Posted by adamie on August 31, 2001, at 18:49:16
In reply to Re: AD's make me feel worse before better?, posted by JohnL on August 31, 2001, at 18:04:46
> Can antidepressants actually make you feel worse? Yes, definitely they can. It has happened here at this board more times than I can count over the last three years, including with me.
>
> Sometimes the underlying root cause of the depression has nothing at all to do with low serotonin or whatever. Based on what you have said, I feel encouraged that your order of Adrafinil could be a more pleasant experience for you than the antidepressants were. Adrafinil does not raise or lower the common neurotransmitters. Instead it acts like a turbocharger for existing neurotransmitters, so to speak.
>
> Some people will claim that you do indeed have to feel worse before you start feeling better. I don't know, that just indicates to me that the particular med is way off target. Sure, it might end up working somewhat if given enough time to go through chain reaction domino kind of stuff, but I personally don't like that route. Suicide and losing hope is too much of a risk when someone starts feeling worse. It's not worth it. Better to switch course immediately. That's what my pdoc always did with me. He did not hesitate to take me off of a dud drug and try me on something else. He knew that in the meantime my baseline depression was more acceptable than feeling suicidal after starting a new drug. Too much risk. Too much pain. There is always a better drug.
>
> For you the best drug could easily end up being something that is not an antidepressant. Something like Adrafinil, Ritalin, Adderall, Zyprexa, Risperdal. If your body tells you it doesn't like antidepressants, I personally think it is wise to listen to your body's intuition. It is trying to tell you something. There are important clues to be had, clues that can help point you in a better direction.
>
> No doubt there will be reports of people who felt worse, weathered the storm, and then later felt better. That's fine for them. But not for me or my pdoc.
> Johnhi John. I mentioned AD's simply due to the reluctance of canadian doctors to prescribe anything else for depression. I am going to see my family physician next week and hopefully I can convince him to precribe me a fast acting stimulant like some of the ones you mentioned. Regarding ordering online, my mom wont allow any more orders unless I will be able to convince her or put up my own cash which I dont have yet. So I just hope I'll be able to get the stimulants normally. Otherwize they'll be deffinite future choices.
The adrafinil does sound great though so perhaps that will be all I need. I have for quite some time wanted fast acting stimulants above everything else but we'll just see if I'll be able to get them. If not then they'll have to wait a bit. They may be a temporary solution and addictive but that doesn't matter. What I need is exactly a temporary solution since my specific depression/problem is supossed to completely go away in time. usually 8 months.
Regarding Zyprexa, I have some right now. I took it along with wellbutrin. I felt quite bad on the combination. But perhaps by itself it could be worth a try again. I will see later on. It's just strange how my mood can vary so greatly when I get on these meds. Right now I am able to feel quite a bit for my perfect fiance and mind torture is quite mild. little motivation still. small ability to enjoy things. better than none at all. While on both the Wellbutrin and Zyprexa it was such a chore to try and do things. Mind torture was significantly greater. Worse concentration and various other things.
Come to think of it I think even if I am not prescribed adderall, ritalin, concerta, or another stimulant I may be able to convince the woman to order me some. I just remembered I had some extra cash. We'll see what happens. thanks for the reply.
poster:adamie
thread:77124
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010828/msgs/77147.html