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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 12:47:09
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 12:31:05
So who are these women? Don't answer if you don't want to :)
Steroids are often used during exacerbations of MS but they do tend to cause a lot of side effects, including psychiatric side effects. The risk of side effects is certainly minimised by keeping the course short, however.
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 12:59:09
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 12:31:05
I often think about, and ruminate, over the tons and tons of med combos i tried, just to feel as most humans do every second of every day.
To think how productive i was on a job, and did not fail, on benzos and stimulants, and of course, lots of booze at night, great combo.
One time, i THOUGHT I had it, maybe i did. Trileptal, lyrica, zyprexa, i think celexa (which would still make me irritable, semi derealized, unable to read), but it didn't work, til i added provigil, when i thought provigil was a miracle drug, it put me in the present moment, which i was and never am, stuck in my own head thoughts. And of course my mind/memory, has to point out, i wasn't on benzos then. it loves to do that, to see intrusive images from the past, and say, i wasn't even on benzos then. I was fat, didn't want to do anything other than work, and play video games.
But i felt fine at my best friends' wedding (whom i have alienated now, and don't speak to, after the way i have acted on psychotropic drugs over the years). I could easily have gone and visitedmy family up in san francisco area, which i normall couldn't have.I remember, being on celexa during my valium taper in china, the celexa was BRUTAL to me beyond belief. I could not make the flight home, no way. So we added zyprexa to do so, i slept the whole flight, and i slept some 30 hours when i got home, i remember waking up in the middle of the night, and it was SO calm, it felt like the perfect moment, like it used to feel during xmas when i would visit my parents during college.
Adding the zyprexa, i thought was a miracle, i was looking at the newspaper, looking for local cultural/concerts to go to, thinking about golfing, about doing things i hadn't wanted to do in a LONG time. My spanish PDOC was in china, i wrote to her about zyprexa, WOW Elizabeth, i mean WOW. Then i had to up and up and up, to 30mgs
I wonder if these drugs have any place in my life anymore, as on them, i never saw a future, just an existence, trying to feel ok, trying to get through the day, or if it is time to get clean from them, let the brain return to it's whatever homeostasis it could now figure out, although, you can sense my memory, and the trauma that i've been through. How it would deal or sort that, i don't know.
Once again, i apologize about the ranting.
Once in my life, i wanted to be a writer, philosophy, maybe like nietzsche, some of my fav philosophy writers, and add in some beet writers, a little keroauc, burroughs, bukowski, ginsberg, etc.
But i'm stuck speaking of a horrible psychiatric history, that nobody cares about. I would have been much better off being a functional alcoholic, as i was out of college, while working a prestigous corporate job, although i was derealizaed at the time.
Had i known that the antidepressant, lexapro, was making me super irritable and depressed, as all antidepressants do, had i just dropped the booze and antidepressant so many years ago, how my life would be,,,...hhhhmmmm
I THOUGHT Paxil saved my life at age 19, when 3-4 brutal panic attacks were going on, had severe agoraphobia, couldn't leave the house w/o drinking. Thumbing through my psychology textbook during college, i saw "panic disorder", and i vividly remember putting my finger on it. Saw a shrink, put on paxil, all was well, it went away, it stopped, life resumed.
In retrospect, i should have simply saw a psychologist. What 19 year old, who in Seattle, was the popular jock in high school, then moves to college in san diego, near mexico, where i become the outcast, made fun of, picked on, and of course the underclassmen baseball players had to do a lot of crap.
What person wouldn't begin panic attacks? Although yes, i had an affinity for panic attacks when smoking ocassional marijuana in HS. My first panic attack was at age 15, and they were an annual thing. I had no clue what they were. I was just under the assumption that people lost their crap every once in a while.
Once again, have i apologized for writing so much crap that nobody cares about?
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 13:05:20
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 12:47:09
> So who are these women? Don't answer if you don't want to :)
>
> Steroids are often used during exacerbations of MS but they do tend to cause a lot of side effects, including psychiatric side effects. The risk of side effects is certainly minimised by keeping the course short, however.LOL
Well at first, when i went to the hospital for a CT/MRI, where they initially thought it was a blood clot.
I had this odd sensation in my head, this pressure, i told them MAKE this go away, and i promise you that i can think again, and not just hear my own voice.
