Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 135980

Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

I think I'm a lost cause!

Posted by denise528 on January 15, 2003, at 13:13:48

I've just been to see my psychiatrist, I've been taking Lamictal since June and told him that it wastn't doing anything at all. The thing is because I'm not having an adverse reaction to it he wants me to keep taking it. I can't understand it, that's like giving me smarties and telling me to stay on them because there are no side effects!

Now he wants to add in Tegretal (another mood stabiliser would you believe), I've told him that my mood doestn't need stablising it needs lifting.

He won't prescribe MAIOs because he says they are second line treatment, I'm not even sure they would work anyway, nothing else seems to (apart from Zyprexa) but I thought maybe I could give it a try (why not).

I think my psychiatrist seems to think that because I'm still going to work, can still read the paper and watch T.V everything is hunky dory. The fact that I'm still suicidal most of the time (sometimes more so than others), don't want to talk to anyone, don't want sex, don't look forward to or plan anything and am a complete misery doestn't seem to matter to him.

I've just had a review at work and some of the feedback from my peers really upset me (although it's true).

It said "Denise is very very quiet and isolated from the team despite attempts to involve her more in the group and contact can often be negligible for days on end". God I really wish I didn't exist.

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528

Posted by justyourlaugh on January 15, 2003, at 13:36:56

In reply to I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by denise528 on January 15, 2003, at 13:13:48

denise,
i cetainly can relate to much of what you said.
you sound like you need to talk this out with someone.(it would b better if the person was not invisable.
mabe your pdoc can see improvments in your meds that you do not?
ahhhh you know whats best for you.
one thing they seem to forget-every one is different.mabe they want us all in a locked room together.-like in the movie "snake pit"its a movie from the 50's i think.
denise why dont you post later in social.
i would love to hear from you.
jyl

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528

Posted by jay on January 15, 2003, at 14:00:33

In reply to I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by denise528 on January 15, 2003, at 13:13:48


Hi Denise:

Your symptoms sound like classic depression, and maybe your pdoc is being over-cautious in not wanting to add an antidepressant. What have your reactions to antidepressants been in the past?

And...can you get a second opinion? You have a right to that, you know. Ask your doctor (gp) for a referal to another psychiatrist?

I know it *sucks* doing all this waiting...especially with little relief. You are far from being a lost cause, though, so hang in and hang on.

Best...
Jay

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause!

Posted by fluffy on January 15, 2003, at 14:20:54

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528, posted by jay on January 15, 2003, at 14:00:33

I would also second that advice--
Get a second opinion. I know it's scary, esp. if you've been seeing this particular doctor for awhile. But it sounds like he/she is not really listening to you. I had a similar experience in which my pdoc would only respond with hmmm...hmph...or ohh.... Sometimes they don't have the greatest bedside manner. What is your formal dx? Try looking for a mood disorder clinic if you live in a larger city. They are generally more attentive and detailed with patients.

I was diagnosed BPII not long ago, and was going to the same ol' doc who fed me antidepressants with my first depressive episode. After my condition became more complicated, he seemed unwilling to change meds and listen to the problems I was having with meds that *used to* work.

I just found a mood disorder clinic that costs the same as the med checks with my old doc, and I think the change will be really good!

Don't worry! You are NOT a hopeless cause. Who cares what your co-workers think. They probably have no clue what it's like to be clinically depressed. It's your cross to bear, and it may be horrifying at times, but I promise it gets better. Sorry to be cheesy--but HANG IN THERE!--remember that poster with the kitten on the tree limb?

The people on this board are experienced and very empathetic. If this helps for now then KEEP DOING IT!! (or anything else that keeps you out of trouble for the time being....)

TAKE CARE!
Keep in touch,
Katy

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause!

Posted by JohnL on January 15, 2003, at 16:57:06

In reply to I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by denise528 on January 15, 2003, at 13:13:48

Hi there,

I agree with you, that Lamictal at this point doesn't make any sense to continue.

You mentioned something about Zyprexa. I think that is a purely awesome idea. To really put the odds strongly in your favor though, take with a little bit of Prozac too. The combination is far superior than either alone, and you should be able to get away with minimum doses or lower.

