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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kreedi on March 12, 2005, at 9:45:02
32-year-old male, longish history of depression (first episode when I was 10). Have been on Effexor for almost 3 years now, 112.5, and it's been great (mostly).
I'm traveling currently. After a week's travel, after a gruelling series of flights, the sense of being depressed hit me again, boom, just like that. It's been with me all week. This has happened to me before. I'll go to sleep feeling fine, the next morning a new depressive episode has started. On Effexor, this happened once last year, but I felt fine within a few days. This one, though, definitely feels stronger and longer-lasting.
Not sure what to do. I have some extra meds and can bump up to 150. I can return home earlier; there hardly seems any point traveling for another two weeks feeling miserable and anxiuos for long parts of the day.
Is this the dreaded "poop-out" phenomenon? Or is it a "blip" in the path?
Any response, specific or not, would be appreciated.
Kreedi
ps -- I've tried analyzing the 4 times this BOOM!-you're-depressed-now phenomenon has happened, and I can't connect the dots between them.
Posted by Maxime on March 12, 2005, at 12:51:57
In reply to Depression back -- boom! -- while still on Effexor, posted by Kreedi on March 12, 2005, at 9:45:02
Hi. I know you are not bipolar but in bipolar illness there is something known as the "switch" . It was discovered Jean-Pierre Falret in the 1800's. There are some patients (myself included) who can go to bed in a depressed state and something happens in the brain and then in the morning one can wake up hypomanic. *The reverse can also happen.* And for some reason it happens at night while asleep (not to be confused with rapid cycling which happen while one is awake).
I am not saying that you are bipolar but maybe the "switch" happens to you sometimes. Travelling can really mess up a person's body. With me it messes up my menstrual cycle and other things.
Also some people react to change of seasons. We are getting close to spring and some people with mood disoders will react to that.
It really sounds like your hectic travelling schedule may be the culprit.
Look up Jean-Pierre Falret in Google and see what you come up with.
So I really think it's a "blip" you are going through. I hope so. :)
Take care of yourself and despite all the travelling you are doing try to keep yourself on the the same schedule in terms of eating and sleeping and it should help. Are you travelling through different time zones?
Maxime
> 32-year-old male, longish history of depression (first episode when I was 10). Have been on Effexor for almost 3 years now, 112.5, and it's been great (mostly).
>
> I'm traveling currently. After a week's travel, after a gruelling series of flights, the sense of being depressed hit me again, boom, just like that. It's been with me all week. This has happened to me before. I'll go to sleep feeling fine, the next morning a new depressive episode has started. On Effexor, this happened once last year, but I felt fine within a few days. This one, though, definitely feels stronger and longer-lasting.
>
> Not sure what to do. I have some extra meds and can bump up to 150. I can return home earlier; there hardly seems any point traveling for another two weeks feeling miserable and anxiuos for long parts of the day.
>
> Is this the dreaded "poop-out" phenomenon? Or is it a "blip" in the path?
>
> Any response, specific or not, would be appreciated.
>
> Kreedi
>
> ps -- I've tried analyzing the 4 times this BOOM!-you're-depressed-now phenomenon has happened, and I can't connect the dots between them.
Posted by Phillipa on March 12, 2005, at 16:32:02
In reply to Re: Depression back -- boom! -- while still on Eff, posted by Maxime on March 12, 2005, at 12:51:57
I agree with Maxime. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Kreedi on March 13, 2005, at 14:45:03
In reply to Re: Depression back -- boom! -- while still on Eff, posted by Maxime on March 12, 2005, at 12:51:57
Thanks. That helps. What makes this whole experience worse, of course, is that I've been anticipating and planning this trip for months. So a part of me feels bad for not enjoying myself; and for the amount of time and money "wasted."
I'm trying to be relatively good about the eating and sleeping. But my appetite is a chancy thing these days. And I'll go to sleep but often wake up at 5 am, with the all-too-familiar feelings of dread, anxiety, and crippling sadness.
I'm probably going to curtail my trip. I hate feeling this way and can't really be around people, feeling either that I'm acting a painful charade or that they're pitying me.
Not pessimistic, though, about the long term. I've been on a good path for a couple of years and I'm hopeful that this is a switch or blip.
Thanks again,
Kreedi> Hi. I know you are not bipolar but in bipolar illness there is something known as the "switch" . It was discovered Jean-Pierre Falret in the 1800's. There are some patients (myself included) who can go to bed in a depressed state and something happens in the brain and then in the morning one can wake up hypomanic. *The reverse can also happen.* And for some reason it happens at night while asleep (not to be confused with rapid cycling which happen while one is awake).
