Posted by stephanie l. on October 3, 2000, at 21:54:33
In reply to Re: Stopping and Restarting MAOI ----SLS » stephanie l., posted by SLS on October 3, 2000, at 17:43:33
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> Hi Stephanie.
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> I apologize for not responding to your post sooner. I just noticed it. You are asking the right questions. Your treatment needs seem quite sophisticated, and I don't think I would want to give much input at this point. The work you and your doctor have done in putting together your current combination therapy is impressive.
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> Off of the top of my head, I am curious if you had tried combining Ritalin with Nardil.
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> Questions:
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> 1. Are you bipolar, or is there any history of bipolar disorder in your family?
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> 2. Do you have any siblings who also suffer with depression? If so, what drugs are they taking, and how are they feeling?
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> 3. Regardless of diagnosis, have you ever tried adding lithium or Depakote to your current combination?
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> 4. What did you depression look like before you ever began treatment for it?
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> 5. How old were you when you first developed mood disturbances?
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>
> Sorry I couldn't give you any concrete suggestions. The only thing I will say is that based upon your history of drug responses, you can look forward to getting well. It just might take a little longer than either of us would like.
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> - ScottHi Scott:
Thanks for the quick response. I am so glad to have someone who is knowledgeable to talk with. I have usually been isolated, doing my research on my own, with no one to compare notes or share experience with.
So to your questions:
1. Yes, I am bipolar II
2. My mom has depression, and finds help with zoloft. One of my brothers also has it; he took prozac which didn't help. He doesn't want to try any other meds and would rather cope on his own. Their depressions have been far more moderate than mine.
3. Yes, I have added both lithium and depakote to my regime, but at the point when I was only taking Nardil, or Nardil and Wellbutrin. They, like every other mood stabilizer I have tried , made me depressed (even at small doses.)
4. before I got treatment, my depression manifested itself in a number of ways: 'breakdowns" with disassociation and an inability to leave my apartment; panic attacks ; inertia; lots of sadness.
5. I was in my early 20s when I first had mood disturbances, although I remember being very sad and crying a lot when I was younger.And yes, I have tried combining ritalin with Nardil but the Ritalin only helped for a few weeks. I quickly developed tolerance to it.
As far as those "other meds" we've discussed...I am of course not looking to you for treatment (although you probably know more than 90% of the PDs I've seen ) I have to see my doctor soon, and I have found over the years that the best way to keep things moving towards a cure was to bring to him a concrete idea of what I want to try next (and sometimes bringing some written materials on it.) I am going to bring up these meds with him on this upcoming visit; , and any input you have would be valuable (although of course I will do my usual research.)
And many thanks for your positive feeling that I can get well. People have told me that, but you are the only person with an understanding of depressive illlness who has told me that!
poster:stephanie l.
thread:43904
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45768.html