Posted by SLS on August 20, 2008, at 5:08:11
In reply to Re: The stakes are too high., posted by Cecilia on August 20, 2008, at 0:26:13
Hi Cecilia.
> There are many different types of side effects. I could care less if a med decreases my libido, which is already zero, and I am already fat, with very painful health problems as a result, so while I don't want to gain any more weight, I would be willing to if an antidepressant actually worked; it would mean a shorter and more physically painful life, but a short period of less emotional pain before I died would be worth it. I think of side effects in terms of "can I function with this?". I could not function with Effexor unless I wanted to spend my entire life within 2 feet of the bathroom, and yes, I started at the smallest possible dose. I could not function with the severe eye pain of Emsam or Nardil. Some meds I have given up on before the magic six weeks and others I have forced myself through a trial despite horrible side effects but it has nothing to do with any theories, just what I can stand. Some of the trials I have forced myself through have been basically self punishment for being depressed. My pdoc, who is supposed to be an expert on treatment resistant depression has long since run out of ideas and could care less, just tells me to try therapy again, when I have already spent a fortune on useless therapy.
> I stand in awe of the high doses of meds that you are able to tolerate,
Don't be. My lack of sensitivity is probably an index of treatment resistance because of my exposure to many different drugs. I didn't get that way overnight, to be sure.
I'm sorry that 12.5mg of Effexor was intolerable for you. The first antidepressant I tried was imipramine. The doctors at Columbia Presbyterian started me at 10mg and had me increase the dosage very slowly. Yes, I had side effects at 50mg, but I was able to get up to 450mg after a few months. I am probably a rapid metabolizer of P450 D26 enzyme. Still, most people tolerated 150-200mg.
> Scott, but everybody's metabolism is different. Nobody wants to be depressed and we are all doing the best we can.
Understood.
I am fortunate that my doctor and I work collaboratively. I do present him with ideas and data, some of which I owe to Psycho-Babble.
I really don't care how people get well, as long as the treatment is inherently safe.
As I said in my first post, I realize that I am projecting onto others my own success. I figure someone ought to.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:847169
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080814/msgs/847304.html