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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 1:06:35
I have to see a new pdoc in 3 weeks if I'm lucky to get in. I'm in a holding pattern of 200mg AM modafinil and 6mg of clonazepam. I'm functioning on auto pilot. I go to work, come home and stare at the wall. I don't even know how I'm able to work.
I have always had a very strong work ethic but it's fading, like me.
My body rejects anything that messes with serotonin and it's getting worse as I get older.
Any suggestions? C
Agomelatine and tianeptine are not available in Australia and I can't deal with the legal submission to obtain it from overseas. It takes forever. I will not purchase illegally from overseas.
I'm running out of options and I'm getting scared. I fully understand there is no magic bullet, but I need something to switch off invasive intrusive thoughts, that don't cause blurry vision at all (need to focus a camera) ,don't numb my emotions and are energising. I'm almost at that point again where I was 17 years ago and I don't wan't to go back on sickness benefits. Maybe I'm too proud for my own good.
Please help
AP's, TCA's and MAOI's are out too. I'm really lost and scared. The feelings of dissociation are returning and last time that happened it was very bad, leaving your body to escape sounds like a nice repose from depression and anxiety but it put me in hospital and nearly ended very badly. I have 2 wonderful GP's from the same clinic watching out for me but because of my history and bizarre reaction to meds they are very wary to prescribe any psych meds to me.
Posted by Sunbath on October 1, 2009, at 11:10:49
In reply to So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP, posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 1:06:35
Hi cactus!
Just interested.. why are MAOIs no option?
Also why are all tcas ruled out?What about desipramine for example?
Is reboxetine (NRI) available in your country?
Did you try Mirtazapine?
Sorry that I can't be of much help!Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2009, at 11:58:07
In reply to So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP, posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 1:06:35
That's providigil and klonopin right? Are you depressed or just tired and anxious? I know your country doesn't use much besides valium for anxiety. I'm so sorry. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on October 1, 2009, at 19:41:45
In reply to So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP, posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 1:06:35
God created the animals for food and the plants for medicine.
Regardless of whether you believe God or you don't, there is an entire world of treating just about any kind of symptom you can think of with plants of the earth. Herbs. And supplements.
Things may look really limited right now since all you have in your universe is pscyhiatric meds. Open up that universe and there is so much more. You'll need to find someone with the experience in that, such as an alternative MD, integrative MD, naturopath, herbalist, or chinese herbalist. I can already think of a handful of things you would likely find almost instantly helpful, but it is a lengthy discussion and I'm not sure you are ready to open that door yet.
Just be aware, that door is there, and there is good stuff on the other side of it. Stuff that, in contrast to psych meds that have been here for 10-40 years, have been treating ailments for thousands of years. They didn't lose favor because they didn't work...they lost favor because companies couldn't make huge profits and patents on them. They still work great today as always, for those that get to know them.
Posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 23:36:11
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP, posted by bleauberry on October 1, 2009, at 19:41:45
Bleauberry, my uncle is a naturopath, actually a very good one whom I have seen many, many times. He is one of the people that said I'm in the 5 percentile of the population who reacts differently to both eastern and western therapies. GP's and pdoc have said the same.
I have tried chinese herbs too, acupuncture, my mum does reiki. So yes I'm very, very open to anything you have to offer or say. I do yoga every day too. Babblemail away, and thanks. C
Posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 23:46:02
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP » cactus, posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2009, at 11:58:07
Posted by bleauberry on October 3, 2009, at 18:03:15
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP » bleauberry, posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 23:36:11
> Bleauberry, my uncle is a naturopath, actually a very good one whom I have seen many, many times. He is one of the people that said I'm in the 5 percentile of the population who reacts differently to both eastern and western therapies. GP's and pdoc have said the same.
>
> I have tried chinese herbs too, acupuncture, my mum does reiki. So yes I'm very, very open to anything you have to offer or say. I do yoga every day too. Babblemail away, and thanks. C"The feelings of dissociation are returning"
Alright then, cool, a naturopath in your corner. How about these:
Albizzia Julbrissin?
Free & Easy Wanderer?
An Shen Buxin?I too am extremely sensitive and have paradoxical reactions to many substances including some common vitamins. But there is hope, because I have discovered I am not that way with all substances. It's the common ones that give me the most trouble.
Oddly, it is the most uncommon things that have helped me the most. Things like DMSA, Doxycylcine, or miniscule amounts of hydrocortisone. Olive Leaf Extract. Sarsaparilla. Who would have ever guessed these things can affect emotions in a positive way? These are far removed from the world of psychiatry, and yet grounded me better and fast into normalcy than anything in the psychiatrist's entire toolbox.
The above listed three herbs are highly rated by very sensitive people with psych problems at forums of Lyme, chelation, and adrenal/thyroid. I have ordered them myself and will be able to have a firsthand account of them in a few weeks. Obviously, sensitive as I am, my starting doses will be very very small.