My neuro started me off with a 12 day steriod treatment before copaxon, to see if we could rid ths sensation in my head.Oh, these women.
Seeing as i'm not drinking, and going out to bars/clubs, and that i am not part of the local religion in Utah, Mormanism, I use some pretty good dating websites.
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 13:17:55
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 12:43:43
> >I don't think that any amount of benzo could cover what my wd symptoms are/were.
>
> I don't know Brian. Not all of your symptoms are caused by withdrawal, only some of them. No amount of any benzo will get rid of all your symptoms, but an appropriate dose should be effective in reducing the withdrawal symptoms.
>
> >I could drive, but it would cost 300 dollars to get my license back, don't think it's in the cards,
>
> I don't think now is the right time. High doses of medication + your underlying condition make driving risky. You might get hurt.
>
> >Do you think hold 900 trileptal, or any plans of increasing this?
>
> I think you should keep it the same for now. It sounds like you've found a reasonable dose, so I don't think you should rock the boat.
>
> >The teaching job in korea could begin in perhaps 2 months, maybe good timing?
>
> A lot can happen in two months. Things could be a lot better then. It's really something that you want to do, isn't it?
>
> >In your heart of hearts, think I need off the benzo, and that it's the problem Ed???????
>
> I think it's part of the problem, but not the only problem. I certainly think that you need to get down to a lower dose. Whether you will stablise on a low dose or withdraw completely, I don't know.
>
> >I believe PDOC said hold it at least 2 weeks, and maybe on it long term, but i should give a crap what that guy says.
>
> Diazepam and its metabolites accumulate due to their long half lives. Your blood level will be substantially higher now than it was on the first day that you went back on it. 2 weeks is a possibility but if you feel signs of sedation or intoxication, you could probably reduce earlier. Like a said, the 60mg/day starting dose was essentially a guess, and it may have been a little bit too high. I think your doc wants to be cautious, which is a good idea, but I don't think it would be a good idea to stay on 60mg/day on a long term basis.
>
> I think you should wait and see how you feel in a few days time. I think you will know whether you are ready to make a small reduction based on how you feel. We're only talking about a small reduction anyway, nothing drastic. You'll still be on a high dose.
>
>
>
>
>
>Yes Ed, overseas teaching has always been my dream. It sucked in China, cause was in benzo wd, and adding ADs was NOT fun, plus i can remember thngs that would have been MS symptoms, that i just assumed was benzo wd, serious CNS issues.
In the middle east teaching, i was abusing benzos, ambien, stimulants (just to keep my head above water), depakote (which makes me retarded so that i can't even read, and would even be confused in a grocery store, even at low doses), etc etc. When first diagnosed bipolar, and put on 1000mgs of depakote, i lost my job w/ in a week because of my cognitivei problems, and in inability to understand the most simple concepts.I can't even begin to tell you how great the lifestyle is. Great pay, tax free, they pay for your housing, which is typically a plush apartment, paid healthcare, 3 months vacation, doing something positive, travel, new experiences, new cultures. When you are single with no kids, why the hell not?
Not all of my symptoms are caused by cold turkey wd? I've never had anything near psychosis or schizophrenic symptoms in my life. What else would it be?
I don't care about driving right now. What is my underlying condition? I F-ING hate that term. If benzos are only part of the problem, what do you think the others are?
Brian
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 13:23:34
In reply to this is long, and you won't want to read it, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 12:59:09
I did read it. It wasn't so long :)
The thing is, Brian, you've been on so many meds at different times and in different combinations, it's difficult to know what the individual meds were actually doing.
What would you be like if all your meds were gradually withdrawn? I'm not sure. It could be important to find out?
I think the best psychiatrist for you would be one who has a realistic view of medication ie. someone who understands that meds can help, but that they can also harm. Some psychiatrists seem to have an unrealistically rosy impression of medication, and don't spot the side effects.
I don't think that benzos are your only problem. There's also the MS, and the possibility that you have inherited a susceptibility to psych problems from your parents. Your home environment sounds unhealthy and I think you need to get out of there. The traumas that you have been through must play on your mind, and that is not going to be easy to deal with.
If you'd never taken meds in the first place, I do think that things would be different, but I don't think you would be free of psych problems. Some of us are susceptible to these things. It's not too late to see a psychologist by the way, do you think it would help you?
