Posted by SLS on March 22, 2001, at 19:30:48
In reply to Re: treatment resistant depression (part 2), posted by Noa on March 22, 2001, at 16:31:30
Hi Noa.
I guess I haven't kept up with things as well as I "should". I figured you continued to feel better upon adding Serzone. I am frustrated for you to here otherwise.
> Pdoc speculated about some kind of bipolar spectrum depression, because of frequency of episodes--ie, could it be "cycling"? Recommended trying lithium regardless, as it has AD benefits as an augmentation strategy. Started lithium, mood got gradually better for about 8 weeks, then drastically worse (as did the physical symtpoms) due to lihtium effects on thyroid. Stopped lithium.
Of course, you have tried Lamictal. ???
I have recently become more impressed with the ability of low dosages of the atypical neuroleptic antipsychotics to produce robust antidepressant effects, especially when used in conjunction with antidepressants. They share a property with Serzone that is speculated to be important to treat depression and the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. They all block serotonin 5-HT2a receptors. The dopamine receptor blocking properties of the APs might also be critical to their effectiveness. Risperdal and Zyprexa have been chosen most often to fill the role of an augmentation agent in depression. Seroquel is also being tried currently, but I don't yet have an impression as to its effectiveness. If you are interested, you may want to hang out for awhile to see how well Geodon acts to treat uncomplicated depressive illness specifically (without comorbidity). No weight-gain.One other thought. You may want to discontinue the T3 temporarily to see what happens with T4 alone. Cytomel made me feel MUCH worse, while Synthroid made me feel somewhat better. Perhaps the body will know how much supratherapeutic T4 to convert to T3 to produce a healthier balance (ratio)? A shot in the dark before the light? :-)
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:57143
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57212.html