I have come to believe that with people like you and me, the answer is not found in any one substance, but rather a harmony of several, all at very tiny doses. Similar to naturopathy, but closer to homeopathy. For example the doctor who authors an herbal book I find fascinating gets his best St Johns Wort results when it is dosed as just 1 to 3 drops tincture 1 to 3 times per day. Which is practically nothing. Yet it works. Another patient was taking Sweat Leaf 3 drops 3 times per day for tinnitus. It helped some but was not a cure. The cure came when the dose was lowered to a mere 1 drop once a day.
Go figure. Can't explain it. Just gotta go with. When it works it works, period. In your case and my case, we know what doesn't work. So even though that is frustrating, it is also sort of a blessing...we can automatically screen out a bunch of substances and strategies that would have otherwise taken a lifetime to try. And focus on the others.
Posted by cactus on October 3, 2009, at 20:23:43
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP » cactus, posted by bleauberry on October 3, 2009, at 18:03:15
ok now that's got my attention, my uncle moved to sydney a few years back and I never found another as good as him. I have tried a couple of homeopaths to no avail, but I'll look into what you have suggested.
You made me actually laugh when you mentioned vitamins. I'm extremely sensitive to them too. They give me terrible anxiety and the funniest thing about it is my GP actually picked it up. She told me to stop taking them and bingo, it went away.
Vitamins have also given me bizarre reactions like feeling like I'm on fire, sweating like no tomorrow and actually turning bright red all over with hot flushes for 30 minutes.
The best results I've had have been mixing eastern and western at the same time, so far.
For others reading this, you have to tell both naturopath and pdoc exactly what the others have prescribe you, it can be just as dangerous as mixing certain psych meds that have interactions, if you decide to try this path.
A basic example which I'm sure you're all well aware of is the herb St John's Wort is quite dangerous to mix with SSRI's/SNRI's.
A pdoc wanted me to take SSRI's. Once and I told him I was on St John's Wort he was rather angry because he knew I couldn't take them for a couple of weeks. Just 1 quick example.
Peace C
Posted by jasmineneroli on October 4, 2009, at 13:12:53
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP » bleauberry, posted by cactus on October 3, 2009, at 20:23:43
> Vitamins have also given me bizarre reactions like feeling like I'm on fire, sweating like no tomorrow and actually turning bright red all over with hot flushes for 30 minutes.
* The flushing you experienced was likely a common reaction to vitamin B3 - Niacin. It opens all the small superficial capillaries near the surface of the skin. Scared me to death the first time it happened to me! And like you, it doesn't take much to get that response for me - 25mg is enough. Quite often though a B Complex or multi-vitamin will contain 50-100mg Niacin.
> The best results I've had have been mixing eastern and western at the same time, so far.
>
> For others reading this, you have to tell both naturopath and pdoc exactly what the others have prescribe you, it can be just as dangerous as mixing certain psych meds that have interactions, if you decide to try this path.* Good advice. We're all just guinea pigs, practicing trial & error, everyday with our drugs, food, & supplements. We need to keep a track of them all, & report them to those picking meds, herbs & supplements for us.
J
Posted by zzzz7 on October 5, 2009, at 21:40:30
In reply to So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP, posted by cactus on October 1, 2009, at 1:06:35
I'm in the same boat as you, including with work ethic. Mirtazapine has helped some. It doesn't really increase serotonin levels. I'm taking 5mg/daily. Amantadine has helped a bit. Buproprion makes me depressed (though not for its impact on serotonin). EMSAM is a possibility.
Good luck.
Posted by cactus on October 8, 2009, at 2:08:50
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP » cactus, posted by bleauberry on October 3, 2009, at 18:03:15
well I went to a naturopath today, because I can't see this pdoc until god knows when. She has put me on muscleback (Magnesium Complex) Rhodiola Complex and Omega Brain Concentrate for now and some tea's. I will see how I go with that and what this new pdoc has to say whenever he gets back from holidays. She was lovely and just speaking to her was a great experience in itself. I had a myotherapy session before hand too, so for now I feel quite positive. She seems quite happy to work in conjunction with a pdoc but I don't know if that will be reciprocated ;) I have to buy lots of seeds, nuts and dried fruit. She was quite happy with my diet, except dinner which I tend to skip sometimes.
Thanks bleauberry for giving me some inspiration to get off my butt and do something proactive. I will definitely meet with this pdoc if he agrees to see me. Can you believe I actually have to have a phone interview with him so he can decided if he'll even meet with me. I've never encountered that one before, it's already leaving a bad taste in my mouth, but I want to see it to believe it.
Peace C
Posted by cactus on October 8, 2009, at 2:16:13
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP, posted by zzzz7 on October 5, 2009, at 21:40:30
Thanks zzzz7, I was actually thinking of trying Zyban (Buproprion) because I really want to give up smoking, I thought why not kill 2 birds with one stone, but now I'm not so sure. Your post wasn't the only reason, some research I have been doing lately has left me thinking why try drug 25-30+, I've lost count
Good luck to you too
peace c
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on October 8, 2009, at 3:57:26
In reply to Re: So what doesn't mess with serotonin? HELP » zzzz7, posted by cactus on October 8, 2009, at 2:16:13
nm
This is the end of the thread.
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