![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on July 30, 2006, at 13:34:18
I really don't know what to do anymore, for the last five years I've struggled along trying to find something to make antidepressants to work again like they did in my twenties. I just can't understand why everything I try (apart from antipsychotics) either make me worse or don't seem to do anything. I always used to think it was so simple, antidepressants = no depression.
Why is it that any antidepressant I used to take when I first started to take worked so miraculously and not they just seem to make things work, only in a different way? Any psychiatrist I see has no answer to this question and it worries me, it kind of indicates to me that they really know nothing about these drugs and how they really work.
I also don't understand these ideas about gene testing for an indication of how a person will respond to a particular AD. If years ago ADs worked for me and now they don't, how would gene testing helped me. Surely your genes don't change over time.
Anyway three years ago and after trying many medications and combinations of meds Seroxat at 40mg started helping me within about four days but never as well as it had done years ago. Again I don't understand why it started to help, there didn't seem to be any reason for it and then almost two years ago it stopped working and I started getting a lot of negative symptoms again.
Now my psychiatrist is pretty much telling me that he wants me to take Zyprexa regularly for at least 3 months and doesn't want me doing anymore experimentation with other drugs. I don't want to do this as I see Zyprexa as my safety net and I don't want to use my last option. What I really do want is for the ADs to work like they used to and (maybe I'm deluding myself) but I was hoping that ECT would help them to work again but the psychiatrists (and I've had three opinions) all say the same thing.
I don't want to take Zyprexa for ever but if I take it I can't see what will change to allow me to ever get off it and then if it stops working I'm completely f****d. My psychiatrist tells me that hopefully if this ever happens then there will be newer more effective drugs on the market but from all the searching I've done on new drugs I find it really disheartening because the drugs seem to take forever to even come out on the market and the only new drugs which come out are just variations of SSRIs.
Also, I can't see the point of taking Seroxat at 40mg along with the Zyprexa as it is not helping anymore but my psychiatrist hasn't even addressed that question.
I've never had much faith or hope in my current psychiatrist but then I guess if I was feeling better I would have, it's all so subjective. But my confidence in him is not that great, although he is very kind and understanding, he never seems completely on the ball and eres far to close to caution for my liking. He is supposed to be one of the knowledgeable psychiatrists at the hospital but several times he's done something to make me question his expertise. He's always been reluctant to try other things, for instance adding mirtazapine to Seroxat he considers risky and he wouldn't try increasing my seroxat to 60mg as he says that is only for OCD! I think that is just ridiculous. I went ahead and increased my Seroxat to 60mg anyway without telling him but as it happens that didn't work.
I feel like I'm stuck with a Psychiatrist who wont try anything new, who is afraid to experiment with anything that istn't tried and trusted and the other psychiatrists at the hospital just seem to back him up. I'm in the UK and the medical system only allows you to see psychiatrists at a hospital in your area of residence so I don't have much choice. When I had a good job I had private medical cover so could afford to go where I liked, now I'm not in that position.
I have thought about lying to my psychiatrist and tell him that I'm taking Zyprexa and then after three months tell him that it isn't working as well as I want and then demand ECT but then I'm not sure about doing that either. Also this hospital in my area doesn't do unilateral very much and I would only have unilateral so am concerned that should I have the treatment it wouldn't delivered as effectively because of the lack of experience with unilateral.
I'm really not sure what to do anymore just don't want to have to rely on taking Zyprexa for the rest of my life, if I seriously thought that taking Zyprexa for three months would cause permanent improvements in my brain and then I could come off it then I would be happy to take it for three months but I don't think that will happen.
I know ECT is only a short term fix but I just want something thing that will somehow jump start the antidepressants into working again.. I'm happy about taking antidepressants for the rest of my life but am uncomfortable about taking Zyprexa for the rest of my life. I feel very uncomfortable about the lack of effect I'm getting from standard ADs.
Also, I've noticed that when I do take a zyprexa, the day after I feel incredibly calm but not at all sociable infact I feel pretty flat, it's only after the second day that I start to come alive and this last for about four days and then I go down again.
