Posted by JadeKelly on February 8, 2009, at 17:38:05
In reply to Re: Apology, posted by Sigismund on February 8, 2009, at 14:43:14
To those waiting for relief,
When I became depressed (finally did get an accurate dx, MDD) I tried a couple ssri's: Prozac for 30 days and Lexapro for a few days. SSRI's are not for me. I saw SO MANY people trying med after med, just to be disappointed again. I imagine we see a disproportionate of non-responders here. Somehow, I had it in my head that I would be in that group. I think because of how deeply depressed I was. I felt it would take a sledge hammer to get me out of it. And I was out of time. Meaning, I have to work, and take care of my home.
I made the decision to start an MAOI (EMSAM) before I even joined the sight. But it was because of an old poster's experience that I did it. I switched to Parnate and it was and act of faith that I stayed on that for almost 3 months before I responded, even with all the side effects. Frankly, I don't know how I did it. I had people telling me to stay on it, and people telling me to get off. Looking back it was a very rough ride for me. Some had a much easier time of it, some had to abort MAOI's.
I'm now so far from that original depression that I want to get down and kiss the ground for releasing me from that dark hole I was in. I continue to get better every day. And I'm grateful that I didn't have to trial many other meds first.
What this means for me or anyone else I don't really know. When I found the fantastic PDoc I have now, he was surprized that I hadn't tried many other meds. He said since I was so far into my treatment we would continue with Parnate and a augment. He tweaked things a bit. My investment paid off. Should I have tried others first? Would they be easier on my system? If it "poops"out, will it be harder to find one that works? I don't know. My Doc did say he thought I may have ended up on an maoi anyaway. I don't know what he bases that on, all I know is that I had a gut feeling about Parnate and it worked for me in the end.
The message here I geuss is to use your intuition throughout the process. If you are here you are probably on meds or want to be. Is my PDoc the best I can get? Don't stay with a PDoc who will not talk carefully about your feelings, history, past s/e's etc. It is CRITICAL that you get a good diagnostician-sp?. I don't care what people say about switching docs. I'd still be in that hole if not for my new PDoc. If they aren't interested in coming up with a comprehensive plan for you-cut em loose. You need to have hope and you'll only have that with a competent PDoc who cares. Then trust him/her.
If you instinctively know a med is not for you, talk to PDoc about it. If you see a little improvement but your sick of waiting and PDoc has ideas to build on that stay with it! I waited 3 months for mine. It was worth every day. Make a plan as to how you will get thru 2-3 months if need be, so you are not freaking out everyday. If that means a loan, help from your church whatever. "But I can't afford it" Can you afford NOT to?
Good luck,
~Jade
poster:JadeKelly
thread:876522
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090203/msgs/878935.html