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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Noa on November 7, 1999, at 19:53:11
Damn. Was feeling increasingly better, but have started feeling depressed again. It is hard for me to know whether to think about another change in meds, or if that is beside the point, given the stress I am under. I am overwhelmed at work. I have an adversarial legal situation pending. My apartment is no longer feeling like a home, it is so disgusting. Some difficult stuff came up in therapy. My privacy in therapy may end up being invaded by the legal thing. My finances are a mess. Will a change in meds help me deal with all of that?
Also, I am already on a multi-med combo. My doc talks about adding lithium, neurontin, or lamictal. Do I just keep adding and adding meds? At what point do we evaluate the combo? How?
Posted by Racer on November 7, 1999, at 22:22:39
In reply to Getting depressed again, posted by Noa on November 7, 1999, at 19:53:11
Gee, you couldn't ask an easy question, could you?
All I can tell you is that the right meds will allow me to handle things that come up, so I'd say that combo may not be doing it for you. You already know that. Maybe it helps to have someone else confirm that for you? I hope so.
The home issue is resonating here, my apartment is terrible, and I can't even sleep in my bed because the last time I did laundry, it all ended up on my bed rather than being put away! I'm sleeping on the sofa...
I've been setting tiny goals and trying to meet them, which helps me. Maybe that would help you? I also reach out and touch anyone I can, spending time on the telephone, usually not saying much of interest (thank god for friends who can babble!), but at least interacting while folding clothes, washing dishes, etc.
I'm sorry you're sliding. Here's some good wishes for you, and anything else you ask for.
Posted by Cindy on November 7, 1999, at 23:33:44
In reply to Re: Getting depressed again, posted by Racer on November 7, 1999, at 22:22:39
> Gee, you couldn't ask an easy question, could you?
>
> All I can tell you is that the right meds will allow me to handle things that come up, so I'd say that combo may not be doing it for you. You already know that. Maybe it helps to have someone else confirm that for you? I hope so.
>
> The home issue is resonating here, my apartment is terrible, and I can't even sleep in my bed because the last time I did laundry, it all ended up on my bed rather than being put away! I'm sleeping on the sofa...
>
> I've been setting tiny goals and trying to meet them, which helps me. Maybe that would help you? I also reach out and touch anyone I can, spending time on the telephone, usually not saying much of interest (thank god for friends who can babble!), but at least interacting while folding clothes, washing dishes, etc.
>
> I'm sorry you're sliding. Here's some good wishes for you, and anything else you ask for.Noa and Racer, I can relate to what you're saying. My life is a mess, my tiny house is a mess, my relationships are a mess, and my job is overwhelming right now. I'm not sure there's any magic pill to "cure" real life! Every day this week, I thought seriously about driving my car into another car head on, and started myself back on Luvox (hope my psych doc isn't angry, but my next appt. wasn't for 2 more weeks!). Hang in there, guys! Your messages always perk me up; I'm sorry to hear you're feeling down and hope it lifts soon.--Cindy
Posted by JohnL on November 8, 1999, at 3:52:10
In reply to Getting depressed again, posted by Noa on November 7, 1999, at 19:53:11
Hi Noa. Damn! That's happened to me several times. It really wrenches my gut to see someone else suffering the way you are. Sorry bout that.
The whole cocktail of meds you are taking doesn't seem very effective. Usually adding a 2nd or 3rd med is to turn a partial response into a full response. But from your post it sounds like there is barely even a partial response. All the concerns you mentioned would seem much milder and more manageable if the meds were workiing. Perspective is blown way out of proportion when we are depressed. Yeah?
So I'm curious. What meds are you currently taking? What doses? How long? And what has been tried in the past? We can only trust that our doctors know what they're doing. But a lot of times they don't. Maybe we could figure something out here to discuss with the doctor.