I'm coping at the moment and am functioning but don't look forward to anything, don't really want to talk to anyone unless I have to and am just not sure who I am anymore. I actually grieve sometimes for the person I used to be and how I used to feel. I'm also confused, I don't really care about seeing my boyfriend (now my ex really) anymore as the dynamics of our relationship have changed so much and I'm not sure if I've stopped caring about him because of the depression or if I would have stopped loving him anyway.
When I make an effort I'm told that I'm very attractive and wouldn't have problems find anyone but I don't feel able to connect with other people (male or female) in the way I used to and don't particularly want to either as I can't see the point.
I remember when I was in my teens I had a really close friend, she was like a sister, but then at 17 when I started suffering from depression I suddenly felt like I was a completely different wavelength to my friend and unable to connect with her in the way I used to. Subsequently we drifted apart, again I don't know if this would have happened anyway but I really can't help feeling that my depression was a big attributing factor and I see the same thing happening again with my boyfriend of 8 years. It's sad really because he came around last Friday and I felt like in a way were were strangers and yet this is the guy I had once been so intimate with.
I guess my confusion is that I don't know if I would have got fed up with my boyfriend with or without my depression, all I do know is that since this latest bout has happened I find it very hard to be with any one person for a long period of time, I always feel the need to get away or to have space.
Sorry for rambling, just wanted to type out my feelings and am hoping for some advice.
Denise
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 30, 2006, at 14:20:20
In reply to Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on July 30, 2006, at 13:34:18
Hiya Denise..
I'm really sorry you're feeling like this, you have my heartfelt sympathies you really do. I only know too well what its like here in the UK. Yeah, my pdoc sounds like yours, nice and supportive, but sort of clueless - mine thought that reboxetine wasn't available here - it clearly is - so that just shows he's not particulary on the ball regarding medications for a start.
However, have you thought about 'alternative' treatments, maybe even as an adjunct to conventional medications? I don't know what you've tried. For me, the two best 'medications' have been rhodiola and SJW (I pray that rhodiola never poops out on me!) and I've tried most of the usual suspects that GPs dish out here in the UK (prozac, cipramil, reboxetine, wellbutrin, effexor and then moclobemide).
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by cecilia on July 30, 2006, at 18:51:13
In reply to Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on July 30, 2006, at 13:34:18
I think if the Zyprexa works, take it. I understand not wanting to be on AP's, but I think the risk of memory loss from ECT is probably higher than the risk of TD from the Zyprexa. Basically you are choosing to be depressed now, for fear of being depressed in the future if the zyprexa poops out. Unfortunately we can never know what the future holds (well fortunately sometimes) so you might as well be a little less depressed now. Cecilia
Posted by linkadge on July 30, 2006, at 19:59:41
In reply to Re: Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please? » Deniseuk190466, posted by cecilia on July 30, 2006, at 18:51:13
If zyprexa helps take it.
I know theres a tendancy to ask why these treatments don't work for some people after time.The truth is that scientists don't have all the answers. Most of the theories about how these drugs work are just theories. Contrary to popular belief, antidepressants do not fix the underlying disorder. Even the best doctors know that they are only providing symptomatic treatment of the disorder. Some doctors think that long term use of them can create additional chemical imballencnes, in other neurotransmitter systems.
The SSRI's once had some effect in me, but now they no longer do. I have found some relif by using alternative supplements. If feel that some of them may be getting (closer) to the heart of the matter.
I liken it to illegal drugs like ecstacy. Most users know that it is impossable to regain the effect of the first few uses of the drug.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2006, at 21:56:57
In reply to Re: Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please?, posted by linkadge on July 30, 2006, at 19:59:41
poopout. Love Phillipa
Posted by deniseuk190466 on August 1, 2006, at 6:29:04
In reply to Re: Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice ple, posted by Meri-Tuuli on July 30, 2006, at 14:20:20
Hi Meri,
yes nice, istn't enough though is?, I want a psychiatrist who is an expert in TRD and somebody who's prepared to take a few risks, they don't seem to exist on the NHS so you're stuck with whoever you get.
Thanks for the advice on using alternative treatments, I must admit I'm very, very cynical when it comes to anything alternative and believe me I have tried a number of things. I've already tried SJW and it didn't do a thing but might try the other one you mentioned.
