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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ihatedrugs on August 7, 2009, at 10:52:21
Hi guys,
So withdrawing from Savella was easier than I thought. Only side effects was that I was feeling better than when taking the drug. Irritability has dramatically improved and overall mood as well. Now the question is since I am feeling ok without meds except for Deplin and Klonopin to help with sleep, should I try and go without and see what happens. I know some people experience a honeymoon period when they stop some meds but then the depression creeps back again. My reasoning is about a month ago I had my vitamin D levels tested for the first time ever and the levels were super low. My doctor put me on a therapeutic vitamin d regime and I will be getting tested again this upcoming week. Since taking vitamin D, I have seen an improvement in my overall health. I still have some mood swings but I feel better than when on meds. There is some scientific research on deficiencies of Vitamin D and depression. I just wonder how long have I been deficient and I know this would be just too good to be true: but could the culprit of my depression be the result of a simple vitamin deficiency? Who knows only time will tell.
I exhort all of you to get your vitamin d levels checked. YOu don't even have to go to the doctor, just go to http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ and buy a test kit from ZRT labs.
If this is true for some of us, this would mean that Tom Cruise was right...arghhhhhh!!!Will keep you posted
Posted by UGottaHaveHope on August 7, 2009, at 12:32:39
In reply to Should I start Emsam or wait, posted by ihatedrugs on August 7, 2009, at 10:52:21
Can you purchase Vitamin D medicine over the counter OR do you need a prescription?
Anybody else have similar experiences with Vitamin D? What exact test do you ask for to get your Vit D levels checked? Thanks
Posted by floatingbridge on August 7, 2009, at 14:05:00
In reply to Should I start Emsam or wait, posted by ihatedrugs on August 7, 2009, at 10:52:21
Hey, glad you're feeling good. I can't advise on starting emsam--it might be interesting to see what happens w/out, and I can see why you'd want to find out. What does your doc think?
I was very low on Vit D and did the prescription amount for 8 weeks. Truthfully, I couldn't tell if I felt better or not--but I had so much going on.
I have tried no meds before, w/ just xanax for help, and it didn't work. Depression came back--worse. Maybe klonopin would have been a better choice for monotherapy....?
Whatever you decide, be kind and gentle w/ yourself. If you feel like you need meds, please start them. Keep us in the loop--I'l look for your posts!
fb
Posted by SLS on August 7, 2009, at 16:10:56
In reply to Should I start Emsam or wait, posted by ihatedrugs on August 7, 2009, at 10:52:21
Your feeling better coming off of milnacipran might be due to a phenomenon known as a discontinuation rebound improvement. If this is the case, you might begin to feel worse within two weeks. I hope this scenario does not apply to you.
If I were in your position, I would wait and see what happens. I think you would regret not investigating your present need for medical treatment were you to start another drug right away. You might even be less apt to give the next treatment a fair trial because you wouldn't be convinced that you need it.
It SUCKS being tethered to a drug indefinitely just to be able to function.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 7, 2009, at 17:31:59
In reply to Re: Should I start Emsam or wait » ihatedrugs, posted by SLS on August 7, 2009, at 16:10:56
Uggg my endo tested my vita D levels via blood test and they were within normal. I'm wait and see too. Just my opinion of course. Phillipa
Posted by ihatedrugs on August 8, 2009, at 1:58:39
In reply to Re: Should I start Emsam or wait, posted by Phillipa on August 7, 2009, at 17:31:59
I thank you all for your responses. I do agree that perhaps I should wait to see what happens. Who knows, perhaps my brain regenerated some much needed chemicals or found new pathways during years of treatment. I haven't being non- medicated with an ad over 15 years. Each time I changed meds there was a period I would be weaning off one and beginning another one simultaneously. On the other hand, my last major episode was so bad I swore I would never go off meds. So I will be cautiously playing it by ear and at the slightest peek from the beast, I'd slap on that patch wihthout any hesitation.
I actually had a great day today then made the mistake of watching The Soloist and it got me so down just thinking about all the suffering mental illness causes. Arrgh, bad choice of movie, nonetheless great perfomances.
Will keep you posted
ihatedrugs
This is the end of the thread.
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