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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maryhelen on March 27, 2006, at 11:59:32
Hi everyone:
It has been a long time since I have been able to come to the board, I have been seriously depressed, and just opening the computer becomes too difficult, never mind trying to get thoughts down. I believe psycho babble is truly a superb site with intelligent, well researched, caring, compassionate members who can share and really listen and empathize, as not many others can.... we are living in these dreadful mental illnesses and disorders, and so can therefore relate. We can also learn so much from each other as we do not all have to have the exact same illnesses, disorders, conditions, diseases ......you know what I mean.
The last couple of years for myself has been hell. After trying to fight, what has turned into treatment resistant depression for 25 years, and a lifetime of anhedonia, I have still needed to be hospitalized, yet again, once for 3 months. Over all these years there has been different medications, therapies, doctors ......... I am feeling so depressed and defeated and hopeless. The reason I am able to be at the computer this evening is because I broke my wrist and I have some pain medication, which is where my problem lies. After everything I have tried to beat the depression .....going back to beginning with the trycyclics, Prozac and then subsquently all of the SSSRI's, lithium, lamitcal, 2 different MOAI's, 8 psychiatric hospitalizations,(I live in Canada and even went to the States for one) combinations of many meds, mood stablizers, anti seizure medication, 4 drug treatment centres, 2 rounds of shock therapy 2 years apart, methadone and throughout it all the different types of talk therapy and spiritual counselling, church....... I have always given the recommended time in taking the medications, unless the side effects were so severe once or twice that I had to stop taking it. One was Wellbutrin (sp) the other desipramine. I am not writing this down feeling sorry for myself although I may sound somewhat whiny. I really was going to ask a simple question about Lamitcal, and now all of this has come out.
Except for an 8 week respite, when I took Lamitcal for the depression 3 years ago, my only relief from depression are from opiates, in particular percocetts. This does not mean that I am going out and having fun. I live alone very quietly. I have not been able to work for 5 years becasue of this depression, a job I managed to hold for 30 years, against all odds. I do though get the chance to do housework, sort out my bills and finances (not much money to pay them mind you), brush my teeth and get a shower without it being such a monumental task to do when I am depressed, feeling diabled in bed. I know well how this may sound, but it has been hell for me. Of course having been told and brainwashed early on in my treatment,even until this day depending on which doctor I am talking with, that I am depressed because I take these pills. Therefore the many treatment centres, followed by years of 12 step programs and no pill taking. However, the depression would still stay with me, follow me wherever I go. I have had the same psychiatrist for the past 5 years, whom I met in a drug treatment centre, so he is very familiar with my situation. He has tried so many different meds and therapy with me and I know now that he is understading and recognizing the relief I get from the depression is with the darn opiates, certainly has credibility and knows this is the case for many. I know that, during the times of suicidal depression, despite being in hospital trying new meds with no effect, that it has been the relief I get from the depression with the percocetts, that has kept me alive. The reality is that I know this is only a temporary solution. When we tried the methadone my psych doctor felt that it would stop the use of pills, which it did, the chronic physical pain that I live with, which it did, but the prescribing doctor did not agree with using the meth for the depression and would not and did not precribe a high enough dose. I was going into full withdrawal every day until the morning dose, turning into an animal. Hospitalized once again, and being unheard, it wasn't until a wrong dose was given to me in the afternoon, a dose which could have killed me. Yet, my metabolism ate it up like it was nothing, and they finally listened and knew I was metabolizing meth quicker than anyone they had treated. Sorry, going on too long. The rest of the story with the meth was hell. I have not been on it for 6 months. Ironically, I know it would have helped the depression because it did for the 6 hours that it worked in my system. Again an opiate. I now have been waiting a long time for the Canadian Government to release a med similar to meth called buprenorphine.
In the meantime my pyschiatrist is trying to get me a bed and feels at this point we should try another round of shock treatment. I guess we are running out of options.
After all of this my question is about Lamitcal. I did get incredible relief from it about 3 years ago but the response only lasted for 8 weeks. I think that I remember reading here that others had experienced the same thing.