And stop apologising for writing. There's no need to!
> I often think about, and ruminate, over the tons and tons of med combos i tried, just to feel as most humans do every second of every day.
>
> To think how productive i was on a job, and did not fail, on benzos and stimulants, and of course, lots of booze at night, great combo.
>
> One time, i THOUGHT I had it, maybe i did. Trileptal, lyrica, zyprexa, i think celexa (which would still make me irritable, semi derealized, unable to read), but it didn't work, til i added provigil, when i thought provigil was a miracle drug, it put me in the present moment, which i was and never am, stuck in my own head thoughts. And of course my mind/memory, has to point out, i wasn't on benzos then. it loves to do that, to see intrusive images from the past, and say, i wasn't even on benzos then. I was fat, didn't want to do anything other than work, and play video games.
> But i felt fine at my best friends' wedding (whom i have alienated now, and don't speak to, after the way i have acted on psychotropic drugs over the years). I could easily have gone and visitedmy family up in san francisco area, which i normall couldn't have.
>
> I remember, being on celexa during my valium taper in china, the celexa was BRUTAL to me beyond belief. I could not make the flight home, no way. So we added zyprexa to do so, i slept the whole flight, and i slept some 30 hours when i got home, i remember waking up in the middle of the night, and it was SO calm, it felt like the perfect moment, like it used to feel during xmas when i would visit my parents during college.
>
> Adding the zyprexa, i thought was a miracle, i was looking at the newspaper, looking for local cultural/concerts to go to, thinking about golfing, about doing things i hadn't wanted to do in a LONG time. My spanish PDOC was in china, i wrote to her about zyprexa, WOW Elizabeth, i mean WOW. Then i had to up and up and up, to 30mgs
>
> I wonder if these drugs have any place in my life anymore, as on them, i never saw a future, just an existence, trying to feel ok, trying to get through the day, or if it is time to get clean from them, let the brain return to it's whatever homeostasis it could now figure out, although, you can sense my memory, and the trauma that i've been through. How it would deal or sort that, i don't know.
>
> Once again, i apologize about the ranting.
>
> Once in my life, i wanted to be a writer, philosophy, maybe like nietzsche, some of my fav philosophy writers, and add in some beet writers, a little keroauc, burroughs, bukowski, ginsberg, etc.
>
> But i'm stuck speaking of a horrible psychiatric history, that nobody cares about. I would have been much better off being a functional alcoholic, as i was out of college, while working a prestigous corporate job, although i was derealizaed at the time.
>
> Had i known that the antidepressant, lexapro, was making me super irritable and depressed, as all antidepressants do, had i just dropped the booze and antidepressant so many years ago, how my life would be,,,...hhhhmmmm
>
> I THOUGHT Paxil saved my life at age 19, when 3-4 brutal panic attacks were going on, had severe agoraphobia, couldn't leave the house w/o drinking. Thumbing through my psychology textbook during college, i saw "panic disorder", and i vividly remember putting my finger on it. Saw a shrink, put on paxil, all was well, it went away, it stopped, life resumed.
>
> In retrospect, i should have simply saw a psychologist. What 19 year old, who in Seattle, was the popular jock in high school, then moves to college in san diego, near mexico, where i become the outcast, made fun of, picked on, and of course the underclassmen baseball players had to do a lot of crap.
>
> What person wouldn't begin panic attacks? Although yes, i had an affinity for panic attacks when smoking ocassional marijuana in HS. My first panic attack was at age 15, and they were an annual thing. I had no clue what they were. I was just under the assumption that people lost their crap every once in a while.
>
> Once again, have i apologized for writing so much crap that nobody cares about?
>
> Brian
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 13:33:55
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 13:17:55
>Not all of my symptoms are caused by cold turkey wd? I've never had anything near psychosis or schizophrenic symptoms in my life. What else would it be?
The psychotic symptoms are not your only symptoms though. There's also been the hypomania, depression and panic attacks. You said that you had some psych symptoms before you ever took benzos in the first place.
