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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bb154 on June 1, 2011, at 16:20:48
I'm new to this but i'll try to some up my issues in a few paragraph. I've had anxiety issues since i was 16 been on and off meds zoloft, celexa, prozac. i did well on all. I'm now 30. About 3 years ago i began to have racing thoughts. not manic. just always racing music, my own thoughts never grandious or increased energry. In the past year my anxiety turned into depression. with lots of crying racing sad thoughts, general anxiety. panic attacks. I've been on in the past 7 months Wellbutrin-did nothing. lamicta (200) and lithium 900 with zolfoft.Also xanax .25 as needed. the only thing that stopped the crying was the zoloft. Nothing else touched that. Lithium and lamictal did nothing for racing thoughts. My question is. What is this from?? i've never had a manic episode in my life. just anxiety and now depression. i'm on currently on zoloft 150 and pristiq 100. and tapering off zoloft to see if pristiq can stop the racing thoughts. Their next step is trying going with abilify. I'm terrified to try that. There is no clear answer to what my racing thoughts are from. I stress I've never had a manic episode these thoughts are constant but i can still get through the work day and some school. any help would be greatly appreciated. This is beyond frustrating. i feel like a medical guinea pig. I'm trying to go back to school and these past months have been pure hell. The dr keeps saying we will find something that works. How is that possible when they don't know what is specifically wrong with me? ahhh thanks for listening :)
Posted by Annabelle Smith on June 1, 2011, at 18:15:19
In reply to HELP. Need input, posted by bb154 on June 1, 2011, at 16:20:48
bb154,
Glad you made it to Psychobabble. That sounds really painful and scary.
You write: "The dr keeps saying we will find something that works. How is that possible when they don't know what is specifically wrong with me?"
Personally, that would concern me. I have never actually taken medications, but have been prescribed medications on two separate occasions for "depression and anxiety." The first time I visited a pdoc who really didn't get it or get me (I could tell by the arrogant way that he talked to me and would not listen-- and the way he assumed so much). He prescribed Celexa. The second time, I visited my general practitioner (who didn't know much about mental illness...from my impression...he gave me packs of Lexapro like he was giving out candy.
All along, I was concerned and have remained concerned about getting to the root of my problem, about discerning what is really going on. In my situation, my hunch was correct, it is about much more than just chemical imbalances, but is more related to attachment issues, etc.
I don't know if you are currently in therapy. You didn't mention it, but I assume that perhaps yes? If not, my two cents (for what they are worth) would be to seek out a good therapist. Also, it couldn't hurt to check out another pdoc or two or three until you feel comfortable that someone does have a better grasp on what is "wrong" with you, as you put it.
At least if I were you, that would make me feel better. Hope you begin to feel better and find some better ways to care for yourself.
Annabelle
Posted by pegasus on June 2, 2011, at 10:53:25
In reply to HELP. Need input, posted by bb154 on June 1, 2011, at 16:20:48
I think the thing about meds and depression/anxiety is that no one ever knows for sure what causes depression/anxiety. So, in that sense, it's not possible (at this point in our understanding of brains) to ever know "what's wrong with" a person.
Similarly, we don't know exactly how all of these different meds work. Most of the studies that show them being effective are based on some kind of theory, and then just the results of trying them out. So, finding the right med is always a trial and error process.
And then there's the fact that our brains are part of our bodies. So, maybe the ultimate cause of whatever mental struggles we experience is a difficult childhood, or traumatic experiences, etc. But that actually changes our brain chemistry. So, it's not like you could say that it's either brain chemistry, or it's our experience. They go hand in hand, especially if our brains were developing in a non-ideal situation when we were kids.
- Peg
Posted by bb154 on June 2, 2011, at 12:35:22
In reply to Re: HELP. Need input, posted by pegasus on June 2, 2011, at 10:53:25
thanks for responding :) Yes i'm in therapy now. I've also tried some cog. therapy with a psych. with no success. I did see another Pdoc for a 2nd opinion. He seemed to think my dr. was on the right path. It's just frustrating. I had a good childhood growing up. I'm usually a very happy upbeat person but this all kinda happened out of no where. Turning 30 and not being where i want to be in life was a huge part. That's why i'm back in school. but school and work are NOT easy to get through when i'm going through all this mental health stuff. I just wanna move forward with my life but these racing thoughts and depression are holding my back. I'm def. fighting and trying every thing i can possibly think of to get better. thanks for listening and your response :)
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