Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stargazer2 on October 5, 2007, at 23:12:50
How to summarize the past few months...obviously I can't include every detail, just the most important ones.
1/22/07: Pdoc suggests Abilify or Geodon, I request a second opinion. Emsam increased to 9 mg. Continued dizziness, static in brain, too much to process, feeling of being overwhelmed without a reason to feel this way.
2/21/07: Emsam to 12 mg with some improvement in mood. Added DLPA 500 mg (DL-Phenylalanine) per Laima, another person who uses this with Nardil.
Second opinion done, recommends Transcranial Stimulation, Depakote or Abilify. I asked about Provigil, which he said would be OK. Not terribly impressed with his opinions.
3/6: Started Provigil at 50, then at 75 ,then at 100 with Emsam 12. Very lightheaded.
3/14: Decreased Emsam to 6 mg and Provigil to 50 mg based on lightheadedness. BP 90/60.
**I want to try Nardil** Agreed to try Abilify with Emsam 6 mg. Abilify 2.5, increased to 5 mg, then to 10mg with increased motivation and energy at first, then effects diminished.
Frustrated with lack of response, I got the name of a clinical researcher who is studying Rizolule and Ketamine for depression. I saw him to reviewed my history and get his opinion on what may work for me. He can't give me any suggestions today but will review my case and see me in a few weeks.
5/14: NO improvement on Emsam 6, Abilify 10 and Amphetamine 10 (5mg/Am,5 mg/pm).
**Want to try Nardil now!**
5/15: Started Nardil (finally) at 15 mg to increase to 45 mg after 5 days. Continued on Abilify 5 mg w Nardil. Noticed response after 3 days with improved energy and thinking, less rumination.
June 06: Saw research MD again, he suggests exercise 3-5X/week and tells me what times to take Nardil to reduce daytime sleepiness. He isn't able to make any specific med suggestions for me. Having SE of swollen feet, gas pains, constipation. Nardil reduced to 45 mg, Abilify increased to 10 mg.
July 07: Buproprion 150 added to Nardil 45. Still very depressed, I think I need something else added...Adderall, Tricyclic or thyroid?
Trial of amphetamine salts with Nardil at 5 mg with improved motivation, increased to 10 mg, had hypertensive reaction with second dose. BP 230/130, took Nifedipine 10 mg SL to reduce BP, 140/80 after an hour on the bathroom floor.
August 5,06: BP in the 70's, on Nardil 30 only.
8/14/07: Depressed on Nardil 30, added Wellbutrin 150 and Lamictal 25.
My suggestion to pdoc is to add a TCA or Lithium.
Nortriptylline (TCA) 25 mg added to Nardil 30.
8/15/06: Pdoc refers me to endocrinologist (first time in 18 years) for evaluation of possible hormonal effects on depression. TSH level last year was 2.6, started me on Synthroid 50 mcg. Wants to get TSH closer to 1 to improve depression. My previous thyroid level were always in the normal range of 0.5 to 5.
Blood drawn today for TSH. Results are 3.5.
8/27/07: Nortrip increased to 75 mg, Nardil is 45 and Synthroid 50 mcg.
9/3: Very lightheaded, changed med schedule, will take Nardil 15 and Nortrip 25 Q AM and Nardil 30 and Nortrip 50 Q PM, and take Synthroid upon waking up.
SE of very dry mouth from Nortrip, reduced to 50 mg.On 9/11, I noticed my depression was responding to the Nardil 45, Nortriptylline 50 and Synthroid 50 mcg combination, the only improvement in my depression in a year and 2 months.
I hope this is the real thing. I saw my pdoc on 10/4, told him the depression was gone. I almost hugged him I was so happy. I can go a month before seeing him again. Again, I hope this is the real thing.
stargazer
Posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2007, at 23:59:18
In reply to Part 2 : my Recovery w Nardil, 1/06 to now (long), posted by stargazer2 on October 5, 2007, at 23:12:50
Stargazer me too and you did such a good job of journeling I'm impressed. Phillipa
Posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on October 6, 2007, at 1:15:08
In reply to Part 2 : my Recovery w Nardil, 1/06 to now (long), posted by stargazer2 on October 5, 2007, at 23:12:50
SG: Thats so encouraging. How much do you think the hormone played in it all? And how much do you think Synthriod is helping?