>What is my underlying condition? I F-ING hate that term.Sorry. I know it's often used as a way of 'blaming the patient' for symptoms which are actually caused by meds. Anyway :) I think you have underlying anxiety, since you had some panic attacks even before you took your first med. I also think that there is the possibility of a mood disorder, due to the hypomanic episodes. And then there's the MS, your most obvious underlying condition.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 13:35:54
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 13:05:20
>Seeing as i'm not drinking, and going out to bars/clubs, and that i am not part of the local religion in Utah, Mormanism, I use some pretty good dating websites.
I don't often use dating websites. Sometimes I'm happy being single, sometimes not.
I'm not at all religious, perhaps I should avoid visiting Utah :)
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 13:46:28
In reply to Re: this is long, and you won't want to read it, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 13:23:34
> I did read it. It wasn't so long :)
>
> The thing is, Brian, you've been on so many meds at different times and in different combinations, it's difficult to know what the individual meds were actually doing.
>
> What would you be like if all your meds were gradually withdrawn? I'm not sure. It could be important to find out?
>
> I think the best psychiatrist for you would be one who has a realistic view of medication ie. someone who understands that meds can help, but that they can also harm. Some psychiatrists seem to have an unrealistically rosy impression of medication, and don't spot the side effects.
>
> I don't think that benzos are your only problem. There's also the MS, and the possibility that you have inherited a susceptibility to psych problems from your parents. Your home environment sounds unhealthy and I think you need to get out of there. The traumas that you have been through must play on your mind, and that is not going to be easy to deal with.
>
> If you'd never taken meds in the first place, I do think that things would be different, but I don't think you would be free of psych problems. Some of us are susceptible to these things. It's not too late to see a psychologist by the way, do you think it would help you?
>
> And stop apologising for writing. There's no need to!I wish i had healthcare/insurance to see a psychologist. I think CBT could help greatly. I don't think me on a couch, going in for hundreds of sessions, going over my experiences, and perhaps how my parents were growing up would do me help, perhaps just keep it at the front of my mind
I tried to see one in China, but it didn't help, you know why, psychiatric drugs, Celexa, I couldn't F-ING see her, I'm like, I'm derealized out of my mind.
Yes, i need out of home.
did you see my writings from 5 years ago, when i was begging to get off benzos, which were the only drug i was on, and i knew were causing the probs, and PDOCS would say, no it's not (pdocs are ignorant of benzo tolerance, interdose, and wd in general), try this drug, and i'd have horrible reactions to them,,,,..ALL. I was/am far to chemically sensitive in my mind to take psychiatric drugs (maybe not lyrica lol, it doesn't seem to mind that).
But lyrica and a stimulant didn't seem that bad of a combo, LOL.
Yes, there are some docs near by, that i think may be far more appropriate, such as the karma integrative psychiatrist, who also teaches at the zen buddhist teaching center that i greatly enjoy. They are much more meticulous, careful, and hesitant with meds, and perhaps much more intuitive, if you believe in anything like that.
Seeing a doc with a view that meds can cause great harm would be wonderful. Maybe even ones that think that they can ruin lives LOL. Peter Breggins writing doesn't seem that far fetched to me anymore, and tom cruise doesn't seem as crazy, after my experiences. As Bregging writes, the brains reacts to the drugs as if it is a brutal/chemical assult to it, and that seems how mine reacts.
Mind you, meds work wonders, and save lives for millions, i'll give you that, so i'm not avidly against it. Maybe that's why ECT helped me more than meds did, as in theory, helps the brain "reset" itself.PS- My Zen teacher lives in London now Ed, perhaps I should visit the both of you:)
Brian
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:07:35
In reply to Re: this is long, and you won't want to read it, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 13:46:28
>I wish i had healthcare/insurance to see a psychologist. I think CBT could help greatly. I don't think me on a couch, going in for hundreds of sessions, going over my experiences, and perhaps how my parents were growing up would do me help, perhaps just keep it at the front of my mind.
I think you're right about that. Hardly anyone has health insurance here because it's not necessary. How do you get it?
>I tried to see one in China, but it didn't help, you know why, psychiatric drugs, Celexa, I couldn't F-ING see her, I'm like, I'm derealized out of my mind.I don't think any kind of therapy is likely to help when you're so ill that you can't effectively engage with the therapy.
>karma integrative psychiatrist
I have to be honest Brian. I have no idea what one of those is!
>Peter Breggins writing doesn't seem that far fetched to me anymore.......
