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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on December 24, 2006, at 13:11:39
With my depression being so severe lately, I've noticed that I am losing my sense of smell. Has this happened to anyone else, and does it return?
Maxime
Posted by Bob on December 24, 2006, at 13:40:28
In reply to Depression and loss of smell, posted by Maxime on December 24, 2006, at 13:11:39
> With my depression being so severe lately, I've noticed that I am losing my sense of smell. Has this happened to anyone else, and does it return?
>
> MaximeDuring my most servere episodes, everything has been dulled. My sense of smell and taste have both been affected, as well as my sense of sight, which seems, darker overall.
Posted by Maxime on December 24, 2006, at 13:47:43
In reply to Re: Depression and loss of smell » Maxime, posted by Bob on December 24, 2006, at 13:40:28
> > With my depression being so severe lately, I've noticed that I am losing my sense of smell. Has this happened to anyone else, and does it return?
> >
> > Maxime
>
> During my most servere episodes, everything has been dulled. My sense of smell and taste have both been affected, as well as my sense of sight, which seems, darker overall.
>
>I'm sorry to hear that.
At least I know that I am not too much of a freak. Thanks for responding.
Maxime
Posted by blueberry1 on December 24, 2006, at 14:48:48
In reply to Depression and loss of smell, posted by Maxime on December 24, 2006, at 13:11:39
Yeah someone came in the room yesterday and said it smelled weird. I said really, what does it smell like? I couldn't smell anything.
I think all my senses are dulled in deep depression. I remember years ago when I was coming out of long depression how green the trees looked and how purple my toothbrush looked. I'll never forget how vivid and clear everything got when the depression lifted.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 24, 2006, at 15:33:01
In reply to Re: Depression and loss of smell, posted by blueberry1 on December 24, 2006, at 14:48:48
What lifted your depression at that time?
Posted by blueberry1 on December 24, 2006, at 17:47:25
In reply to Hey Blueberry1, posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 24, 2006, at 15:33:01
> What lifted your depression at that time?
Prozac + Pindolol. Unfortunately it was a very brief response.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 24, 2006, at 22:28:04
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 » UgottaHaveHope, posted by blueberry1 on December 24, 2006, at 17:47:25
How are you feeling now? What are you taking?
Posted by KayeBaby on December 25, 2006, at 1:57:06
In reply to Depression and loss of smell, posted by Maxime on December 24, 2006, at 13:11:39
Maxine,
I'm sure you have had this checked a million times but is it possible your thyroid could be low?
Loss of smell and of course depression follows.
Peace,
Kaye
Posted by blueberry1 on December 25, 2006, at 5:44:03
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1, posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 24, 2006, at 22:28:04
> How are you feeling now? What are you taking?
I've been in very rough waters for months now. They even put me through ECT which resulted in initial worsening, 2 days of perfect normalcy, one week of psychotic mania, 2 day suicidal emergency room crash, and its been depression ever since, varying from moderate to severe on a daily basis.
It's difficult now because almost anything I try actually makes me much worse anywhere from day 1 to day 4.
Currently:
150mg LI160 St Johns Wort (Kira)
100mg Lithium Orotate
450mg EPA/100mg DHA fish oil
1.25mg zyprexa
400mg SAMeZyprexa is down from 5mg. It was making me depressed and lots of weird antipsychoticish symptoms. The others have been in place for about 5 weeks. St Johns Wort felt worse above 300mg. SAMe is only day 3 and I'm feeling it out. On the backburner I'm thinking about Whey protein powder which has all the amino acids in it, including a good balance of tryptophan and tyrosine.
More meds are likely if SAMe doesn't work out.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 25, 2006, at 17:16:17
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 » UgottaHaveHope, posted by blueberry1 on December 25, 2006, at 5:44:03
What is your diagnosis? Are you bipolar? Man, my heart goes out to you.
What was the ECT like? Would you recommend?
Posted by Phillipa on December 25, 2006, at 22:29:52
In reply to Depression and loss of smell, posted by Maxime on December 24, 2006, at 13:11:39
Maxie just home remember almost three years ago I lost my sense of taste and smell. And no it's not back. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry1 on December 26, 2006, at 15:49:20
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 AGAIN, posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 25, 2006, at 17:16:17
> What is your diagnosis? Are you bipolar? Man, my heart goes out to you.
>
> What was the ECT like? Would you recommend?My diagnosis? Well, that depends on which doctor you ask. It has been everything from depression to bipolarII to depression with anxiety. Actually when I read about all the psychiatric things, I would say I have a bit of all of them combined. Depression, anxiety, hourly or daily fluctutations, unexplained fear, uncomfortable in a crowd, uncomfortable in closed in spaces, ADHD, and everything. Take a bit of them all and stir them up and there you go.
