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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by deniseuk190466 on April 17, 2007, at 16:12:15
I want to try anything and anything to eradicate this depression/anxiety and make things the way they used to be but the psychiatrists won't even consider it. Why not?? It seems so unfair.
Denise
Posted by chiron on April 17, 2007, at 17:26:22
In reply to I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by deniseuk190466 on April 17, 2007, at 16:12:15
Can you get a new psychiatrist? I have been able to call mine up and get scheduled within the next couple days. He is a nice guy who works in conjunction with the hospital. Maybe you could get a resource from a local hospital?
ECT experiences vary, but I would recommend it to try and get out of a deep dark hole. After only 5 treatments I did a 180. I did regress after a few weeks, but I was out of the black hole caused by the wrong meds.
I had some memory loss, some of which came back. But it was worth it. (and I am still smart in case you were wondering :)
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 18, 2007, at 3:50:03
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by chiron on April 17, 2007, at 17:26:22
Hi,
When you say you regressed did you regress back to your depressed self or did you not go as low as previously.
I feel suicidal a lot of the time and I hope it would just get me to a state where I am not suicidal.
Also, what is your diagnosis, do you have dysthymia and did you have bilateral or unilateral ECT.
Thanks....Denise
Posted by chiron on April 18, 2007, at 8:03:13
In reply to To Chiron, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 18, 2007, at 3:50:03
I did not regress to as low as I was. I was maybe a 0, went to a 10 with ECT, and regressed to a maybe a 5. I am wondering if I regressed so quickly because I started on another med (wondering if all meds now make me worse).
For most of my life I have been more dysthymic, the wrong meds made me major & I spent some time in the hospital (that was a year ago). Shortly afterward the hospital, I talked to a few people who had had positive experiences and decided I wanted ECT.
I have had unilateral.
Currently, my pdoc doesn't know what diagnosis to give me because I don't fit into any category. He has thought I might have some bipolar tendencies.
I am seriously currently considering going off meds and doing another series with maintenance.
Kitty Dukakis just wrote a book called 'Shock' that is really good.
Let me know if you have any other questions, I know it's a scary decision.
Take care
Posted by slinky on April 18, 2007, at 11:14:30
In reply to I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by deniseuk190466 on April 17, 2007, at 16:12:15
Hi Denise,
I'm in the UK, no anti-depressants work now for me either..were in the same boat because I asked for ECT for anxiety /depression.
I also sometimes take Klonopin for anxiety - but it wasn't prescribed for me , my doctor will or may go mad at me.
Effexor worked but not the second time round..done all SSRI's doc won't try anything else..
Neurontin helps have you tried that.
I'm sick of poop out and these meds.. just existing and not living is not taken seriously by the docs/psychiatrists here.
I hope you get well soon all the best.
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 20, 2007, at 10:17:38
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course » deniseuk190466, posted by slinky on April 18, 2007, at 11:14:30
Hi Slinky,
Are you seeing a Doctor or a Psychiatrist? I can't believe they won't try anything else.
At least when I was seeing psychiatrists privately they were willing to keep trying and trying and not give up.
I have to say the psychiatrist I'm seeing now is very sympathetic and understanding and I guess they are only as good as the drugs/treatments they have available to them. She sort of chastises me for being after a quick fix and expecting things to work straight away, I see her point but like I said to her, if you had a really bad migraine you'd want to take something to work pretty quickly, not take something, have the migraine become more severe and then wait it out for weeks on end to see if the migraines will go away.
Mindyou any psychiatrist I had would seem nice and understanding after my horrible dealings with this professor who told me that I wasn't depressed, wasn't mentally ill just a very unhappy person and I should really just go away and get on with it!!!. I am going to write and complain about him because he had absolutely no personal skills whatsoever.
I would like to try ECT purely as another tool to try and it would need to be unilateral. What reasons does your Doctor give you for not giving you ECT? Are you working?
How does the neurontin help you? I've ordered Lyrica (offshoot of neurontin) off the internet but am a bit dubious about taking it as it seems to have made some people more depressed.
I hate being like this, I really do, ordering stuff willy nilly off the internet, scouring the internet daily for answers, possible treatments, I'm so obsessive about feeling normal again but I don't know what else to do.