I don't think you'd want to see a doctor like Breggin. You need someone with a balanced viewpoint. I think that's essential.
>Maybe that's why ECT helped me more than meds did, as in theory, helps the brain "reset" itself.
I don't think Breggin is too positive about ECT either. Did you suffer any side effects from it?
>My Zen teacher lives in London now Ed, perhaps I should visit the both of you:)
I think you'd find me boring. I even bore myself sometimes. I wish I was a more interesting person. And no, I'm not depressed, I'm just realistic :)
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:18:32
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 13:33:55
> The psychotic symptoms are not your only symptoms though. There's also been the hypomania, depression and panic attacks. You said that you had some psych symptoms before you ever took benzos in the first place.Ed, the hypomania, and depressive feeling are/were both caused by trileptal, i promise you that. They wouldn't/weren't there w/o it. I am/have not been having any panic attacks. My body/promised me it wouldn't have anymore, and that i didn't have the option to have one once i had gone CT on the benzos:) I haven't had a panic attack in a long time, maybe years ago while abusing stimulants. BTW, who with anxiety, would abuse stimulants? But maybe if you have benzos and booze to counter it, some would.
I only took the benzos for derealization, no other psych issues at the time.
Yes, I had panic "disorder" at age 20, which quickly went into remission after using paxil. Then there was my 8 hour panic attack of depersonalization, where i'm on my hands and knees in the shower, and banging my head on the toilet seat, because i couldn't feel anything.
IMO, had i not been on an antidepressant and abusing alcohol, those problems would not have been there. That plus living in western civilization cultures. As our brains are designed to live in hunter/gatherer lifestyles, why/who the hell wouldn't develop "psychiatric", "psychological" issues (sorry, i was an anthro major, with emphasis on genetics, cultures, and evolution, both cultural and social)?
Could it be the world you live in, that is greatly going against how your brain and genetics are designed to live, and not the person?
If our genetics are designed to be living in say packs of about 30 persons whom the know well or so, and now, a person goes to a football game, where there are 100,000 strangers, and they have a panic attack, or "social anxiety", sorry, BS. Of course it's not the situation, they have "issues", psychological and psychiatric, and a "chemical imbalance". Come on!I did have peter pan syndrome, didn't want to grow up, and how no clue what to do after graduating college, i'll give you that. What am i supposed to do? be like the rest of the herd of sheep and cattle and just get a corporate job, pay bills, and do things on the weekends to prepare for the week? sounded like fun,didn't fit who i was/am. I almost bailed with the peace corps. I should have, but i had a big car payment on my lexus, that i had to buy, because i was a writer for a bank.
Being an anthropology major, i spoke to many of my professors who worked with various tribes from around the world, and i always inquired, that if i just got up and moved to say Africa, would that particular tribe accept me, so that i could live a more "natural" life that my brain is designed for. They usually said yes, and it weighed on my mind's idea, and in retrospect, wish I had:)
> Sorry. I know it's often used as a way of 'blaming the patient' for symptoms which are actually caused by meds. Anyway :) I think you have underlying anxiety, since you had some panic attacks even before you took your first med. I also think that there is the possibility of a mood disorder, due to the hypomanic episodes. And then there's the MS, your most obvious underlying condition.I never experienced anything like hypomania/mania until i was given lexapro.
For the time being, it is trileptal that is inducing the hypomania.
Lamictal would induce mixed mood episodes
All the ADs would make me cry, give me racing thoughts, give me derealization, and increase obsessional habits, and give me mixed moods.
So many great memories of being in bed, crying with depression, and having racing thoughts at the same time.
Much/most of this is/was at my parents house, so i see it in images. Tough to take. Even skimming through the movie channels, i would/can remember what drug i was on when i saw that movie, and how i felt at that time. SO enjoyableWith all of my wonderful seemingly adverse and opposite reactions to drugs/meds, what am I supposed to take? Maybe illegal ones:)
Ed, are you more annoyed and irritated by my writing, or entertained?
Brian
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:21:44
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:18:32
>Ed, are you more annoyed and irritated by my writing, or entertained?
None of the above. I'm interested.
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:24:01
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 13:35:54
> >Seeing as i'm not drinking, and going out to bars/clubs, and that i am not part of the local religion in Utah, Mormanism, I use some pretty good dating websites.
