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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AdamCanada2 on September 2, 2009, at 2:52:08
Ever since I been severely depressed caused by Accutane poisoning and ECT that went wrong and damaged my memory and very likely my cognition it has been difficult for me to feel clear headed.
I don't feel anywhere as intelligent or extraverted as I used to be 8 years ago when I was 18, when it all started. My life would never be the same beyond that point. I find it difficult often to even form thoughts together and have things to say. A flowing stream of consciousness would be nice.
I would like to know people's opinions, experiences, views or even what they simply heard regarding what medications can really help for alertness, a more active mind, memory, ability to simply think which also helps with ability to be social. parnate helped for a little, same with Selegiline/Emsam, and perhaps paxil. meds like celexa, effexor have worsened my dep. Ritalin and Dexedrine I should mention used to help a lot for the above mentioned factors. They don't last though.
Please help me out here as I am on the verge of losing the last true friend I have due to the fact that I feel so dull, unintellectual, and introverted.
I'll try and get a big list together of all the meds I have tried. I need to find it in my journal.
Posted by 49er on September 2, 2009, at 4:04:14
In reply to What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion, posted by AdamCanada2 on September 2, 2009, at 2:52:08
> Ever since I been severely depressed caused by Accutane poisoning and ECT that went wrong and damaged my memory and very likely my cognition it has been difficult for me to feel clear headed.
>
> I don't feel anywhere as intelligent or extraverted as I used to be 8 years ago when I was 18, when it all started. My life would never be the same beyond that point. I find it difficult often to even form thoughts together and have things to say. A flowing stream of consciousness would be nice.
>
> I would like to know people's opinions, experiences, views or even what they simply heard regarding what medications can really help for alertness, a more active mind, memory, ability to simply think which also helps with ability to be social. parnate helped for a little, same with Selegiline/Emsam, and perhaps paxil. meds like celexa, effexor have worsened my dep. Ritalin and Dexedrine I should mention used to help a lot for the above mentioned factors. They don't last though.
>
> Please help me out here as I am on the verge of losing the last true friend I have due to the fact that I feel so dull, unintellectual, and introverted.
>
> I'll try and get a big list together of all the meds I have tried. I need to find it in my journal.Adam,
I am so sorry for the difficulties you have experienced. I can't imagine what that must be like.
Have you tried fish oil capsules? Also, I found that taking a multivitamin that is high in Folic Acid and B12 greatly helps my cognitive abilities. Unfortunately, doing that causes insomnia for me which is a whole other post. But hopefully, that wouldn't be an issue for you.
I am tapering off of meds due to horrific side effects so I can't help you in that area.
I hope you find some relief soon.
49er
Posted by SLS on September 2, 2009, at 5:59:53
In reply to What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion, posted by AdamCanada2 on September 2, 2009, at 2:52:08
The use of dietary supplements has its appeal. I wish that were the case for me that I would have responded to the many I have tried. I even went on a rotation diet to try to pinpoint any food sensitivities that may exist.
Fish oil is usually a good idea for anyone to use to maintain overall health, including mental health. Believe it or not, fish oil has, on occassion, produced mania. There is more to fish oil than a simple source of dietary omega fatty acids. I think there is something else pharmacological going on there.
If you do at some point want to try a psychiatric medication, Nardil (phenelzine), an MAOI, pretty much fits your description of properties you would like to see in a treatment. If you have already tried Nardil, perhaps it would be helpful for you to produce a list of the drugs you have tried. I encourage people to make three lists:
1. Drugs that produced any kind of improvement at all.
2. Drugs that made you feel worse.
3. Drugs with no effect, but otherwise tolerable.
- Scott
Posted by g_g_g_unit on September 2, 2009, at 8:27:45
In reply to What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion, posted by AdamCanada2 on September 2, 2009, at 2:52:08
this is something that's plaguing me as well. i try to remind myself that cognitive dysfunction is a symptom of depression, but i also wonder if there is some kind of positive correlation between intensity of mood + cognitive issues. for me, the latter far outweigh the former; most of the time, i am simply dysthymic and could almost function adequately (i.e. get up, get dressed, work part-time) if my definition of functioning did not encompass 'higher' ambitions like an attention span, memory, the ability to return to university, etc. i guess my Parnate trial will determine whether i am indeed just depressed. on some level, i've begun to just accept my situation, which is bad in a way, because the next logical step for me is suicide.
i've felt like this ever since i cold-turkeyed off Remeron. i know it's not exactly scientifically sound, but i wonder if i caused some kind of brain damage by doing that.
