| Topic: |
Sociology > Depression |
| User: |
"Silver" |
| Date: |
18 Feb 2006 03:15:34 PM |
| Object: |
new meds again |
Yay.
Since Elavil/Amytriptylin (no clue how to spell it sorry), was not
working I've added another new med, alas its name escapes me at the
moment, and they upped the topomax again. Now I'm taking what feels
like handfuls of pills a day (2 in the morning 3 at night of two meds,
and 1/2 of the new med.)
I just hope it helps, I asked about Vagus stimulation whicha friend
had asked me to ask about its where they implant a nerve stimulator
along the vagus nerve and its helps some depressives only it costs 30
Grand! (so never mind, poor broke me ;( even if I had the money its
rate of success isn't high only around 30% and that's for pure
depressives not bi-polars like me.)
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
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| User: "Nom dePlume nomdeplume1000-at-yahoo.com" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
18 Feb 2006 05:06:56 PM |
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"Silver" <silverlion@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140297334.712388.325910@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Yay.
Since Elavil/Amytriptylin (no clue how to spell it sorry), was not
working I've added another new med, alas its name escapes me at the
moment, and they upped the topomax again. Now I'm taking what feels
like handfuls of pills a day (2 in the morning 3 at night of two
meds,
and 1/2 of the new med.)
So you're taking a tricyclic antidepressant (Elavil), a mood
stabilizer (Topamax), and something else? What is the "something else"
for?
I just hope it helps, I asked about Vagus stimulation whicha friend
had asked me to ask about its where they implant a nerve stimulator
along the vagus nerve and its helps some depressives only it costs
30
Grand! (so never mind, poor broke me ;( even if I had the money its
rate of success isn't high only around 30% and that's for pure
depressives not bi-polars like me.)
The more I hear about VNS, the less I hear about it actually working.
It's looking more and more like a dead end (and an expensive one,
too). Too bad.
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
I hope your new prescription helps.
--
Nom dePlume, Ph.D.
Why, yes, in fact, I am a rocket scientist.
Guide to Medications for Mental Illness:
http://www.geocities.com/nomdeplume1000/
=====
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| User: "Bacon" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
18 Feb 2006 05:59:28 PM |
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I love it when Dr. dePlume posts. Truly a stable presence in an unstable
environment.
"Nom dePlume" <nomdeplume1000-at-yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:dt89ek01jqd@news4.newsguy.com...
"Silver" <silverlion@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140297334.712388.325910@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Yay.
Since Elavil/Amytriptylin (no clue how to spell it sorry), was not
working I've added another new med, alas its name escapes me at the
moment, and they upped the topomax again. Now I'm taking what feels
like handfuls of pills a day (2 in the morning 3 at night of two
meds,
and 1/2 of the new med.)
So you're taking a tricyclic antidepressant (Elavil), a mood
stabilizer (Topamax), and something else? What is the "something else"
for?
I just hope it helps, I asked about Vagus stimulation whicha friend
had asked me to ask about its where they implant a nerve stimulator
along the vagus nerve and its helps some depressives only it costs
30
Grand! (so never mind, poor broke me ;( even if I had the money its
rate of success isn't high only around 30% and that's for pure
depressives not bi-polars like me.)
The more I hear about VNS, the less I hear about it actually working.
It's looking more and more like a dead end (and an expensive one,
too). Too bad.
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
I hope your new prescription helps.
--
Nom dePlume, Ph.D.
Why, yes, in fact, I am a rocket scientist.
Guide to Medications for Mental Illness:
http://www.geocities.com/nomdeplume1000/
=====
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| User: "Nom dePlume nomdeplume1000-at-yahoo.com" |
|
| Title: Re: new meds again |
19 Feb 2006 01:50:52 AM |
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"Bacon" <rbkfour@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:BxOJf.3479$4v7.1079@fe04.lga...
I love it when Dr. dePlume posts. Truly a stable presence in an
unstable
environment.
Thank you, Bacon.
--
Nom dePlume, Ph.D.
Why, yes, in fact, I am a rocket scientist.
Guide to Medications for Mental Illness:
http://www.geocities.com/nomdeplume1000/
=====
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| User: "Silver" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
19 Feb 2006 11:59:35 AM |
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I take tegretol as well as the topamax, and they added neurontin and
cut the elavil off completely. The tegretol and topamax haven't seemed
to do anything, nor have they seemed to have side effects (mind you I
don't breakdown everyday all day and cry the day away like I used to
but that just could be healing from the initial trauma that triggered
this as well.)
I've been on so many pills. I just want to get well (enough) to
function is all.