>
> I don't often use dating websites. Sometimes I'm happy being single, sometimes not.
>
> I'm not at all religious, perhaps I should avoid visiting Utah :)Ed, if you don't mind me asking, what is your age?
I've been happy being single and away from women for the past couple of years, I don't know what this latest addiction is coming from.
Utah is very beautiful. Amazing for skiing if you enjoy that. Also, other outdoor activities, such as mountain biking and rock climbing.
Seeing how utah breeds extremes, the person who are not mormon, are typically very cool and unique, which is a bonus.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:29:21
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:18:32
I understand what you're saying but what about the MS? When were you diagnosed and to what extent has it contributed to your psych problems?
You mentioned the tribe. A close family group. Would you get that if you went to teach abroad or would you feel lonely?
> > The psychotic symptoms are not your only symptoms though. There's also been the hypomania, depression and panic attacks. You said that you had some psych symptoms before you ever took benzos in the first place.
>
> Ed, the hypomania, and depressive feeling are/were both caused by trileptal, i promise you that. They wouldn't/weren't there w/o it. I am/have not been having any panic attacks. My body/promised me it wouldn't have anymore, and that i didn't have the option to have one once i had gone CT on the benzos:) I haven't had a panic attack in a long time, maybe years ago while abusing stimulants. BTW, who with anxiety, would abuse stimulants? But maybe if you have benzos and booze to counter it, some would.
>
> I only took the benzos for derealization, no other psych issues at the time.
>
> Yes, I had panic "disorder" at age 20, which quickly went into remission after using paxil. Then there was my 8 hour panic attack of depersonalization, where i'm on my hands and knees in the shower, and banging my head on the toilet seat, because i couldn't feel anything.
> IMO, had i not been on an antidepressant and abusing alcohol, those problems would not have been there. That plus living in western civilization cultures. As our brains are designed to live in hunter/gatherer lifestyles, why/who the hell wouldn't develop "psychiatric", "psychological" issues (sorry, i was an anthro major, with emphasis on genetics, cultures, and evolution, both cultural and social)?
> Could it be the world you live in, that is greatly going against how your brain and genetics are designed to live, and not the person?
> If our genetics are designed to be living in say packs of about 30 persons whom the know well or so, and now, a person goes to a football game, where there are 100,000 strangers, and they have a panic attack, or "social anxiety", sorry, BS. Of course it's not the situation, they have "issues", psychological and psychiatric, and a "chemical imbalance". Come on!
>
> I did have peter pan syndrome, didn't want to grow up, and how no clue what to do after graduating college, i'll give you that. What am i supposed to do? be like the rest of the herd of sheep and cattle and just get a corporate job, pay bills, and do things on the weekends to prepare for the week? sounded like fun,didn't fit who i was/am. I almost bailed with the peace corps. I should have, but i had a big car payment on my lexus, that i had to buy, because i was a writer for a bank.
> Being an anthropology major, i spoke to many of my professors who worked with various tribes from around the world, and i always inquired, that if i just got up and moved to say Africa, would that particular tribe accept me, so that i could live a more "natural" life that my brain is designed for. They usually said yes, and it weighed on my mind's idea, and in retrospect, wish I had:)
>
>
> > Sorry. I know it's often used as a way of 'blaming the patient' for symptoms which are actually caused by meds. Anyway :) I think you have underlying anxiety, since you had some panic attacks even before you took your first med. I also think that there is the possibility of a mood disorder, due to the hypomanic episodes. And then there's the MS, your most obvious underlying condition.
>
> I never experienced anything like hypomania/mania until i was given lexapro.
> For the time being, it is trileptal that is inducing the hypomania.
> Lamictal would induce mixed mood episodes
> All the ADs would make me cry, give me racing thoughts, give me derealization, and increase obsessional habits, and give me mixed moods.
> So many great memories of being in bed, crying with depression, and having racing thoughts at the same time.
> Much/most of this is/was at my parents house, so i see it in images. Tough to take. Even skimming through the movie channels, i would/can remember what drug i was on when i saw that movie, and how i felt at that time. SO enjoyable
>
> With all of my wonderful seemingly adverse and opposite reactions to drugs/meds, what am I supposed to take? Maybe illegal ones:)
>
> Ed, are you more annoyed and irritated by my writing, or entertained?
