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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jane66 on April 1, 2001, at 0:53:53
Hello all,
Firstly I'd like to say I've found this site very useful when starting on new medications, and for general info.I'm going to my psych on tuesday and want to see if I can get help from here first. Over the last 3 years, I've been on Zoloft, Aropax, Lovan, Doxepin, Effexor XR, Aurorix, Cipramil and currently Luvox (these are the Australian names anyway). 2 weeks ago, I was put on Lithium.
I have a really low tolerance to these drugs, and am currently suffering the side effects of lithium quite badly. I've also been in hospital (earlier this year for 5 weeks) and had 6 ECT treatments. These helped, but the effects wore off. I'm just not sure what to do next, as I'm so sick of all of these medications... I think I may have manic depression but I'm not sure.
ANy ideas?
Thanks
Jane
Posted by Cmat on April 1, 2001, at 3:16:34
In reply to Eighth anti-depressant and lithium... WHAT NEXT?, posted by jane66 on April 1, 2001, at 0:53:53
Jane,
If you access to Protriptyline, you might consider it. It's a Tricylic antidepressant that tends to be stimulating.
However, if you also have anxiety, Protriptyline may be difficult to handle without a calming agent.
Cmat
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 1, 2001, at 18:11:26
In reply to Eighth anti-depressant and lithium... WHAT NEXT?, posted by jane66 on April 1, 2001, at 0:53:53
Simply name 50 drugs that you have tried, and I will name you 50 good drugs that you haven't tried:
Here's some stuff for you. Random: Depakote, mirtazapine, maprotiline, nefazodone, buproprion; Tricylcics: desipramine, imipramine, clomipramine, trazodone, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, trimipramine; MAOIs: Isocarboxacid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, SELEGILINE; SSRIs: fluoxetine,
Atypical Neuroleptics: risperidone, Zyprexa, quietapine, ziprasidone.NEURONTIN, LAMICTAL, Topamax, Tiagabine, Carbamazepine
Fun stuff: VISKEN, buspirone, T3/T4, MIRAPEX, REQUIP
Give Lithium a 3 month try, though.
--Blood and Fire: The Salvation Army 9,600 Centers in the U.S. and in 236 countries worldwide.
Posted by jimmygold70 on April 2, 2001, at 8:24:18
In reply to Eighth anti-depressant and lithium... WHAT NEXT?, posted by jane66 on April 1, 2001, at 0:53:53
I have run into a patient who tried every possible AD, had some ECTs with little response, and Nardil changed his life. Hope it'll change yours as well.
Jimmy
Posted by loosmrbls on April 2, 2001, at 8:31:00
In reply to Eighth anti-depressant and lithium... WHAT NEXT?, posted by jane66 on April 1, 2001, at 0:53:53
Your story sounds very familiar to mine. I need more info, though.
You said you suffered side effects with lithium. At what dose? Was it generic or slow-release? It makes a huge difference. I couldn't tolerate more than a measly 600mg of generic lithium, but on slow-release I am at 900mg and titrating up without any serious side effects (just urinating a lot).
Lithium is the only drug that has shown any improvement in me. I am also on Serzone, which is like my millionth antidepressant.
Like you, I think I may have bipolar disorder, and the plan is to get off any antidepressants, stay on lithium, and add depakote.
But give lithium a serious try. It's the only medicine that has made any improvement with me. I have relapsed into the hospital while on antidepressants -- especially celexa ( I hate SSRI's)
Posted by jane66 on April 5, 2001, at 0:51:16
In reply to Re: Eighth anti-depressant and lithium... WHAT NEXT?, posted by loosmrbls on April 2, 2001, at 8:31:00
loosmrbls,
I am on 500mg of Lithium, but I'm not sure whether or not it is generic or slow-release (Name on the bottle says Lithicarb). My side effects from it are bad nausea and stomach pains and other little things.I went to the doctor the other day, and he's prescribed me Clomipramine (Anafranil) as my latest anti-depressant. He already has two more AD's lined up if it doesn't work (that's faith for you) and they are mirtazapine and serzone.
I've tried risperidone before (Bad bad side effects) and use Diazepam and temazapam occasionally.
I'm just sick of all these meds and side effects. I just hate feeling sick all of the time, on top of the things going on in my head.
I'm thinking of getting ECT treatments again, after my uni course finishes, but who knows if it will make much difference.
Anyway, thanks everyone for the help so far,
jane
This is the end of the thread.
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