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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Guy on March 8, 2009, at 15:45:53
I have recently stopped taking AD's and am now taking 2.5 mg Zyprexa. The change is remarkable! I still have anxiety attacks but they are much less severe and do not last as long. For twelve years GP's and shrinks have been "treating" my anxiety with every AD known to man. It has been hell and I'm wondering why it took me so long to clue in. I am also angry about the lost years that will never be regained. I feel like one of those victims of psychiatry we hear so much about.
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2009, at 16:02:43
In reply to Lost 12 years of my life, posted by Guy on March 8, 2009, at 15:45:53
Iv'e lost 14 but take benzos with the low dose of luvox not great but hanging in. Love Phillipa
Posted by sam K on March 8, 2009, at 16:49:44
In reply to Lost 12 years of my life, posted by Guy on March 8, 2009, at 15:45:53
ya low dose anti psychotic is amazing.. so calming. And they have anti depressant effects. I take abilify and its pretty good.
Posted by yxibow on March 9, 2009, at 5:44:08
In reply to Lost 12 years of my life, posted by Guy on March 8, 2009, at 15:45:53
> I have recently stopped taking AD's and am now taking 2.5 mg Zyprexa. The change is remarkable! I still have anxiety attacks but they are much less severe and do not last as long. For twelve years GP's and shrinks have been "treating" my anxiety with every AD known to man. It has been hell and I'm wondering why it took me so long to clue in. I am also angry about the lost years that will never be regained. I feel like one of those victims of psychiatry we hear so much about.
Psychiatry is as much a science as it is an art. We don't live far in the future when there will be less "this drug has unknown actions, however it appears..."
I am also not thrilled to say the least for a 7 year unwanted loss from a 'normal' life.But it isn't something that can be "blamed on psychiatry" -- I have a unique case. And I'm sure that people with TRD have their own stories of years of trying to get the results they want.
Its hard to come to terms with these things and for some, it does mean searching for the "least imperfect" (there is no such thing as a complete magic bullet) agent over time. I agree its heart wrenching -- I don't recognize this state as being who I normally am.But it came as a complete idiopathic origin, and all one can say is that you either proceed with the journey, the here and now, that we call life, or one can accept where they are without help.
It is a choice, and I agree everything about treating something should be an informed consent.
When we can't direct our frustration at anything else, its often at the doctor who has been trying their hardest. I know this personally, I have had anger at my doctor for things beyond his control.
I'm not saying people haven't been mistreated by psychiatrists asleep at the switch -- but there are also a lot of caring people out there who try to help their patients as much as they can.
Better living through chemistry ? No. It requires more than that, rehabilitation work, outside of medications alone.
I am not going to say anything disingenuous, so I will just leave it at that I am happy you have found a medication that is working now.-- tidings
Jay
Posted by janejane on March 9, 2009, at 16:23:30
In reply to Lost 12 years of my life, posted by Guy on March 8, 2009, at 15:45:53
I recently emerged from an AD stupor of about 10 years. Sure, part of me is annoyed at myself for not making changes sooner (easy to do when you've got SSRI-induced apathy), but mostly, I am just so happy to be feeling better. I try to focus on what I have gained (the future) rather than the years I've "lost". I've decided that it's senseless to waste even more of my precious time ruing the past when I can go out and do the things I haven't able to enjoy in years. I feel like I've got a new lease on life, and realize that not everyone is so lucky.
Posted by shasling on March 15, 2009, at 0:34:30
In reply to Lost 12 years of my life, posted by Guy on March 8, 2009, at 15:45:53
First of all Guy, I am so glad your anxiety is under control, however, upset that it took so long to get there. I can understand your anger and frustration at lost time.
Also, I miss talking with you, don't know how we lost touch, I guess when I moved to VA. Anyway, very happy you are feeling better, and will try to email you soon.
Suzie
> I have recently stopped taking AD's and am now taking 2.5 mg Zyprexa. The change is remarkable! I still have anxiety attacks but they are much less severe and do not last as long. For twelve years GP's and shrinks have been "treating" my anxiety with every AD known to man. It has been hell and I'm wondering why it took me so long to clue in. I am also angry about the lost years that will never be regained. I feel like one of those victims of psychiatry we hear so much about.
