Posted by grapes on December 24, 2011, at 11:29:34
In reply to Re: Can't get through school- what to try next? (long), posted by Phillipa on December 24, 2011, at 9:56:08
Thank you all so much for your comments thus far- its nice to be able to communicate with people who "get it".
Deneb- I am so so sorry that you are going through this as well- I hope that we will both be able to navigate our way through, find something that works to alleviate the suffering and get our lives back.
Twin Leaf- with every AD I tried, I started on the lowest dose possible- then tried maybe 1 dose higher before weaning off, b/c I seem to be more sensitive than most (stomach). I am now weaning off of Pristiq 50mg, but tried 100mg at one point, which made me sick. As my lowered cognitive functioning started years before the social anxiety symptoms, my docs believe that it is caused by my depression, and exacerbated by my anxiety -> lack of attention. It took me years to find a doc that would give me a concerta prescription to see if an add med would help- and it was only when I found this board that I realized that others were trying the same thing. I definitely think that therapy will be the most helpful for me as well- I just want to make sure I am stable enough to make the most of it.
bleauberry- thanks so much for your thoughts- I will definately look into rhodiola. I do think that my depression may be nearly completely connected to my hormones- the mood disorder center that I have an appt with in March actually is focused on women, and are well versed in treating/evaluating hormonal influences. I did have a hormone panel done at least once- but nothing stood out to the doc. I will mention the medicine pairings you listed when I see my doc- I think he is thinking of putting me on wellbutrin- any thoughts?
Phillipa- During my research over the years I have read so many books about hypothyroid- I was absolutely convinced that was my problem. However, I have been tested numerous times (it was one of the first tests they did actually) and everything always comes back normal. I have actually considered going to an endo and demanding a prescription just to see if it helped.
I no longer allow myself to think about med school as a possibility- so I have not thought about specialty choice in a long time. I do know that I want to complete an MPH beforehand (I work part time as a research assistant at a public health school now) concentrating in international health or environmental health. Anesthesiology or Pathology would be good fits as far as a medical specialty- but I dont want to think too far ahead (part of my anxiety issue)
I did forget to mention that I have tried a couple of supplements:
-phosphatidyl serine (worked on cognition for a few days! then pooped out no matter high I increased the dose)
-Seriphos (made me tired- a strange sort of tired)
-Sam-e- works as a mood elevator, but I crave carbs when on it. (helps me get through the pristiq weaning)
Currently take a multivitamin (designed for pregnant women) and may start fish oil soon - have to investigate brands/dosages
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poster:grapes
thread:1005462
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20111208/msgs/1005481.html