Thanks.......Denise
Posted by deniseuk190466 on August 1, 2006, at 6:31:20
In reply to Re: Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please? » Deniseuk190466, posted by cecilia on July 30, 2006, at 18:51:13
Hi Cecilia,
Yes your advice is logical and it is what everyone keeps telling me, including my own inner voice.
I just don't want my Psychiatrist to keep trying new treatments so I know what else works best if ever Zyprexa does stop working.
Thanks for your advice.
Denise
Posted by deniseuk190466 on August 1, 2006, at 6:32:23
In reply to Re: Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please?, posted by linkadge on July 30, 2006, at 19:59:41
.
Posted by maxime on August 2, 2006, at 0:08:29
In reply to Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on July 30, 2006, at 13:34:18
I didn't read any of the responses to your post ...so I'm sorry if I am telling you something someone already suggested.
20 years ago ... so you are older now. Have you had your hormones tested? I would get that done to rule out any imbalances.
Take care.
Maxime
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 3, 2006, at 10:58:49
In reply to Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please?, posted by Deniseuk190466 on July 30, 2006, at 13:34:18
I am sorry you are suffering so badly, and obviously very frustrated. I have been there too. Many times! Currently, i am doing very well. My history of depressio/anxiety illness goes back over 26 years.
Anyway, (if you don't mind) please indicate your exact diagnosis. And i'll reply with my opinion/personal advice.Monte
Posted by deniseuk190466 on August 7, 2006, at 10:27:54
In reply to Re: Hit a brick wall - What to do next, advice please? » Deniseuk190466, posted by Crazy Horse on August 3, 2006, at 10:58:49
Hi,
Well most psychiatrists seem to be of the agreement that my diagnosis is mild chronic depression with major depression on top. I don't suffer from atypical depression as it doesn't matter what is going on in my life the depression still feels the same and the symptoms are the same.
I get a lot of agitation with my depression and a sense of restlessness all the time, at the same time I feel very apathetic. I experience very little pleasure out of life and tend to withdraw from people if I can.
Like I said in my previous note antidepressants using to work amazingly for me. This time round though they haven't, 40mg of Seroxat did seem to help about 3 years ago but stopped working over a year ago.
I get a lost of annoying sensations in my spine and the back of my neck, my jaw is constantly tight but I sleep fairly well but never wake up feeling refreshed.
The only tab I can rely on (now anyway) is Zyprexa and that does seem to lift my mood but I just don't get why antideppressants don't work for me anymore. I never experienced tolerance on them when my depression started up again 5 years ago because 3 years before when I came off Seroxat it was still working really well. I don't get these tests they are now doing to match peoples genes to their reactions to drugs because as far as I know my genes are still the same but my reaction to normal Ads are still the same.
There seem to be so many choices. Today I'm thinking well maybe I should have a year Seroxat break and just take Zyprexa every seven days then hopefully the Seroxat might work again (be it not completely) in a years time. Or maybe I should try Remeron and Effexor, or maybe I should add Remeron to the Seroxat but then what's the point of adding Remeron to Seroxat if the seroxat is no longer working. Or maybe I should try ECT but then what if I tried ECT and then it somehow stopped even Zyprexa from working. I guess part of the symptoms of depression are indecisiveness and right now I'm just typing out on paper what is going through my head. I just hate all of this trial and error stuff and psychiatrists who try to suggest that there is any method in all of this. There istn't any method and I don't believe it should take five weeks to know whether or not a drug is working.
I'm fairly certain that people who stick it out and say it took five weeks for it to work, must have had windows of happiness where they got a gut feeling that it was going to work before the five weeks or so were up.
With me everytime an AD has worked I've felt it working within days. I wish the dr would just give me a prescription pad so I could do weekly experiments with anything and everything.
It annoys me when people say they're scared to try MAOIs because of the dietry restrictions because I can't help feeling if you felt that bad and suicidal you would be prepared to try anything (within reason).
Anyway, sorry to ramble on(I bet you wish you'd never asked :-)) but I'd really appreciate any advice you have to give and hearing your experiences, as long as you don't suggest I try alternative therapies, hypnosis, reiki and the rest of the stuff that only works (I'm fairly sure) as a placebo or if you've got some underlying issue that needs to be brought out in the open.
