Posted by rednowhereman on October 16, 2008, at 19:17:32
Hi all,
First Time poster.
I consider this site to be the best group therapy.History:
At 19 fell into the deepest darkest depression and nearly took my life.
Gave up college and was perscribed Effexor XR, levelling of at 150mg.
A recovery of sorts began, but 18 months later the switching began 10 days hypomanic and 10 days bedridden.I am from Europe and came to USA in 2005.
I was on Lamictal at 200mg but still switching over 10 day periods.
I saw a clueless Doctor who put me on a trio of Geodon, Abilify and Seroquel one after the other.
They did not work; I was knocked out most of the time.
Then I tried Wellbutrin but my anxiety went through the roof, and I came close to death again.I met my current Doctor just over one year ago and he informed me that I could be in the Bipolar spectrum, BP 3 or 4.
He started me on Lithium and I went to 900mg and paired with the Lamictal the moods did not swing as violently as they had.
The underlying theme of my illness has been lack of motivation, lethargy and gloom and doom.
I work in the Restaurant Industry and I am able to turn of the problems when I work a busy shift but once I am home I slump and crawl into bed.I started Dexedrine last Novemeber and it has definitely got me out of bed and doing the basics.
However as far as creativity, relationships, travel etc, goes its a dead end street.
Very little Interest in Life outside of work and my bedroom.The other piece of the puzzle is that bead-by-bead, I am withdrawing from Effexor and its slow but it will lessen the swings even more.
However this is the problem.
I now feel that the anti depressant hourglass is getting lighter and all I have left are Lithium and Lamictal, stabilizers not brightners.I have tried an MAO B i.e Selegeline/Dexedrine combo but it pooped out.
Dexedrine is not strong enough on its own to fill in the space the Effexor is vacating.
An MAO A Inhibitor cant be used for the interaction risk.
I have taken TCAs, Anti Psychotics, and Stimulants.
(Shake me and I will rattle folks)
So this is the time for you guys to give me input:
Every Psychiatrist from Los Angelas to Louisville would probably go for the Prozac Bridge to get me of the Effexor Or in my world
The bridge to nowhere Miss Palin
So I pay the toll and cross the bridge, but then what?.
I truly believe that the SSRI family while relieving the torment may make a person apathetic and just content with life.
After 8 years of searching I need to shout Last Call.Enter BUPRENORPHINE, I fail to understand why I can take Dexedrine a Category 2 drug but face 50ft walls when confronted with this Category 3 treatment thats harder to abuse.
I have a Dr. who has it in his armortorium to perscribe and I have signed a consent form with my parents.
It makes me more anxious that the subject is so Taboo.
Ok bad choice of word here folks but I am a Maverick when it comes to getting my life on track.
An MAO B and Effexor combined not advised but I tried it none the less.
I have a respect for stimulants and for Buprenorphine as well, to be used and not abused.So what are your valid thoughts on my problems.?
What are some of the options that my blinkered eyes may not see towards?
(Be gentle its my first time thats what she said)Yours appreciatively.
RED.
poster:rednowhereman
thread:857831
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081016/msgs/857831.html