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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 MOREL1 on April 4, 2004, at 20:22:47
Hi everyone,
I really haven't posted much but I have been reading posts here for a while now. Basically I'm nearing the end of my rope. I've had sleep problems for most of my life being that I sleep but never feel refreshed and I always look pale and sick and like I said fatigued. I've gone too numerous sleep tests and they say my sleeping problem is linked to anxiety and depression. Tried Remeron and that made me too sleepy. Paxil around 8 years ago and that helped with my anxiety but still always tired. Tried effexor a year ago and that helped me but had to go off it because I had to do a melatonin test for sleep trouble. Tried taking effexor again at same dose 150 and didn't really have an effect. Now I'm on Celexa for roughly two weeks. I'm still deeply depressed and feel hopeless about the future but atleast suicide isn't an option yet- only because I fear death. I'm also losing my hair eventhough I've been taking Propecia for 5 years. Basically I look sick, feel weak and tired all the time. My appetite has gotten worse. I need to get back to the gym but I cant eat, weak and always tired. Most of all i fear of being alone. I let go of a good girl a while ago. Now that my health has steadily deteriorated and physically I am unappealing now I fear growing old alone. I am thankful for a supportive family and friends but to be alone is too much to bare. I'm 24 and look like I'm 34. I never have energy look pale and sick and am going bald. I've been tired for so long. Does anyone have similar troubles? Just wish I could enjoy life. Don't know if this is the right place to post this but I dont know - I really need so kind of hope
Posted by Showtime on April 5, 2004, at 1:11:26
In reply to I see nothing in my future -help, posted by MOREL1 on April 4, 2004, at 20:22:47
> I don't have any real answers for you. I'm on the same quest to find the "right" medicine to treat anxiety/depression with very little luck. It's a LONG, frustrating process that I'm sure with as tired and worn out as you are, it seems even longer. I've been suicidal off and on (more on than off) for the past 2 years and I'm glad to hear that you haven't reached that point yet, but fear that you are dangerously close. This breaks my heart to hear cause I've been there for far too long. It's a hard, hard life. I don't have the answer for you (or myself) of a magic pill to help, but can only offer what has gotten me through the past 2 years. I don't how you feel about God, and I don't know if this the appropriate place to discuss this, but it has been the ONLY thing that has kept me on this earth during these hard years. I have discovered that even in the darkest times, there can be unbelievable JOY...but it is only possible with God. God promises that if you seek Him out, you will find Him. You will never be alone. There is hope.
Posted by Bill LL on April 5, 2004, at 10:50:35
In reply to I see nothing in my future -help, posted by MOREL1 on April 4, 2004, at 20:22:47
I don't see why your doctor let you quit Effexor after only 150 mg, especially when it showed promise in the past. You can go a lot higher than 150 mg.
Remeron and Paxil are the 2 most sedating of the newer antidepressants.
Make sure you gradually go up to at least 60 mg Celexa before giving up on it. And, talk to your doctor today about adding either Provigil or Ritalin (or Adderal) to the Celexa. These can give a lot of energy.
Posted by MOREL1 on April 5, 2004, at 16:33:14
In reply to I see nothing in my future -help, posted by MOREL1 on April 4, 2004, at 20:22:47
thank you,
I was told by my psy that i should bump my celexa to 30 and then add wellbutrin for energy. I will look into provigil by the way. Should I keep bumping up my celexa first or add the wellbutrin right at 30 of celexa? 60 of celexa seems kind of high though. I guess I just need to keep on going and hoping for something to happen.
