Posted by stargazer2 on September 17, 2007, at 7:31:23
In reply to Treatment resistant here!, posted by Kneeko on September 16, 2007, at 23:17:57
I too have TRD, just having gotten out of along bout with the beast (1+ year). I was just started on Nardil, Nortriptyline and synthroid. Nardil alone wasn't helping enough and I went to a endocrinologist to have my blood tests checked for any potential thyroid deficiencies. My TSH (Thyroid Stimulating hormone) was within the normal range but a small dose of Synthroid has been added to make the TSH lower which can help someone with resistent depression.
Have you ever had your thyroid tested? That may shed some light on whether or not you may need to have a thyroid medication added to make your levels a bit lower. The normal range is 0.5 to 5.0 and mine was around 3 but the endocriologist felt a lower level may help me since I have such severe depression.
Also have you taken combinations of meds since for someone with TRD, one med or even two may not be enough to target the different chemicals for depression.
I believe the number of medications you have taken only shows you have tried alot (me too) but until you have a combination of different meds you may not get an optimal response.
I told my doctor no ECT because I really believe medication is the answer for most TRD but getting the right combination is the hardest part and can take a long time. I was reaching my limit until the current combination seemed to break through to the depression. I've only been on this combination a few weeks myself.
Stargazer
poster:stargazer2
thread:783400
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070911/msgs/783429.html