Posted by metric on March 15, 2009, at 10:38:29
In reply to Lost 12 years of my life, posted by Guy on March 8, 2009, at 15:45:53
> I have recently stopped taking AD's and am now taking 2.5 mg Zyprexa. The change is remarkable! I still have anxiety attacks but they are much less severe and do not last as long. For twelve years GP's and shrinks have been "treating" my anxiety with every AD known to man. It has been hell and I'm wondering why it took me so long to clue in. I am also angry about the lost years that will never be regained. I feel like one of those victims of psychiatry we hear so much about.
I assume you've tried benzodiazepines; did they help? Two OTC drugs that might help are phenibut and diphenhydramine (Benadryl), but both will probably a considerably higher dose than typically recommended.
Posted by JadeKelly on March 17, 2009, at 22:36:11
In reply to Re: Lost 12 years of my life » Guy, posted by yxibow on March 9, 2009, at 5:44:08
>
>
> Psychiatry is as much a science as it is an art. We don't live far in the future when there will be less "this drug has unknown actions, however it appears..."
>
>
> I am also not thrilled to say the least for a 7 year unwanted loss from a 'normal' life.
>
> But it isn't something that can be "blamed on psychiatry" -- I have a unique case. And I'm sure that people with TRD have their own stories of years of trying to get the results they want.
>
>
> Its hard to come to terms with these things and for some, it does mean searching for the "least imperfect" (there is no such thing as a complete magic bullet) agent over time. I agree its heart wrenching -- I don't recognize this state as being who I normally am.
>
> But it came as a complete idiopathic origin, and all one can say is that you either proceed with the journey, the here and now, that we call life, or one can accept where they are without help.
>
> It is a choice, and I agree everything about treating something should be an informed consent.
>
> When we can't direct our frustration at anything else, its often at the doctor who has been trying their hardest. I know this personally, I have had anger at my doctor for things beyond his control.
>
> I'm not saying people haven't been mistreated by psychiatrists asleep at the switch -- but there are also a lot of caring people out there who try to help their patients as much as they can.
>
> Better living through chemistry ? No. It requires more than that, rehabilitation work, outside of medications alone.
>
>
> I am not going to say anything disingenuous, so I will just leave it at that I am happy you have found a medication that is working now.
>
> -- tidings
>
> JayHi Jay,
Well said. Ditto.
~Jade
Posted by JadeKelly on March 17, 2009, at 22:38:50
In reply to Re: Lost 12 years of my life, posted by JadeKelly on March 17, 2009, at 22:36:11
Posted by JadeKelly on March 20, 2009, at 8:59:38
In reply to Re: Lost 12 years of my life, posted by JadeKelly on March 17, 2009, at 22:36:11
Hi,
First congratulations! Glad you're feeling better! That's a long time, did PDoc's and/or you assume wrongly that you were Depressed as opposed to having an Anxiety disorder? Seems they would be treated differently, I've only had the depressive side.
I geuss the parts of Jay's post that I agree with (wanted to clarify) Is that there are both kinds of PDocs out there. I've had both and what a difference. When one sees you every three months for 15 minutes to treat MDD, especially on an MAOI, I think he/she should find another vocation. I don't consider that PDoc bashing, its just the truth.
Just as its the truth that I sing the praises of my current PDoc, who was appalled at the condition I was in at our first consultaion (1 1/2 hr). He had me in almost complete remission in two weeks. He cares, and gives every effort to keeping his patients well. He gave me his pager# (he calls right back) if your BP is straying from normal. He believes that one week is too long to feel depressed and I should notify him within days. THATS a caring PDoc.
One stipulation though, to see him, I had to agree to combine it with weekly therapy. I never wanted therapy, but turns out, as Jay said, I'm ending up having to do my part as well.
Darn! Can't we just take a pill? LoL ;-)
~Jade
> I'm not saying people haven't been mistreated by psychiatrists asleep at the switch -- but there are also a lot of caring people out there who try to help their patients as much as they can.
>
> Better living through chemistry ? No. It requires more than that, rehabilitation work, outside of medications alone.
This is the end of the thread.
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