![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 11:54:25
Hi All-
I'm currently on Lexapro 20 mg, Tramadol 100 mg and Ativan 6 mg. I'm unofficially MDD or Bipolar 2--for all my years of taking meds (almost 20) and seeing docs, I haven't a concrete diagnosis.
I tapered off of Seroquel (100 mg) almost 2 months ago, and I've had a month of ups and downs. Prior to that I was doing ok, but I felt too sluggish during the day on it and ended up on Vyvanse to counteract my lethargy. I still take Vyvanse at times when I'm really tired or have a lot to do. I always feel better (or just "clearer" on less meds) and try to keep my regimen as streamlined as possible.
Other than meds, I did 2 months of Ketamine treatment this year as well as TMS. I had a good run from July-end of Sept/beginning of Oct.
The thing is, this month has been a roller coaster. One week I'm alright, even "normal," then I crash for a few days and I'm so depressed and anxious I can't leave my bed. I just spent the past 4 days in bed and was finally able to get up and shower and get some things done. I took Seroquel last night to sleep and Vyvance to wake up. But! I don't like having to use meds to counteract other meds. And, I still feel pretty awful.
One more thing: a friend of mine uses oxycodone for his back, and has given me a few here and there. I seem to have a high tolerance for pain meds; I don't get euphoric, but they make me feel "happy" and ok. Clearly, pain meds are a slippery slope, but they work. Does anyone here take pain meds (other than Tramadol or Suboxone) for their depression?
I don't see a therapist as I never found one who was useful or who I liked in the past.
What's with the rapid mood cycling this month? I don't know what I'm really asking for, I guess maybe insight or feedback.
Hope you're all faring well. Holidays can be dreadful!
-b
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2013, at 20:57:55
In reply to What's next?, posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 11:54:25
Worse than dreadful add in the rotten weather and it seems not a darn thing works. Don't do the pain meds as when had some surgery (minor) I found I was high as a kite and was so unaware of it was scary. Write? Phillipa
Posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 22:50:04
In reply to Re: What's next? » brynb, posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2013, at 20:57:55
P-
Definitely the bad weather and daylight savings and shorter days play a role. But, I'm beginning to think about doing an overhaul and trying Nardil, as I was a few months back.
I hope you're doing well!
-b
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2013, at 18:03:30
In reply to Re: What's next? » Phillipa, posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 22:50:04
And then you didn't. I forgot what the reason was but you didn't need to? Phillipa
Posted by Hugh on December 11, 2013, at 14:43:39
In reply to What's next?, posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 11:54:25
My stomach can't tolerate oxycodone, but when I've taken hydrocodone for pain, it's given my mood a nice boost. I don't want to take it for depression, though. I'd worry about tolerance and dependence and withdrawal.
Have your hemoglobin and ferritin levels been checked to rule out anemia?
This doctor at Columbia is using Deep TMS. I don't know if he's using it in his clinical practice or just for research.
http://columbiadoctors.org/prof/jaberman
There's a priming variation of standard TMS that appears to improve its efficacy considerably. Dr. Fruitman seems to be pretty open to new ideas, so it might be worth asking him if he'd consider letting you try this. Here's a description of it:
And I will be happy to have the Holidays behind me.
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2013, at 20:08:43
In reply to Re: What's next?, posted by Hugh on December 11, 2013, at 14:43:39
You and I also with the Holidays. Seem to go forever don't they? Phillipa
Posted by brynb on December 11, 2013, at 23:52:18
In reply to Re: What's next?, posted by Hugh on December 11, 2013, at 14:43:39
Hi Hugh,
Thanks for the info. Painkillers are a slippery slope, and I certainly have an addictive personality, so even though I use them occasionally, I know better than to make it a habit.
Dr. Fruitman is certainly open-minded, and it's been about a year now that I'm working with him, and I must say he's by far the best pdoc I've been to. I trust him and he "gets" me. For now, I'll be adding in Seroquel when things feel especially bad, and during that time of month, but otherwise I'm trying to stay off it. It did have a good AD effect for me.
Thanks again for the info; I hope you're well and surviving the holidays!
-Bryn
Posted by bleauberry on December 12, 2013, at 15:34:21
In reply to What's next?, posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 11:54:25
When someone takes an opioid painkiller and the result is that they do not get euphoric or high, but instead they just feel good or normal, that to me is a really strong clue as to what is going on.
Some foreign substances have a strong affinity for our opioid receptors. The substances are strong enough that our own opioids lose out in the competition. But something does have stronger affinity than those substances, and that is opioid meds. They are strong enough to kick the bad substances out and replace them with the med, similar to our own opioids except ours are too weak to compete.
The substances I am referring to are the toxins of a stealth hidden unsuspected infection, most commonly lyme disease but there are others very similar and treated the same way. The toxins cause the symptoms in the brain, but the pain pills compete with them for the same receptors, and the toxins get kicked out. They you feel better. Normal. Good. But not euphoric.