Thanks again
Posted by MOREL1 on April 5, 2004, at 16:54:47
In reply to Re: I see nothing in my future -help, posted by Showtime on April 5, 2004, at 1:11:26
> > I don't have any real answers for you. I'm on the same quest to find the "right" medicine to treat anxiety/depression with very little luck. It's a LONG, frustrating process that I'm sure with as tired and worn out as you are, it seems even longer. I've been suicidal off and on (more on than off) for the past 2 years and I'm glad to hear that you haven't reached that point yet, but fear that you are dangerously close. This breaks my heart to hear cause I've been there for far too long. It's a hard, hard life. I don't have the answer for you (or myself) of a magic pill to help, but can only offer what has gotten me through the past 2 years. I don't how you feel about God, and I don't know if this the appropriate place to discuss this, but it has been the ONLY thing that has kept me on this earth during these hard years. I have discovered that even in the darkest times, there can be unbelievable JOY...but it is only possible with God. God promises that if you seek Him out, you will find Him. You will never be alone. There is hope.
I'm not fairly religious to be honest - I used to believe in a higher power of sorts but lately I imagine death as just blackness and i guess thats what is stopping me from taking that step. Just wondering - how do you know there is a God - i mean how can you be so sure?thanx
Posted by snapper on April 5, 2004, at 22:35:24
In reply to Re: To SHOWTIME, posted by MOREL1 on April 5, 2004, at 16:54:47
hey morel1, I know this is not the appropriate board to talk religion and spirtuality....but I too struggle with the God thing-----a lot of my doubt is due to my continued struggle w/depression and anxiety and I am sure in large part my OCD (the disease of doubt!) In any case- I doubt every single day, and still believe at the same time... I mean take a look around at the beauty of this earth , the sun, the moon, the oceans, the millions of diff. kinds of species, a butterfly a newborn baby and on and on !!! I can't prove nor disprove God. But I do know this>>
We all did NOT just happen. Even if It did just happen----who? or what? allowed it to happen. BLOWS MY MIND !!!!!!! ( at least what part of my mind I have control of right now)!! LOL
>>> ok Dr. Bob we here you comin'>> redirect!!
s
Posted by Showtime on April 6, 2004, at 1:02:31
In reply to Re: To SHOWTIME, posted by MOREL1 on April 5, 2004, at 16:54:47
MORELl-
In answer to your question (and then I'll leave it at that....guess this isn't where we discuss this), the way that I know for sure is just as Snapper explained...He's all around us. But being a former aetheist I know that didn't convince me. (-skip the long story-) Now, I know for sure He exists because of how DRAMATICALLY different my life is compared to before. If He's real and your life is centered around Him, then you'd better see a difference. He promises joy, and I got it. He promises love, and patience, and peace and forgiveness, and much more and I got it and I never had any of those things before. And some might be able to say that if He was such a great God, then why does your life suck so much?? But the amazing truth is that I've been blessed with all of that BECAUSE of my hard life. If life was easy, then I'd just go on living my life without even thinking about Him. There are so many more reasons I'm convinced, but I won't go on. I just know that it has helped more than any drug I've found so far. I'm not knocking drugs....wish I could find something that worked, but I think spirituality is a crucial componant to mental health.I hope for your best!
Posted by snapper on April 6, 2004, at 1:39:24
In reply to I see nothing in my future -help, posted by MOREL1 on April 4, 2004, at 20:22:47
Hey MOREL1, it's late and I just happened to re-read your original post and You and I have some similarities-- I let go of a Good Girl 14 years ago and I think that by doing so, it caused me to just spiral. It is a bit more complicated story than just breaking up but for now I'll just tell you this. I don't know exactly your circumstances and what not, but I am only 37 and look like I am only 30 or so........ but I do feel much older because of the continual drain that depression anxiety and stress, place on ones entire body. I also suffer from a sleep disorder as well- I have central sleep apnea and I have a device that is specifically designed to help me breathe properly at night but the biggest problem is that because My anxieties and depression are so intense, I do NOT sleep well either. I toss and turn and on my face etc. If I was able to use the CPAP machine at night, I am 100% certain that it would help - maybe not cure but most likely help substantially, my underlying dis-orders--- I know its a hard one to figure out--- which came first the Ill health then sleep problems then dep and anxiety or if they all just coincided!! In respect to you growing old alone-I can totally relate--- I am overweight but I am not ugly by any means... and therefore I feel unappealing as well - If I had the motivation and energy to go to the gym and get in shape to look better and feel better about myself, I would. but right now its just not happenin'-- i do continue to search and look for answers to getting well-I know it seems totally inconcievable right now and that is obviously your ill health talking, which in turn feed the depression and anxiety. All I can say is this, somehow some way you need to find out -which came first. Depression anxiety and ill health or sleep problems or sleep problems anxiety , depression and continued ill health. You are only 24!!! I'd kill to be 24 again. Man I was on top of things and ready to go and do and conquer. But depression and anxiety settled in and have been my compaion ever since. I am not posting back to you to make you feel worse than you already do. I am posting back because I really do beleive that If you can find out what is really wrong then you can work on making it right!! No its not easy and I for sure feel like giving up everyday but I have'nt yet so I hope you don't either. Bottom line is this, if I could have addressed the turmoil and major stresses in my life waaaaaaay back then and effectively dealt with them- I might not be struggling as hard as I am now but hind sight is 20/20 and sometimes "blind"! In any case don't throw in the towell yet. I know I am not !! Hope this helps and very best wishes too you!!