I have to say, what has been a life saver for me and has been 10mg Zyprexa when taken now and again. I thank God for the private psychiatrist who prescribed it for me when this whole depression started up again. The only time I ever feel really sort of normal and actually quite nice though is when it's wearing off. Maybe you shoud ask your Doctor about adding an anti-psychotic to an SSRI.
Denise
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 20, 2007, at 10:35:48
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course » deniseuk190466, posted by slinky on April 18, 2007, at 11:14:30
Hi Slinky,
Are you seeing a Doctor or a Psychiatrist? I can't believe they won't try anything else.
At least when I was seeing psychiatrists privately they were willing to keep trying and trying and not give up.
I have to say the psychiatrist I'm seeing now is very sympathetic and understanding and I guess they are only as good as the drugs/treatments they have available to them. She sort of chastises me for being after a quick fix and expecting things to work straight away, I see her point but like I said to her, if you had a really bad migraine you'd want to take something to work pretty quickly, not take something, have the migraine become more severe and then wait it out for weeks on end to see if the migraines will go away.
Mindyou any psychiatrist I had would seem nice and understanding after my horrible dealings with this professor who told me that I wasn't depressed, wasn't mentally ill just a very unhappy person and I should really just go away and get on with it!!!. I am going to write and complain about him because he had absolutely no personal skills whatsoever.
I would like to try ECT purely as another tool to try and it would need to be unilateral. What reasons does your Doctor give you for not giving you ECT? Are you working?
How does the neurontin help you? I've ordered Lyrica (offshoot of neurontin) off the internet but am a bit dubious about taking it as it seems to have made some people more depressed.
I hate being like this, I really do, ordering stuff willy nilly off the internet, scouring the internet daily for answers, possible treatments, I'm so obsessive about feeling normal again but I don't know what else to do.
I have to say, what has been a life saver for me and has been 10mg Zyprexa when taken now and again. I thank God for the private psychiatrist who prescribed it for me when this whole depression started up again. The only time I ever feel really sort of normal and actually quite nice though is when it's wearing off. Maybe you shoud ask your Doctor about adding an anti-psychotic to an SSRI.
Denise
Posted by Sebastian on April 21, 2007, at 23:16:00
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 20, 2007, at 10:35:48
Have you tried celexa? It has no side-effects. How often are you taking zyprexa 10mg? I wonder if 5mg a day would work better, take it at night and you will be on the going down part all day. Take it 2 hours before bed and you will sleep great.
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 23, 2007, at 5:16:04
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by Sebastian on April 21, 2007, at 23:16:00
Hi Sebastian,
I took 5mg last night and today, although the anxiety is better, I feel very sort of flat, sedated and not wanting to talk to anyone (well I never do really).
I really feel that the Zyprexa helps me more when it's wearing off. So if I take 10mg a couple of days later I feel a bit more lively.
I'll try 2.5mg tonight.
I just want something that will make the lexapro that I'm taking actually work properly. It's not working properly.
I've read that ECT can sometimes help ADs work better.
Denise
Posted by slinky on April 24, 2007, at 9:07:53
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 20, 2007, at 10:17:38
Hi Denise,
I've been seeing psychiatrist for years..he gave no reason for not trying ECT. I'm seeing him later today..I'm not working, on disability benefit.
It's sad that we have to buy pills off the internet. Neurontin helps with some anxiety but not completely, also helps with irritability.
I've taken zyprexa it didn't help..just gave me an enormous appetite for food. I now take risperdal which at first elevated my depression , can't tell now if it helps.
I only think you can have ECT has an hospital inpatient..not entirely sure.
Let us know how the Lycrica goes..I may order some myself.
I'm hoping my Effexor will be increased today cause this anxiety is unbearable.
Take care..
Slinky
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 24, 2007, at 10:56:11
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course » Deniseuk190466, posted by slinky on April 24, 2007, at 9:07:53
Hi Slinky,
Hope it goes well with the psychiatrist. Maybe you should ask him/her why they won't try ECT on you.
I did try lyrica 150mg on Saturday night and I have to admit that on the Sunday I felt depressed still although less anxious. I've decided though not to continue with it but to try the Zyprexa 2.5mg on a daily basis for two weeks.
To be honest I'm really at the end of my tether with this, although I've said this many times in the past. Lately I just wish I'd keel over and die because I can't see the point in living such an unhappy life. Maybe I'm being ungrateful I don't know.
Let us know how it goes with your psychiatrist.
