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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TomG on June 29, 2004, at 23:46:44
I've been in and out of this message board for about 5 or 6 years, not much in the last year or two, and have written and read for the solution to my symptoms because I have never gotten any relief from the medicines I have taken. Well, all that changed last Wednesday when I took my first dose of Geodon. Before taking this I was on 1350mg of lithium, 600mg Neurontin, and 50mg Zoloft. The Zoloft had only been in that combination for a month and it turned me into a complete zombie when I added it. So, that was removed and Geodon was added this past Wed. and my symptoms have all but disappeared. It took only about a day and half to two days to work. Amazing. Three years ago I took lithium alone (carbonate) and it seemed to work for me at 900mg but only for five days and raising the dose caused bad agitation. This time I'm taking Lithobid SR and I didn't have any positive results at 900mg or at 1350mg but I'm tolerating it without agitation.
I know I'm not experiencing hypomania because I've gone through all that and thats not what this is. But I am just a tiny bit worried because Geodon can cause mania and I thought maybe it is making me manic and the lithium is quelling it to a certain degree. The Geodon is such a low dose though at 20 mg that I don't give this thought much credit. This is a euthymic mood. I don't have a diagnosis because I guess I'm an unsual case. Without making this post too long these are my primary symptoms or maybe I should say WERE:
-depression had gotten to the point where I was letting my hygiene go and I have basically been so reclusive the last three years have been spent in my parent's house. (I'm 28)
-mood lability and emotionless
-disorganized thought
-too much "background noise" in my head and no focus
-very strong sex drive (I know this is weird with having depression)
-paranoia and delusions- I could hear a conversation and the words I would hear would pertain to me in a negative way or someone's facial expression even could trigger a torrent of paranoid thoughts.
-tension and axiety-tight tensed up muscles
-hypomania very rare but happened with LSD and mushrooms, with flax seed believe it or not, some psychoactive drugs being Prozac taken after an amphetamine psychosis I had from a night of hardly any cocaine, and one instance of prolonged stress from a job set off a few months of cycling. I don't put much stock in me being bipolar I or II because the cycling I've had just isn't consistent and not out of the blue so to speak. It is induced some way.
-felt like I was walking on eggshells all the time with guilt (probably could classify under depression)
-suicidalI have lived with all this from about 16 years old till now. Although thinking back I think I have had problems since early childhood. So I really have no reference point to what "normal" is like, but I have no complaints of living my life the way I feel now in only two days of medication. It still blows my mind how quickly the key can fit in the lock and work. I have gotten different diagnoses from my six different doctors but I think the current one has nailed a nail in the approximate area. A variation of schizophrenia is most likely the culprit, however I have never lost touch with reality, but it may have been going in that direction. I have alcoholism and numerous suicides and accounts of bizarre behavior on my Dad'd side of the family. I'd love to hear what others think of a diagnosis based on the short list of symptoms and what I've written.
The medicines I have tried that have made me worse or done nothing:
-Prozac
-Wellbutrin
-Serzone
-Remeron
-Paxil
-Effexor
-Celexa
-Zoloft
-Nortripyline
-Nardil twice
-Klonopin and Xanax
-Provigil
-Lamictal
-Zyprexa
-lithium
-Depakote
-Risperdal
-Seroquel
-Abilify
-fish oil, flaxseed, TruHopeI was at the point of starting to combine these medicines, take ones I haven't tried, or ECT. So I get this godsend which is Geodon that I hope is going to be "the one"......
My doctor's assistant has just called in the midst of writing this and told me my doctor in fact wants me to stop my lithium. It may be completely baseless but I started thinking that it could be augmenting the Geodon or conversely the Geodon could actually be making the lithium work. I just don't want to lose what I have now and I feel my worry is justified. Also my Neurontin was upped my last visit to my doc from 600mg to 1200mg so there are various things that could factor in I guess. This is already long enough. If I had to put money on it though I think the Geodon is the workhorse here.
I'm going to end this post. I think it's my longest ever. Thanks to anyone who reads it through. I often read in posts people who say "has anyone really been helped?" or "nothing works". I am here with proof that it happens. I pray for anyone going through the hell that mental disorders carry and please pray for my continued sucess. I will help anyone who needs advice. I would like to hear anyone's comments on my ordeal as well. Thank You for reading and Goodbye.
Tom
Posted by Sebastian on June 30, 2004, at 11:49:20
In reply to Hell Yea!!! Finally, posted by TomG on June 29, 2004, at 23:46:44
Drug induced psychotic depression, turned into scitzoaffective disorder, like me.
This is the end of the thread.
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