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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 9:01:53
I know I should fill in my signature, and I will, but I just had Wellbutrin ER added to my regime, and it worked very quickly. Steady on with Klonopin for anxiety, Ambien CR for insomnia, Trileptal,and Tofranil for depression.**
One of the non-medicinal things I do a lot of every day is meditation. I do it in the morning before breakfast, in the afternoon, and if I am antsy or can't fall asleep easily despite all the meds, one more time.
I have also incorporated a once a quarter visit to a yoga retreat, to reboot my head and body. The quiet, the setting, the only competition being your own self seems to be quite healthy for me.
** I also take other meds or supplements for high blood pressure, migraine, to control cholesterol, and an over active thyroid.
So, what is working for you?
PC
Posted by Phillipa on August 25, 2013, at 9:57:37
In reply to What is working for you at present?, posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 9:01:53
Not being sarcastic but not much. Older I get more problems. But the thyroid if overactive why not have it removed? I ask as I've met a lot of females that once removed it seems to work better. The last physical I had first in years the new doc said that many yes many with thyroid never feel well again. Since mine is hypo he really upset me. I still try to exercise but harder all the time due to pain. But for the time on the bike things are better. No magic pill here. Phillipa
Posted by vbs on August 25, 2013, at 10:42:56
In reply to What is working for you at present?, posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 9:01:53
I'm doing ok on five meds: Cymbalta, trazodone, BuSpar, Zyprexa & Invega Sustenna. I have schizo-affective disorder and still have symptoms occasionally. Overall, the meds are working for me.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 10:56:50
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present? » Partlycloudy, posted by Phillipa on August 25, 2013, at 9:57:37
> Not being sarcastic but not much. Older I get more problems. But the thyroid if overactive why not have it removed? I ask as I've met a lot of females that once removed it seems to work better. The last physical I had first in years the new doc said that many yes many with thyroid never feel well again. Since mine is hypo he really upset me. I still try to exercise but harder all the time due to pain. But for the time on the bike things are better. No magic pill here. Phillipa
I have no magic pill either.i am managing, but better than I have been in the past. It took a full year to get the dosage right on the thyroid med. Everyone (male and female) in my family has under active thyroid. It was making my hair shed and fingernails peel.
I was actually focusing this thread on psych meds and mood control.
PC
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 11:02:17
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present? » Partlycloudy, posted by vbs on August 25, 2013, at 10:42:56
> I'm doing ok on five meds: Cymbalta, trazodone, BuSpar, Zyprexa & Invega Sustenna. I have schizo-affective disorder and still have symptoms occasionally. Overall, the meds are working for me.
Hi, vbs; I don't think we have met.
I was misdiagnosed for several years and so have been on all your medications as well! With the exception of the Cymbalta I didn't do well on them. That is great for you!My dx is PTSD disorder, social anxiety, major depression, and panic attacks. I have been on these boards for a long while but took a prolonged hiatus before returning.
Glad to hear you are doing well.
PC
Posted by johnLA on August 25, 2013, at 12:10:12
In reply to What is working for you at present?, posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 9:01:53
hi partly cloudy-
one thing is i have been getting angry at my depression. this is new for me and not part of my old personality. but, i realize there is a 'war' going on in my brain and i need to do the exact opposite of what my depression is saying. hard, but quite interesting what's been going on.
i'm starting to say 'yes' to a lot more things as well. most often, almost always, i feel better after i do this. though that initial inertia can be brutal.
hope. about a lot of stuff. for example; going back to work. i was a teacher for 28 years, i am on early-retirement. sucks. but, i found several online teaching jobs in my subject area. this week i have a goal to make-up a resume (1st time in 20 years!) and contact some of these schools. i am hoping it will be a 'safe' way back to work.
having something to do is key for me. for anybody really.
spending some money! i need to be careful, but such a shallow thing has brought me some pleasure too. mostly house projects.
getting off meds for now has also been a powerful experience. not sure how this will go, but i am functioning and feel better physically. i really got tired of the side effects. my head feels good literally. very curious to see what happens if i can get off the last 1mg of klonopin i am on.
days are getting shorter. i like the night. i have nothing to do with this of course, but just being conscious of it helps. ironic because summer was my fave season before depression.
i also go to a small depression chat room a few times a week. very positive place and lighthearted for the most part. and! there are people in there who got back to life. so, it can happen.
family and friends that are not quitting on me. huge.
lots of rest and quiet time. but, not too much. i'm single and live alone. i need to keep a balance between solitude and loneliness.
eating better and enjoying it.
not reading/watching any news. try it. bizarre not to do it, but i have found it helps me. also, only opening my facebook account a few times a year. stay on for a few days and then bail. kinda like a 'driveby' fb thing. lol.
it's a battle as you know. but, this is the best i have felt since the day my brain switched 3 years ago. seems something is happening even if it is just me wishing it to be. the old me is not back and may be gone, but i'll take my current condition and continue to fight.
so, mostly psych stuff for me is the short answer to your question partly cloudy.
curious what others will have to say. great question!
take care.
john
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 12:51:00
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present? » Partlycloudy, posted by johnLA on August 25, 2013, at 12:10:12
I got angry at my depression, too. At how the depressive state is something I will slip in and out of. Writing about it, when I've been angry - even the most petty, ridiculous things - helps me, because it gets the angry on the other side. Out of my head.