I've tried Lamictal too. And a bunch of others too. Of them all, the combo of Prozac plus Zyprexa was very impressive.

As for your doc, that is disappointing. I had several docs like that too. Finally when I was shopping for a new one, I made it clear up front that I wanted to do as many short trials of different meds as possible (1 to 4 weeks each). I didn't want to be stuck on any med for 6 or more weeks. I wanted it to work within two weeks, I had faith that the right med for my brain chemistry would indeed work that fast, I didn't want some doc slowing me down.

I found the doc I was looking for. He was caring, and he let me try just about anything I wanted to, as long as I brought in research supporting what I wanted to do. He wanted me to be involved and to make my own decisions.

It does get better. Hang in there!

JohnL

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528

Posted by viridis on January 16, 2003, at 3:47:48

In reply to I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by denise528 on January 15, 2003, at 13:13:48

It sounds like you've figured out your doctor's approach very well -- as long as you're functional and not about to do something drastic, apparently he feels that's good enough. I've had plenty of experience with GPs/psychiatrists like that; they don't want to take any risks, and would rather have you miss out on life than chance a medication they don't know a lot about, or that might conceivably cause a bad reaction.

Obviously, you want a doctor who's cautious in a reasonable way, but this one sounds much too conservative, and doesn't seem to be listening to you. I'm with the others here -- get a second opinion if you possibly can. There are some wonderful psychiatrists out there; it can take a while to find them, but it's worth it when you do.

Good luck!

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause!

Posted by Noa on January 16, 2003, at 5:28:08

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528, posted by viridis on January 16, 2003, at 3:47:48

Denise, I don't know enough about the particular meds you are taking, but fwiw, I did feel like a lost cause through the long search for the right combo of meds. Keep hanging in there. If, after exhausting all the options that your pdoc wants to try you still are not ok, seek another opinion. 2nd opinion consults can't hurt.

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause to JYL

Posted by denise528 on January 17, 2003, at 14:35:17

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528, posted by justyourlaugh on January 15, 2003, at 13:36:56

Hi Jyl,

Thanks for the response, I was on a downward slide so had to take Zyprexa last night so am feeling slightly better although still sick of it all.

I only see my psychiatrist once every 2 months so I don't know how he can judge whether I'm better or not. The fact that I'm still getting suicidal indicates that I'm not.

I'm going to see another psychiatrist but I feel that they are only as good as the drugs they prescribe and they all have access to the same drugs. Sometimes I wonder if its worth the effort, I would probably kill myself if it weren't for the fact I think that just maybe there is a hell and I know how devastated my mum would be. She's the last person I want to hurt.

I will post on Socialbabble, when I'm feeling a bit more sociable.

I get sick of scouring the net searching for an answer, it's really soul destroying.

Denise

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause!

Posted by denise528 on January 17, 2003, at 14:41:13

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528, posted by jay on January 15, 2003, at 14:00:33

Hi Jay,

Thanks, I will hang on but I'd love to just let go. So far I've tried Prozac, Sertraline, Prothiaden (Tricyclic), Lithium, Lamictal, Effexor and Remeron. The thing is I used to respond to any drug I tried and really quickly. Where they used to make me more relaxed and motivated they now make me agitated and apathetic at the same time so I really don't understand what's going on. It's like the rugs been pulled from under my feet.

As all of the above drugs haven't worked this time round I'm starting to think I'm really resistant.

I was thinking about trying TrMS but again as always the case I'm hearing positive and negative reports.

Denise

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause! To Jay

Posted by denise528 on January 17, 2003, at 14:41:39

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528, posted by jay on January 15, 2003, at 14:00:33

Hi Jay,

Thanks, I will hang on but I'd love to just let go. So far I've tried Prozac, Sertraline, Prothiaden (Tricyclic), Lithium, Lamictal, Effexor and Remeron. The thing is I used to respond to any drug I tried and really quickly. Where they used to make me more relaxed and motivated they now make me agitated and apathetic at the same time so I really don't understand what's going on. It's like the rugs been pulled from under my feet.

