![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
dr-bob@uchicago.eduShown: posts 20 to 44 of 45. Go back in thread:
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 2, 2009, at 0:32:14
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 1, 2009, at 23:59:17
> It really sounds like you may be bipolar. There is a fairly large umbrella for diagnosis and it is not uncommon these days for people with symptoms like yours to fall under it. Bipolar is not an easy diagnosis to make.
>
> I would get a hold of some lithium orotate if you can. Take 2 or 3 tablets a day.
>
> Try SJW and give it at leas 4 to 6 weeks. Give it time to work and to find the right dose.
>
>thanks, i'll add lithium and st john's wort to my next iherb order. call me dumb, but i still don't understand the difference between bipolar and plain ol' depression, or even atypical depression.. i mean, when i say mood swings, there might be like a couple hours a day where i feel okay, but i'm not exactly all over the place .. i just feel consistently crappy
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 2, 2009, at 0:33:48
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by sam K on August 2, 2009, at 0:31:03
> you cant get prescribed stimulants? i know how it feels. It makes me sick... The first day I went in the the doctors office I said, Ive taken adderall before and it helped tremendously, and I think amphetamines are the answer for my depression.
> He says ill gain "tolerance" over time. So I end up trying every med available, every ssri, abilify, seroquel, all bipolar meds, then after like a year he perscribes adderall. I have been on it for the longest out of any med and its just what i expected and Im not depressed anymore.
> it makes me sick that i was right about it and went on this crazy med train when it couldve been avoided.
>they are heavily restricted in the southern hemisphere .. reserved for ADHD and narcolepsy. when i asked my psych for ritalin, he almost threw me out his office.
Posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2009, at 18:18:48
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 1, 2009, at 22:05:42
GGG what do you mean by manually take over your breathing? Phillipa
Posted by morganpmiller on August 2, 2009, at 20:33:32
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 2, 2009, at 0:32:14
That's why BP is so tough to diagnose. I was just throwing it out ther as a possibility. Just something to consider.
Hey, I have four unopened bottles of Relentless Improvement lithium orotate, I have no problem sending you one just to get you started. I know you are struggling for some cash right now. It would take a week to get there.
Google Relentless Improvement, they are a legit very reliable supplement company.
If anything, the lithium orotate may help with reversing some damage done to the brain by chronic depression/anxiety. Lithium may increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus, where much of the damage takes place.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 2, 2009, at 22:41:29
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 2, 2009, at 20:33:32
> That's why BP is so tough to diagnose. I was just throwing it out ther as a possibility. Just something to consider.
>
> Hey, I have four unopened bottles of Relentless Improvement lithium orotate, I have no problem sending you one just to get you started. I know you are struggling for some cash right now. It would take a week to get there.
>
> Google Relentless Improvement, they are a legit very reliable supplement company.
>
> If anything, the lithium orotate may help with reversing some damage done to the brain by chronic depression/anxiety. Lithium may increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus, where much of the damage takes place.hey - i would appreciate that so much, but feel guilty at the same time! i mean my parents can technically afford to help me, but i think they have already contributed a lot, and are just running out of patience (which i understand, since there seems to be a generational difference in how depression is comprehended).
i still think B12 is an issue; i started experiencing neurological symptoms, which have cleared a bit since starting methyl-b12. my doctor said my serum b12 and homocysteine levels were fine, but according to an expert on a site i use, the readings were in fact approaching danger level.
if you can honestly afford to spare a bottle, and think it may be of some benefit, then i would hugely appreciate you sending it.
i think i will go through with the psych visit, just be completely honest about my whole history (often i go in with some preconceived idea about treatment which often creates hostility), but i just don't know where that will get me. i hate the SSRI's, SNRI's, TCA's i've tried. Nardil was a trip, but left me feeling airheaded. all signs point to Parnate i guess, unless i could get a way with a low dose of a mood stabilizer. i keep thinking about the quote Hemingway made before he killed himself regarding electroshock treatment and about how the cure was worse than the disease. obviously i don't wanna conflate my talent with his, but the creative question complicates things so much. i feel like i'm way worse off for ever beginning psychotropic treatment, hence the title of this thread
Posted by morganpmiller on August 2, 2009, at 23:23:03
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 2, 2009, at 22:41:29
>i feel like i'm way worse off for ever beginning psychotropic treatment, hence the title of this thread.