It is great that you have support from family and friends. It makes a huge difference in your recovery.
Your story is inspiring, and nice to hear. Thank you, JohnLA!
Posted by brynb on August 25, 2013, at 13:09:42
In reply to What is working for you at present?, posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 9:01:53
Hi PC-
I had a really rough time this past year (I've been struggling since I was 14-15 and I'm 39 now), but this is the best I've felt in as long as I can remember (I've been in this "remission" since the beginning of July.
My regimen is:
-Lexapro 20mg
-Tramadol 50mg
-Seroquel 100mg
-Ativan 2-4mgMy diagnosis is not definitive--it's always been either MDD with GAD or Bipolar 2.
I should mention that prior to this remission, I did Ketamine (IM) for a few months, and then TMS. Adhering to my meds (i.e. taking them at the same time daily, taking no more or less, etc.) has been crucial. I was never very good at compliance.
I need to begin exercising, and I agree that meditation is excellent. I'm finally somewhat social and haven't been isolating. Also, I stopped obsessing over the "disease" aspect of my life, meaning I've tried very hard to not let depression define me anymore.
I'm a bit nervous as we go into Autumn as I don't like change and seasonal changes always throw me off, but I'll try to be mindful.
Hope you and other Babblers are doing well.
-b
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 13:55:25
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present?, posted by brynb on August 25, 2013, at 13:09:42
Thanks, brynb! I find it hard to trust my good mood when my depression is lying low. Also difficult not to look ahead with some gloom, like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh ("It's probably going to rain.").
I'm glad things are going well for you now, after living with it for so long and trying different treatments. Movement, meditation and support all help my medications work better.
Nice to meet you.
PC
Posted by Phil on August 25, 2013, at 15:47:18
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present? » brynb, posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 13:55:25
seroquel 300mg...clonazepam 1.5 mg...Lamictal 300 mg...Lithium carb 900 mg...Adderall 60 mg...Benztropine prn...Metformin 1000 mg... the last two are there only to correct Seroquel side effects. I'm afraid to get back on Metformin but my doc wrote some you won't sh*t in your pants pills for it so maybe who knows. If you take Metformin do not go to Wimbledon in you best whites unless carrying a huge sweater.
The biggest story on Metformin is a guy that took his first dose and quickly made it to the toilet. Using a combined flatulence control sequencer he levitated for 17 minutes and 13 seconds.He dropped three pants sizes.
What's funny pc, if you read stories on it, this doesn't sound so crazy.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 16:22:44
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present? » Partlycloudy, posted by Phil on August 25, 2013, at 15:47:18
OMG Phil, Metformin sounds like a med from the devil himself. I'm having flashbacks of my colonoscopy. (Which I felt totally ripped off from. I swear I was just getting comfy for a nap and they were waking me up to get dressed. Not fair!!)
I know you have been having a rough time of it lately on many fronts. It takes SO LONG to get back to some kind of normal, and this thing called Life keeps happening.
I would much prefer one crisis at a time.
PC
Posted by Phil on August 25, 2013, at 19:10:03
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present? » Phil, posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 16:22:44
Me too. The diabetic forums are almost funny. They call it the diarrhea drug and mention explosive diarrhea often.
Their doctors want them on metformin, not insulin so they try to tough it out.
My bro takes it for type II and never had a problem, other than the fact that he's an *ssh*l*.
Posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 19:45:54
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present? » Partlycloudy, posted by Phil on August 25, 2013, at 19:10:03
:-)
Posted by bleauberry on September 1, 2013, at 20:00:56
In reply to What is working for you at present?, posted by Partlycloudy on August 25, 2013, at 9:01:53
Rifampin
Cipro
variety of herbs and supplements
Posted by Partlycloudy on September 5, 2013, at 18:33:40
In reply to Re: What is working for you at present?, posted by bleauberry on September 1, 2013, at 20:00:56
> Rifampin
> Cipro
> variety of herbs and supplements
>Good to hear! I hope it continues for you.
PC
This is the end of the thread.
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