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| User: "Nom dePlume nomdeplume1000-at-yahoo.com" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
19 Feb 2006 07:02:09 PM |
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"Silver" <silverlion@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140371975.807161.303410@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
I take tegretol as well as the topamax, and they added neurontin and
cut the elavil off completely. The tegretol and topamax haven't
seemed
to do anything, nor have they seemed to have side effects (mind you
I
don't breakdown everyday all day and cry the day away like I used to
but that just could be healing from the initial trauma that
triggered
this as well.)
I've been on so many pills. I just want to get well (enough) to
function is all.
Tegretol, topamax, and neurontin are all mood stabilizers, not
antidepressants. They are not usually prescribed for depression
without an accompanying antidepressant. This seems like a very odd
combination, and I don't understand why you have been given it.
Let's back up a bit. First, what is the problem you are trying to
solve? Is it depression, bipolar disorder, or something else? Can you
describe your symptoms?
Second, what medications have you taken for the problem, and what
effect has each had?
Third, is there something about your life circumstances that is likely
to make you feel bad no matter what medications you take? I'm thinking
either of current problems, or past trauma.
--
Nom dePlume, Ph.D.
Why, yes, in fact, I am a rocket scientist.
Guide to Medications for Mental Illness:
http://www.geocities.com/nomdeplume1000/
=====
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| User: "Silver" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
20 Feb 2006 07:39:03 AM |
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Let's back up a bit. First, what is the problem you are trying to
solve? Is it depression, bipolar disorder, or something else? Can you
describe your symptoms?
I am diagnosed bipolar (type 2 I think) without psychosis, but primary
aspect is depression (since I seem to have hypomanic episodes if I do
in fact have manic episodes at all) I've had depression most my life
the whole bipolar diagnosis is new. I have sever depression, low moods
severe enough to cause me to break down into tears on a regular basis
acerbated by exposure to people, and/or having to go outside my home
(people are tied to that but not alone) these lows bring suicidal
ideation, and inability to function in general, lack of sleep, yet
constant tiredness, inability to focus on anything memory issues, loss
of quite a few past interests (music for example I am unable to listen
to at all) without triggering a mood drop.
Second, what medications have you taken for the problem, and what
effect has each had?
zoloft: nothing really
effexor: ditto
welbutrin: ditto
lamictil: seemed to be stabilizing moods but caused blisters as side
effect
lithium: helped moods mildly severe gastrointestinel distress however
geodon: drugged/inebriated feeling and unfunctioning drowsiness
elavil: similar to geodon after a few weeks of taking it.
lexapro: hyperactive fidgitiness with no mood increase, more energy but
still suicidal (at the time a dangerous combination)
I've had a couple other meds just for sleep aids not intended for mood
alteration.
(trazadone, didn't do anything but make me feel ill/inebriated, and
seroquel which worked for a sleep aid)
Third, is there something about your life circumstances that is likely
to make you feel bad no matter what medications you take? I'm thinking
either of current problems, or past trauma.
--
Possibly.
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| User: "Nom dePlume nomdeplume1000-at-yahoo.com" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
20 Feb 2006 12:03:25 PM |
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"Silver" <silverlion@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140442743.205300.78340@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Let's back up a bit. First, what is the problem you are trying to
solve? Is it depression, bipolar disorder, or something else? Can
you
describe your symptoms?
I am diagnosed bipolar (type 2 I think) without psychosis, but
primary
aspect is depression (since I seem to have hypomanic episodes if I
do
in fact have manic episodes at all) I've had depression most my life
the whole bipolar diagnosis is new. I have sever depression, low
moods
severe enough to cause me to break down into tears on a regular
basis
acerbated by exposure to people, and/or having to go outside my home
(people are tied to that but not alone) these lows bring suicidal
ideation, and inability to function in general, lack of sleep, yet
constant tiredness, inability to focus on anything memory issues,
loss
of quite a few past interests (music for example I am unable to
listen
to at all) without triggering a mood drop.
Second, what medications have you taken for the problem, and what
effect has each had?
zoloft: nothing really
effexor: ditto
welbutrin: ditto
lamictil: seemed to be stabilizing moods but caused blisters as side
effect
lithium: helped moods mildly severe gastrointestinel distress
however
geodon: drugged/inebriated feeling and unfunctioning drowsiness
elavil: similar to geodon after a few weeks of taking it.
lexapro: hyperactive fidgitiness with no mood increase, more energy
but
still suicidal (at the time a dangerous combination)
I've had a couple other meds just for sleep aids not intended for
mood
alteration.