Maybe you are, maybe you are not. I would try to give the former too much attention. I mean, you obviously needed some help to begin with, otherwise you would not have tried medication in the first place.
I have no problem sending you a bottle if you are sick of asking your parents for money. Really, it is not a problem at all.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 3, 2009, at 0:23:40
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 2, 2009, at 23:23:03
> Maybe you are, maybe you are not. I would try to give the former too much attention. I mean, you obviously needed some help to begin with, otherwise you would not have tried medication in the first place.
>
> I have no problem sending you a bottle if you are sick of asking your parents for money. Really, it is not a problem at all.
>well i rang the psych today to make an appointment and he is away til september which might be a blessing in disguise, because it gives me time to experiment with other options. i could babblemail you my postal address. i would appreciate it so much, and if there is someway i can repay you, let me know; honestly, i wouldn't feel right if i couldn't in some small way. admittedly, the only way i can think of is if you're a movie fan - i get sent screeners and stuff, so could send you something.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 3, 2009, at 1:45:19
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 3, 2009, at 0:23:40
Just babblemail me your info. and maybe we can work something out.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 3, 2009, at 1:49:45
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 3, 2009, at 1:45:19
Also, if you try SJW, you may want to try a brand similar the one Germans use with both hypericin and hyperforin. It may be wise to do this since both may have mechanisms that work on depression and anxiety.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 3, 2009, at 2:03:59
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 3, 2009, at 1:49:45
> Also, if you try SJW, you may want to try a brand similar the one Germans use with both hypericin and hyperforin. It may be wise to do this since both may have mechanisms that work on depression and anxiety.
I just realized this goes against what i earlier suggested. I would go with this suggestion over the previous one after a fellow babbler brought the Germans' use of it to my attention.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 3, 2009, at 2:04:41
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 3, 2009, at 1:49:45
> Also, if you try SJW, you may want to try a brand similar the one Germans use with both hypericin and hyperforin. It may be wise to do this since both may have mechanisms that work on depression and anxiety.
i was planning on trying Kira, since i heard that's what German doctors prescribe. i have also downloaded a "mood chart" i saw SLS post once, which may be useful to work out if i am indeed 'cycling', and which might help the pdoc out. i always try keep a diary, but then get too depressed and give up, which i know is counter-intuitive; i'll have a couple days a week where i have the motivation to start stuff, but then give up. truth be told, the bipolar Dx makes more and more sense ..
Posted by morganpmiller on August 4, 2009, at 0:45:29
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 3, 2009, at 2:04:41
Hope the Kira works for you.
Just babblemail me your address or a post office address if you want that box of lithium orotate.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 4, 2009, at 4:06:51
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 4, 2009, at 0:45:29
> Hope the Kira works for you.
>
> Just babblemail me your address or a post office address if you want that box of lithium orotate.
>hey, i did yesterday ..? you not get it?
Posted by morganpmiller on August 4, 2009, at 17:26:35
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 4, 2009, at 4:06:51
for some reason I didn't..try again and if i don't get it i will just post my email here
Posted by morganpmiller on August 4, 2009, at 18:43:15
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 4, 2009, at 4:06:51
Is your babblemail turned on?
Posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2009, at 20:18:27
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 4, 2009, at 18:43:15
His name is blue so babblemail on. Phillipa hope you two reached each other.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on August 5, 2009, at 5:18:38
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 4, 2009, at 18:43:15
> Is your babblemail turned on?
yup. i sent you my address again. did it come through?
Posted by bulldog2 on August 5, 2009, at 15:46:31
In reply to damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 1, 2009, at 1:41:20
> excuse my fickleness, but i was reading thru the SSRI's HAVE DESTABILIZED ME thread and am rethinking seeing a psych now; anyway, i have a few questions first.
