Posted by lizzyg on March 7, 2002, at 7:19:21
In reply to Re: dx = diagnosis, yes (nm) » trouble, posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 23:36:51
Dear John - I wonder if I, too, could ask for the benefit of your wisdom, please? Here in the UK, because our medical treatment is 'free', it's difficult to have consumer choice in doctors and psychiatrists. All the GPs (family doctors) I've had have been uninformed on the subject of depression, and it's quite difficult to get referred to a psychiatrist. I only have once - he was good, but the setting was distressing.
I had my first attack of depression and anxiety 19 years ago at the age of 20. Experiences with doctors were bad, but I was eventually treated with amitriptyline and a benzo which worked fine. Next two times - three and five years later - I was loath to get medical help and just waited for the episodes to resolve, which they did over a period of months. Ten years ago I had a bad attack and saw a psychiatrist. Tried a couple of SSRIs which drove me up the wall, but had success with Lofepramine (third generation tricyclic not available in US) and a short course of Diazepem. This treatment also worked well in my last spate of depression six years ago.
I have been symptom free since, until a couple of months ago. All previous attacks have been totally endogenous in nature, but this depression/anxiety was triggered by bereavement. I tried the Lofepramine again, but found I couldn't tolerate it. Could it be that my metabolism has changed in the intervening years (I've had two more babies in the meantime)? I gave Citalopram a go for two weeks, but couldn't cope with the increased anxiety, agitation, insomnia, and weight loss (7 pounds). So I tried Mirtazapine, but found the sedation a real problem and didn't stick with it. This depressive episode also doesn't seem as severe as previously, so maybe that's why the side effects are proving such a barrier: I guess when you're more desperate you can put up with more. I'm cutting my unhelpful GP out of the loop and trying SAM-e, but if that doesn't work I think I'll have to push to see a psychiatrist. Maybe I should have another go with the tricyclic with something to counteract side effects, or give Nefadazone a try...
I'd be very grateful for any insights you may have, John.
With thanks
Lizzy
poster:lizzyg
thread:96683
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/96859.html