell you how much suffering I had to >endure after a doc determined that under no >circumstances could I take an antidepressant -- >I spent about a year in mood stabilizer induced >suspended animation. I've definitely taken my >share of "magig bullits" (I love that one by the >way.)
>
> Yeah, that was a typo. I hope that pointing this out wasn't an attempt to rectify my accusations on the propensity of mood stabilizers to cause "dumb as a bag of nails syndrome". :)
>
>
> >Thankfully, I was able to consult with someone >who had a contrary opinion regarding >antidepressants and the treatment of soft >bipolar spectrum disorders.
>
>
> Thats it. There is no conscensious on how antidepressants should be used to treat bipolar. I think they are afraid to say that it really depends on the patient. I think they're afraid to admit they don't have a solid answer. Some bipolars simply won't get well unless they are on an antidepressant. They might have some intracellular issues as well as monoamine issues.
>
>
> >Ultimately, I don't think it's a question of >believing or not believing a given theory. A >theory is simply a construct that provides a way >of explaining larger phenomena -- theories can >suggest answers that lead to constructive >solutions, but they can also be incredibly >dangerous when people begin treating them as >scientific facts rather than simply as a model >for future investigation. And it seems like you >are contending with the application of theories >that are presented as "the answer" even >though "the answer" clearly isn't "the answer." >I lost many years contending with answers that >weren't.
>
> I can agree with that.
>
> Although it makes it difficult when all you have available is the type of doctor that believes in the hardcore heuristics.
>
> >Ultimately, I think you seem to have a fairly >reasonable immediate term solution. If the >effect of a given treatment doesn't result in >net benefits after a reasonable trial -- e.g. >you felt better before taking it -- then it >stands to reason that you're better off without it.
>
> Thanks for the post.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
poster:dewdropinn
thread:772375
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070730/msgs/773084.html