What was ECT like? Bad. Very very bad. I would not even recommend it to an enemy. It was 3 weeks of worsened depression, increased fear and anxiety, then all of a sudden 2 days of perfect normalcy, followed by a week of psychotic agitated mania, followed by 6 police officers in my house and a ride in the ambulance to the emergency room for suicidal ideation. Not cool.
I forgot to mention that I lost 3 months of memory. 3 months are gone. Whatever happened in those 3 months, whatever I did in that time, doesn't exist. The wood pile by my house that I went and got, I do not remember. Playing my guitar in church, I do not remember. I don't remember anything in that time period. I got a call from a new employer saying I was hired and got the job. The only thing is, I don't remember quitting my other job, I don't remember applying for a new job, I don't remember the interview. All I know is that now I am in a new job making less money and I don't know how or why I got there.
Posted by Bob on December 27, 2006, at 13:44:09
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 AGAIN » UgottaHaveHope, posted by blueberry1 on December 26, 2006, at 15:49:20
> > What is your diagnosis? Are you bipolar? Man, my heart goes out to you.
> >
> > What was the ECT like? Would you recommend?
>
> My diagnosis? Well, that depends on which doctor you ask. It has been everything from depression to bipolarII to depression with anxiety. Actually when I read about all the psychiatric things, I would say I have a bit of all of them combined. Depression, anxiety, hourly or daily fluctutations, unexplained fear, uncomfortable in a crowd, uncomfortable in closed in spaces, ADHD, and everything. Take a bit of them all and stir them up and there you go.
>
> What was ECT like? Bad. Very very bad. I would not even recommend it to an enemy. It was 3 weeks of worsened depression, increased fear and anxiety, then all of a sudden 2 days of perfect normalcy, followed by a week of psychotic agitated mania, followed by 6 police officers in my house and a ride in the ambulance to the emergency room for suicidal ideation. Not cool.
>
> I forgot to mention that I lost 3 months of memory. 3 months are gone. Whatever happened in those 3 months, whatever I did in that time, doesn't exist. The wood pile by my house that I went and got, I do not remember. Playing my guitar in church, I do not remember. I don't remember anything in that time period. I got a call from a new employer saying I was hired and got the job. The only thing is, I don't remember quitting my other job, I don't remember applying for a new job, I don't remember the interview. All I know is that now I am in a new job making less money and I don't know how or why I got there.
>
>Hey Blueberry:
This is Bob again. I just wanted to state again how similar our experiences were with ECT. I too had increased panic and anxiety eventually. I was a complete mess eventually after treatments, and would change condition on an hourly basis. How I felt in the morning was not how I felt two hours later, which was not how I felt a few hours after that, etc. I was beyond extremely sensitive to all meds, and I thought I would not be able to find a safe place at all any longer. It's coming up on two years since I started treatments, and I am almost back to pre-treatment severe dysfunctionality. Not quite, though.
I can't recommend against ECT for anyone, though, as I am always told it helps most people, and that some can return to a normal life. Hey, who am I to argue?
I still think that ECT must be a Godsend to anyone who is not prone to anxiety, panic, or agitation, as it seems to be a very, very activating treatment. Of course, I'm only speaking from my experience, and apparently also yours. This seems to somewhat parallel medecines, as you often hear about agitation and restlesness from those treatments, and they seem to be often be more effective for unipolars. Unfortunately, meds designed to calm people down, if they work, eventually just numb everything out and put you to sleep.
One bright spot is that you seem to be able to work. I had to go on disablity over two years ago, and have never been close to employable since. I hate not having a job any longer.
I feel for you, Blueberry, as I had many of the same experiences, and know probably as well or better than anyone where you've been on this. Hang in there as best you can. That's what I'm trying to do.
Posted by blueberry1 on December 27, 2006, at 15:20:00
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 AGAIN » blueberry1, posted by Bob on December 27, 2006, at 13:44:09
>
> One bright spot is that you seem to be able to work. I had to go on disablity over two years ago, and have never been close to employable since. I hate not having a job any longer.Work is so very very hard. I have to put on a real fake job, it's hard to look someone in the eye, and I just feel like I walk around in a fog with an elephant on my back and a tank in my head. Really hard. The bright spot is that it is an escape and I get lots of exercise and it keeps me around people. All healthy things. If I were on my own at home I would probably be dead by now.