Denise
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 8, 2006, at 10:31:08
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by deniseuk190466 on August 7, 2006, at 10:27:54
Hi Denise,
Okay. Have you tried the MAOI's? If so, all of them? Did they work (even a little)? Just curious because if the other AD's aren't working sometimes "when all else fails" the MAOI's sometimes kick *ss.
You say you are depressed, withdraw from people, and feel agitated and restless. Sounds like Depression (major and definitely chronic) with GAD, and some social anxiety. Remember, I AM NO DOC, just my personal opinion.
And since the "old stand by" antidepressants don't work for you, i'm thinking it may be time to try an MAOI, i.e., Nardil, EMSAM, or Parnate. Along with this i would recommend a Benzodiazepine like Klonopin, Zanax, or Ativan. I'm pretty sure you could continue taking Zyprexa with these other meds. Remeron may also be a good choice.
If you are suicidal, ECT is a good option (it works for many and saved my life in 1997).
Unfortunately, it is true, most AD's take 4-6 weeks to really tell if they are going to work, some even take as long as 8 weeks..i know this sucks! It would be nice if you could just try something for a week and determine if it's going to work or not, but unfortunately it doesn't work like that.
Another med to consider, perhaps as an augmentation agent w/an MAOI is Lyrica. I currently Take 9 mgs of EMSAM (the patch) and 300 mgs. bid of Lyrica, plus 2 mgs. of klonopin daily, and i am doing quite well right now. Lyrica is an anitconvulsent that mimics GABA, for me it lifts my mood, energizes me, is pro-social and reduces my anxiety.
Anyway, something to think about. Please contact me, let me know if you have ever tried MAOI;s, and what you think. Hang in there Denise.:) Monte
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on August 8, 2006, at 11:39:12
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse » deniseuk190466, posted by Crazy Horse on August 8, 2006, at 10:31:08
Hi Monte,
I know I shouldn't be grumbling as Zyprexa can get me out of this slump after about two days after taking it. I just need to know there are other things out there that will also help when the time comes.
I have tried Nardil twice, first time I was on it for about 5 weeks and whilst I didn't get any anxiety on it, I felt really stoned and tranced out most of the time on it. It was strange though because after trying Nardil I tried Seroxat again and it seemed to work.
Because of this experience when the Seroxat stopped helping over a year ago, I managed to persuade the psychiatrist (I no longer see) to put me back on the Nardil for a month to see if going on it and coming off it again would jump start the Seroxat into working again but it didn't unfortunately.
I have tried Lamictal (which I believe is in the same class of drug as Lyrica) and it just made me feel more tired so not sure if Lyrica would do the same.
I am thinking of getting some Klonopin and Xanax online as my Psychiatrist won't prescribe them.
Did the ECT help previously tried drugs to become more effective for you? I don't understand it when Psychiatrists tell me that they won't give somebody ECT unless all other options have failed and yet that ECT results are only shortlived. If somebody has ECT as a last resort then how can they be kept in remission if all other options failed prior to having ECT?
Thanks for getting back to me.
Denise
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 8, 2006, at 20:37:04
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by Deniseuk190466 on August 8, 2006, at 11:39:12
> Hi Monte,
>
> I know I shouldn't be grumbling as Zyprexa can get me out of this slump after about two days after taking it. I just need to know there are other things out there that will also help when the time comes.
>
> I have tried Nardil twice, first time I was on it for about 5 weeks and whilst I didn't get any anxiety on it, I felt really stoned and tranced out most of the time on it. It was strange though because after trying Nardil I tried Seroxat again and it seemed to work.
>
> Because of this experience when the Seroxat stopped helping over a year ago, I managed to persuade the psychiatrist (I no longer see) to put me back on the Nardil for a month to see if going on it and coming off it again would jump start the Seroxat into working again but it didn't unfortunately.
>
> I have tried Lamictal (which I believe is in the same class of drug as Lyrica) and it just made me feel more tired so not sure if Lyrica would do the same.
>
> I am thinking of getting some Klonopin and Xanax online as my Psychiatrist won't prescribe them.
>
> Did the ECT help previously tried drugs to become more effective for you? I don't understand it when Psychiatrists tell me that they won't give somebody ECT unless all other options have failed and yet that ECT results are only shortlived. If somebody has ECT as a last resort then how can they be kept in remission if all other options failed prior to having ECT?
