Posted by cache-monkey on May 6, 2005, at 0:56:10
In reply to Re: How do I know if my meds are working? » cache-monkey, posted by Shy_Girl on May 5, 2005, at 22:12:03
Hmm. You're right, that doesn't really sound like depression. From that perspective you might not really need a strong antidepressant like an SSRI.
Learning to cope with intense emotions is essential, you are right. But you might also benefit from a mood stabilizer.
As far as your concern about atrophy, Lithium is supposed to have certain neuroprotective properties. (See: http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/ManjiLithium.htm .) So a moderate (or even "therapeutic") dose of Lithium might also help.
Tegretol, which was recommended by the doc in the link I posted about BPD, could be an option. The drawback there is that frequent blood monitoring is required just in case of a very rare side effect. That's with frequent use. I only skimmed that link, but it seemed that the doc was recommending using it on an as needed basiss. I've also heard that Zyprexa can be used PRN for dysphoria, as well. And it is supposed to be quite effective when thing are just raging crazy.
If your pdoc is worth his/her salt, he/she would definitely be amenable to at least talking about mood stabilizers.
Best,
cache-monkey> I'm not sure I've really had a real major depressive episode. All my "depressions" only last at most a couple of days. I wonder if those are enough to cause hippocampal atrophy?? I'm scared of hippocampal and frontal lobe atrophy. Maybe the SSRI's can prevent this.
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> I'm pretty darn sure my pdoc will not give me anything other than an SSRI. It would be nice to just take sometime when I feel really really upset, but I have a feeling things don't work like that. I just have to learn to deal with things.
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> I don't think there is DBT offered where I live, also I'm not sure I'm disordered enough to need it.
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> Thanks for the info
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poster:cache-monkey
thread:493916
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050504/msgs/494349.html