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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shadows721 on January 6, 2004, at 21:10:08
I am on Lexapro 10 mg, neurontin, buspar, and lamicital (sp?). I have never had depression like this. I can't focus, handle noises, or make major decisions. When I don't take 2 benadryl, I have total insomnia. New doc prescribed risperadol (?) for sleep. It made me anxious out of my mind. I was hospitalized recently with catatonic major depression with dissociation. I am having a really hard time putting myself back together. I was wondering will these meds help me get myself back together again. I truly feel like humpty dumpty. I feel like I totally fell apart. I still have thoughts about death. I am in counseling, but I have it over the phone. I don't feel together enough to even drive. Has anyone been where I am and gotten a lot better? I really would like to hear from someone to hang on to hope.
Posted by EERRIICC on January 6, 2004, at 21:24:28
In reply to Still experiencing major depression and on meds, posted by shadows721 on January 6, 2004, at 21:10:08
Yes, I have felt the same way. You will be fine.
Posted by sac on January 6, 2004, at 21:46:57
In reply to Still experiencing major depression and on meds, posted by shadows721 on January 6, 2004, at 21:10:08
I have been on all of the medications you are currently on. For me, I had to stop the Lexapro after 4 months because I developed what I call a major "brain fog" I couldn't think at all or concentrate on a task. I also don't think it was effective for my depression over time. I took Neurontin breifly and liked the calming effect but I was still terribly depressed and felt like it was contributing though I am not sure. Currently, I am on Prozac 20mgs. and Lamicatl 100 mgs. daily (still titrating up) For the most part, I like the lamictal but I do have a problem with feeling depressed at certain times of the day (mostly evening) and I believe this is a side effect of the Lamictal. I am still trying to work with my pdoc to find the right combo of meds for me because I am never stable for more than a couple of weeks. I am still experiencing a low grade depression despite being on medication. It is a frustating trial and error process. Perhaps you should talk to your doctor to see if you are having depression as a side effect of the meds. Please know that you are definately not alone in this. Every day is a challenge with my moods and that in and of itself contributes to my feelings of hopelessness and despair. At least we have boards like these because I have been helped enormously by communicating here. Good luck to you.
> I am on Lexapro 10 mg, neurontin, buspar, and lamicital (sp?). I have never had depression like this. I can't focus, handle noises, or make major decisions. When I don't take 2 benadryl, I have total insomnia. New doc prescribed risperadol (?) for sleep. It made me anxious out of my mind. I was hospitalized recently with catatonic major depression with dissociation. I am having a really hard time putting myself back together. I was wondering will these meds help me get myself back together again. I truly feel like humpty dumpty. I feel like I totally fell apart. I still have thoughts about death. I am in counseling, but I have it over the phone. I don't feel together enough to even drive. Has anyone been where I am and gotten a lot better? I really would like to hear from someone to hang on to hope.
Posted by ann72 on January 7, 2004, at 7:47:24
In reply to Re: Still experiencing major depression and on meds, posted by sac on January 6, 2004, at 21:46:57
I feel for you. I have been on a roller coaster of meds for dep. and anxiety, but nothing seems to work. After trying something new, I get very depressed when I realize its not helping. I just want to feel normal. (whatever that is) but I do think its trial and error and finding the right pdoc. I had a good doc in my old state, but not where i am now. I thought effexor xr was for depression, so Im confused about why I would spiral lower than ever when taking it. Thats what makes me think maybe I have bp2, and need something more like lithium for mood disorder. well, I've prob. confused you more. but at least we are here chatting- thats a good thing.
Posted by JohnFromCalifornia on January 7, 2004, at 11:31:22
In reply to Still experiencing major depression and on meds, posted by shadows721 on January 6, 2004, at 21:10:08
Yes, I've been all the way down there and managed to come back, not because of meds but I think because depression is cyclical and the peaks and troughs just come and go on their own. (Weather and seasons have an effect on mine.)
Have you considered joining a discussion group? Certainly it sounds like you need a lot more human interaction than over-the-phone counseling.
Posted by jms600 on January 7, 2004, at 14:35:14
In reply to Re: Still experiencing major depression and on meds, posted by JohnFromCalifornia on January 7, 2004, at 11:31:22
Have you tried any of the MAO Inhibitors, such as Nardil or Parnate? They are very good at relieving severe depression.
Posted by ann72 on January 8, 2004, at 7:37:39
In reply to Re: Still experiencing major depression and on meds, posted by jms600 on January 7, 2004, at 14:35:14
One thing to note about MAOI's - some pdocs dont know much about it. I asked my doc and she said she isnt giving any patients either drug bc of the side effects with special foods, etc...
Posted by brussell on January 8, 2004, at 17:45:43
In reply to Re: Still experiencing major depression and on meds, posted by ann72 on January 8, 2004, at 7:37:39
> One thing to note about MAOI's - some pdocs dont know much about it. I asked my doc and she said she isnt giving any patients either drug bc of the side effects with special foods, etc...
That's true, and ironic because the MAOI's seem to me much better than the SSRI's, Effexor, and Remeron in the side-effect department. In the US at least, it's easy to avoid the prohibited foods. I don't appear to have any detectable side effects with Parnate whereas the modern AD's (except for Welbutrin and Serzone) did awful things to me.
Posted by sac on January 8, 2004, at 21:32:55
In reply to Re: Still experiencing major depression and on meds » sac, posted by ann72 on January 7, 2004, at 7:47:24
Yes, meds can be confusing. I had that response with wellbutrin SR. Instead of feeling relief from depression, I only felt intensely anxious, agitated and more depressed. Finally, I have given up on that one. But you are right about the possiblility of Bipolar 2. I was on medication for depression on and off for 14 years. But after the birth of my second (and last) child I not only had post partum depression but I had somehow develped mood swing problems. I had since been diagnosed BP2 which explains why I struggled for a few years with antidepressants that "weren't working". Often times, a mood stabilizer can be the answer to a depression that is recurrent or is resistant. However, I am still trying to find that one that I can tolerate best with least side effects. Have already tried Depakote, Lithium, Neruontin, and Lamictal. I may go back to lithium though.
> I feel for you. I have been on a roller coaster of meds for dep. and anxiety, but nothing seems to work. After trying something new, I get very depressed when I realize its not helping. I just want to feel normal. (whatever that is) but I do think its trial and error and finding the right pdoc. I had a good doc in my old state, but not where i am now. I thought effexor xr was for depression, so Im confused about why I would spiral lower than ever when taking it. Thats what makes me think maybe I have bp2, and need something more like lithium for mood disorder. well, I've prob. confused you more. but at least we are here chatting- thats a good thing.
>
Posted by ann72 on January 9, 2004, at 12:29:11
In reply to Re: Still experiencing major depression and on meds » ann72, posted by sac on January 8, 2004, at 21:32:55
Thanks for the advise. I go to the pdoc on the 20th and I am bringing lit on bp2 (i have the symptoms)- I just hope she doesnt think I am telling her what to do. I hear pdocs are sensitive to things like that....Anyway. I did take lithium many years ago, but was also taking paxil and had too many side effects. But I am willing to try lithium again- but not with paxil. I wonder how many of us out there are MISDIAGNOSED!!!
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