snapper
Posted by Bill LL on April 6, 2004, at 8:51:04
In reply to Re: Thanx for the support, posted by MOREL1 on April 5, 2004, at 16:33:14
MOrel- There is no problem with eventually going to 60 or 80 mg of Celexa.
I would do one change at a time. First increase the Celexa. Then wait at least one week or 2 weeks. Then if you are tired, add Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is also good for symptoms of ADD. It gave me energy when I tried it but I stopped after 6 weeks because it made me a little jittery.
Posted by harryp on April 6, 2004, at 18:44:28
In reply to I see nothing in my future -help, posted by MOREL1 on April 4, 2004, at 20:22:47
> Hi everyone,
> I really haven't posted much but I have been reading posts here for a while now. Basically I'm nearing the end of my rope. I've had sleep problems for most of my life being that I sleep but never feel refreshed and I always look pale and sick and like I said fatigued. I've gone too numerous sleep tests and they say my sleeping problem is linked to anxiety and depression. Tried Remeron and that made me too sleepy. Paxil around 8 years ago and that helped with my anxiety but still always tired. Tried effexor a year ago and that helped me but had to go off it because I had to do a melatonin test for sleep trouble. Tried taking effexor again at same dose 150 and didn't really have an effect. Now I'm on Celexa for roughly two weeks. I'm still deeply depressed and feel hopeless about the future but atleast suicide isn't an option yet- only because I fear death. I'm also losing my hair eventhough I've been taking Propecia for 5 years. Basically I look sick, feel weak and tired all the time. My appetite has gotten worse. I need to get back to the gym but I cant eat, weak and always tired. Most of all i fear of being alone. I let go of a good girl a while ago. Now that my health has steadily deteriorated and physically I am unappealing now I fear growing old alone. I am thankful for a supportive family and friends but to be alone is too much to bare. I'm 24 and look like I'm 34. I never have energy look pale and sick and am going bald. I've been tired for so long. Does anyone have similar troubles? Just wish I could enjoy life. Don't know if this is the right place to post this but I dont know - I really need so kind of hope
I was really affected by your post. The kind of situation you are describing really is unendurable, but you really are quite young and you have good reason to believe that something you haven't tried yet will work.To start with, see a good internist for complete blood work, physical evaluation, etc. The physical symptoms you are describing (feeling like your physical health is failing) could be caused by an easily treated thyroid condition. Be sure you make sure that you aren't having any other hormonal or physical problems.
I agree that you should go to a higher dose of Effexor if it worked for you in the past. Remember that the "big guns", like the MAOI's and TCA's are always available if the modern AD's don't work for you. Lots of info on both can be found in the archives.
I'm turning 29 soon, and I can really relate to feeling that there is nothing to live for. All I can say is that there's usually an even chance that things will get better if you keep going.
Be sure to see an internal medicine specialist, though! Some of your symptoms just scream hypothyroidism!
Stay cool.
This is the end of the thread.
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