Posted by Adam on November 9, 1999, at 12:19:46
In reply to Getting depressed again, posted by Noa on November 7, 1999, at 19:53:11
Noa,
You are currently dealing with a number of stressors that even the most
cheerful of individuals might find extremely upsetting. I can't say if
your meds are working for you or not, but even if they are working, a life
without affect is not to be had (or desired, if you ask me) from anti-
depressant treatment. The feelings of depression and disarray may be quite
natural under the circumstances.Just a thought.
> Damn. Was feeling increasingly better, but have started feeling depressed again. It is hard for me to know whether to think about another change in meds, or if that is beside the point, given the stress I am under. I am overwhelmed at work. I have an adversarial legal situation pending. My apartment is no longer feeling like a home, it is so disgusting. Some difficult stuff came up in therapy. My privacy in therapy may end up being invaded by the legal thing. My finances are a mess. Will a change in meds help me deal with all of that?
> Also, I am already on a multi-med combo. My doc talks about adding lithium, neurontin, or lamictal. Do I just keep adding and adding meds? At what point do we evaluate the combo? How?
Posted by Bob on November 9, 1999, at 23:28:59
In reply to Re: Getting depressed again, posted by Adam on November 9, 1999, at 12:19:46
>The feelings of depression and disarray may be quite natural under the circumstances.
So, sounds like you need to start blowing some sunshine up your butt.
Hey, I'm serious. It works for me. I'll have to post my web page so people can take the oath and join the BSUYB Campaign Against Negativity and Cynicism Everywhere 'Round (CANCER).
> > Also, I am already on a multi-med combo.So, Noa ... any chance you're overmedicated? This time I *am* serious. I'm down to one-eighth my daily dose of Z from 2.5 weeks ago, and I was borderline manic the other day (had some wonderful daydreams about how I was going to spend some as-yet-to-be-received paychecks on CDs and books and a digital camera (Canon PowerShot A50) and some expensive gifts for my mostly-girlfriend and dinner at Cafe Mozart for a couple of friends and ... well, I only did a few hundred dollars worth of damage (two framed posters for girlfriend, $110; unfinished wooden chest for dog toys, $140).
There WAS a point in there ... I'm cutting OUT a major med -- a major class of meds (no more SSRIs for me) -- it's the end of my psychotropic world as I know it and I feel fine ....
(I'll do some meditation and try to send some of this goofiness your way ... I still have too much of it!)
Bob
Posted by Adam on November 10, 1999, at 16:57:25
In reply to Re: Getting depressed again, posted by Bob on November 9, 1999, at 23:28:59
> >The feelings of depression and disarray may be quite natural under the circumstances.
>
> So, sounds like you need to start blowing some sunshine up your butt.
>
> Hey, I'm serious. It works for me. I'll have to post my web page so people can take the oath and join the BSUYB Campaign Against Negativity and Cynicism Everywhere 'Round (CANCER).
>
No one was suggesting Noa think happy thoughts and it would all go away. The suggestion was that
he had a lot to deal with at the moment, and that if he was feeling himself becoming less happy, it
might be due to a normal response to stress vs. a failure of the medication. Life events need to
be taken into account.It's no less absurd to assume that the sun will start shining out your behind if you put a happy
face to adversity than it is to assume it all will go away with the right pill. I'm not trivializing
Noa's disorder or his situation. I've felt bad enough to know better. Medication changes can be
disruptive enough. The decision ought to be weighed carefully, especially in a time of turmoil.
That's all.
Posted by Bob on November 10, 1999, at 21:40:10
In reply to Re: Getting depressed again, posted by Adam on November 10, 1999, at 16:57:25
> No one was suggesting Noa think happy thoughts and it would all go away.
Actually, Adam, I *was* suggesting exactly that, but I think Noa knows me well enough that you can't blow any sunshine anywhere with your tongue inserted firmly into your cheek.... ;^)
I'm saving the Ruby Slippers for myself, tho.
(sorry if you thought that was directed at you, Adam, you point is well taken. I'm just trying to get my buddy to laugh)
(So grrl, when you're ready to take the Oath, lemme know)Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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