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Posted by ed_uk2010 on September 7, 2018, at 13:52:18
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 6, 2018, at 8:40:57
> > So if that were true, would it change your choices?
>
> I began taking Effexor three days ago at 37.5 mg/day. I don't expect to feel better right away.Any side effects this time or has it been ok?
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 2:10:16
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » SLS, posted by ed_uk2010 on September 7, 2018, at 13:52:18
Hey Scott,
how is it going?
Posted by SLS on September 14, 2018, at 8:11:07
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 2:10:16
> Hey Scott,
>
> how is it going?Hi, Lamdage.
I am still struggling. I restarted Effexor 11 days ago at a dosage of 37.5 mg/day. I am now taking 150 mg/day. On day 3, I experienced a potent antidepressant effect - something I haven't felt in years. It lasted for several hours before fading. Since then, my depression has been pretty bad, and there is still some residual brain-fog from taking Trintellix. There are times when I remain motionless, staring into space. I am demoralized and have lost some of my will to fight. I am not suicidal right now, but I do worry about becoming so. My outlook has not been good. Fortunately, I have two good friends and some family. I am grateful that you and other babblers check up on me from time to time.
I am worn out. Things could be worse, though.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 12:02:20
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 14, 2018, at 8:11:07
And your results with Nardil were not lasting? Why do you think that Nardil rather than Parnate may help you?
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 12:08:02
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 12:02:20
Hang in there! For all we know there might be a new antidepressant that helps you and then you can have a mellow life.
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 12:18:02
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 12:08:02
Im not doing too well myself. I had a family meeting over the werkend that has set me back. I puked and then i left. Very uptight people. I havent been to vocational rehab all week. I called in sick. Doing nothing wreaks havoc on my mental health. Looking forward to monday.
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 6:42:28
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 14, 2018, at 12:18:02
Scott,
did you ever go to an endocrinologist? DHEA, Testosterone and HGH would come to my mind. Inbalances can cause depression.
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 6:48:26
In reply to Endocrinologist?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 6:42:28
i think at your age its likely. Of course HRT has side effects, too but they may be less than meds.
Posted by SLS on September 19, 2018, at 8:14:48
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 6:48:26
> i think at your age its likely. Of course HRT has side effects, too but they may be less than meds.
Thanks for the good suggestions. I have tried thyroid hormones, but not testosterone.
I still react badly to Effexor, even at a dosage of 37.5 mg/day. I have decided to discontinue it. I feel better today for having done so. Something has changed. I don't seem to be able to take serotonin reuptake inhibitors anymore. Scary. I am going to ask my doctor to go on Nardil. Parnate does not help me with anhedonia or my ability to perform tasks that take more than a few minutes. I have been on Nardil before. It has helped me in the past, but I don't remember exactly why I didn't continue with it. Side effects with Nardil are worse than those of Parnate for me. I experience urinary retention, profuse sweating, anorgasmia, and dizziness.
I hate going back on a MAOI.
Currently:
Nortriptyline 100 mg/day
Lamictal 300 mg/day
Lithium 300 mg/day
Prazosin 30 mg/day
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 9:17:28
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 19, 2018, at 8:14:48
Sorry Scott,
and human growth hormone can be good. Maybe you can ask for a blood test of T and HGH.
Depression has gotten worse with age right?
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 10:45:12
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 9:17:28
I am on a bodybuilding website and they say physiologic doses of T can completely turn your life around when you were deficient. I have talked to a few people there.
Posted by SLS on September 19, 2018, at 23:48:43
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 19, 2018, at 9:17:28
> Sorry Scott,
>
> and human growth hormone can be good. Maybe you can ask for a blood test of T and HGH.
>
> Depression has gotten worse with age right?Definitely.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 20, 2018, at 8:20:52
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 19, 2018, at 23:48:43
Thats a clue.. You still have things untried! Many. To me Blueberries made a difference. Go figure.
Posted by sigismund on September 20, 2018, at 19:45:15
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 19, 2018, at 8:14:48
Was it that you didn't really feel stable (or something like that) on it and felt that ultimately it was not as good for your mental health than Parnate?
Posted by SLS on September 20, 2018, at 22:59:23
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist? » SLS, posted by sigismund on September 20, 2018, at 19:45:15
Hi Sigi.
> Was it that you didn't really feel stable (or something like that) on it and felt that ultimately it was not as good for your mental health than Parnate?
I usually remember these things. I honestly don't know why I asked to be switched from Nardil to Parnate. I doubt it was because of side effects, though. Parnate is a dead-end for me. I like that it helps with mental energy and concentration, but it doesn't really produce a global antidepressant effect. In the past, Nardil has come closer to doing this. Perhaps there were diminishing returns over time. I am still experiencing residual adverse mental effects from taking Trintellix, even though I discontinued the drug over a month ago. They are subsiding gradually. They appear in waves and can last for hours.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 3, 2018, at 13:56:20
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist? » sigismund, posted by SLS on September 20, 2018, at 22:59:23
How is it going?
Posted by SLS on October 3, 2018, at 14:41:44
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist?, posted by Lamdage22 on October 3, 2018, at 13:56:20
> How is it going?
Hi, Lamdage.