>
> Brian
>
>
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:30:09
In reply to Re: this is long, and you won't want to read it, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:07:35
> >I wish i had healthcare/insurance to see a psychologist. I think CBT could help greatly. I don't think me on a couch, going in for hundreds of sessions, going over my experiences, and perhaps how my parents were growing up would do me help, perhaps just keep it at the front of my mind.
>
> I think you're right about that. Hardly anyone has health insurance here because it's not necessary. How do you get it?The only way i'd get insurance, would be to take an overseas teaching job.
> >I tried to see one in China, but it didn't help, you know why, psychiatric drugs, Celexa, I couldn't F-ING see her, I'm like, I'm derealized out of my mind.
>
> I don't think any kind of therapy is likely to help when you're so ill that you can't effectively engage with the therapy.
>
> >karma integrative psychiatrist
>
> I have to be honest Brian. I have no idea what one of those is!LOL. Basically a psychiatrist who is also a buddhist I guess.
> >Peter Breggins writing doesn't seem that far fetched to me anymore.......
> I don't think you'd want to see a doctor like Breggin. You need someone with a balanced viewpoint. I think that's essential.I agree about finding a balanced dr. Breggin would just want me off all meds, which, I might actually agree with, and i think you might too Ed.
> >Maybe that's why ECT helped me more than meds did, as in theory, helps the brain "reset" itself.> I don't think Breggin is too positive about ECT either. Did you suffer any side effects from it?
LOL, yes, breggin would kick my *ss and reem me for doing ect. No, i did not suffer and side effects from it. I want more.> >My Zen teacher lives in London now Ed, perhaps I should visit the both of you:)
> I think you'd find me boring. I even bore myself sometimes. I wish I was a more interesting person. And no, I'm not depressed, I'm just realistic :)Ed, I literally laugh out loud many times when I'm reading you, and your reactions to what i write, not boring at all. Give yourself some credit man!
Brian
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:32:38
In reply to Re: this is long, and you won't want to read it, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:30:09
I'd like to email you but I don't want to post my email address on p-babble. So how do we get your babblemail working?
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:41:06
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:29:21
> I understand what you're saying but what about the MS? When were you diagnosed and to what extent has it contributed to your psych problems?
> You mentioned the tribe. A close family group. Would you get that if you went to teach abroad or would you feel lonely?Yes, this is true. What is the MS doing. But what are my options? The Copaxone is only going to slow it down. But yes, it does have the ability to rid the lesions that could be causing the psych issues. Usually with MS, they treat the psych issues with psychiatric drugs, which we know my reactions to.
As we mention the close knit tribe etc. Um ok, so I can stay at my parents home, where they are both crazy, and contribute to my psych issues greatly, and a place where I have horrific memories that i relive all day long,,,...OR, go to a place where i know nobody, have no history, do something that i love, teaching, new cultures, meeting new people etc.
Do i worry about my stability, breaking down and failing,,.....sure. Especially when I am "crazier" than I've ever been.
But at this point of time, would you honestly give a crap? I've kinda let go of that fear.
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:42:44
In reply to Re: this is long, and you won't want to read it, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:32:38
> I'd like to email you but I don't want to post my email address on p-babble. So how do we get your babblemail working?
Can I post mine? I don't give a crap.
[xxx] at [xxx] dot com
Brian
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:50:44
In reply to Re: this is long, and you won't want to read it, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:42:44
I sent you an email to check whether it's working.
> > I'd like to email you but I don't want to post my email address on p-babble. So how do we get your babblemail working?
>
> Can I post mine? I don't give a crap.
>
> [xxx] at [xxx] dot com
>
> Brian
>
>
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:54:22
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 14:41:06
So if Copaxone works well for you, it might relieve some of your psych problems. That would be great.
Your parents home is obviously not the best tribal environment for you. You need to find a new tribe. Can you do that while teaching? You could meet many people with similar interests.
> > I understand what you're saying but what about the MS? When were you diagnosed and to what extent has it contributed to your psych problems?
>
> > You mentioned the tribe. A close family group. Would you get that if you went to teach abroad or would you feel lonely?
>
> Yes, this is true. What is the MS doing. But what are my options? The Copaxone is only going to slow it down. But yes, it does have the ability to rid the lesions that could be causing the psych issues. Usually with MS, they treat the psych issues with psychiatric drugs, which we know my reactions to.