>
>
> Thanks for getting back to me.
>
>
> Denise
>
>I didn't like Nardil at all. Parnate was great, but the side-effects were too much for me. EMSAM is perfect (so far for me) milder, yet very powerful..if that makes sense? ha. But lamictal +can't hold a candle to Lyrica. Lyrica (again for me) at high dose is my miracle drug. for 10 days now at 300mgs in the morning 6 or 7 a.m. and 300 at roughly 1:00 p.m. It takes a little over an hour to kick in and when it does it's wonderful! It elevates my mood, eliminates my anxiety, makes me pro-social, and energizes me, almost amphetimine like, only milder with no "coming down" affects. Another perk is that i sleep great for 6-7 hrs. I highly recommend it. But remember, low dose just makes you tired, you have to work up to 5-600 to get the above mentioned effects.
Now about Benzodiazepines. Your pdoc won't prescribe them..UGH! It may be time to look for a new Pdoc. Klonopin for me works beautifully, and at only 2 mgs. a day. If you are agitated and restless, like you mentioned earlier, a "Benzo" could help you emensely, I was on ativan for over 20 years, but i prefer and highly recommend Klonopin. Pdocs that are "Benzo Phobic"..i just simply do not understand there stance. Some do believe they cause depression..and this is true for some people, and they also fear dependence, which is also a valid stance. Anyway i could go on and on about benzos, etc. Perhaps Lyrica will reduce the agitation and restlessness..it is very possible. Please let me know about your thoughts about this post. Hang in there..i believe things will get better for you soon. :)
Monte
Posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 9:36:43
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by Crazy Horse on August 8, 2006, at 20:37:04
> It takes a little over an hour to kick in
Does this mean that the Lyrica wears off over night?
You lose the antidepressant, pro-social, anxiolytic and energizing effects if you allow too much time to elapse between doses? Would you guess that 8 hours is the limit?
- Scott
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 11, 2006, at 10:04:52
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse » Crazy Horse, posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 9:36:43
> > It takes a little over an hour to kick in
>
> Does this mean that the Lyrica wears off over night?
>
> You lose the antidepressant, pro-social, anxiolytic and energizing effects if you allow too much time to elapse between doses? Would you guess that 8 hours is the limit?
>
>
> - ScottIt only has a 6 hour half life. So i find 300 mgs. bid is the best way to take it (for me). So i take 300 mgs. upon awakening at 6 or 7:00 a.m., then my second dose(300 mgs) is taken around 12-1:00 p.m. After 6 hrs. it still has a 50% effective potency, it reduces by 50% every 6 hrs.
Monte
Posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 11:09:13
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by Crazy Horse on August 11, 2006, at 10:04:52
> > > It takes a little over an hour to kick in
> >
> > Does this mean that the Lyrica wears off over night?
> >
> > You lose the antidepressant, pro-social, anxiolytic and energizing effects if you allow too much time to elapse between doses? Would you guess that 8 hours is the limit?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> It only has a 6 hour half life. So i find 300 mgs. bid is the best way to take it (for me). So i take 300 mgs. upon awakening at 6 or 7:00 a.m., then my second dose(300 mgs) is taken around 12-1:00 p.m. After 6 hrs. it still has a 50% effective potency, it reduces by 50% every 6 hrs.
How do you feel when you first wake up in the morning?
- Scott
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 11, 2006, at 11:46:47
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse » Crazy Horse, posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 11:09:13
> > > > It takes a little over an hour to kick in
> > >
> > > Does this mean that the Lyrica wears off over night?
> > >
> > > You lose the antidepressant, pro-social, anxiolytic and energizing effects if you allow too much time to elapse between doses? Would you guess that 8 hours is the limit?
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> > It only has a 6 hour half life. So i find 300 mgs. bid is the best way to take it (for me). So i take 300 mgs. upon awakening at 6 or 7:00 a.m., then my second dose(300 mgs) is taken around 12-1:00 p.m. After 6 hrs. it still has a 50% effective potency, it reduces by 50% every 6 hrs.
>
>
> How do you feel when you first wake up in the morning?