I am still severely depressed and stuck to the couch. I have been binge-watching TV shows to distract me. Not good. The weird zombie feelings have subsided, but are not completely gone. It is difficult to know how much of it is depression and how much are the remnants of bad reactions to Trintellix and Effexor. I will see my doctor in a few days. I am going to ask him for Nardil. I have been on Nardil on and off over the years. It really helps in the beginning, but usually fizzles out. When it does help, it is better than Parnate. I have not combined Nardil with all of the other drugs that I am on, so I am hoping for a better result this time.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on October 4, 2018, at 2:12:49
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on October 3, 2018, at 14:41:44
Fair enough. Good luck with that
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 6, 2018, at 6:29:17
In reply to Re: Endocrinologist?, posted by Lamdage22 on October 4, 2018, at 2:12:49
what are you currently taking and what are your thoughts?
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 6, 2018, at 15:09:30
In reply to whats new?, posted by Lamdage22 on November 6, 2018, at 6:29:17
Posted by SLS on November 17, 2018, at 16:22:39
In reply to whats new SLS? (nm), posted by Lamdage22 on November 6, 2018, at 15:09:30
Hi, Lambdage.
I experienced an episode of what I call "the "crud" today. The crud is a period of a worsening of depression along with some strange sensations and a vegetative state. It comes in waves that last from a few hours to a few days. I never had this occur before discontinuing Parnate 5 months ago. My guess is that this phenomenon is the result of either too rapid a discontinuation of Parnate or being exposed to Trintellix (vortioxetine).
I decided to restart Parnate today. I took my last dosage of Nardil 10 days ago. I'll try not to give in to the temptation of increasing the dosage too rapidly. I desperately need some relief.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 18, 2018, at 1:40:40
In reply to Re: whats new SLS? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on November 17, 2018, at 16:22:39
You were so much better on Parnate. Tackle the remaining problems with means that you can do alongside!
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 18, 2018, at 1:41:53
In reply to Re: whats new SLS?, posted by Lamdage22 on November 18, 2018, at 1:40:40
I think if your hormones are low you wont get a lasting response to any psychmed!
Posted by SLS on November 18, 2018, at 12:27:24
In reply to Re: whats new SLS?, posted by Lamdage22 on November 18, 2018, at 1:41:53
> I think if your hormones are low you wont get a lasting response to any psychmed!
Good point. Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by pedr on November 25, 2018, at 12:01:05
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » SLS, posted by bleauberry on August 25, 2018, at 18:17:51
> I think at this point after all these years of trials I would maybe venture away from conventional group-think (SSRIs, Antipsychotics) and instead go with things that are known to improve mood. Like stimulants. Like opioids. Like opioid-lile substances. Like non-politically correct options that your doctor can write a prescription for that he doesn't usually write prescriptions for. Because everything else he could write a prescription for is just more of the same - SSRI and AP. Basically.
> Tell your doctor you want to find some legal drugs that make you feel better. Not antidepressants, necessarily. Because those actually make most people dysphoric not happy. Tell him it's time in life to feel good and do whatever it takes to do that. Think of it not as treating depression, but rather, boosting mood and happiness. It's a different game with different tools.
> Example: For me, Ritalin did more good than any of the dozens of other meds. There is a stimulant that can probably do something similar for you. There are probably supplements to turbocharge them if they aren't strong enough.
...
Vicodin made me feel normal - not high - not drugged - but totally absolutely normal. But the short half life...and the easy addiction....and the worsened depression of withdrawal....and so that's why I had those rules.> Vicadin didn't allow me to feel happy and normal every day, but for at least a few days, and those days were like stepping stones, like life preservers, like gas tanks filled with hope, they gave me the strength and the creativity to figure out my next steps instead of staying stuck. And some of it bled over into the next day - the next day was never a bad day, even though the Vicodin was gone, it hit the chemistry in a way that lasted a while.
> It's hard to make progress when every day sucks. You need at least one or two really decent days here and there. And they are important enough to force with mind altering drugs if necessary.
> So I say tell the doc let's switch gears. Make the focus mood improvement rapidly and directly, versus anti-depression.
> A big factor in my thinking here is age. You and I are at an age now where it's not like we
have forever to keep trying things we've already tried over and over. There isn't enough difference between any of the SSRIS, SNRIs, or APs that after all these years suddenly one of them is going to be magic while none of the others were. That just isn't going to happen, in my opinion, just being real.> Time to switch gears. Time to feel good. Time to throw caution to the wind - a little bit, gently, responsibly - and enjoy some life.
Dear bleauberry,I've replied to 1000's of posts in my life. I've disagreed with some and agreed with others. If there were awards for how much I agreed with posts, your post would - hands down - win the Olympic Gold. All of your points I 100% agree with, after sadly having to learn them the hard way.
Right now I stumble/lumber/clock-watch/plain hang-on between my doses of Adderall. I would sink and drown without these stepping stones, no question. I won't be prescribed any more doses because "rules". So when I awake, I know that 50% of my day is going to be agonising and traumatising and the other 50% will be OK. At best.
I'm 43, have severely TRD (tried most meds 2-3 times, dTMS, ECT etc.) and have felt suicidally depressed and anhedonic for 22 years. It's time to weigh things up and say "you know what? the risks of "addiction", dependence (like we're not dependent on regular AD's FFS), dose-tolerance and potential suicide are HUGELY outweighed by actually having periods of your life when you don't want to be dead.
And like you said, it's not about feeling "high", it's about feeling human. About feeling compassion for others. For being able to converse and care about things that Normals care about, e.g. how good the food was or how long the line at checkout was. Normally I literally couldn't care less about the concerns of Normals. They sound like the complaints of a spoilt child.
Thank you for your post, it makes me feel like I'm not alone with my somewhat unusual situation.
Best,
Pete
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