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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 rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 11:30:03
Hello
I am on 5mg of Clonazepam daily. I take 1mg every 4-5 hours DAILY, its getting to the point to where it think its untreatable.
I took 2mg just right now, i feel somewhat but im posting becuase im feeling i am going to lose it. This is some what of a way to release it.
Ok, I was on Adderall 40mg for 8 years, started in '97. It helped me through out the day, it did have some side effects when it wore off, and some with insomnia.
Right now, clonazepam suppresses this inbalance.
I wanted to ask if going back on to a stimulant would help in being stable.
It controlled my thoughts, well made them "in order" but now they are just "flouting" i get depressed, then paniced.
I wish i could get a CAT scan and see whats the froutal lobe doing.
I take Prozac 20mg, it hasnt started working, im really having a rought time.
Please can you help me with advice.
Posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2005, at 11:44:45
In reply to i need help - am i untreatable, posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 11:30:03
Matt,
I don't believe you or anyone are untreatable, but I do know you have been frustrated in finding relief. A CAT scan would not show what your frontal lobe is doing. A CAT scan is a static picture of the structures of the brain. There are no known brain imaging techniques for diagnosing mental illness.You might consider going to see a neuropsychologist for testing. A neuropsych can test you for residual affects of ADHD and for other disorders or deficits which might be causing your distress.
In addition, I would recommend working with your pdoc to decide on a drug regimen, and give it a solid and fair trial by taking it exactly as prescribed. You may need your pdoc to talk to your mother about the importance of you being able to take your medications as directed.
Finally, I also would recommend supportive psychotherapy to help you develop coping skills to combat your symptoms.
Take care,
gg
Posted by JohnB11 on July 22, 2005, at 12:50:03
In reply to i need help - am i untreatable, posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 11:30:03
Your treatment really depends on all of your symptoms. One of the keys, I've found, is seeing a good psychopharmacologist, not just some regular psychiatrist. I finally had to resort to going to a University Anxiety Disorder's Clinic, and, fortunately, received outstanding treatment right away. They were experts in anxiety disorders and in the pharmacological treatment of such.
Separately, if you're taking Klonopin, I assume it's for anxiety. Most good pdocs use Klonopin only to supplement something else. Nardil, for example, is extremely effective in treating anxiety, and social phobia and panic disorder in particular. For many, Nardil is then supplemented with Klonopin, from 1.5 mg to 3 mg/day.
johb11
Posted by iforgotmypassword on July 22, 2005, at 12:55:15
In reply to i need help - am i untreatable, posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 11:30:03
Posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 13:31:08
In reply to Re: i need help - am i untreatable, posted by JohnB11 on July 22, 2005, at 12:50:03
I take Zyprexa 2.5mg
I was on Symbyax which had Zyprexa 6mg in it, but didnt help much. I felt dissociation from it.
Posted by Racer on July 22, 2005, at 13:58:22
In reply to Re: i need help - am i untreatable, posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 13:31:08
Matt, GG was right: there is NO imaging technology that will diagnose mental illness. A CT scan won't tell you what's going on. An MRI won't tell you what's going on. Talking to a good pdoc -- probably without your mother "helping" -- is much more likely to help you.
When you do talk to your pdoc, be honest -- and give the treatment recommended a fair trial. One week is not enough time for anything, four weeks at an adequate dosage is the minimum requirement. It's hard to do that, especially when your anxiety level is so high -- I went through that last year, in September, so I can empathize with you -- but sometimes you gotta tough it out for the drugs to help.
In answer to your original question, whether you are untreatable, that's a complicated one. Are you unable to benefit from available treatments for depression and anxiety? The answer to that is easy: "No, you're not."
On the other hand, if you choose not to follow the treatment plan created for you, then the answer becomes, "yes, you are untreatable." The treatment plan your doctor offers you is only going to work if you choose to follow it.
Advice from me to you? Set up a support system to get you through the first few weeks of whatever your treatment plan entails, ask -- beg if necessary -- your pdoc to refer you to a psychotherapist, and then follow through, no matter how tough it gets. If it's still so bad after four weeks, then you can stop.
I hope that helps, Matt. And I hope that you do follow through, and that you do find relief soon.
Posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 15:03:22
In reply to GG had really good advice for you » rjlockhart98, posted by Racer on July 22, 2005, at 13:58:22
ok, sorry. I thought scans find blood flow in the brain and where there is abnormalities. I am off that obsession.
Racer, the sitation with my mom is extretrmly complicated. She pressures me that she says that she is my "caregiver", and i cant handle myself right now. She gets the doctor's side. I feel so trapped and mad, but i dont really last out at her anymore because she use that saying that im unstable. The reason im having flucutiations is because she control EVERYTHING. When i went to the pharmacy, i signed for my prescription, my mom let me. The Psyhisian (sorry) told me that it is private access to me. My mom said thank you bYE. My mom locks up my meds, mainly becuase she feels insecure becuase she feels that if she doenst control meds, or other things, she will lose it. I did at one time abuse my medication, my Adderall, but i no longer take that medication. I have to pray to God sometimes to help me get the med when i need it, in her closet with BOLTS on it. He has led the way, i am grateful for his mercy.
If i take my meds from my mom, she will call my doctor and say she feels not stable and i may abuse them, she uses that as a threat.
I have talked to counselors, everything we have gotten no where, she is just overpowering.
She sending me to collage, she paying for everything (exept for gas and books) which is good. But Racer this woman has a personality disorder that i dont know what, it is hidden.
What do you think of this situation?
Posted by gardenergirl on July 23, 2005, at 15:14:40
In reply to GG had really good advice for you » rjlockhart98, posted by Racer on July 22, 2005, at 13:58:22
Posted by bimini on July 23, 2005, at 21:38:31
In reply to i need help - am i untreatable, posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 11:30:03
Functional scans can be of valuable assistance, sadly they aren't widely utilized nor condoned by insurance. Sometimes wonder if the machines are mainly used for research. Also, they are only helpful with an experienced interpretation. I had an MRI and noone could tell me where this hole in my head came from and what possible problems it could cause. Additional scans which could are only allowed if it is a tumor or an autopsy! Ahemmm, I gotta wait till I'm dead to find out.
A neuropsychological test battery can do all those things with a remarkable accuracy. Again, the n/p test may not be covered by insurance for certain diagnostic purposes. It would definitely give you an insight of what you are dealing with.
bimini
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 24, 2005, at 16:07:13
In reply to Re: GG had really good advice for you, posted by rjlockhart98 on July 22, 2005, at 15:03:22
> Racer, the sitation with my mom is extretrmly complicated.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding the sitation with your mom to Psycho-Babble Relationships. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/relate/20050724/msgs/532840.html
Thanks,
Bob
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