Posted by cathy y on May 26, 2000, at 23:08:52
Hello fellow sufferers. There certainly seem to be lots of us out there. I'm a "double depressive" -- dysthymic since the start of adolescence (I now know), and first major depression (atypical)about 8 years ago. That (and reading "Listening to Prozac") finally pushed me to ask my GP about an antidepressant. (Several years before I'd tried desipramine, but was scared off with blurry vision). With 50mg of Zoloft my life was transformed -- finally felt like a cheerfully-capable adult instead of gauche teen; enthusiastically did many things -- new garden, artwork, long-put-off chores -- and my doctor remarked on my new confidence, which I hadn't even noticed. Two years with the occasional short crash -- and then it failed me, and I found myself back in an even deeper hole. Wish I'd bumped up the dose -- however, my doctor left and with a new unkown, I started again with Prozac, to little avail. Now 5 years later, 2 with a wonderful young doctor with some mental health experience, I've been trying my damnedest to regain that, with only partial success. (I was trained as a scientist and have been rigourous in following doses and patient with continuing for the dreadful length of time they all take -- sheer curiousity as much as anything). All the SSRI's I tried made me sleepy; Wellbutrin was partially successful; high dose of Zoloft as well. Finally the best approximation I have had is an awful lot: 300mg Zoloft (at bedtime), 300mg Wellbutrin, and 40mg Ritalin. (Which, to my disappointment, didn't give me the slightest bit of a high, just a bit of perking up). But I'm still pretty dreary, and the worst is being so unenthusiastic about everything -- nothing much gives me pleasure or even satisfaction, and I'm really worried. I know I have an artist's eye (I'm reassured), and it's agony not to have the ideas, the drive, the fun of making, or even the surprise captivation by a trick of light or colour etc. ANYWAY, it occurred to me taking these three seems to be covering the three major neurotransmitters so would it be fitting to try an MAOI, Parnate particularly? And, if so, how on earth am I going to be able to withdraw these drugs with minimum fuss? Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Cathy
poster:cathy y
thread:34807
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/34807.html