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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maeryn on March 4, 2003, at 23:49:46
First I would like to intoduce myself. I am Maeryn and I just signed up for this. I just turned 24 and I have been suffering from depression since I was 13, or that was when I was first diagnosed with it. I have struggled the long path of life that some seem to go through with such ease. As I am sure almost all of you who suffer from depression can understand.
I have been on many different kinds of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety, medications Sometimes to paranoid to fill the perscriptions because the pharmacist would know "I was Crazy" It has been a long hard struggle and I have been looking for somewhere to turn to talk to somebody who has been there. I goto a counciller but she has never been through it how can she really understand how I feel. Sometimes it is nice for someone to say "Hey I have been there" For the first time in my life I think things are finally getting back on track it will take a long time but I am getting there and that is making a difference in my everyday life. I started taking effexor xr 75mg in September of 2002, and I have started my process to recovery. I would love to hear from anybody out there and hope to become a part of your group.
Sincerly Maeryn
Posted by TommyTommy on March 5, 2003, at 0:29:40
In reply to Struggling with my Illness, posted by Maeryn on March 4, 2003, at 23:49:46
Hello Maeryn and welcome to this site as I myself have only been posting here for about a month. I think you will find it invaluable. I'm 26 and have been suffering from depression, anxiety.........the whole anchalada (if that's how you spell it) since I was 15 and believe me it's been a battle every day of my life to some degree to say the very least. I myself also take Effexor at 75mg and might very well go up to 150mg. I also take Depakote as a mood stabilizer. Good luck and know that there are so many people out there just like yourself......me being one of them.
Tommy
Posted by zeliva on March 5, 2003, at 0:32:22
In reply to Struggling with my Illness, posted by Maeryn on March 4, 2003, at 23:49:46
I understand what you are saying. I am 25yrs old and have dealing with depression off and on since I was 19. I have yet to be "cured". Hopefully it will be over soon is what I keep telling myself. Welcome. I have only been on this site for a few weeks. It seems to be very helpful. Good Luck.
Jill
Posted by KrissyP on March 5, 2003, at 0:40:28
In reply to Struggling with my Illness, posted by Maeryn on March 4, 2003, at 23:49:46
Hi Maeryn-Hey-I've been there:-)My name is Kristen-welcome. I have only been here for about 6 days and it is the best thing I have found online for support, knowledge, and help concerning mental illness, meds, and life. These people are some of the best I've met online- and grateful for Dr. Bob who has made it all possible. I am 32 and was diagnosed with Major Depression in 1995, and Bipolar (mild) in 1999. Some do go through life's path with ease and others do not, that's why we are all here for you-I understand what you're saying.
I, too, have been "embarrassed" to have a pharmacist fill my prescriptions because of labeling me as "Crazy" I got over it, but it took a little while. You are not alone. Pharmacists fill all kinds of meds and it is none of their business-kinda visualize them in their underwear or something when you get your meds filled. LOL Please don't think you are crazy. Life can be tough (I've had my share) and don't ever be embarrassed about your feelings. It is what you do about them that matters and helps you out along the way. As far as counselors go-yes some have "not been there"-they are trained with textbook knowledge-which is great. However, I can't say it's easy to find a good therapist or the "right" one. I have had 6 since all this began for me in 1995. I am not currently seeing one at the present time because I am doing pretty well. I am a senior in college majoring in of all things Psychology and Health.I have gotten so so much better over the years-but I still struggle. I went off my Effexor and Lamictal last year and just restarted both a week ago. For me, I was not ready to be off of meds. I am on Effexor-XR, Klonopin, Lamictal, and Seroquel-ALL low doses. After trying just about every single med out there, these help me the most.
Please feel free and post what you feel will help you. Ask questions and provide your experience(s) I hope this site helps you as much as it has me in only a few days.
All the best to you and welcome:-)
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------First I would like to intoduce myself. I am Maeryn and I just signed up for this. I just turned 24 and I have been suffering from depression since I was 13, or that was when I was first diagnosed with it. I have struggled the long path of life that some seem to go through with such ease. As I am sure almost all of you who suffer from depression can understand.
