Posted by Racer on June 6, 2004, at 14:06:21
In reply to Re: Underlying reason for hypotension? » Racer, posted by Sad Panda on June 6, 2004, at 10:23:50
Sorry, I'm at the point of giving all this up, so your questions are kinda hard for me to read right now, but I do thank you for putting up with me and continuing to offer your knowledge.
I've tried Strattera. It didn't seem to make any difference, beyond being part of a cocktail that led to a lot of other problems for me. (Now, though, I think that the Zoloft caused the problems, so I'd consider trying the Strattera again -- except that, again, the depression didn't seem to improve any one that combo.)
Effexor wasn't very effective, although with the addition of Prozac it was OK enough that I was able to function better, as long as there was no pressure of any sort on me. In other words, it wasn't very effective for me. It also caused the standard problems: weight gain of not quite half my starting body weight, constipation, that 'brain zap' feeling, sweating, way too vivid dreams, and some wild fluctuations of my blood sugar (as measured by my husband's glucometer, not based solely on symptoms of hypoglycemia). The relief it offered lasted a bit more than a year, then it lost even that. Since it took so long to wean off, and I was so sick during most of that time, it really doesn't seem worth it to try again.
I *would* be willing to try desipramine again, if the hypotension could be controlled. My pdoc, though, says that since I couldn't tolerate it before (because of the hypotension), the only thing left to try is an MAOI. (Aren't they even worse for hypotension?) That's why I'm asking about anything anyone knows about hypotension. I figure, if he's planning to offer something that causes the same problem that's kept me from taking another drug, he's probably got some idea of mitigating the hypotension. And, if that's the case, he may as well try the desipramine again, before giving me access to a much more reliable means of suicide.
Then again, since I'm the one with the Serious Mental Illness, and he's the one with the medical degree, he's obviously in the best position to make that decision. (Yeah, OK, I'm pretty upset with his treatment of me at the moment. And that sarcasm isn't fair to him. It still feels kinda nice to let some of it out.)
Thank you, Sad Panda. I really appreciate your input.
poster:Racer
thread:353748
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040602/msgs/354307.html