![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 27, 2005, at 3:32:13
Apologies for the brash headline, but I was just trying to make a point: Believe it or not, despite all the bad experiences and bad reactions you read on this message board, PEOPLE DO GET BETTER. If there is hope for me, there is surely hope for you.
You see, when people feel better, then don't come back to this board as much. At least when things are going well. It's messed up, but so true. I try to come back every here and there to encourage.
I struggled with anxiety and depression for eight long years, from 1997-2005. Just by chance, I stumbled into Seroquel this past summer. It terminated the rush of racing thoughts I had 24/7, thoughts that ravaged me.
The meds were the first step, and the second and most important step was working on my thought patterns. This is the long-term healing.
I offer this post as hope. I know there are many in here that are suffering from far worse complications than I did. My heart goes out to you. But also, I know there are people in here that have suffered worse than you and also gotten better. There is hope for every one of us. You have to know that. You have to hold onto that and never let go.
If you are hurting, this message board is a refuge. Be true with how you feel. Spill it all. There are so many wonderful people on here that can relate and that want to help you.
HOPE IS HERE AND HELP IS HERE!
Posted by Tom Twilight on November 27, 2005, at 5:07:58
In reply to I feel better and that's why I rarely post, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 27, 2005, at 3:32:13
If I may be excused for jumping on the bandwagon....
Hope has said what I've been meaning to say for a while.
The people who tend to post most on the board are the most desperate and unhappy.
Those who are doing better or have recovered post far less frequently.This can give the impression that no one gets any better, but I don't think this is the case!
Posted by Glydin on November 27, 2005, at 7:04:24
In reply to I feel better and that's why I rarely post, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 27, 2005, at 3:32:13
I am very happy for you and your finding of a good treatment for you.
This board seems to be more about seekers than finders and I think there are other agendas at work here. I think it is difficult to be excited about other’s successes when one is still struggling and has been for a while. I think it’s important to discuss successes and good results, but I am beginning to believe that really isn’t the focus of this board. That seems strange, but I find evidence of that.
Part of success for me has been to return and try to be encouraging. I’m beginning to think the next step in success is to move on. I don't find anything wrong with that - I used to but no longer.
I hope your good findings continue.
Posted by utopizen on November 27, 2005, at 7:36:22
In reply to I feel better and that's why I rarely post, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 27, 2005, at 3:32:13
I use to, for a few years, be a daily poster. Compulsive even about it. I obsessed with my meds even.
Now I just try to do the same now and then, which is like every few months.
Here's what I'm on:
Lexapro 30mg (Depression/Anxiety)
Klonopin Wafers (Generic!) 1mg 3x/dayDesoxyn (ADD) 10mg 2x/day
Aricept 5mg (AD/HD with Executive Dysfunction)I've been through a deep deep deep depression. Social anxiety disorder. Terrible ADD. It really does get better. The Lexapro took 3 months before it kicked in, but it did.
Remember, as my doc says, "drugs only go half way."
Check out the other boards, and make sure you're not using drugs as a crutch to avoid cognitive behavioral therapy each week.
And most of all, try not to ruminate on the meds while taking them. Staying informed is healthy, but what I did was obsess-- and rumination is what causes the cycle of depression and anxiety to worsen.
Exercise, eat right, and don't ever underestimate what these drugs can do when you do the little things. =)
Posted by mattdds on November 27, 2005, at 8:45:28
In reply to Same here =), posted by utopizen on November 27, 2005, at 7:36:22
Utopizen,
Glad to hear you're feeling better! That's one of the few reasons I no longer regularly post - I feel better. I think the original poster had it right by saying that the people who get better tend to go away, get busy with life.
I can't say I'm 100%, and am not sure I ever will be that. Perhaps 85%? I'll certainly take it.
What I can promise (for others reading this) is that things really do get better. Sometimes all the way better, sometimes almost completely, but nearly always at least to some degree. And even partial relief is huge to those who are in the worst of it.
I was thrilled to hear CBT helped you (or at least that's what your post sounded like). Along with clonazepam, CBT saved my life. The more I use it the better things get.
Regards,
Matt
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2005, at 22:44:15
In reply to Re: Same here =) » utopizen, posted by mattdds on November 27, 2005, at 8:45:28
I'm glad to hear the positive. I'm hanging in there until I see the referal I'm seeing on Dec 22. Yes it is an obsession. And I've probably messed up a lot of what could have been successes if I hadn't read only the bad. Thanks, Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Bryco on November 28, 2005, at 10:50:26
In reply to I feel better and that's why I rarely post, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 27, 2005, at 3:32:13
I've many times dreamt about posting a thread just like this one, but unfortunately i haven't yet found the right medication to do so.
maybe in a month or two, let's hope so:-)
Posted by Sarah T. on November 29, 2005, at 4:18:45
In reply to Same here =), posted by utopizen on November 27, 2005, at 7:36:22
Hi Utopizen,
I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. I remember you from several years ago, and I do remember that you used to spend much more time here. I am very surprised to see how much Lexapro has helped you because I remember that your primary problems were ADD and executive dysfunction. I have some similar problems, and I have known hypofunction of the right frontal lobe, which is often exacerbated by ssri's. I have not done well on ssri's, but now that I read your post, I wonder whether I should give Lexapro another try.Another thing that surprises me is how many posts I read from people who had to wait much longer than usual for Lexapro to kick in. I mean, it seems to take longer than a lot of other AD's, including Celexa. How long have you been on Lexapro? Do you find that you are able to stay on the same dose of Desoxyn in spite of a fairly high Lexapro dose? I ask that because when I was on Celexa, I had to raise the Dexedrine dose, but the Dexedrine seemed to be negated by Celexa regardless of the dose.
Again, it's great to hear how well you're doing. It's great to hear how others on this thread are doing. It gives me hope.
S.
Posted by sjb on November 30, 2005, at 11:51:22
In reply to I feel better and that's why I rarely post, posted by UgottaHaveHope on November 27, 2005, at 3:32:13
Thank you so much for taking the time to post that hopefull message. It was very thoughtful and generous of you. Although it's never my intention, I do exactly what you said. I avoid this board through the "good" times and only come back when I'm really struggling.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
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.