Posted by maryhelen on December 17, 2003, at 20:09:44
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
After reading all of the above posts I am not sure if I have this right. You have been diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD. I cannot respond to your PTSD, but I have major recureent depression. Have struggled with it most of my life. I am not bipolar. I believe lithium is used more in the treatment of bipolar depression, although it is also indicated for atypical, unipolar, major, treatment resistant depression (so many different ways of defining depression), usually to augment another medication. I now have a diagnosis of treatment resistant depression, as I have taken more meds and combos than I will ever remember, without success. I was taking Parnate, an MAIO, 2 years ago and my pdoc augmented it with lithium about 7 months ago. I never did adjust to the lithium. I had hand tremors, nausea, nervousness, hair loss, but more importantly, at the time I was trying to return to work after a 2 year sick leave, and the best way that I can describe it is that I had became 'stupid and dull'. I had to stop taking it. My pdoc then augmented the Parnate with Lamitcal. This medication worked fast and I had the only true relief from the depression and felt better than I ever had in my 51 years. Unfortunately, this lasted for just over 4 weeks and then the Lamitcal stopped working. Although we tried to increase it nothing more happened and I ended up coming off both the Parnate and Lamitcal.
I am now taking Nardil, another MAIO Inhibitor, have only been on it for 6 weeks. I know many here on this site have had great success with this medication. I also have an addiction to opiates and I am going to try a fairly new medication called buprenorpnine, indicated for depression, opiate withdrawal and pain, (I also have chronic pain, hence the addiction problem to pain pills). Although, it has been a long, hard, hellish journey in this depression, I am going to hold out hope that the Nardil and bupe will be the answer for me.
Sorry for the long post. There are just so many different stories, medications, drug trials, side effects, that it can take us all a while to find what may work for us. I believe the sharing and caring we have here is invaluable for those of us who struggle with these various forms of mental illness, and we are so lucky we have each other to support and get opinions and input from each individual and varied experiences.
Another thing I wanted to mention, is that for the first time in my life, a month ago, I underwent serious stress and pressure when trying to return to my job and ended up with chest pain, pressure and tightness. Went to emergency to rule out heart attack. My family doctor prescribe Xanax for short term use. I know benzos are not recommended, but soon thereafter, the symptoms have disappeared and I no longer need to take it. You mention that you also have these type of symptoms. Again, I also just wanted to share that I felt 'stupid and dull' when I was taking lithium. This also went away immediately when I stopped taking it.
I hope things will begin to get better for you soon.
maryhelen
poster:maryhelen
thread:290590
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031213/msgs/291101.html