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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on March 22, 2006, at 16:38:56
I think this is for this board and not the meds board, but I understand if it gets redirected.
Dr. Clueless asked me to write down three things that I would want a medication to do for me.
There's the unrealistic: make me thin, get me the perfect job and make me happy.
There's the obvious: reduce depression, anxiety and bulimia.
Here's what I think is reasonable/possible: help me with concentration, decision making and
self confidence/self esteem.I see Dr. Clueless next Tuesday, so I want to be able to hand my list to her. She really seems like she wants to evaluate how my meds are or are not working. She also asked if I was still seeing my therapist, so she will be factoring that in, too.
What three things would you want a med to do for you?
Poet
Posted by Daisym on March 22, 2006, at 18:20:57
In reply to What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Poet on March 22, 2006, at 16:38:56
Undisturbed sleep
increased energy
less suicidal ideation
(but I like the thin part too)
Posted by Racer on March 22, 2006, at 19:13:50
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Daisym on March 22, 2006, at 18:20:57
Definitely make me thin, reduce my appetite, and make my hair thicker...
Realistically? (And that is a really great discussion question, and I think it does belong here.) What three things realistically?
I'd like it to reduce my fear response -- not my fear, which would be unrealistic, but the response to it, the adrenaline surge that paralyses me; reduce that enough for me to work on getting through the fear, without quite so much pain involved.
Increased concentration would be good, along with increased energy. Or, not energy exactly, because I obviously have that -- it fuels the fear response. But allowing me to ACCESS that energy, to channel it into something useful.
(No, make me thin is NOT realistic...)
I guess improving my depression is the third. I'd like it to make my depression go away, but I think right now that's unrealistic. Right now, we've got so much renovation going on in therapy that I doubt anything short of heroin would make my depression go away, and I'm not sure heroin actually does that...
This is a great discussion topic, Poet.
And welcome home!
Posted by TofuEmmy on March 22, 2006, at 19:24:51
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Racer on March 22, 2006, at 19:13:50
The perfect med:
1) It would allow me to cause erectile dysfunction by proxy (guys at work are getting on my nerves lately).
2) It would make my armpits smell like sugar cookies.
3) I'd have an orgasm any time I ate a grape.
em
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 22, 2006, at 22:25:03
In reply to What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Poet on March 22, 2006, at 16:38:56
Just one thing: revive my soul. I miss the joy of everyday life. Having so much energy and enthusiasm that it was hard to contain. Appreciating beauty. Enjoying the good in the world.
Maybe it sounds sappy, but I used to be that way. If only I could recapture it.
Best,
EE
Posted by B2chica on March 23, 2006, at 9:17:58
In reply to What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Poet on March 22, 2006, at 16:38:56
Hi Poet! good to see you around.
-i must agree with the being thin (stupid zyprexa weight!),
-make me smart,
-take down the wall that's been blocking my creativity. havn't painted in months.b2c.
Posted by Dinah on March 23, 2006, at 9:55:09
In reply to What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Poet on March 22, 2006, at 16:38:56
I want a med to reduce extremes of anxiety or agitation when I'm experiencing them without side effects that reduce my ability to function.
I also want a med that can help me stay awake on those days that I'd sleep the day away if I could, with no unpleasant side effects.
Sometimes I need a med to help me with obsessive thinking, again with no debilitating side effects.
That'd do it. With those meds in my arsenal, I can keep depression within acceptable bounds.
Posted by Pfinstegg on March 23, 2006, at 16:39:08
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 22, 2006, at 22:25:03
I think you've pointed out a really important aspect of typical AD treatment- that increasing serotonin too much is going to decrease one's nor-epinephrine (energy and motivation) and dopamine (feelings of reward, satisfaction and joy). Sometimes, when we initially go in to ask for help, we are so depressed and desperate, and also not usually too well informed, that we can't make a long-term plan that includes all of the things that makes life worth living. And our doctors, unfortunately, are not too well-informed either!
I've been much better able to make good decisions, and help my doctors support me in them, since I began reading Psychobabble. There aren't too many meds out there, yet, which support all three neurotransmitters, but there are a few.
Posted by LadyBug on March 23, 2006, at 20:13:40
In reply to What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Poet on March 22, 2006, at 16:38:56
#1........Let me turn into my therapist's sister so we can hang out, then I'd know she loved me.
#2........Make me pain free from my arthritis forever.
#3.......Make me really smart so I can get a really good paying job that I love.
I could go on and on and on..........but we only had to choose 3 things.
LadyBug
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 21:11:59
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Daisym on March 22, 2006, at 18:20:57
Hi Daisy,
Undisturbed sleep would be good for me, too. Ambien doesn't work well anymore. Clonazepam hasn't really done the trick either.
Why isn't there a pill that makes you thin while you sleep?