>
> As we mention the close knit tribe etc. Um ok, so I can stay at my parents home, where they are both crazy, and contribute to my psych issues greatly, and a place where I have horrific memories that i relive all day long,,,...OR, go to a place where i know nobody, have no history, do something that i love, teaching, new cultures, meeting new people etc.
>
> Do i worry about my stability, breaking down and failing,,.....sure. Especially when I am "crazier" than I've ever been.
>
> But at this point of time, would you honestly give a crap? I've kinda let go of that fear.
>
> Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 15:28:39
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 14:54:22
> So if Copaxone works well for you, it might relieve some of your psych problems. That would be great.
>
> Your parents home is obviously not the best tribal environment for you. You need to find a new tribe. Can you do that while teaching? You could meet many people with similar interests.
I would love to teach, and to tutor on the side. Could i handle the pressure of moving to a foreign country, living alone etc?Mountains of Cali isn't bad either. No pressure there. no memories. Only about 5 people living there. I would love to learn new skills like farming and domestic. Being close to nature and animals seems to have a spiritual aspect to it.
I wonder that if you can survive psychosis, schizo symptoms, and a voice telling you certain horrible things, that your threshold for what you can handle might go up LOL.
Do I get off meds first, and get more ECT first, then go to Korea?
Do I just go in 2 months and think about weaning off drugs then?
Choices, options,,,....hhhhmmmm
what do you think?
Brian
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 5, 2010, at 15:37:00
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 15:28:39
>Do I get off meds first, and get more ECT first, then go to Korea?
>
> Do I just go in 2 months and think about weaning off drugs then?You won't be able to get off meds completely in two months, but you will be able to reduce. Once you're down to a lower dose of diazepam, if you're feeling OK, you might be able to go to Korea. A slow taper shouldn't be too bad, if it is there's something wrong - either it's too fast or it's the MS. If the MS is under control with Copaxone, perhaps you'll be able to taper very gradually while teaching. I hope so. What do you think? And what does your pdoc think?
Posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2010, at 21:05:33
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 15:28:39
Brian hoping you received Ed's e-mail. Let me know Phillipa I care
Posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 21:18:22
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me? » qbsbrown, posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2010, at 21:05:33
> Brian hoping you received Ed's e-mail. Let me know Phillipa I care
Thanks Phillipa, yup, I got Ed's emailed. I'm thrilled.
Love,
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2010, at 21:27:30
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 5, 2010, at 21:18:22
Brian know that you are receiving excellent and correct information from Ed. He's a great person. Love Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on April 9, 2010, at 17:26:46
In reply to Re: Trileptal, why do you do this to me?, posted by qbsbrown on April 4, 2010, at 18:42:15
> > >Oh Ed, I've got the charisma and charm no matter how crazy I am
> >
> > I can imagine :)
> >
> >
> > >i think i was just gonna go through with trileptal 300mgs 3x a day, see if i can't get that mid day crap gone, as i feel it would really help with tapering.
> >
> > Perhaps you should wait until you're on a stable dose of Lyrica first? If you make too many changes at once you won't know which med is doing what, if that makes sense.
> >
> >
> > >Should i do it strict eg ashton taper schedule.
> >
> > As far as I know, Ashton advoctated flexibility in the taper, although she did produce tables with suggested tapers as a guide.
> >
> > >hey, i think i can take 5mgs less today. Or does it need to be meticulous again, given my sensitivity?
> >
> > Reducing from 60mg/day to 55mg is a very small reduction, but reducing from 10mg to 5mg is a very large reduction.
> >
> > I think it's important to avoid going so fast that you end up having to increase the dose again. If you have to increase, you don't get where you want to be. I suppose it's a compromise between sticking to a planned taper and being guided by how you feel.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> Oh yeah, this last years brutal taper, where i had the most rare, severe, and uncommon withdrawal symptoms (perhaps that was MS), going from 30mgs to 17 was brutal. I think there were times where it was 1-2 mgs drops every two weeks.
>
> Not sure how i will do it this go round.
>
> BrianIf neurontin has pooped out on me would Lyrica even work? I know the drugs are very similar in action.
This is the end of the thread.
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