>
>
> - ScottI feel good, actually. But remember, i am also on EMSAM 9 mgs., and 200 mgs. of Trazodone (taken at bedtime)
I do, however, "feel better" about an hour after i take my morning dose of 300 mgs. of Lyrica.
Monte
Posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 12:28:39
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by Crazy Horse on August 11, 2006, at 11:46:47
> > > > > It takes a little over an hour to kick in
> > > >
> > > > Does this mean that the Lyrica wears off over night?
> > > >
> > > > You lose the antidepressant, pro-social, anxiolytic and energizing effects if you allow too much time to elapse between doses? Would you guess that 8 hours is the limit?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > - Scott
> > >
> > > It only has a 6 hour half life. So i find 300 mgs. bid is the best way to take it (for me). So i take 300 mgs. upon awakening at 6 or 7:00 a.m., then my second dose(300 mgs) is taken around 12-1:00 p.m. After 6 hrs. it still has a 50% effective potency, it reduces by 50% every 6 hrs.
> >
> >
> > How do you feel when you first wake up in the morning?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> I feel good, actually. But remember, i am also on EMSAM 9 mgs., and 200 mgs. of Trazodone (taken at bedtime)
>
> I do, however, "feel better" about an hour after i take my morning dose of 300 mgs. of Lyrica.
Have you excluded taking it 200mg t.i.d. ?
- Scott
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 11, 2006, at 17:21:07
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 12:28:39
> > > > > > It takes a little over an hour to kick in
> > > > >
> > > > > Does this mean that the Lyrica wears off over night?
> > > > >
> > > > > You lose the antidepressant, pro-social, anxiolytic and energizing effects if you allow too much time to elapse between doses? Would you guess that 8 hours is the limit?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > - Scott
> > > >
> > > > It only has a 6 hour half life. So i find 300 mgs. bid is the best way to take it (for me). So i take 300 mgs. upon awakening at 6 or 7:00 a.m., then my second dose(300 mgs) is taken around 12-1:00 p.m. After 6 hrs. it still has a 50% effective potency, it reduces by 50% every 6 hrs.
> > >
> > >
> > > How do you feel when you first wake up in the morning?
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> > I feel good, actually. But remember, i am also on EMSAM 9 mgs., and 200 mgs. of Trazodone (taken at bedtime)
> >
> > I do, however, "feel better" about an hour after i take my morning dose of 300 mgs. of Lyrica.
>
>
> Have you excluded taking it 200mg t.i.d. ?
>
>
> - ScottI have never taken Trazodone t.i.d., i have always taken it h.s. At one time when i was on Parnate i was all the way up to 400mgs. h.s. due to severe Parnate induced insomnia. Now on EMSAM, i tried reducing trazodone to 100 mgs. h.s., and i could sleep at this dose, but i noticed i didn't feel quite as well, so i increased it back to 200 mgs. h.s. and i feel pretty darn good.
My medication regimine is: EMSAM 9 mgs. ( i don't take it off at night) Lyrica 300mgs. b.i.d., Klonopin 1 mgs. b.i.d. and Traz. 200 mgs. h.s. This combo is working really well for me at this time.
Monte
Posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 18:08:22
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by Crazy Horse on August 11, 2006, at 17:21:07
> I have never taken Trazodone t.i.d.
No, silly.
:-)
I meant the Lyrica.
Have you thought to take it 200mg t.i.d. ?
- Scott
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 11, 2006, at 18:15:38
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse » Crazy Horse, posted by SLS on August 11, 2006, at 18:08:22
> > I have never taken Trazodone t.i.d.
>
> No, silly.
>
> :-)
>
> I meant the Lyrica.
>
> Have you thought to take it 200mg t.i.d. ?
>
>
> - ScottHa ha..sorry. Yea, that's a good idea. But 300mg b.i.d. is working so well, i don't want to "rock the boat."
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on August 13, 2006, at 14:35:33
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by Crazy Horse on August 8, 2006, at 20:37:04
Monte,
I've just done a search on psycho babble to try and get an idea of your medical history as I don't want to keep asking you questions. The thing is anything with "Crazy Horse" only seems to be in 2006 so can't find out much.