Posted by Bob on December 27, 2006, at 16:15:17
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 AGAIN » Bob, posted by blueberry1 on December 27, 2006, at 15:20:00
>
> >
> > One bright spot is that you seem to be able to work. I had to go on disablity over two years ago, and have never been close to employable since. I hate not having a job any longer.
>
> Work is so very very hard. I have to put on a real fake job, it's hard to look someone in the eye, and I just feel like I walk around in a fog with an elephant on my back and a tank in my head. Really hard. The bright spot is that it is an escape and I get lots of exercise and it keeps me around people. All healthy things. If I were on my own at home I would probably be dead by now.
>
>Again, I know exactly what you mean on all accounts. It got so bad in my case, that the last few years of my job were quite a mess, and led to situations where I was running elaborate deception schemes so I wouldn't get fired. It was humiliating and extrememly difficult.
Being at home is very, very, very difficult.
Posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2006, at 18:43:22
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 AGAIN » blueberry1, posted by Bob on December 27, 2006, at 16:15:17
I didn't have ECT but am on Disability and my nursing was my life so I know the feeling of nothingness and not contributing. And I too have the panic anxiety so ECT is out? Love Phillipa any suggestions?
Posted by Bob on December 28, 2006, at 15:11:48
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 AGAIN » Bob, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2006, at 18:43:22
> I didn't have ECT but am on Disability and my nursing was my life so I know the feeling of nothingness and not contributing. And I too have the panic anxiety so ECT is out? Love Phillipa any suggestions?
Unfortuately, or possibly fortunately, it doesn't seem possible to take the results of a treatment for one person and extrapolate that into predictions for others. That's why I said I could never recommend against ECT for anyone else. All I can do is say what happened to me personally. They say ECT helps many people.
Posted by Karen44 on December 28, 2006, at 20:23:26
In reply to Re: Hey Blueberry1 AGAIN » UgottaHaveHope, posted by blueberry1 on December 26, 2006, at 15:49:20
Blueberry and others
My pdoc has recommended ECT, and so I have done extensive research into the topic including evaluating research that has been done in the U.S. and elsewhere. I started to become more and more angry about the recommendation especially Harold Sackheim's contentions to use 6 to 12 times the seizure threshold with RUL. He said it works best for alieviating depression, but even with his shoddy research, there are severe cognitive impairments, especially related to nonverbal memory. I have read studies from not just psychiatry but also from neurology and neuropsychology. The long and the short of it is that each ECT treatment is likened to suffering a head injury. No one escapes some degree of cognitive impairment. Some people are okay with their deficits and try to cope with them. These are folks who are not working typically. For people like Blueberry and me, the risks outweigh the benefits. Unfortunately, two of the three risk factors for cognitive impairments, mild to severe, is being female and being over age 65. I have a job that requires a very good memory as I am often in court to testify about persons I have evaluated. From everything that I have read pro and con, it is highly likely I would no longer be able to perform my job, and I am four years from retirement, meaning I am also approaching age 65. No thanks.
After everything I read about ECT, I have decided to jump on the bandwagon to have it banned. Those who say it helped them tremendously, I have to wonder what deficits they would be willing to admit to, verbal and/or nonverbal, and was the tradeoff worth it.
Karen44
> > What is your diagnosis? Are you bipolar? Man, my heart goes out to you.
> >
> > What was the ECT like? Would you recommend?
>
> My diagnosis? Well, that depends on which doctor you ask. It has been everything from depression to bipolarII to depression with anxiety. Actually when I read about all the psychiatric things, I would say I have a bit of all of them combined. Depression, anxiety, hourly or daily fluctutations, unexplained fear, uncomfortable in a crowd, uncomfortable in closed in spaces, ADHD, and everything. Take a bit of them all and stir them up and there you go.
>
> What was ECT like? Bad. Very very bad. I would not even recommend it to an enemy. It was 3 weeks of worsened depression, increased fear and anxiety, then all of a sudden 2 days of perfect normalcy, followed by a week of psychotic agitated mania, followed by 6 police officers in my house and a ride in the ambulance to the emergency room for suicidal ideation. Not cool.
>
> I forgot to mention that I lost 3 months of memory. 3 months are gone. Whatever happened in those 3 months, whatever I did in that time, doesn't exist. The wood pile by my house that I went and got, I do not remember. Playing my guitar in church, I do not remember. I don't remember anything in that time period. I got a call from a new employer saying I was hired and got the job. The only thing is, I don't remember quitting my other job, I don't remember applying for a new job, I don't remember the interview. All I know is that now I am in a new job making less money and I don't know how or why I got there.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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