Posted by LazyorAnxious on August 11, 2015, at 17:16:51
Hi all.
I've been lurking on this site for a while, but now I need to ask a question.
I've worked with several psychiatrists in the past, some of which were good, some bad. I've taken many different kinds of medications for varying problems, but have never found a great combination. The list below is basically in order.
Ritalin
Adderall
Vyvanse
Buproprion - Had no effect
Sertraline - SLEEEEEPY
Citalapram - so very sleepy
Risperidol - Zombie like and forgetful
Buproprion again Felt worsening depression and anxiety
Buspirone - Had no effect
Desimipramine - Couldn't stop crying for 3 days.
Vilazadone - meh
Tried Effexor, didn't really seem to do anything, but was only on for about 2 weeks before I was "diagnosed" bipolar. (Which I don't agree with)
Depakote - made me very tired
Lamictal - 200 mg - lessened symptoms of depression but only to about a 3 or 4/10 from a 1 or 2.
Abilify - 2.5 mg-5 mg - only seemed to make me not want to do anything. Sad around doing nothing a lot on 5 mg.
Tried Wellbutrin again while on Lamictal, suicidal thoughts returned en masse.Then, I found Parnate. Was considering ECT at the time but wanted to this first, so I did. It's worked. I'd say I went from a 1/10 (wanted to die badly) to about a 7, which I'd consider "normal".
I've had some weird effects from it, though. I've got a massive increase in appetite which has caused me to skyrocket in weight (245, heaviest I've ever been). I've got dry mouth (doesn't bother me really) and diarrhea, but oh well. I can get tired sometimes, especially in the afternoon. Some insomnia sometimes, especially at first, but it's been better and can be helped a lot with the safe antihistamines.
Overall, very happy with it. But I still have other issues that I don't know how to address.
1: I still find it very hard to get myself to do things that aren't "fun". It took me several weeks to start applying for jobs. Some of this was because of anxiety and I think some of it was apathy/laziness. Anyone have any ideas on how to tell the difference? Is this something that would be better to use therapy for?
2: I still have problems with self-control. Adderall helped a lot with this when I took it last a few years ago. I ended up stopping the Adderall because I was no longer in school (because I was depressed) but it helped me lose a lot of weight and helped me control what I said around others better. It made the decision to go running+go the gym a no brainer because the motivation was just... there. I didn't have to struggle and try to convince myself only to fail more than half the time. I'm almost positive my ability to lose weight wasn't solely from the appetite loss, but also from increased self-control. I still wanted to eat during the day, but I was able to say "no, I'd rather wait until later tonight when my self-control is at 0 again". Basically I was eating solely in the late afternoon-night, which is not abnormal nor unhealthy. (Intermittent fasting is what it's called). I'd eat this way without Adderall if I could, but I have no self-control. Is this something I should go to therapy for?
3: I still have problems with self-esteem. I still have very little faith in myself, I still don't feel like I deserve anything. I still feel like a loser for not being able to control what I eat/say. I degrade myself in front of friends all the time because I feel I need to show that I hate myself... blah blah. Therapy?
So, I've asked "therapy?" to all 3 points above, but what I'm here on this particular sub-board for is to ask if there's medication that can help. I'm open to trying therapy again, despite my failure with it in the past. But, if there's a medication that can help also, I'd love to try it.
"Why don't you just ask your psychiatrist?"
I tried to. As soon as I brought up a bunch of different medications that I've seen people on this site/other sites use with Parnate, she rejected every single one saying "it's contraindicated" or whatever. So, I'm gonig to find a new psych. Before I do that, I'd love to hear some options I can bring forth that would be good for my problems. Should I try for Adderall again? I've heard mixed things about it with Parnate.
Nortriptyline?
Mirapex?
Requip?Any ideas that you guys have for my issues that I can ask a new psych about when I call would be great. I'd like to have a list so that I know before I go whether they'll even CONSIDER any of them.
Thanks a bunch guys, for any information.
poster:LazyorAnxious
thread:1081291
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20150806/msgs/1081291.html