What I have been prescribed now is:
Lamitcal .... slowly and possibly up to 400 mg
Lithium ..... now at 900 mg.
Cipralex (Escitalopram) 25 mg. I do not know about this medication. I think it is one of the newer antidepressants. I have been unable to be on this site or research it due to the depression.
I do not want a third round of shock therapy. I would hope that the buprenorphine would be released and try it first.
In the meantime I will continue with the currrent regime and try to stand the depression and not get the percocetts, which is very hard to do.
If anyone has read through this long post and has any comments about the med combination and about reintroducing the Lamitcal ... or any experiences with Lamitcal, I would be so very grateful.
maryhelen
Posted by ed_uk on March 27, 2006, at 14:54:58
In reply to Lamitcal's longevity, posted by maryhelen on March 27, 2006, at 11:59:32
Hello
Have you ever been prescribed OxyContin?
Ed
Posted by vainamoinen on March 27, 2006, at 15:56:44
In reply to Lamitcal's longevity, posted by maryhelen on March 27, 2006, at 11:59:32
Those are some pretty hardcore opiates. I feel for you friend, it sounds like you are really suffering. What about cannabis? There are anecdotal reports of people using it to treat bipolar disorder. And you won't have such an intense withdrawl if you ever decide to stop it.
Posted by maryhelen on March 27, 2006, at 17:08:42
In reply to Re: Lamitcal's longevity » maryhelen, posted by ed_uk on March 27, 2006, at 14:54:58
> Hello
>
> Have you ever been prescribed OxyContin?
>
> EdHi Ed:
Thank you for responding to which, unintentially, became a long post.
You know, the thing that has driven me crazy all these years with percocetts is that ..... for pain management beginning years ago, I have been prescribed many meds like morphine, firional, demerol, tylenol 3's & 4's, fentanyl patches and most recently OxyContin and others I cannot remember the names of. With most of them there may be a small lift to the depression but with percocetts there must be something else in them that causes me to have my depression lifted. I don't get stoned or go out and have a good time, it just seems to get me to a place where I can function and when I was working, be able to use my brain and work. I have heard lately that a lot of people are becoming addicted to OxyContin so I thought there must be a good affect from them. When I tried them I was surprised how little they affected me either for the pain or my mood.
This whole thing drives me crazy. My psych doc went out on a limb about a month ago and prescribed dextroamphetamine, which used to be sold on the street as speed. It is used in some cases for people with treatment resistant depression. We went up to a fairly high dose after the drug was having no effect on me ... positive or negative. Even with the high dose, not split up, it did not help. I was devastated as I thought for sure a drug like this would help and I could take it in a controlled way. I feel like I am some kind on animal, taking enough drugs and strengths that should kill me and would others.
I feel so hopeless.
maryhelen
Posted by maryhelen on March 27, 2006, at 17:18:00
In reply to Re: Lamitcal's longevity, posted by vainamoinen on March 27, 2006, at 15:56:44
Thank you for your validation. Yes, I have tried cannabis a number of times as I have been told that it can help many things ...... like my migraines, insomnia, physical pain and the depression. I had tried it when I was a young teen and did not like the feeling I got from it. In my adult years, I tried different types again, maybe 3 or 4 times but, again, felt weird ....out of control of my brain and kinda hallucinating. I do know a number of people who use it medicinally and it has made a huge positive difference in their lives. I wish I could use it. Thank you for the suggestion.
maryhelen
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2006, at 21:22:54
In reply to Re: Lamitcal's longevity, posted by maryhelen on March 27, 2006, at 17:18:00
Well if you're in Canada Iknow someone in a trial of marijuana for medicianal purposes and it is working well for him. Maybe he will read this and ask about you Love phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on March 28, 2006, at 15:35:45
In reply to Re: Lamitcal's longevity, posted by maryhelen on March 27, 2006, at 17:08:42
Hi
Has your doc ever prescribed immediate-release oxycodone (ie. Percocet without the acetaminophen)? Acetaminophen does not alter mood.
There are several brands of immediate release oxycodone eg. OxyIR, Percolone and Roxicodone.
Regards
Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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