Psycho-Babble Medication | about biological treatments | Framed
This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | List of forums | Search | FAQ

Re: Dr Dave - a question abuot TRD

Posted by Geezer on September 3, 2002, at 12:06:30

In reply to Re: Dr Dave - a question abuot TRD » Geezer, posted by dr. dave on September 3, 2002, at 6:18:27

> Here's a good recent overview
> http://psychiatrictimes.com/p020750.html
>
> It's difficult to respond to your specific situation because I don't know you, your treatment history etc. etc.
>
> My first reactions would be - you're on a lot of medication. If you have extreme fatigue and inability to focus it might be because you're on a lot of medication. If the add-ons have not worked very well, is it worth continuing them and having a long and confusing list of medications? If you are fatigued in the day and can't sleep at night, are you taking all the medication at night to try to reverse this?
>
> The only combinations I think aren't pretty much stabs in the dark are antidepressant plus lithium and antidepressant plus thyroxine.
>
> I am not such an enthusiast for exotic multi-drug cocktails, as I think they are rarely that helpful and distact from probably more important issues of why is this individual depressed and what is maintaining it? Understanding maintaining factors in terms of environmental conditions, cognitive styles and coping styles can often be more useful than adding in yet another drug.
>
>
> > Dr Dave - would you please offer some drug combinations that you have found helpful in the treatment resistant depression.I have suffered sever depression since 1962 (hospitalized 9 times). My current cocktail is composed of 1) Serzone 250mg., 2) Wellbutrin SR,400mg 3) Klonopin .5 and Ambien 10mg for sleep. My pdoc may add Concerta to off set my extreme fatige and inability to focus. I have only been on this mix for a week so I will give it more time before making changes. I would be glad to know about any drug combinations you have found effective for TRD.I suppose ECT is the quickest way to achieve results but I can't bring myself to take that step yet.
> >
> > Thank you for your consideration.
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Geezer


> Dr. Dave,

Thank you very much for your response to my post. I understand completely that you can not make specific recommendations without knowing me.

The link you provided was very helpful. I can now review, in a concise manner, the best possible options for achieving successful treatment. I have agreed (finally) to undergo a period of cognative therapy. I have always refused this option in the past because I have a genetically transmitted, biochemical, and psysiological brain disorder and I could not understand how any kind of talk therapy could have any effect on that. I have always wanted scientific, empirical testing for drug studies (and patient testing). It seems most testing, in both areas, relies on psychological testing which at best seems subjective and anecdotal. I hope I live long enough to witness the benifit of genetic markers and diagnostic blood tests, in the meantime I will give cognative therapy an honest try.

I think my next medication move will be to lithium, although I can't tolerate it at high levels. I agree the complex medical cocktails only add confusion to achieving desired results.
ECT has been suggested by my doctor but that step has been difficult to take, just due to fear.

It would not be possible or helpful to review my treatment history here but I have been at it since 1973, I believe my failure to reach remission is due to noncompliance for the most part. Prozac was the only AD that worked affectively but "pooped out" after two years.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Geezer

P.S. I commend you for your professional and clinical evaluation of Celexa vs Lexapro.
>


Share
Tweet  

Thread

 

Post a new follow-up

Your message only Include above post


Notify the administrators

They will then review this post with the posting guidelines in mind.

To contact them about something other than this post, please use this form instead.

 

Start a new thread

 
Google
dr-bob.org www
Search options and examples
[amazon] for
in

This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | FAQ
Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:Geezer thread:118487
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020829/msgs/118669.html