As all of the above drugs haven't worked this time round I'm starting to think I'm really resistant.

I was thinking about trying TrMS but again as always the case I'm hearing positive and negative reports.

Denise

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause to Katy

Posted by denise528 on January 17, 2003, at 14:59:02

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by fluffy on January 15, 2003, at 14:20:54

Hi Katy,

Like you antidepressants used to work for me up until about 4 years ago. I stupidly came off them, thinking I could always go back on them and they'd work their magic straight away. I really regret coming off them as if I hadn't I don't feel I would be in this position now.

i can't believe that I'm like this now, only 3 years ago I was fine, normal etc and then I suddenly found myself depressed again and for no apparent reason. On the surface I have everything going for me but it means nothing. If you have no will then there is no way.

I just can't understand why the don't work anymore and I wish someone would tell me.


I'm going to see another psychiatrist but I think they're all pretty much the same, after all they all have access to the same drugs and their approach is pretty standard (in the UK it is any way. I'd like someone to be a bit more radical and not leave me on a drug for so long. I've been on Lamictal since June and then I went to see my psychiatrist the other week and he then he tells me that 200mg istn't enough. Then why has he left me on it for 5 months without increasing the dose. I think they just get complacent after a while.

I'd have ECT but everyone looks appalled when I even menion it and then there are people who say it wrecked their life and then others who say it saved there life, it doestn't make any sense.

Can I ask what you're on now and if it's working?


Sorry to whine.


Denise

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause! To JohnL

Posted by denise528 on January 17, 2003, at 15:22:30

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by JohnL on January 15, 2003, at 16:57:06

John,

I've seen your posts going way back, that's how I found out about Dr Martin Jenson's technique.

You're so lucky to have found a psychiatrist who would do short trials, there is no way you would find someone in the UK who would do that, whenever I've mentioned it to them they just dismiss the idea. It seems to me that all have approach and follow the same guidelines. I'm sure I could do there job, they ask the same questions on the initial consultation and they all go down the same old path.
I know I shouldn't complain about them, after all they're not to blame if the drugs don't work but at £200 pounds a time you'd expect to see some results.when they're not helping me. The last psychiatrist I had a consultation asked me as part of the consultation, what my salary was as he said he need to know to gauge how stressful my job was but I felt slightly uneasy about it wondering if he was trying to work out how much to charge me (I had mentioned to him about not going throuh my insurance)

I've tried prozac, adding zyprexa as and when needed and I didn't feel any special synergie but what I have found is that if I take 10mg of Zyprexa without anything at all I feel much better the following day and then don't feel the need to take it for another two weeks.

Maybe I should just stick to the Zyprexa and be grateful that there is something that helps but I can't help pining for the way I used to feel when the SSRIs, tryclics used to work, because I felt so much better then.


Denise

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528

Posted by IsoM on January 17, 2003, at 15:42:00

In reply to I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by denise528 on January 15, 2003, at 13:13:48

Denise, remember you asked me this question a while back?

"Just wondering, if dopamine depletion causes with Parkinson's Disease and if lowering dopamine levels also blunts emotion, effects motivation etc then why is it that people with Parkinsons Disease don't necessarily suffer from depression or apathy.
I was reading a book by Michael J Fox and he seems a motivated, positive kind of person.
Also, why is it that when I take an antipsychotic like Zyprexa, which supposedly lowers dopamine levels, do I feel more motivated and alive? Could it be that when I initially take it it increases my dopamine levels in some way?"

I'm sorry but my life for the last couple of months has been unsettled & hectic. I haven't come across anything on this & can't add anything of value.

There's a few very educated people posting on this board, one an Associate Professor in Biology (name withheld to protect privacy), who may have more to offer. Why not repost your question with a subject line like "Parkinson's, Dopamine and Zyprexa Question" & see if any respond?
Sorry I haven't been able to help.