my new pdoc has offered to let me go for a CT scan, but i wonder if it would pick up anything anyway.
sorry to make this all about me. compounds you could look into include Hydergine, lithium, the 'racetams (Piracetam, Aniracetam, etc.), ALCAR, royal jelly, lion's mane (boosts NGF), Bacopa, Ashwaganda, Stablon, Choline.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 2, 2009, at 10:42:42
In reply to What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion, posted by AdamCanada2 on September 2, 2009, at 2:52:08
Provigil? Many here use it--expensive as heck, unless you have insurance.
fb
Posted by Phillipa on September 2, 2009, at 11:03:45
In reply to Re: What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversi » AdamCanada2, posted by floatingbridge on September 2, 2009, at 10:42:42
fb I was going to suggest the same. Love Phillipa
Posted by zana on September 2, 2009, at 16:21:31
In reply to What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion, posted by AdamCanada2 on September 2, 2009, at 2:52:08
I agree with Scott that a list of your current meds would be helpful. Provigil does help with alertness,energy and mood for me. It is available as the generic, modafinil, through Canadian on-line pharmacies.
Sorry to read that you are suffering so much. Hope we can help with more information.
Zana
Posted by desolationrower on September 2, 2009, at 19:37:32
In reply to Re: What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion » AdamCanada2, posted by SLS on September 2, 2009, at 5:59:53
retinoid receptor and vitamin d receptor can work in opposite ways. long-term making sure you get enough vitamin D would be important. 5k UI/day if you aren't out in midday sun a few days a week (with minimum of clothing)
-d/r
Posted by g_g_g_unit on September 3, 2009, at 1:58:51
In reply to Re: What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion, posted by desolationrower on September 2, 2009, at 19:37:32
oh yeah - almost forgot - maybe silly to even mention it, but exercise! promotes neurogenesis. i'm curious if that strictly applies to vigorous cardio, etc. or if just light exercise would help. i'm too riddled with back pain to perform much strenuous exercise, but i make sure to walk for an hour a day.
Posted by bleauberry on September 4, 2009, at 20:38:32
In reply to What lets ppl think more clearly? + Extraversion, posted by AdamCanada2 on September 2, 2009, at 2:52:08
As you described yourself, your history, and your symptoms, it struck close to home because you described very closely my own story. The ECT and everything. All of it.
I was so sick of it all I turned my back on routine medical profession and sought the assistance of an Integrative MD instead, and later a Nurse Practioner licensed in psychiatry and naturopathy as well. It was that journey that painted a bigger picture that had been there the whole time, unseen by routine MDs. What came out of that story was a barrage of lab tests and various trials that showed: Highly elevated mercury and lead levels; adrenal hypofunction; gluten intolerance; extremely low urine serotonin; and disregulated fatty acids; and genetic flaws in the MAO and COMT areas; and the nuclear bomb of them all, the presence of DNA bands unique to a bacteria called Borellia. That's scientific lingo for Lyme disease. The low serotonin was not useful, and neither was the fatty acids stuff. The other stuff, crucial.
I am not suggesting any of these things apply to you. What I am suggesting is that a journey in a new direction in uncharted waters is likely to open your eyes to real problems with real solutions. That demands an Integrative MD, not a routine MD. Someone who knows about all the things I've mentioned above and who has patients being treated for all the things I've mentioned above. They are usually licensed routine MDs with specialty training in naturopathy or homeopathy.
Brain fog. A common term to describe what you described. A common symptom of everything I listed above. Let's assume you have none of the above, but instead just a Candida overgrowth in the gut. Brain fog is number one symptom of that.
The symptoms you described are, in my judgement, not issues of a brain malfunction, but rather, issues of a body malfunction that is impacting the brain.
Forget all the above. Ok. Just a list of things to improve symptoms, maybe for a while at least. Modafinil. Forskolin. Time released T3. Bacopa, Ginkgo Biloba, and a handful of other healing herbs. I would have of course mentioned the stimulants, but you've already been there. The right supplement should improve symptoms quickly. Finding the right one involves some random but somewhat targeted luck. In the longterm, the real issue has to be uncovered. That takes some detective work.
ECT wiped out my name-recall capacity quite a bit. But speech and thought has returned to strong, pre-ECT, with the help of well chosen foods and treatments to address my known malfunctions. Brain fog now only occurs when I am on a round of killing bacteria and/or candida and experiencing a Herx reaction. Most other times, that brain fog that haunted me for so long is gone.
To make a long story short, it is my opinion your best healing is not going to come from the psychiatric toolbag.
This is the end of the thread.
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