Posted by Bob on September 18, 2011, at 12:31:24
In reply to Re: BDNF connection? » Bob, posted by SLS on September 17, 2011, at 23:52:51
> > Well that's one thing I certainly agree with... they definitely have very little idea what's going on. As I look back over the course of my illness, I can see that in the beginning treatments gave me some hope, but as the years ticked by there was less and less response and more and more sickness. Most things didn't work at all, and those that "worked" did only for a short time.
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> Your story sounds vaguely familiar to me.
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> :-(
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> > I am now a shadow of my former self,
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> I am familiar with the deteriorations of the body, mind, and spirit that result from depression. It is enough to demoralize one to the point of contemplating suicide.Yes, the deterioration and build-up of emotional pain over the years has unquestionably brought me much closer to suicide.
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> > even on "good days". As for the bad days - those are the ones where I really don't think I'm gonna make it.
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> Is there anything that can provide you with even the smallest degree of relief on a steady basis? I managed to eek out a 15% improvement combining nortriptyline and Lamictal.
It's the "steady basis" part that presents a significant problem. I have found things that help for a little while but sooner or later I reach a point where the side effects are just too burdensome in one way or another. Then it becomes necessary to experiment with yet another drug combo which inevitably involves yet another withdrawal and another ramp up on a new drug. I am exquisitely sensitive to meds and med changes and it has all taken a severe toll.Currently I am taking nortriptyline and zoloft and it has helped a little, but if I heed the lessons of the past, it won't be so for too much longer. I have to somehow try to accept the low grade life I am living on a less-than-optimum drug cocktail but it is very difficult to do.
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> Which drugs made you feel dramatically worse?
The drugs and treatments that did the most damage would be these I think:- Effexor (non-XR) This drug was okay until it quit working, and then the withdrawal was life threatening.
- Topirimate
- Gabapentin
- Electro-convulsive therapy
- Klonopin withdrawal
This is by no means a complete list but rather the highlights of some of my biggest crises. I have had significant problems on many different meds and combinations of meds and would be writing page after page here if I describes all of it.
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> - Scott
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poster:Bob
thread:997028
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110914/msgs/997099.html