Denise
Posted by chiron on April 25, 2007, at 21:54:20
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course » Deniseuk190466, posted by slinky on April 24, 2007, at 9:07:53
> Neurontin helps with some anxiety but not completely, also helps with irritability.
I've been on almost everything now, and everything makes me worse or makes me cycle. My dr. has suggested trying Neurontin because it I do have some agitation. Other things I have tried for agitation have actually increased it.
How long befor you saw a difference?
Any help with depression?
Anything else?
I'm nervous because I've had so many bad experiences and have heard about some people where it made them worse. But I'm at the end of my rope.
thx!
Posted by lcat10 on April 25, 2007, at 23:30:49
In reply to I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by deniseuk190466 on April 17, 2007, at 16:12:15
What have you read so far about ECT that makes you believe it is a panacea?
lcat10
Posted by slinky on April 26, 2007, at 8:34:37
In reply to Question about Neurontin for slinky, posted by chiron on April 25, 2007, at 21:54:20
Hi Chiron,
I've taken neurontin for about three years now..it worked for me within a week. It's the only drug that gets me out of bed so I think it helps with some depression. I take 600mg three times a day but sometimes take it four times a day. For anxiety it helps reducing the negative thinking and smoothes out irritability. It can be too sedating sometimes and IQ levels will plummet.
When first taking it you may feel like you've had a couple of beers and feel more social..this wore off for me. It just smoothes life out like a mild benzo.
No side effects that I can think of.Slinky
Posted by slinky on April 26, 2007, at 8:48:02
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 24, 2007, at 10:56:11
Hi Denise,
The psychiatrist just increased my effexor and said to ring him if I get too high in mood - some chance of that happenning.
I can't find gratitude in life because the pleasure has gone so I understand you're feeling of giving up. It's a difficult trap, just don't give up because if seroxat worked then there must be something else that will work also.Slinky
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 27, 2007, at 6:31:11
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by slinky on April 26, 2007, at 8:48:02
Hi Slinky,
Thanks, I will keep trying. I have to, I can't settle for this.
How high up are you on Effexor, is it helping at all and if so in what way?
I remember feeling very spaced out sometimes on Effexor but I didn't get up to a very high dose.
Denise
Posted by slinky on May 1, 2007, at 8:43:06
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 27, 2007, at 6:31:11
Hi Denise,
I'm up to 150mg of effexor, the first time I took it it was 225mg but it stopped working so I hoped if I try it again maybe it will help again. I've noticed a change in anxiety but just a little..I'll have to give it more time to see if it helps.At least I have my klonopin if I get real bad.
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on May 2, 2007, at 7:24:16
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course » Deniseuk190466, posted by slinky on May 1, 2007, at 8:43:06
Hi Slinky,
High? If only :-)
Do you suffer from Bipolar disorder?
Whereabouts in the UK are you from and are you working?
I hope the Effexor works for you second time around.
Denise
Posted by slinky on May 3, 2007, at 8:02:25
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by Deniseuk190466 on May 2, 2007, at 7:24:16
Hi Denise,
I live in Surrey in the south east near London - not where I really want to live - I want to move to a quieter location.
I have rapid bipolar, dysthemia and anxiety but the anxiety is not taken seriously. I'm not working, on disability.
Sitting out in the sunshine is supposed to increase the serotonin levels so I'm forcing myself to sit in the garden staring at the weeds :-)
Hope you feel better soon.
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on May 9, 2007, at 3:57:00
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course » Deniseuk190466, posted by slinky on May 3, 2007, at 8:02:25
Hi Slinky,
I didn't realise that a person could have bipolar and dysthymia at the same time.
As you have bipolar does this mean that you do have some highs?
As to the anxiety I do think that anxiety should be taken seriously as it can be absolutely horrible, especially when it is constant.
Anyway, I hope sitting in the sunshine and the Effexor eventually helps you, keep on plugging on.
Denise
Posted by slinky on May 9, 2007, at 9:57:28
In reply to Re: I want to try ECT - This time the full course, posted by Deniseuk190466 on May 9, 2007, at 3:57:00
Hi Denise,
I used to have highs..my highs now if I get them are just extreme irritability and anger,the risperdal has kept it at bay.
I'm moving in a month to hopefully a quieter place..I think I'll tell my pdoc that I'm taking klonopin for the anxiety. I just hope he'll be ok about it. I'm worrying my head off about moving hopefully things will run smoothly.
Wishing you well
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