That to me is a pretty strong diagnostic clue. It is not a "mileage varies" kind of thing.
Posted by Hugh on December 12, 2013, at 16:16:11
In reply to Re: What's next? » Hugh, posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2013, at 20:08:43
> You and I also with the Holidays. Seem to go forever don't they? Phillipa
I'm counting down the days.
Posted by Hugh on December 12, 2013, at 16:26:17
In reply to What's next?, posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 11:54:25
Have you ever tried LDN (low dose naltrexone)? It causes the pituitary gland to produce more endorphins, and there's no danger of dependence. I've been taking it off and on for five years. It gives my mood a mild boost. It's good for the immune system too. Most people take it for cancer or autoimmune disorders, but some use it as an antidepressant.
Posted by sigismund on December 14, 2013, at 19:50:24
In reply to What's next?, posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 11:54:25
>One more thing: a friend of mine uses oxycodone for his back, and has given me a few here and there. I seem to have a high tolerance for pain meds; I don't get euphoric, but they make me feel "happy" and ok. Clearly, pain meds are a slippery slope, but they work. Does anyone here take pain meds (other than Tramadol or Suboxone) for their depression?
I would if I could, absolutely.
Posted by brynb on December 15, 2013, at 13:29:21
In reply to Re: What's next? » brynb, posted by sigismund on December 14, 2013, at 19:50:24
I would too, absolutely.
Posted by phidippus on December 30, 2013, at 14:41:07
In reply to What's next?, posted by brynb on December 9, 2013, at 11:54:25
With all these ups and downs, one might wonder why you aren't on a mood stabilizer.
Eric
Posted by brynb on December 30, 2013, at 15:40:46
In reply to Re: What's next? » brynb, posted by Hugh on December 12, 2013, at 16:26:17
> Have you ever tried LDN (low dose naltrexone)? It causes the pituitary gland to produce more endorphins, and there's no danger of dependence. I've been taking it off and on for five years. It gives my mood a mild boost. It's good for the immune system too. Most people take it for cancer or autoimmune disorders, but some use it as an antidepressant.
Hi Hugh-
I haven't, though this sounds like a good option. Am I wrong, or isn't this usually used to prevent and/or reverse opiate use? I love the idea that it is good for the autoimmune system, as I'm highly allergic, asthmatic, and, I believe, suffering from some sort of autoimmune issue. I'll be following up on this with my internist. Is this worth bringing up to Dr. Fruitman?
Thanks!
-b
Posted by brynb on December 30, 2013, at 15:46:25
In reply to Re: What's next?, posted by bleauberry on December 12, 2013, at 15:34:21
> When someone takes an opioid painkiller and the result is that they do not get euphoric or high, but instead they just feel good or normal, that to me is a really strong clue as to what is going on.
>
> Some foreign substances have a strong affinity for our opioid receptors. The substances are strong enough that our own opioids lose out in the competition. But something does have stronger affinity than those substances, and that is opioid meds. They are strong enough to kick the bad substances out and replace them with the med, similar to our own opioids except ours are too weak to compete.
>
> The substances I am referring to are the toxins of a stealth hidden unsuspected infection, most commonly lyme disease but there are others very similar and treated the same way. The toxins cause the symptoms in the brain, but the pain pills compete with them for the same receptors, and the toxins get kicked out. They you feel better. Normal. Good. But not euphoric.
>
> That to me is a pretty strong diagnostic clue. It is not a "mileage varies" kind of thing.Hi bleauberry-
I'm in agreement with you. I suspect I have a lot of inflammation. I have asthma and allergies, leg pain, joint pain, constant headaches and various "weird" issues (last year I swelled up with edema and got vasculitis, this year I developed shebboriac dermatitis, etc.) I don't have Lyme, but either way, I do suffer a lot physically, too. I guess specifically pinpointing it has been quite difficult, but painkillers certainly help both my physical and psychic pain.
Thanks for your input and hope all is well.
-b
Posted by brynb on December 30, 2013, at 15:51:25
In reply to Re: What's next? » brynb, posted by phidippus on December 30, 2013, at 14:41:07
> With all these ups and downs, one might wonder why you aren't on a mood stabilizer.
>
> EricHi Eric-
Typically, I don't fare well with mood stabilizers. They tend to make me either more depressed and just completely off.
I don't like AAPs, either, though I admit to feeling more stable and generally more even when I take Seroquel. I was doing well while on it this year, but dropped it about 2 months ago as I felt way too tired and slowed down by it. That said, I may have to bight the bullet and go back on it.
-b
Posted by Phillipa on December 30, 2013, at 20:59:26
In reply to Re: What's next? » bleauberry, posted by brynb on December 30, 2013, at 15:46:25
Bryn I totally forgot about the swelling? Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.