Posted by Geezer on October 4, 2002, at 12:54:08
In reply to Re: ECT for partial med responders?Geezer, posted by jaby on October 3, 2002, at 13:32:17
Hi jaby,
Sorry for the delay in responding. RE: your DX - I have been the same route, first Unipolar Major Depression/Depressed/Melancholic (had an anxiety component at one time-that is gone now), next DX Bipolar II.....don't know if I ever had any kind of mania but when I was younger I was obsessively self-driven to succeed at my work, then would crash into deep depression (these self driven periods could last years with some depression mixed in but always resulted in a major crash and hospital admission). Now I am DXed back to Unipolar Major Depression, there is no mania, only refractory depression with sever tiredness (sleep 12 hours per day - only half awake when up). I have lost faith in a proper DX because they seem to be as subjective as the drug trials. We have to consider the changing nature of the illness with the passage of time, as well. I have been told "Bipolar II is mostly depression in later years", have also been told, "Bipolar Disorder DX can only be made when mania/hypomania is clearly documented".....more confusing now with 4 or 5 subtypes.
I am approaching ECT simply because I can't stand to live this way anymore and the drugs don't work. Good book.....Electroshock: Restoring the Mind by Dr. Max Fink, Oxford University Press, 1999. My new copy is on its way from Amazon.com.
What drugs have I been on?
All of the SSRIs....not Paxil or Lezapro.
Serzone, Remeron, Wellbutrin.....not Effexor
Geodon the only AP
Several of the TCAs...back in the 70s and 80s.
All of the MAOIs...many years ago, for brief periods, due to side effects.
History of abuse...alcohol (quit 1975), Valium (for 6 mos. quit 1984), Dexadrine (of and on quit 1985), smoking (quit 14 mos. ago).
AEDs...Lithium, Depakote, and Lamictal.
To a large degree my current treatment resistance may be do to my own noncompliance in earlier years and excessive stress from a 24/7 job in the medical industry. The illness itself is hereditary but I have made nearly ALL the mistakes along the way. Currently on full disability. I know what you mean about arranging time for treatment while honoring your employment responsibilities....an admirable character trait. However, I used my work as an excuse to avoid treatment until it almost killed me...don't mean to preach....illness can get worst with time if not treated properly.I am probably in violation of the posting policies again so my e-mail is whiteau@choice.net. Will try to keep you posted as I go.
Good cheer.
P.S. Dr. Bob, would you be so kind as to post a link for posting policies, I am a bit confused and can't find it.....honest!
poster:Geezer
thread:122007
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020930/msgs/122319.html