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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Stevesad on December 26, 2003, at 22:47:14
Hanging on by a thread. I have been struggling(and losing)with depression of an on for 20 years. As of late I have been on Paxil during the day and Ambien at night for sleep. I have been steadily slipping into deeper and deeper depression. I don't ever dream and am awakening feeling more and more tired. The combination of exhaustion and depression is breaking me and I feel like I have little time left. My shrink says that there is no value in hospitalization since they will just discharge me the moment they think I am not suicidal. I am lost and would appreciate someone suggesting a direction. My Doc feels that all meds have been tried and have failed and is out of ideas other than telling me to be tough and keep going. I am running out of determination. I feel like I can't keep pushing on.
Posted by wsj on December 27, 2003, at 0:12:28
In reply to PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by Stevesad on December 26, 2003, at 22:47:14
have you tried a stimulant? like dexederine or adderall. if you already have tried a stim what about an MAOI like parnate or nardil? i your pdoc says he has no more suggestions for you i would seek out another pdoc and see him/her right away!
best to you!
wsj
Posted by Laree on December 27, 2003, at 0:35:02
In reply to PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by Stevesad on December 26, 2003, at 22:47:14
I took Ambien for a few months, maybe longer, and I was severely depressed at times and was not sure why. I started upping my dose of it, and it became a sort of 'escape' for me, I suppose (lots of domestic issues going on during that time) and when I was weaning off of it I started feeling so much less depressed. After that, I finally began to realize that it was the Ambien that was really doing me in in the depression department. Plus I was on Effexor XR at the time, and I had a negative reaction to it.
I was hospitalized for a few days, and was weaning off of the Ambien and switched to Zoloft.
Felt a world better in just a few days. If you read a pamphlet on Ambien really closely, it will probably mention something about it exacerbating/causing depression and suicidal ideation, etc...So I would DEFINITELY talk to your pdoc about the Ambien. Best of luck!
Posted by brussell on December 27, 2003, at 0:43:26
In reply to Re: PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near » Stevesad, posted by Laree on December 27, 2003, at 0:35:02
I second wsj on trying a MAOI. Remember that electroconvulsive therapy is an excellent option as well. It is actually the most effective treatment for depression known.
Don't give up. Get a new doctor if yours can't give you any more options.
I also agree that the Ambien could be aggravating your depression.
Posted by linkadge on December 27, 2003, at 6:40:53
In reply to Re: PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by brussell on December 27, 2003, at 0:43:26
Add folic acid. I know this sounds like
piddly-do-garbage. But literally 50 or so studies have shown that poor antidepressant responce is linked to low folic acid (1mg) and or b12. I never really felt better at all until I added the two. It is so cheap, and in my experience, the people I have seen respond to the combination is very reasurring.
Linkadge
Posted by ramsea on December 27, 2003, at 15:40:08
In reply to Re: PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by linkadge on December 27, 2003, at 6:40:53
sorry to hear of your condition. remember this is an illness, and if your doctor isn't up to handling your illness I really suggest you try another one and if that doesn;t work, another one still. I mean if you are on a terminal course it is imperative that you try many different treatment options known to relieve and lift severe depression in many cases. I believe there are MANY things you can do.
Some posters have offered good advice.My benzo was increasing my depression at one point--took a long time to realize it--but getting off of it was a real help. Maybe instead of Ambien you could try lowdose Seroquel. Or the hormone Melatonin.
ECT is vastly more friendly these days. A search on the latest info at MEDSCAPE might help. For a person at the end, ECT is definitely worth a try. What have you got to lose?
A stay in hospital could help if you need ECT or a change in meds or a place of safety. So what if they just release you once you aren't suicidal anymore? I thought that was the idea. And if you get suicidal again, you go back in again. That's what the place is there for. It's like if you were having a kidney problem or something---if you had to keep being brought back in to save your life, well, so be it, that's what hospitals are meant to do.
If you have never tried lithium, it can help some unipolar treatment resistant folks. I take it for bipolar,and am aware of its antidepressant affects. It may be that the lithium would also augment your antidepressant. You know, a really sharp, fresh psychopharmacologist would be worth the cost of a visit---again, when you compare it to eternity, what have you got to lose? Find the best and most sought after one you can and by hook andby crook, get to him/her. There are so many options.
If you can get the worst of this depression under control, there are still other avenues you can go down in seeking relief. Lifestyle changes, therapies, etc. But first the biological issues need sorting. I suspect you may need some second opinions and some medication adjustments. Don't give up. You can experience pleasure again, and a sense of wellbeing. Just push a little for the correct treatment you deserve.
Posted by Maxime on December 27, 2003, at 20:15:33
In reply to Re: PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by wsj on December 27, 2003, at 0:12:28
Aww Steve, you sound utterly hopeless.
I would get off the Paxil ASAP if I were you. There has been so much in the news lately about it making people suicidal. I know that the reports have been referring to kids under the age of 18, but still I recently had a friend become majorly suicidal on Paxil and she is 55 years old!
Never listed to a doctor who tells you that there is nothing left to try. There is always something to try. I think some pdoc are too lazy or just not smart enough to know who to combine meds or to try meds that aren't used that much.
I know you feel hopeless, but if you can find a new pdoc, maybe that would help. Sounds like the current one doesn't want to try any more.
Hang in there.
Maxime
Posted by AngelsFury on December 29, 2003, at 1:47:34
In reply to PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by Stevesad on December 26, 2003, at 22:47:14
I've been diagnosed with PTSD and was put on Paxil for my anger problems and my depression. While it helped with my anger outbursts, it didn't help my depression one bit. Don't know if the Paxil assisted in my increased depression or not because I've been off of it for almost 2 years now and I'm still incredibly depressed.
I would get off the Paxil tho, find a new doctor and get a better way to help your problems. There are many ways of helping depression, you just need to find the right one. I'm still searching for mine :) Don't give up hope.
Posted by maryhelen on December 29, 2003, at 2:22:57
In reply to PAXIL/AMBIEN...the end feels near, posted by Stevesad on December 26, 2003, at 22:47:14
Hi Stevesad:
Your shrink says there is no value in hospitalizations because they will discharge you the minute they think you are not suicidal. Get a new shrink. They can keep you safe and help with medication changes. He should be looking into a longer hospital stay for you anyway.
Is you doc the same as you shrink. I have never heard a professional say that all of the meds have been tried (they haven't been) and failed and that he/she is out of ideas and to be tough and keep going. Get a new doc. That is the most riduculous thing I have ever heard said to someone who is suicidally depressed from a doctor. Be tough and keep going. This person knows nothing about depression. It is almost criminial, in my opinion.
No wonder you are running out of determination. You are not getting proper care or treatment.
It sounds like the consesus is to get off of Paxil.
I know from my own personal experience that Ambien made me more depressed. I didn't pick up my script one month and I found that after a few days not taking it, the depression was lifting somewhat. I stopped taking it. I would get off of Ambien.
I agree that ECT is one of the best treatments for those who are suicidally depressed.
Have you been on an MAIO, like Nardil or Parnate? Excellent drugs for those who have tried just about anything.
You need to act fast, and unfortunatley for now, put you care in your own hands. Get rid of the shrink and the doc. Why not go to hospital, maybe after you explain your situation, they will help you find a new doctor.
You are not receiving the proper treatment and with a competent pdoc, he/she will be able to help you.
I know it is hard when you are feeling like this but you have to 'take the bull by the horn' so to speak.
maryhelen
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