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 21:15:32
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Racer on March 22, 2006, at 19:13:50
Hi Racer,
I don't think heroin will get rid of your depression, but it would make you thin ala Kate Moss. Which I think Kate would now admit is a very, very bad way to maintain body weight.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 21:44:31
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by TofuEmmy on March 22, 2006, at 19:24:51
Hi TofuEmmy,
I like the idea of armpits smelling like sugar cookies. Maybe use some scented wax and remove hair at the same time?
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 22:32:28
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by B2chica on March 23, 2006, at 9:17:58
Hi B2chica,
I haven't written anything creative in months. Hope we both get it back with or without meds.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 22:34:51
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Dinah on March 23, 2006, at 9:55:09
Hi Dinah,
Keep depression within acceptable bounds. That seems so reasonable- you aren't asking for it to go away forever, just not be more than you can handle. You are very smart, you know that? Of course, you all ready knew that!
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 22:36:53
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 22, 2006, at 22:25:03
Hi Emmy Elizabeth,
I honestly don't remember ever feeling joy. I must have at some point, but I can't recall a thing right now. Feeling joy would be a wonderful thing for a med to do.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 22:38:22
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by LadyBug on March 23, 2006, at 20:13:40
Hi Ladybug,
I hope you get all three. You deserve them. I'll take number three, please.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 22:49:24
In reply to What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Poet on March 22, 2006, at 16:38:56
Lessen my anxiety so I stop questioning decisions and worrying about everything.Help me not to think negative things about myself.
Increase my self confidence.
I'll let you know what Dr. Clueless says. Keep in mind she probably forgot she asked me to do this. ;-)
Poet
Posted by Pfinstegg on March 28, 2006, at 8:14:58
In reply to Re: What 3 Things Would You Want a Med to do?, posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 21:11:59
I've been having trouble sleeping, too, especially at times when the analysis is extremely intense and disturbing. My EMDR therapist recommended the Delta Synch Sleep System, which I ordered from Amazon. It really does put you to sleep! It's got strange noises combined with a little bit of music, and it's supposed to induce a normal sleep state, including REM. I've been sleeping much better since I started using it (only a few days ago).
Posted by Poet on March 29, 2006, at 10:05:29
In reply to a tape to help sleep- Poet, posted by Pfinstegg on March 28, 2006, at 8:14:58
Hi Pfinstegg,
I'll look into the tape. I've tried self hypnosis tapes before and didn't have much luck, but I really don't want to be dependent on meds, either. Dr. Clueless put me on Gabitril. I see her again in three weeks, so I'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 29, 2006, at 12:34:51
In reply to My Three Things, posted by Poet on March 27, 2006, at 22:49:24
I really did tell her that I wanted a pill that would make me thin, successful and perfect. She said *we all want that pill.*
Anyway, we're working on my nonstop thought train and insomnia. She thinks it's my thoughts that keep me awake and that Ambien really doesn't work well for that. I'm on a low dose of Gabitril. Which I think is a silly name forsomething that is supposed to prevent seizures and racing thoughts. Gabitril sounds like it should mean gabbing thrill. Like it would speed up my thoughts.
Anyway, I see her again in three weeks.
Poet
Posted by B2chica on March 29, 2006, at 14:25:05
In reply to pdoc appt update, posted by Poet on March 29, 2006, at 12:34:51
thanks for keeping us posted. and ya, gabitril is a funny name for it.
b2c.
Posted by ClearSkies on March 29, 2006, at 20:10:53
In reply to pdoc appt update, posted by Poet on March 29, 2006, at 12:34:51
> Anyway, we're working on my nonstop thought train and insomnia. She thinks it's my thoughts that keep me awake and that Ambien really doesn't work well for that.The same thing is happening to me :-(
I try everything I can think of (ha ha ha) to distract me, or slow down my thoughts. It's just awful when sleep never arrives. I'm still plugging away with Ambien; I think my doctor is waiting to make sure I'm stable before we mess with my medications again.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 29, 2006, at 23:45:57
In reply to Re: pdoc appt update » Poet, posted by ClearSkies on March 29, 2006, at 20:10:53
To me, Gabatril sounds like a drug for gerbils. Anyone else? Maybe it's just my wacky mind. ;)
Best,
EE
Posted by Poet on March 30, 2006, at 11:49:59
In reply to Re: pdoc appt update » Poet, posted by ClearSkies on March 29, 2006, at 20:10:53
Hi Clear Skies,
Sorry you're a member of the insomniac club. I'll let you know how the gabitril works. Ambien worked pretty good for almost two years (as long as I took it at least two hours before I wanted to fall asleep.) So I shouldn't be surprised that my body and racing mind overcame it's medicating effect.
Poet
Posted by Poet on March 30, 2006, at 11:51:18
In reply to Re: pdoc appt update, posted by Emily Elizabeth on March 29, 2006, at 23:45:57
Hi Emmy Elizabeth,
Maybe it should come with a giant gerbil wheel that I could run around on until I become exhausted.
Poet
This is the end of the thread.
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