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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bob on April 16, 2003, at 20:34:34
Well, I'm at a loss now. I've taken a billion combinations of meds, and my condition is getting steadily worse. I am in bad shape now and am currently taking Eskalith CR 675mg and Celexa 10mg. When I started this current regimen last year I weighed 145lb. Now, I weigh 175 and counting. I feel disgusting and have a pendulous, uncomfortable, distended gut. I'm 5'7" tall. I am aware of my stomach all the time. Among my other problems are intention tremor, skin redness, acne/rash on my thighs and buttocks, muscle tightness/tension/discomfort, pressure in my head/lightheadedness. I feel very crappy. My depression is not controlled well, I have bouts of irritability and anger, and I am quite apathetic and lethargic/drowsy. Where can I possible go from here? Oh, I usually have problems with rumination/OCD, but that has lessened somewhat now that I don't care about anything anymore.
Does anyone have any ideas at all?
Posted by Bob on April 16, 2003, at 21:08:52
In reply to another wit's end dump..., posted by Bob on April 16, 2003, at 20:34:34
I wanted to add a few more things:
I also get blurry vision in one eye or the other that comes and goes, as well as shortness of breath/heavy chest feelings sometimes.
I've taken every SSRI on the market, I believe, as well as a tricyclic (Anafranil). I've also taken Depakote, Lithium, Lamictal, Neurontin, Trileptal, Topomax, and Tegretol. I've tried augmentation with stimulants (including Provigil) and T3/T4. I also currently take 1/8mg Clonazepam daily. I've also tried Remeron and Welbutrin. I've taken Buspar and Trazadone and a tried augmenting with testosterone supplements. I've also been tested for cortisol and it was found to be normal.
There are other meds I'm sure I've failed to mention.
Posted by JLx on April 17, 2003, at 6:26:32
In reply to Re: another wit's end dump... » Bob, posted by Bob on April 16, 2003, at 21:08:52
Hi Bob,
I feel like a broken record with these recommendations, but if you haven't read any of my previous posts starting here, http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/214008.html, this info worked miracles for me:
"Rapid Recovery From Severe, Stress-Induced Depression Using Magnesium"
http://www.coldcure.com/html/dep.html
I follow ALL of the recommendations on that site. Once I started taking Carlson's brand magnesium glycinate it was easy and painless to make the other changes.
FYI:
Magnesium depletes with stress, diuretics, fluoride, refined flour, chemotherapy, too much sugar, large amounts of protein and antibiotics. High fat foods decrease absorption of magnesium as do foods high in oxalic acid (such as spinach, tea, almonds, cocoa).
Possible signs of deficiency include: nervousness, increased cravings for sugar and sweet foods, constipation, heart conditions such as arrhythmia, hypertension, and high LDL cholesterol levels, migraines (without magnesium, arteries, especially in the heart and brain, tense up, causing these problems), poor concentration, irritability and nervousness, caused by poor transmission of nerve and muscle impulses. http://www.theherbsplace.com/magnesium.html
It's also possible to be so overloaded on calcium, that it becomes an "excitotoxin".
Magnesium rich foods include wheat germ, avacados, and molasses.
If the magnesium info and typical symptomology doesn't ring a bell, I've also benefited from the info in the books "Depression Free Naturally" by Joan Mathews Larson and "The Cortisol Connection" by Shawn Talbott.Larson's book is several years old now, so there may be a newer one with better info now, but what I found so interesting about her book is that she identifies depression based on biochemical causes and has checklists in her book to help you determine which are relevant. And of course, she has recommendations then for what to do/take or not.
There are other resources about natural remedies on the Net, including the articles on this site:
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articleindex.htm
or the other books listed on here:
http://depressionbookstore.com/
I've been feeling great for nearly 8 weeks now, despite not having a job and being in dire financial straits! ;)
I've been radicalized by this experience, quite frankly. When I asked my psychiatrist about magnesium, he responded negatively. If I had listened to him, I would be still dragging around wondering how I was going to get through the day much less the rest of my miserable life. And not incidentally, I would be borrowing to pay his $80 office fee next month so I could try yet another one of his useless meds, provided free of charge as "samples" from the pharmaceutical companies -- and why not? They're making billions on our collective misery as it is! Ok, off my soapbox...
Good luck with whatever you try next! :)
Posted by Ritch on April 17, 2003, at 21:48:17
In reply to another wit's end dump..., posted by Bob on April 16, 2003, at 20:34:34
> Well, I'm at a loss now. I've taken a billion combinations of meds, and my condition is getting steadily worse. I am in bad shape now and am currently taking Eskalith CR 675mg and Celexa 10mg. When I started this current regimen last year I weighed 145lb. Now, I weigh 175 and counting. I feel disgusting and have a pendulous, uncomfortable, distended gut. I'm 5'7" tall. I am aware of my stomach all the time. Among my other problems are intention tremor, skin redness, acne/rash on my thighs and buttocks, muscle tightness/tension/discomfort, pressure in my head/lightheadedness. I feel very crappy. My depression is not controlled well, I have bouts of irritability and anger, and I am quite apathetic and lethargic/drowsy. Where can I possible go from here? Oh, I usually have problems with rumination/OCD, but that has lessened somewhat now that I don't care about anything anymore.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas at all?The acne/weight gain is likely the lithium. I can take 300mg of lithium and within 24 hrs. get some acne-it is really weird. The "hard to breathe" thing is probably the Celexa. I've gotten this from Prozac and Celexa at higher than micro doses. I *think* it is the dopaminergic suppression of SSRI meds that cause that one-but not sure. You didn't say what your dx was, but you might suggest to your doc about halving your Celexa dose to 10mg every other day (i.e.) to combat the apathy and breathing troubles. Not knowing your dx, the lithium could be eliminated to solve the acne/weight gain issues. Perhaps just half as much Celexa (for OCD/depression), with some fishoil/supplements in trade for the lithium might be beneficial?
Posted by Bob on April 17, 2003, at 23:30:45
In reply to Re: another wit's end dump... » Bob, posted by Ritch on April 17, 2003, at 21:48:17
Thanks for all the suggestions folks.
This is the end of the thread.
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