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause to Katy

Posted by fluffy on January 17, 2003, at 17:56:00

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause to Katy, posted by denise528 on January 17, 2003, at 14:59:02

> Hi Katy,
>
> Like you antidepressants used to work for me up until about 4 years ago. I stupidly came off them, thinking I could always go back on them and they'd work their magic straight away. I really regret coming off them as if I hadn't I don't feel I would be in this position now.

Yeah--
I know what you mean, Denise. I thought the exact same thing. Like, DAMN! If I had just taken the Paxil and just not questioned why, this would have never happened. Well unfortunately, it seems that SSRI's can exascerbate Bipolar disorder--bringing on "mixed states". which was what happened to me-- I was very suicidal and unable to sleep--I had massive agitation and a sense of unreality. Or--they can cause people to shoot straight into mania. I was recently diagnosed bipolar II, and was taken off the antidepressants (zoloft, and before Lexapro and Paxil...). I cycled out for awhile like a rollercoaster, and then started feeling stable on Tegretol. So far, I'm on a low dose, but I'll probably go up over time, or add something if I start having "an episode". I have also searched the web, hoping to find the magic answer. The only site that made any sense to me was one on Bipolar II...I'll send you the link.
>

> I'm going to see another psychiatrist but I think they're all pretty much the same, after all they all have access to the same drugs and their approach is pretty standard (in the UK it is any way. I'd like someone to be a bit more radical and not leave me on a drug for so long. I've been on Lamictal since June and then I went to see my psychiatrist the other week and he then he tells me that 200mg istn't enough. Then why has he left me on it for 5 months without increasing the dose. I think they just get complacent after a while.
>

They DO!! You have to stay on those guys and make sure they know how you are feeling. If you can get more frequent appts., that would be great. All psychiatrists are NOT the same!! There are innumerable drug combos that might help you, but THEY are the ones who hold the keys--and yeah--they went to school to learn about the brain. So as much as you may feel like you don't trust your doc right now, try to be patient with the process. I know that when I was spiraling on SSRI's I didn't trust ANYONE!! AND I HATED my doc for it.

Now that I'm stabilized, I still think he's an asshole, but I'm glad he dealt the right hand of drugs to help me for the time being...(and now I'm switching docs..he, he.)

I'll send you the link to the site about BP II,,.it's good.

take care,
Keep in touch--I'm thinking about you, even though I've never met you. Your story sounds similar to mine.-- And it DOES get better.
Katy

 

Re: I think I'm a lost cause!

Posted by fluffy on January 17, 2003, at 17:58:06

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528, posted by IsoM on January 17, 2003, at 15:42:00

Here's the link:
http://www.psycheducation.org/start/BPIntro.htm

 

Re: Thanks to you all

Posted by denise528 on January 18, 2003, at 4:48:19

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause!, posted by fluffy on January 17, 2003, at 17:58:06

Thanks so much for getting back to me and giving me support, it is really selfless of you all.

It seems that I always come on here to ask questions, never to provide advice or encouragement.

I took 5mg of zyprexa 2 days ago and am feeling more clear headed, stronger and more rational.

isoM - I hope you're feeling better now, I wondered why you hadn't posted for a while. Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a try.

Fluffy,

Thanks for the URL, I'll take a look at it now.

Denise

 

Re: To ISOm

Posted by denise528 on February 20, 2003, at 12:40:38

In reply to Re: I think I'm a lost cause! » denise528, posted by IsoM on January 17, 2003, at 15:42:00

Hi,

Hope you're feeling better, are you? Is the Adrafinil still working?

Thanks for remembering my post and thanks for responding to it. Yes, I did do as you suggested and got two responses, although not sure where they are now, am just searching for them. Sometimes though I think that any theories on why the drugs do or don't work doestn't really make much different at the end of the day it's all purely conjecture and speculation, it's not going to alter anything, they either work or they don't it's as simple as that.
The main thing I can't get to grips with is how a drug that once made me feel so relaxed, energetic, motivated and bouyant could make me feel so tense, anxious, apathetic and depressed when I take it three years later. Anyway I won't keep harping on about it my boyfriend gets sick of hearing it.

Even so, it's interesting, I just wish sometimes they could take my brain out and rewire it so that it works properly again.


Denise


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