I get the impression (and forgive me if I'm wrong) that maybe you suffer from some sort of Bipolar disorder, just by the general tone of your notes but then maybe I'm wrong and you're just feeling good because the medication is working.
How did you actually react to Nardil, you say you responded badly to it but did it make you feel stoned, tranced out etc without relieving the depression? This is how it affected me and I'm a firm believer that how you react to one type of med pretty much indicates how you're going to react to other meds in the same category, in my case anyway. The reason I say this is that years ago I pretty much responded well to any SSRI I took. This time round, I've had the same anxiety affects and unresponsiveness to any SSRI I've taken. I can't help but feel that as I responded so bad to Nardil I'd respond badly to Ensam and Parnate as well.
I am interested in Lyrica you make it sound like a wonderful drug for you anyway. How long did it take you to get up to 600mg?
I've actually ordered Klonopin off the internet because I know my stubborn psychiatrist would not prescribe it.
I'm not sure what approach I'm going to take next, I feel like my psychiatrist just wants me to take Zyprexa and shut up and then he can smugly close my file. Maybe I'm being unfair on him and my condition is affecting my judgement, he says he has my best interests at heart but sometimes I find him a bit sort of self satisfied and his reasoning doesn't always make sense to me.
So really I'd like to know a bit more about your history, did the ECT help meds that had previously been ineffective to become effective again and how did you react to Nardil.
Denise
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 14, 2006, at 8:50:59
In reply to Re: To Crazy Horse, posted by Deniseuk190466 on August 13, 2006, at 14:35:33
> Monte,
>
> I've just done a search on psycho babble to try and get an idea of your medical history as I don't want to keep asking you questions. The thing is anything with "Crazy Horse" only seems to be in 2006 so can't find out much.
>
> I get the impression (and forgive me if I'm wrong) that maybe you suffer from some sort of Bipolar disorder, just by the general tone of your notes but then maybe I'm wrong and you're just feeling good because the medication is working.
>
> How did you actually react to Nardil, you say you responded badly to it but did it make you feel stoned, tranced out etc without relieving the depression? This is how it affected me and I'm a firm believer that how you react to one type of med pretty much indicates how you're going to react to other meds in the same category, in my case anyway. The reason I say this is that years ago I pretty much responded well to any SSRI I took. This time round, I've had the same anxiety affects and unresponsiveness to any SSRI I've taken. I can't help but feel that as I responded so bad to Nardil I'd respond badly to Ensam and Parnate as well.
>
> I am interested in Lyrica you make it sound like a wonderful drug for you anyway. How long did it take you to get up to 600mg?
>
> I've actually ordered Klonopin off the internet because I know my stubborn psychiatrist would not prescribe it.
>
> I'm not sure what approach I'm going to take next, I feel like my psychiatrist just wants me to take Zyprexa and shut up and then he can smugly close my file. Maybe I'm being unfair on him and my condition is affecting my judgement, he says he has my best interests at heart but sometimes I find him a bit sort of self satisfied and his reasoning doesn't always make sense to me.
>
> So really I'd like to know a bit more about your history, did the ECT help meds that had previously been ineffective to become effective again and how did you react to Nardil.
>
>
> Denise
>
>I've only been coming here since January of 2006, and changed my "user name" about 3 mos. ago, so this is why you didn't find much on me.
I am not bipolar. My 26 year diagnosis is Major depression w/ some atypical features, GAD, OCD (without rituals), and some social anxiety.
I never got "high" on Nardil. It actually worked for my depression, but the side effects were horrible...so i sh*t canned it after a couple of months. Parnate worked even better; relieved depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and even OCD. But again, the side effects were too much (especially the terrible insomnia and severe daytime fatigue) i lasted on this for 4 mos. With EMSAM i am experiencing the benefits but not the side effects of MAOI's, due to ( i believe ) The transdermal delivery system.
For me ECT in 1997 wasn't a grand experience, but it did save my life. It wasn't a miraculous improvement, but i did come home after 24 treatments and was no longer suicidal. Did it help my meds "kick in?"..that would be purely an individuals opinion/theory. Maybe, maybe not.
And yes, i am doing better now due to my current medication regimine. Good Luck.
Monte
This is the end of the thread.
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