I have been on many different kinds of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety, medications Sometimes to paranoid to fill the perscriptions because the pharmacist would know "I was Crazy" It has been a long hard struggle and I have been looking for somewhere to turn to talk to somebody who has been there. I goto a counciller but she has never been through it how can she really understand how I feel. Sometimes it is nice for someone to say "Hey I have been there" For the first time in my life I think things are finally getting back on track it will take a long time but I am getting there and that is making a difference in my everyday life. I started taking effexor xr 75mg in September of 2002, and I have started my process to recovery. I would love to hear from anybody out there and hope to become a part of your group.
Sincerly Maeryn
Posted by syringachalet on March 5, 2003, at 0:58:51
In reply to Struggling with my Illness, posted by Maeryn on March 4, 2003, at 23:49:46
Welcome Maeryn, I have been on both sides of the head shrinkers desk so I really do understnd that my clients and those here deal with a lots of the time. I have struggled for years with my own mental illness and it is that insight that helps me relate as well as I do with those I work with daily.
Most of the posters here are really good people often with differing views on a given topic. My best advice is to read anything that you feel you can relate to and when you are comfortable, jump in. There will always be someone that doesnt totally agree with everything you write but thats what makes this site so great. By getting several different prespectives on a subject or several different ideas to a problem, it helps people sort out what might work for them and their situation. Please dont take anything personally that is posted here; it is seldom every meant that way.
By the way, that pharmactist really shouldnt give a dam if your MD prescribed you a medication for depression or whatever.
If it wasnt for you and me and most of the posters here, guys like him would be sitting on the corner selling thermometers...LOL
Welcome and keep in touch....
syringachalet
Posted by Maeryn on March 5, 2003, at 1:07:16
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness » Maeryn, posted by KrissyP on March 5, 2003, at 0:40:28
I want to thank you all for your responces, and so quickly. I hope that we can all chat more in the future. Like I said in the prior post I am 24. I have three children, a set of twins which will be 4 March 30 boy/girl. And my youngest just turned 2 Feb 27. I never really delt with my depression before I had my kids, so they ended up being my biggest challenge but since I started my meds in Sept. and alot, I mean ALOT of family support. I have made it and the progress is slowly getting more however. Being "cured" my doctor says will never happen she says I will be on atleast a low dosage for the rest of my life, I have had to many relapses each way more severe than the prior. I am so glad I stumbled onto this site. I think it is going to be my life saver.
Posted by Jack Smith on March 5, 2003, at 19:53:23
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness, posted by syringachalet on March 5, 2003, at 0:58:51
Are you a psychiatrist??? or some other mental health professional?
Just wondering what you are on and for what. Curious, I asked my psychiatrist what he prescribe to himself if he were in my situation and he had basically no answer. Surprising.
Posted by xjs7 on March 5, 2003, at 22:23:31
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness, posted by syringachalet on March 5, 2003, at 0:58:51
> If it wasnt for you and me and most of the posters here, guys like him would be sitting on the corner selling thermometers...LOL
What do you mean by this? I have been thinking about going to pharmacy school.
xjs7
Posted by syringachalet on March 5, 2003, at 22:33:00
In reply to A Psychiatrist?? » syringachalet, posted by Jack Smith on March 5, 2003, at 19:53:23
I am both a psych rehab nurse RN/BSN and a PTSD survivor.
I work with mental healthcenter in an outpatient capacity and because I have been on both sides of the counseling arrangment can often empathize with those who are struggling daily just to "keep their heads above water" while living out in the community.
I remember days past before our dear Ronald Regan and his programs where mental health was to be free and community based. Thats also when Bill Gates was still just some prep young man with a really big dream about computers.
Back in the 1970s, Thorazine, Stelezine, Elavil and Merrill were common and we were being very progressive because they no longer used insulin therapy to calm people in institutions like they did in the 1950s.
We even sedated people during ECT.Now we have new drugs coming out that are so expensive that some people are having to decide between eating or taking their meds as prescribed.
Now there are so many hurdles to jump to help patients get their meds so they can keep that chemical balance in check I some times think does the ears know what the tail is doing.
With the avg cost of $60,000/yr/patient keeping them out of state owned institutional care and in the community, maybe more people should be telling their state elected representatives to pass that Medicare medication bill ASAP.Psychiatrist... me? I think not.
Bill Cosby said it best...
I know the boss. I know her job.
And I dont want it. LOLsyringachalet
Posted by syringachalet on March 5, 2003, at 22:48:27
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness » syringachalet, posted by xjs7 on March 5, 2003, at 22:23:31
My point of reference was that the original poster was concerned about what the pharmacist would think of her getting an antidepressant med.