>
> after reading thru symptoms, i think that on the surface, i probably present mild bipolar symptoms at the moment - i've never had a manic episode (though i used to get easily addicted to stuff, which im guessing is a coping mechanism in any anxiety disorder?) poor sleep, pain, compromised cognitive functioning (attention + learning difficulties), mood swings (rock back-and-forth between anhedonia and feeling suicidal).
>
> what's been most difficult for me is chicken-and-the-egg stuff: am i depressed cos am i pain (which has a legitimate basis in just completely abusing my body thru computer overuse) or visa versa? ditto with concentration issues, etc.
>
> i have always been anxious & OC, but most of these symptoms presented themselves AFTER going on SSRI's. no SSRI has helped me. i couldn't handle Nardil. my cognitive functioning is/was my most prized asset and i'd happily trade everything else to have that back. since no one will prescribe stims, the only thing left seems to be Parnate, but i am scared about the insomnia since my sleep sucks already.
>
> i know it's not up to others to decide for me, but i was wondering if maybe people here who have been on meds for a long time or received a misdiagnosis for bipolar would suggest i hold off for a little bit, cos i feel a bit trapped at the moment. i also see a lot of my symptoms mirrored in other stuff like endocrine issues, but no GP will test my hormone levels b/c they think i'm a hypochrondriac. i consulted a Naturopathic Doctor yesterday who is going to arrange for more thorough blood testing (possibly heavy metal as well if i can afford it), but it's costly, and i will have to take the process slowly.
>
> i am doing everything to get my pain levels down - fish oil, borage, curcumin - last night i found out glycine works really well for restful sleep. i am thinking of maybe just going on SJW for the time being to help with stress. i have no real responsiblities like school, i'm 23 and live with my parents, so time is on my side for now- i stopped working as a writer until i can get this all sorted out, and have a part-time job to help me. what scares me though is how terrible my congition is (i can barely follow movies, and just forget books as i read them), so if something is genuinely wrong, i dont wanna delay it ...
>
>For me the parnate insomnia went away.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:21:20
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by bulldog2 on August 5, 2009, at 15:46:31
How long did it take for the parnate insomnia to go away? How bad was it?
Man I need an antidepressant that will help me abolish my negative feeling. I need one that will make me feel like a different person in a fairly short period of time. I am sooooo miserable. Did parnate do this for you, or at least something close?
Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:23:57
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by g_g_g_unit on August 5, 2009, at 5:18:38
morganpmiller@yahoo
i don't think anyone on this site is going to expose my email to anything worse than it is exposed to.
yeah for some reason im not getting your babblemail
Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:41:39
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by bulldog2 on August 5, 2009, at 15:46:31
Crap I just read your post. I guess it did not have all those wonderfully powerful effects on you. I know that does not mean that I will not respond well.
Posted by Sigismund on August 6, 2009, at 16:01:55
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 19:41:39
I have heard people say that the Parnate insomnia never goes away.
I sleep badly anyway, so I am sure that would apply to me.Then again, there are others for whom the insomnia did stop.
Posted by morganpmiller on August 6, 2009, at 17:55:27
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't » morganpmiller, posted by Sigismund on August 6, 2009, at 16:01:55
Thank you
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 6, 2009, at 20:52:49
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't » morganpmiller, posted by Sigismund on August 6, 2009, at 16:01:55
Hi:
I've been very lucky. I haven't had any insomnia on 50mg Parnate. First the nighttime amytriptyline gave me really good sleep. Now the switch to nighttime nortriptyline is fine. I don't have insomnia. It doesn't knock me out so I have to wait about 15-20 minutes before I go to sleep. But then I sleep all night and feel fine in the morning. I hope it keeps up. I HATE insomnia!!
gayle
Posted by morganpmiller on August 6, 2009, at 21:15:57
In reply to Re: damned if you do, damned if you don't, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on August 6, 2009, at 20:52:49
That's awesome Parnate is working so well for you..yeah I used to not mind insomnia but nowadays I'm kinda hating it also.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
dr-bob@uchicago.edu
Script revised: October 4, 2007
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-08 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.