Posted by greywolf on September 11, 2012, at 21:30:10
Haven't been around here in a long time. Thought I would stop back in to see what's up and to pose a question to long-time treatment veterans.
I have been treating for bipolar depression for about 20 years, and I have been in active CBT for severe OCD for 9 years. I have been hospitalized many times, have had experimental VNS surgery, even spent a month at a research clinic for OCD.
Basically, I have been on all the ADs, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, benzos, etc., available in the US at a therapeutic level during this journey. Most meds I have tried multiple times. Right now I am taking Tegretol, Saphris, Luvox, and lithium. I was on lithium many years ago, and it's being added now just on the off-chance that it might be somewhat beneficial.
I am frustrated. I have great faith in my doctor and my therapist, but it seems that I've reached the end of the line when it comes to pharmaceutical alternatives. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've tried just about everything during these years of treatment, and other than a handful that had immediate and serious side effect, I have tried them all long enough to establish whether there was any therapeutic benefit.
So, what to do? I am told that there is a new AD just around the corner that is very different than what's on the market now, but I have heard that soooo many times before. Sure, I'll wait for it, but my basic question is what do you do when nothing works? I'm tired of hospitals and ICU and several short-term mental health stays each year. I've been treated and helped by some wonderful people, but it's just not coming together.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Greywolf
poster:greywolf
thread:1025444
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120830/msgs/1025444.html