As a healthcare professional myself, I doubt that if he gave it a second thought. I used to work with a pharmacist and his approach was...at least this person acknowledges that he/she has a problem and is doing something ACTIVE about it. How many others out there are suffering and not getting the treatment they need.....
My consensus was if any professinal pharamist had an issue with someone taking an positive active role in their own health care, he should remember that if it was for all those people who come into his business establishment and buy those meds, they would be out of a job...hence sitting on the corner selling thermometers...
I am sorry if you were bothered by a slight punk from one profession to another....
syringachalet
Posted by KrissyP on March 6, 2003, at 13:10:47
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness » syringachalet, posted by xjs7 on March 5, 2003, at 22:23:31
hey xjs7
I'm reading my posts in order of time, but from my view-I hope syringachalet meant it as: "see it as pharmacists word VERY hard, and are very knowledgeable. It is a one-of-a kind career/job." Those that suffer from illnesses of all sorts rely on medications-that pharmacists dispense-meaning their job is valuable!-xjs7-Go for it, I wish you the best, I like pharmacology also.
Did this help?
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------> > If it wasnt for you and me and most of the posters here, guys like him would be sitting on the corner selling thermometers...LOL
What do you mean by this? I have been thinking about going to pharmacy school.
xjs7
Posted by KrissyP on March 6, 2003, at 13:17:09
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness, posted by syringachalet on March 5, 2003, at 22:48:27
syringachalet- I agree when you say,"at least this person acknowledges that he/she has a problem and is doing something ACTIVE about it".
I think a lot of pharmacists DO see that-but like you said-they fill prescriptions and I don't think they care too much or label a person-they're way too busy to do so.
A LOT of people are out there are suffering and not getting the treatment they need, for one reason or another. I thought your comment was funny-and I understood it quite well:-)
From one professional to another
(Psych/Health senior in college that is)
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------As a healthcare professional myself, I doubt that if he gave it a second thought. I used to work with a pharmacist and his approach was...at least this person acknowledges that he/she has a problem and is doing something ACTIVE about it. How many others out there are suffering and not getting the treatment they need.....
My consensus was if any professinal pharamist had an issue with someone taking an positive active role in their own health care, he should remember that if it was for all those people who come into his business establishment and buy those meds, they would be out of a job...hence sitting on the corner selling thermometers...
I am sorry if you were bothered by a slight punk from one profession to another....
syringachalet
Posted by syringachalet on March 6, 2003, at 16:58:18
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness » syringachalet, posted by KrissyP on March 6, 2003, at 13:17:09
KrissyP,
Thanks for your clarification of my post.
Sometimes having a different persepctive on something makes it easier to understand and
maybe even accept.Best of luck with your schooling...
P.S. You know that Sigmund Freud died of sphilis
(Just a little nurse humor there..sorry if
this offends anyone else... :}syringachalet
Posted by KrissyP on March 6, 2003, at 20:10:27
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness, posted by syringachalet on March 6, 2003, at 16:58:18
syringachalet, what?!?! LOL OMG too funny
Thanks for the luck, I am almost done-it's been a long ass haul.
Take Care,
Kristen:-)
-------------------------------------------------KrissyP,
Thanks for your clarification of my post.
Sometimes having a different persepctive on something makes it easier to understand and
maybe even accept.
Best of luck with your schooling...
P.S. You know that Sigmund Freud died of sphilis
(Just a little nurse humor there..sorry if
this offends anyone else... :}
syringachalet
Posted by Maeryn on March 7, 2003, at 17:49:31
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness » syringachalet, posted by KrissyP on March 6, 2003, at 20:10:27
When I refered to the pharmasist I didn't mean anything bad about the pharmacist I just was trying to explain the paranoya I was experiencing. However I live in a town of 500 people and my pharmasist lives across the street. I love him to death, he is super, I talk to him about everything I was only expressing the paranoya that I felt
Posted by syringachalet on March 7, 2003, at 20:59:26
In reply to Re: Struggling with my Illness, posted by Maeryn on March 7, 2003, at 17:49:31
Maeryn,
Sounds like your pharmacist is a really nice guy who probably wishes more people who were having problems with depression or other mental health issues would be as brave as you and work on getting the treatment if not for themselves but for those that love and depend on them.
I tip my hat to you,
syringachalet
This is the end of the thread.
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