Posted by europerep on February 20, 2010, at 15:40:59
In reply to Re: Opioids for Depression » europerep, posted by jedi on February 15, 2010, at 2:22:49
hey jedi,
sorry for replying late, but thanks for the info..
I did look into atypical depression before, and I do not think that it is what I have.. my mood reactivity only works in the negative direction, i.e. if something bad happens, i feel worse, but it is not the other way around.. plus, of the additional symptoms, I only have an increased desire for sleep, but this is a very common depressive symptom in general, I think.. and while I do have an sensitivity to interpersonal rejection, I do not have any of the things included in the brackets, fits of rage etc..I might have to try phenelzine nonetheless though, since it is one of the two irreversible MAOIs available here..
But as for the opioids, I do know that there are people who have profited from them in the long term, not only through the scientific publications, but I did send a few emails to psychiatrists at different universities, and they did (cautiously) confirm it to me - unfortunately none of them is, geographically speaking, accessible to me.. but I think I will give buprenorphine a try (with the small amount I have), and after that, I will see.. it might be wiser to employ a big gun (MAOIs) before the biggest gun, but I am really desperate, i.e. I think my depression-over-time-curve has never been lower, and I can't go on like this, let alone drop medication, spend two weeks completely without 'em, to then maybe achieve an improvement.. you know?
and as for the food restrictions.. well, it is not like I do not know what to choose, life without depression or life without cheese, but I fear that it is going to even further curtail the way I am living - I do already now have to do all kinds of adaptations to my life that do irritate me - drinking no alcohol, i.e. avoiding 99% of "social gatherings" at night, going to bed early because I need so much sleep, doing this, not doing that, and I don't want even more of it.. it's stupid, I know, but...anyway, it's nice to know that MAOIs do help people tho, doctors here are very hesitating when it comes to prescribing them..
> europerep,
> Opioids do make my depression feel better in the short term. I have seen no long term success from anybody in this thread. If your depression is atypical with social anxiety disorder may I suggest Nardil with a long acting benzo. I use clonazepam. This is the only thing that has worked for me out of 45+ different combinations of antidepressants.
>
> Atypical Depression is defined as:
> A. Mood reactivity (i.e., mood brightens in response to actual or potential positive events)
> B. At least two of the following:
> 1. Significant weight gain or increase in appetite ("comfort eating")
> 2. Hypersomnia (sleeping too much, as opposed to the insomnia present in melancholic depression)
> 3. Leaden paralysis (i.e., heavy, leaden feelings in arms or legs)
> 4. Long-standing pattern of sensitivity to interpersonal rejection (not limited to episodes of mood disturbance; fits of rage, hysteria, aggression and irrational reactions) that results in significant social or occupational impairment.
> Atypical depression is actually the most common type of depression. When Nardil works, it can be like flipping a switch. It is an amazing and powerful medication. The food restrictions are way overblown.
> Good Luck,
> Jedi
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> > I do know that I have only had a fraction of the medication available against depression, but the point is that, since the end of childhood (around 10yrs) I have either been anxious or, for the last eight years, depressed, and so much so that it has basically precluded any actual social life, let alone for once finding a girlfriend, etc.. and this is not because I'm somehow not capable of it, but because my depression is just f##king up my life.. and I have done psychotherapy etc., and it was good, but, there are limits to it, you know? I do not have time for trying another tricyclic, or another SSRI, etc.. I know that, trying opioids now, is kind of like, instead of following the regular road, I'll take a shortcut through a mine field, but I WILL be cautious.. and if the road is leading to that very minefield anyway, then I might as well skip the rest of the road.. hmm, I like metaphores ;)..
> >
> > yeah, that's my situation right now.. and, to make things "worse" (or better, depends on the POV), I do have a small quantity of buprenorphine at hand (10 x 0.4mg), so that way I could check whether it does me good, or not.. and I guess I'll do so soon, but I'm scared of both if it doesn't help me, and if it does but I won't find a MD who accepts this treatment.. hmmm...
> >
> > well, thanks for reading anyway :)..
> > you take care too.. cu
>
>
poster:europerep
thread:935598
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100216/msgs/937479.html