Ive thought about taking Nortrip. How did it make you feel different than Nardil? Or what did it add to the Nardil? Thanks, Michael
Posted by stargazer2 on October 6, 2007, at 7:41:25
In reply to Re: Part 2 : my Recovery w Nardil, 1/06 to now (long) » stargazer2, posted by Phillipa on October 5, 2007, at 23:59:18
P, reading back through the journal is so tiring because much of it is my thoughts and emotions, so the words make me really know how bad I was. The medication trials are just cumbersome to read through because I start to question why we used a drug, like abilify, over and over when I was sure it wasn't doing much of anything. Obviously, my doctor is a fan of Abilify, Lamictal and Seroquel, which never gave me much added value. He thought otherwise but was proven wrong.
The journalling helps sort out the side effects and responses when my mind was really affected by the meds. I could still write down how I felt and would use this when I went to see my doctor. I kept him on his toes with past trials that failed if he suggested another trial using a "failed" med. And he had a hard time keeping the dosages straight, but my journal kept tabs on that.
It was clear to me from my notes that the formula for improvement included a few meds he didn't suggest. The TCA add-on and visit to the endocrinologist were key in getting to where I'm at. I had to become my own expert at this if I was to get better.
Thanks for reading...it's not all very interesting, my personal notes are much longer, too long to include here. Best of luck to everyone who is fighting to get better. It is not an easy road to walk.
Stargazer
Posted by stargazer2 on October 6, 2007, at 7:52:09
In reply to Thanks for posting your success story (must read) » stargazer2, posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on October 6, 2007, at 1:15:08
Michael,
Let's see, all I know about the addition of Nortriptylline and Synthroid is that I had a rather quick response (2-3 weeks) to adding them. It's not clear which one is the "true" catalyst (added w/i 2-3 days of eachother) so I must take both of them for now.
I have never taken a TCA before other than Elavil many years ago and I had bad side effects with it. The only SE with pamelor is dry mouth and it just makes me remember to drink alot more water which is always a problem for me.
The Synthroid was prescribed even though I have a "normal" TSH but the APRN (nurse practitioner) I saw said they try and bring the TSH down to around 1 in patients who have severe TRD. The effects of that are unclear but since it increases your metabolic rate (lay man's term) it makes sense that I would benefit from this. You may not, since you have more anxiety than depression, but it may help to have a screening panel done for a baseline reading, your doc can advise if he feels it would be beneficial.
Stargazer
Posted by medweirdo on October 6, 2007, at 17:26:06
In reply to Re: Thanks for posting your success story (must read), posted by stargazer2 on October 6, 2007, at 7:52:09
What is TRD ?
As for Nardil, why have you reduced the dose from 60 to 45?
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2007, at 19:11:43
In reply to Re: Thanks for posting your success story (must re » stargazer2, posted by medweirdo on October 6, 2007, at 17:26:06
TRD is treatment resistant depression. Stargazer will have to answer herself the nardil quesion. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2007, at 19:13:15
In reply to Thanks for posting your success story (must read) » stargazer2, posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on October 6, 2007, at 1:15:08
Michael is it kicking back in for you yet? You know SLS used nortip for his depression too with nardil and forget what else. Love Phillipa
Posted by stargazer2 on October 6, 2007, at 20:17:46
In reply to Re: Thanks for posting your success story (must re » stargazer2, posted by medweirdo on October 6, 2007, at 17:26:06
o,
TRD= Treatment Resistent Depression
Nardil reduced from 60 mg to 45 after severe gas pains and constipation and severe hypotension (70/40) and resultant dizziness.SG
Posted by stargazer2 on October 6, 2007, at 20:17:51
In reply to Re: Thanks for posting your success story (must re » stargazer2, posted by medweirdo on October 6, 2007, at 17:26:06
o,
TRD= Treatment Resistent Depression
Nardil reduced from 60 mg to 45 after severe gas pains and constipation and severe hypotension (70/40) and resultant dizziness.SG
Posted by stargazer2 on October 6, 2007, at 20:18:05
In reply to Re: Thanks for posting your success story (must re » stargazer2, posted by medweirdo on October 6, 2007, at 17:26:06
o,
TRD= Treatment Resistent Depression
Nardil reduced from 60 mg to 45 after severe gas pains and constipation and severe hypotension (70/40) and resultant dizziness.SG
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.