Posted by JohnL on December 13, 2000, at 5:13:59
In reply to Success Stories, posted by JackD on December 8, 2000, at 23:58:07
> I think we need some more success stories here! C'mon you lucky bastards, help give the rest of us something to strive for!
Here are a few:
WayneR used to be a regular here. He had been disappointed with years of different drugs. He convinced his doctor to augment his Prozac with Naltrexone. It was a miracle for him, after all those years of suffering.Adam, who has reappeared here recently, participated in a clinical trial of transdermal Selegiline. He has done very well.
St James does well with Effexor+Remeron.
A girl here some time ago said she couldn't understand what the six week wait thing was all about, because Wellbutrin for her worked completely beginning the very first day.
There are plenty more among the archives. The many success stories--especially in a population of such ill and resistant patients--is what always kept my hope alive.
I don't consider myself a success story, but I can say that Adrafinil+Amisulpride have improved me about 95%. This after failing just about anything and everything you can think of. Name it, I've probably tried it. Only out of desperation did I turn to overseas markets, and now I wonder why I hesitated. I know of nothing available in the USA that comes close to Adrafinil or Amisulpride in terms of effectiveness and mildness of side effects.
With the benefit of hindsight, here's my recipe for success:
1. Try two or three different drugs in each class (i.e. 3 SSRIs, Wellbutrin, a tricyclic; Ritalin and Adderall; Zyprexa and Risperdal; Depakote and Tegretol, or Lamictal and Neurontin; Lithium; Xanax, Valium, Klonopin; Remeron.
2. Try each one for a minimum of one week and a maximum of two weeks. If it's going very well in that short time, stay with it longer. If instead things are getting worse, side effects are intolerable, or there is little hint of improvement, move on to the next drug after a one day washout.
3. Assuming someone did sample all of these, there would definitely be one, two, or three drugs that seemed much better than the others. Those should be revisited for longer trials, combinations, and tweeking. This 'probing' process can shave years and years of suffering off of one's treatment, and condense it into six months or less.
4. Don't rule out overseas medications. There are some fabulous medicines in other countries. The FDA, as esteemed as it is, is not the ultimate authority.I have a personal bias for Adrafinil and Amisulpride. With that in mind, I would personally move them to the top of any priority list. That is for three reasons:
1. Like all other drugs, they have clinical research supporting and confirming their effectiveness.
2. Side effects are minimal or nonexistent.
3. Unlike most other drugs, they can provide benefits even to normal people.
4. Disclaimer though...one should command a good understanding of titration and risks before attempting partial or complete self-directed care. This is not to be attempted by the suicidally depressed or the psychotic without a doctor's direct and close supervision. My views will understandably draw criticism from those firmly entrenched in conventional psychiatry which often inadvertently prolongs suffering much too long.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:50233
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50472.html