Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 478451

Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

The combo that works for me

Posted by banga on April 1, 2005, at 9:16:10

I have posted separately about my current formula, but thoght I'd post the list--as it works! for me and I remember how much I appreciate when someone finally gives good news...

I take (this is the order I added them):
* Lamictal 200mg
* desipramine 75 mg
* Abilify 2.5 mg
* Adderall 30
* Luvox 50mg

Do note that many of these medications potentiate (raise the blood levels) of each other so the blood levels are probably higher than if taken alone.
I officially have a dx of Major Depression and GAD, although Bipolar conditions run in my family so it may be actually arguably be a hidden BPII....
History, for those interested:
** Lamictal: helped feel stable already at 50mg, 100mg...less anxiety, depression barely softened ; but then anxiety increased badly, i tried 200mg but it was not doing the trick at all.
** Desipramine: came next. Helped immensely with energy, I assume eventually with depression too. but before a month was through I added
** Abilify 2.5 mg to combat the paralyzing anxiety I experience. It seemed to immediately help with depresson actually, helped anxiety marginally at that time.
** Adderall: had been contemplated before as a diagnosis of ADHD inattentive type was considered--have cognitive difficulties, difficulty organizing my life, etc..I never was able to complete a full assessment. But I noted that with Adderall, my vision sharpened! immensely, my typing became more accurate, I was more motivated and energetic.
** Luvox was added because I still had difficulty with anxiety. Though it had become milder, I am such an avoidant, procrastinating being that the influence of my life of the anxiety made getting important elements in my life done. I added 50 mg, considerably less than is usually therapeutic,given that Luvox, desipramine and Abliify raise each other's blood levels.
The combo began to work!! However, I was not happy taking so many meds, I decided to lessen or even discontinue Abilify. Three days into a taper I experienced excruciating anxiety. When I restarted Abilify, the anxiety abated mostly.

Though it felt stable it took about another 14 days on this combo to have it (maybe the LUvox? primarily) all kick in.
I feel happy, as if I now do not need to constantly battle the downward pull into depression; much more energy, and only very mild anxiety.
I keep wanting to drop one of the drugs. Lamictal I actually had dropped 100mg, intended to drop it. But then I read it may help with my one distressing residual symptom--derealization, a feeling of being disconnected from the world--so I upped it back to 200mg. Arguably, it may have been partly responsible for that last move into true feelings of stability.
So I want to drop one, but then think: which one? i now believe each contributes. I do not have side effects, no weight gain (in fact I think I have lost weight), no intensification of brain fog (a symptom that has not abated regardless of what I do with meds), save for sometimes my sleep is not a deep sleep. So I had better stay with what finally works!!

The only other symptom I worry about--sort of odd aggressive impulse--not anger or rage, just when someone annoys me I have an urge to slap or kick them. But this symptom started way eariler, last year, when I was taking Lexapro. For obvious reasons I am reluctant to add yet another med to try and address this...hoping it too may fade soon...
Sorry for the long post, but I thought it may help someone.

Good luck to all! I can only say hang in there, keep trying. From a person who was in deep despair with a death wish, who did find relief after a long struggle, it truly is worth it. Let's hope it all doesnt poop out on me.

 

Re: And thank you all!!

Posted by banga on April 1, 2005, at 9:18:12

In reply to The combo that works for me, posted by banga on April 1, 2005, at 9:16:10

I forgot to say the most important thing:
***THANK YOU EVERYONE, THANK YOU DR BOB!!***
It is this board, and its information and support, that helped me keep trying, and find what works.

 

Re: And thank you all!!

Posted by Justy on April 1, 2005, at 12:08:05

In reply to Re: And thank you all!!, posted by banga on April 1, 2005, at 9:18:12

I know how you feel about being on so many meds, and I would like to try to drop one or two of them, but a what cost. I've had breakthrough depression for two years now and am doing another med change again. I never want to go into the crippling depression which started over two years ago after a hypo maniia (I was misdiagnosed for over 20 years) so I'll keep on adding meds if they continue to improve my quality of life.

Good luck to you and don't worry about all the meds in the good old "cocktail". I'm glad they've made you feel better.

 

Re: And thank you all!!

Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2005, at 17:55:39

In reply to Re: And thank you all!!, posted by Justy on April 1, 2005, at 12:08:05

Congratulations Banga! I'm so glad you found a combo that works for you. We're all so different and have such unique chemistry. You've worked hard to find the right combo, and you're right, if it wasn't for this Board i wouldn't continue to learn what I do . Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: And thank you all!!

Posted by banga on April 1, 2005, at 19:45:49

In reply to Re: And thank you all!!, posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2005, at 17:55:39

Thanks Phillipa!
THis of course in many other senses just brings up the next level of problems, sort of like (albeit modified)Maslow's hierarchy of needs --got the basic tendency to self-destruct dampened, a roof is still over my head, the world does not seem gray and lifeless... but life is still there to deal with, and with having barely lived through the complete obliteration of any self-esteem whatsoever--there is a long way to go...
and getting up all the way up to the top of the hierarchy of needs pyramid--to self-actualization?!? Maybe by the time I am 98.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.