(trazadone, didn't do anything but make me feel ill/inebriated, and
seroquel which worked for a sleep aid)
OK. I get the picture. You have BP2, and serotonergic medications
don't do anything for you. You do respond somewhat to mood
stabilizers, especially Lamictal. So I wonder if you should try
Lamictal again, but increase the dose very slowly to reduce the
possibility of side effects (the blisters you mention). Other mood
stabilizers, such as Tegretol and Topamax, are worth considering, too.
The sleep and energy problems might be BP symptoms, but they might
also indicate thyroid or other hormone disorders. If you haven't
already, I'd suggest you visit an endocrinologist for a checkup. This
is important, because none of the psychotropic medications will
compensate for endocrine problems. Can you make an appointment with an
endocrinologist?
Third, is there something about your life circumstances that is
likely
to make you feel bad no matter what medications you take? I'm
thinking
either of current problems, or past trauma.
--
Possibly.
The way your mood does not respond to antidepressants suggested to me
that your depression may not originate from neurochemical problems. At
best, antidepressants restore normal functioning to the brain, but
"normal" legitimately includes feeling awful if you have awful
circumstances to deal with. In other words, they aren't "happy pills."
I don't mean to pry into your personal life, but if you have major
trauma in your past ("major" being defined by the effect it had on
you, not by what someone else might consider a big deal), then you
should see a therapist who specializes in trauma and dissociation
disorders (the two frequently go together). One place to get referrals
is www.issd.org.
Finally, you might try dopaminergic medications. I'm dubious that
they'll help, based on what you've said, but it is a different
category. These would include selegiline and the dopamine agonists.
(You can read more about these on my Web site.)
--
Nom dePlume, Ph.D.
Why, yes, in fact, I am a rocket scientist.
Guide to Medications for Mental Illness:
http://www.geocities.com/nomdeplume1000/
=====
.
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| User: "Silver" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
21 Feb 2006 12:39:06 PM |
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OK. I get the picture. You have BP2, and serotonergic medications
don't do anything for you. You do respond somewhat to mood
stabilizers, especially Lamictal. So I wonder if you should try
Lamictal again, but increase the dose very slowly to reduce the
possibility of side effects (the blisters you mention). Other mood
stabilizers, such as Tegretol and Topamax, are worth considering, too.
Lamictal was already done that way, I'm listed as allergive because of
the sudden onset of medication side effects. So they won't even suggest
that route again.
The sleep and energy problems might be BP symptoms, but they might
also indicate thyroid or other hormone disorders. If you haven't
already, I'd suggest you visit an endocrinologist for a checkup. This
is important, because none of the psychotropic medications will
compensate for endocrine problems. Can you make an appointment with an
endocrinologist?
They've done blood tests for thyroid but not a full T3 too my
knowledge. And no, I can't make an appointment with an endocrinologist,
no money means I've got to deal with what the state will willingly give
me/allow me to do.
The way your mood does not respond to antidepressants suggested to me
that your depression may not originate from neurochemical problems. At
best, antidepressants restore normal functioning to the brain, but
"normal" legitimately includes feeling awful if you have awful
circumstances to deal with. In other words, they aren't "happy pills."
I've suffered depression most my life however, while trauma had made
it worse, that doesn't change the fact that depression has existed as a
chemical effect. My circumstances aren't /so terrible/ that I should
continue to feel this way (I've recovered from past traumas in worse
circumstances, and with same lack of support) so based on my own
experiences I know when depression is not just caused by ongoing
situational elements, which is part of the situation now. I can't
explain the crying jags though.
I'm not belittling your thought processes, or anything, just suspect
that I'll be back on an anti-depressant soon (of a different sort.)
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| User: "Contrarian" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
21 Feb 2006 11:28:34 AM |
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Silver <silverlion@gmail.com> wrote:
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
hello S.hoping you can. Sorry I missed most of this
thread.
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| User: "Silver" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
21 Feb 2006 12:39:40 PM |
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Contrarian wrote:
Silver <silverlion@gmail.com> wrote:
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
hello S.hoping you can. Sorry I missed most of this
thread.
No worries. Thanks.
.
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| User: "Franz Bestuchev" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
19 Feb 2006 08:45:43 PM |
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Silver wrote:
Yay.
Since Elavil/Amytriptylin (no clue how to spell it sorry), was not
working I've added another new med, alas its name escapes me at the
moment, and they upped the topomax again. Now I'm taking what feels
like handfuls of pills a day (2 in the morning 3 at night of two meds,
and 1/2 of the new med.)
I just hope it helps, I asked about Vagus stimulation whicha friend
had asked me to ask about its where they implant a nerve stimulator
along the vagus nerve and its helps some depressives only it costs 30
Grand! (so never mind, poor broke me ;( even if I had the money its
rate of success isn't high only around 30% and that's for pure
depressives not bi-polars like me.)