>
> I am not saying that you are bipolar but maybe the "switch" happens to you sometimes. Travelling can really mess up a person's body. With me it messes up my menstrual cycle and other things.
>
> Also some people react to change of seasons. We are getting close to spring and some people with mood disoders will react to that.
>
> It really sounds like your hectic travelling schedule may be the culprit.
>
> Look up Jean-Pierre Falret in Google and see what you come up with.
>
> So I really think it's a "blip" you are going through. I hope so. :)
>
> Take care of yourself and despite all the travelling you are doing try to keep yourself on the the same schedule in terms of eating and sleeping and it should help. Are you travelling through different time zones?
>
> Maxime
>
>
Posted by stargazer on March 14, 2005, at 23:56:12
In reply to Re: Depression back -- boom! -- while still on Eff, posted by Kreedi on March 13, 2005, at 14:45:03
Hi,
I agree that with changes in your sleep patterns, changes in daily routines can stress a person with depression enough to cause chemical changes, therefore possibly inducing mood changes. Typically what a pdoc would do is bump up your dosage, and I believe your dose of Effexor is on the low side(?). They would do this once or twice before possibly adding another medication.
In any event, too bad if you have to cut short your vacation. I know where you're coming from and being uncomfortable with yourself in another country makes it even more difficult.
Good luck.
SG
Posted by Steve3211 on March 15, 2005, at 13:20:18
In reply to Depression back -- boom! -- while still on Effexor, posted by Kreedi on March 12, 2005, at 9:45:02
Hey Kreedi,
I am experiencing kind of the same thing. I am on Lexapro low dose 5 mg and have been for just over a year. The last year was pretty good, but now when I am planning to buy a new house I have relapsed again. I think the Lex is working though because I feel that this is just a blip like the one I experienced around December last year. Very frustrating not to be able to control this stuff. Just when you think you may be finally getting a handle on this for good bang here it is again. I am going to up the lex dose to 7.5 and see what happens.
Best to you Steve
Posted by Steve3211 on March 15, 2005, at 13:20:35
In reply to Depression back -- boom! -- while still on Effexor, posted by Kreedi on March 12, 2005, at 9:45:02
Hey Kreedi,
I am experiencing kind of the same thing. I am on Lexapro low dose 5 mg and have been for just over a year. The last year was pretty good, but now when I am planning to buy a new house I have relapsed again. I think the Lex is working though because I feel that this is just a blip like the one I experienced around December last year. Very frustrating not to be able to control this stuff. Just when you think you may be finally getting a handle on this for good bang here it is again. I am going to up the lex dose to 7.5 and see what happens.
Best to you Steve
Posted by Maxime on March 15, 2005, at 14:48:14
In reply to Re: Depression back -- boom! -- while still on Effexor, posted by Steve3211 on March 15, 2005, at 13:20:35
I had my researchers mixed up. It was a Dr. William Bunney Jr. I was thinking of. He also demonstrated a biochemical-hormonal link of cortisol to suicidal behavior. His research has also focused on the "switch" process from depression to mania in bipolar disorder, and proposing a role for norepinephrine in depression. So he is the one who coined the expression "the switch process".
Sorry about that.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2005, at 17:27:40
In reply to Not it was a BUNNEY, posted by Maxime on March 15, 2005, at 14:48:14
Maxime, I think it was you a while ago that recommended reading Upstairs In The Crazy House. Just got it from the library and started reading it. Very interesting. I think it was you, if I'm wrong I apologize in advance. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on March 15, 2005, at 19:41:49
In reply to Re: Not it was a BUNNEY » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2005, at 17:27:40
> Maxime, I think it was you a while ago that recommended reading Upstairs In The Crazy House. Just got it from the library and started reading it. Very interesting. I think it was you, if I'm wrong I apologize in advance. Fondly, Phillipa
It was me! And the hospital she will talk about, The Douglas, is where I would have to go for inpatient treatment because we have to be treated by the hospital that is in our sector (determined by our postal code). And they call us crazy! Her second book is excellent and a must read "Beyond the Crazy House".Hugs,
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2005, at 19:51:13
In reply to Re: Not it was a BUNNEY, posted by Maxime on March 15, 2005, at 19:41:49
Maxime, I guess my memory isn't so bad. I'll be sure to have them order it for me. The one I'm reading came from California. I'm in NC. Thanks, Fondly, Phillipa
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