Posted by Tomatheus on January 24, 2015, at 18:50:06
In reply to feeling like im out of options, posted by hello123 on January 24, 2015, at 16:02:14
Hello123,
I can say that the feeling that I've exhausted my options -- or at least every option that I'd consider to be worth trying -- for the treatment of my chronic fatigue, or persistent clinical depression, is a familiar one. Having first sought help in the form of talk therapy and then having tried antidepressants and other psychiatric medications, I started to find that the treatments that brought me some relief only did so on a short-term basis. I think that I've mentioned to you previously that it was almost two years ago when I went to an orthomolecular treatment center, where they ordered several tests and found that, among other things, my vitamin D level was low. I've been taking vitamin D3 steadily for almost a year now, and I can say that over the last two months or so, I've noticed what seems to be some gradual improvement in my energy and concentration. I still have other symptoms to contend with, and I'm still not sure if what I'm noticing now will persist into the longer term, but for the first time in about 15 years, I'm starting to feel like I might be seeing the light at the end of the long tunnel of fatigue that I've been in for so long.
I'm not saying that seeing an orthomolecular doctor is necessarily the best choice for everyone, but I do think that seeing a doctor who might order some tests for abnormalities that are relevant to clinical depression would be a good idea. As I was just saying on another thread earlier today, tests that might be relevant to clinical depression include those that measure for thyroid disorders, anemia, and deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid, and vitamin D. If you haven't had these tests done, then talking to a doctor about possibly getting them done might point you toward a treatment option that you might not have previously thought to explore. I know that I was reluctant to take any form of vitamin D in the long run because one attempt at supplementation when I wasn't taking any medications for my psychotic/perceptual problems seemed to worsen my psychosis. But I still did try vitamin D3 again, albeit reluctantly, with Abilify after the test found my vitamin D level to be low, and as I've said, I do seem to be noticing good results from D3 supplementation. So, if I wouldn't have had my vitamin D level tested, I most likely wouldn't be taking vitamin D3 right now. The test made the difference.
At any rate, I just thought I'd put the idea of getting some tests done out there since the trial-and-error approach that mainstream psychiatrists take doesn't seem to have produced lasting results for you, at least up to this point. I wish you luck with everything and hope that you can reach a point where things will improve for you.
Tomatheus
Has long-standing difficulties with energy and concentration, as well as perceptual and cognitive problems
Taking Abilify & supplements including vitamins B3 & D3
poster:Tomatheus
thread:1075467
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20150102/msgs/1075486.html