Posted by allisonm on March 19, 2002, at 7:08:05
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression -Suggestions?, posted by btrout on March 18, 2002, at 22:13:49
How closely are you working with your pdoc? What is his or her plan for next steps should your current combo not work? Does your doctor talk with you about side-effects? Other than the Celexa, have you tried these other drugs for descent lengths of time (several weeks up to 6-8)?
Have you ever seen an algorithm such as Harvard's (http://www.mhc.com/Algorithms/). I have found it interesting and helpful in seeing how doctors proceed in trying to help people with depression.
My psychiatrist, whom I see once a week, has diagnosed me with chronic refractory depression. We believve I have had this for many years -- perhaps as early as the mid-1970s. I was diagnosed a little more than 4 years ago and have taken in various combinations and amounts Zoloft, Effexor XR, Remeron, Lithium, Wellbutrin SR, Neurontin, Celexa, Serzone, and on occasion, Ativan. I have found that a combination of Wellbutrin SR (300mg per day) and Serzone (300mg per day) work best so far.
As the others have said, don't give up. There are lots and lots of drugs out there. If you have a good doctor who knows his pharmacology and is up-to-date with what's new, he/she should be your best guide.
I also think it's important to remember that instant miracles are rare. It can take years to find the right combo if you are treatment-resistant. I also have found that my improvement came slowly. It was not overnight. I didn't wake up one morning deciding that I felt terrific. It can take months of work before you can look back and see whether there really has been a change for the better.
I have found that good psychotherapy with good drug therapy works best. I am lucky to have one person for both. During our weekly apppointments, he sees things about me that I don't. He can see patterns and declines in my moods and suggests changes in drug therapy accordingly. I would not be here were it not for him.
Good luck. It may be a long road, but many find the right answers on the way.
poster:allisonm
thread:98310
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/98767.html