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
It can take a while, and take a lot of "let's try this drug". Keep a
notebook of the effects/side-effects and give everything the proper
amount of time to start working.
It's frustrating. But when you get your combo right, life will be *so*
much better. Drugs have advanced a lot for mental illness, but there's
just so much about how everyone will react that makes it tough.
I've often talked about how it took me around 5 years to get my regime
in line. It's not perfect and I'm not superman, but I feel so much better.
Doctors see a lot of people, so you have to be your own advocate. They
keep charts on you but you can keep them better. Insist on changes when
it doesn't work, be a *strong* advocate about yourself.
Then as you go along you can start seeing patterns. I realized serotonin
wasn't my problem after trying those so I began focusing my attention on
other areas - for instance. If you need help with this kind of
elimination, just ask.
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| User: "punkn" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
18 Feb 2006 03:33:35 PM |
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hey silver...i hope it does the trick for you. the other option isn't
very viable.
Silver wrote:
Yay.
Since Elavil/Amytriptylin (no clue how to spell it sorry), was not
working I've added another new med, alas its name escapes me at the
moment, and they upped the topomax again. Now I'm taking what feels
like handfuls of pills a day (2 in the morning 3 at night of two meds,
and 1/2 of the new med.)
I just hope it helps, I asked about Vagus stimulation whicha friend
had asked me to ask about its where they implant a nerve stimulator
along the vagus nerve and its helps some depressives only it costs 30
Grand! (so never mind, poor broke me ;( even if I had the money its
rate of success isn't high only around 30% and that's for pure
depressives not bi-polars like me.)
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
.
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| User: "Bacon" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
18 Feb 2006 03:42:09 PM |
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I take 4 in the morning, 1 at noon, and two at night. I was up watching a
stupid infomercial on the benefits of consuming seaweed last night around 3
am. They had it concentrated and packaged in pill form, I almost picked up
the phone. I'm a sucker for pills. You sound optimistic, I'm sure this new
round of meds will do the trick.
"punkn" <prettierpunkn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140298415.608044.3090@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
hey silver...i hope it does the trick for you. the other option isn't
very viable.
Silver wrote:
Yay.
Since Elavil/Amytriptylin (no clue how to spell it sorry), was not
working I've added another new med, alas its name escapes me at the
moment, and they upped the topomax again. Now I'm taking what feels
like handfuls of pills a day (2 in the morning 3 at night of two meds,
and 1/2 of the new med.)
I just hope it helps, I asked about Vagus stimulation whicha friend
had asked me to ask about its where they implant a nerve stimulator
along the vagus nerve and its helps some depressives only it costs 30
Grand! (so never mind, poor broke me ;( even if I had the money its
rate of success isn't high only around 30% and that's for pure
depressives not bi-polars like me.)
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
.
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| User: "punkn" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
18 Feb 2006 03:51:17 PM |
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you know...seaweed really is excellent nutrition. i like just eating
it as it comes prepared. more fun and tastier than more pills...
Bacon wrote:
I take 4 in the morning, 1 at noon, and two at night. I was up watching a
stupid infomercial on the benefits of consuming seaweed last night around 3
am. They had it concentrated and packaged in pill form, I almost picked up
the phone. I'm a sucker for pills. You sound optimistic, I'm sure this new
round of meds will do the trick.
"punkn" <prettierpunkn@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1140298415.608044.3090@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
hey silver...i hope it does the trick for you. the other option isn't
very viable.
Silver wrote:
Yay.
Since Elavil/Amytriptylin (no clue how to spell it sorry), was not
working I've added another new med, alas its name escapes me at the
moment, and they upped the topomax again. Now I'm taking what feels
like handfuls of pills a day (2 in the morning 3 at night of two meds,
and 1/2 of the new med.)
I just hope it helps, I asked about Vagus stimulation whicha friend
had asked me to ask about its where they implant a nerve stimulator
along the vagus nerve and its helps some depressives only it costs 30
Grand! (so never mind, poor broke me ;( even if I had the money its
rate of success isn't high only around 30% and that's for pure
depressives not bi-polars like me.)
*sighs* I just want to get well, or get it at least under
CONTROL.enough to manage a week without breaking into tears.
.
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| User: "Silver" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
19 Feb 2006 12:00:21 PM |
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No, its not ;( no money is no money.
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| User: "punk" |
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| Title: Re: new meds again |
21 Feb 2006 01:04:40 PM |
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how r u feeling? a little better, i hope...
Silver wrote:
No, its not ;( no money is no money.
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