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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by catmint on November 9, 2002, at 22:20:10
I went through this last year. Only now I am on Depakote instead of Nuerontin. I just started Wellbutrin again b/c the depression was becoming unbearable.I am having suicidal ideation, and the only thing that stops me is my son. I couldn't and wouldn't do that to him.I had another crying spell today and felt catatonic after. I wanted to smash a mirror. I know that irritability is common in the first couple of weeks on Wellbutrin, but why is my depression so bad. I also plan on adding Prozac in about 2 weeks.My dose of Depakote is low, but I can't tolerate much more. Forget benzos, my pdoc is "benzophobic"I felt better when I was drug free for 4 months but I can't do that. I need an AD.
I guess I just need some support while I get used to the ADs
Amy
Posted by lilsis on November 9, 2002, at 22:40:34
In reply to Losing my mind, posted by catmint on November 9, 2002, at 22:20:10
AMY ANYTIME YOU NEED ANYONE TO TALK TO MY EMAIL IS CINDY@PLUR2K.COM AND YOU CAN DO THIS. BECAUSE YOUR SON LOVES YOU AND NEEDS YOU. YOU ARE HIS LIFE AND IF YOU TAKE AWAY YOUR LIFE THEN YOU ARE TAKING AWAY HIS
Posted by Roman on November 9, 2002, at 23:06:11
In reply to Losing my mind, posted by catmint on November 9, 2002, at 22:20:10
Hang in there Amy. Whenever I drop to a super-low point, I remind myself it ALWAYS gets better in a little while--you just have to tough-it-out until the wave passes. The meds should start working soon and you'll be okay.
If you feel suicidal, please go to the ER at your local hospital--sometimes this is the best choice when life gets too heavy.
Keep posting and look forward to the clouds lifting, as they will eventually.
-Roman
Posted by catmint on November 10, 2002, at 1:25:50
In reply to Re: Losing my mind, posted by lilsis on November 9, 2002, at 22:40:34
thanks to both of you.
I took Wellbutrin last year and decided to try it again. I now know why I quit.The agitation never went away. I am not going to take it tomorrow.I am doing better this evening. I drank some skullcap tea and relaxed finally.
Thank you again.
Amy
Posted by colin wallace on November 10, 2002, at 19:26:12
In reply to Re: Losing my mind, posted by catmint on November 10, 2002, at 1:25:50
Amy,
From what you've said in your previous posts ,our
symptoms are a very close match.I can (and sometimes still do) quickly deteriorate into unaccountable anger, bitterness, unexpressed rage, sickening depression and inevitable despair.
Although I'm doing well right now, and am more stable and free of depression than I would have thought possible, I can still get(very) short bursts of all the above.
When this happens, there really is no substitute for a fast acting benzo. such as xanax.
I take a very low dose of diazepam (4mg) consistently, and the positives far outweigh any possible negatives.A benzo. can really help prevent and quell mixed-states....why suffer needlessly?
As for Wellbutrin- it's renowned for causing irritability.Have you considered a low dose of lithium before you hit another antidepressant trial? Works like a charm for some.Take care,
Col.
Posted by catmint on November 10, 2002, at 20:24:00
In reply to Re: Losing my mind » catmint, posted by colin wallace on November 10, 2002, at 19:26:12
Colin, thanks for your input. I did not take any Wellbutrin today. For someone who is already prone to irritablity, it makes no sense for me to be on it.
Last week, I talked to my doc about Lithium (never tried it) and he said it is pretty toxic. I am scared of the whole side effect thing. Didn't you take it? If you didn't do well on it, I don't think I would either.
I am for now going to stay on Depakote and try Prozac next week. If that fails, then i'ts back to the natural antidepressents. .
Due you typically get depressed in the fall?
Thanks again Colin,
Amy
Posted by colin wallace on November 11, 2002, at 5:10:15
In reply to Re: Scared to try Lithium » colin wallace, posted by catmint on November 10, 2002, at 20:24:00
Hi Amy,
I hope you're feeling a little bit better at least.
I did try lithium briefly, but the trouble was that I was suffering the tail end of a very nasty mixed-state episode that landed me in hospital begging for valproate.
The valproate gave me severe insomnia and this made things even worse, and by now I was pretty much suicidal.I tried a subtherapeutic dose of lithium, felt relatively calm for a few days , and then crashed very badly again.
I grabbed myself some Lamictal in desperation, and the rest you know.
You could say I didn't give lithium a fair go, but I was in such a crisis(and going through zoloft withdrawal)that I couldn't gamble on waiting a few months for it to (maybe) start to work.
Looking back, I reckon it may eventually have helped given the chance (it did seem to flatten things out), but I would need to have been taking a good AD alongside.
Lithium itself won't do much for rapid cycling/mixed states, but some people get good results combining a low dose of valproate and lithium (and an AD).
I wouldn't worry too much about toxicity at small (300 mg or below) doses either.
Here's alink that may be helpful:http://www.cme-reviews.com/CMEReviews/suicidesuppl/CNS200suppl_Solomon.html
Oh yeah, in answer to your question, I usually get very, very depressed in the winter months too.
Take care of yourself and keep afloat!There are plenty of treatment options still.
Col.
Posted by catmint on November 12, 2002, at 12:13:30
In reply to Re: Scared to try Lithium, posted by colin wallace on November 11, 2002, at 5:10:15
This is the end of the thread.
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