Posted by Just a little... on July 12, 2004, at 7:40:27
In reply to Re: tachycardia vs. bradycardia » KaraS, posted by SLS on July 12, 2004, at 6:49:24
>
> > Scott, unfortunately I don't know much about treating bipolar disorder.
>
> That's quite alright. Apparently, neither do doctors, or I wouldn't be writing this.I am going to be treated for autism, after being treated for schizophrenia and borderline after that. It makes me wonder what's next... ADHD? Maybe I'll be even diagnosed "healthy"... I guess I know what you mean.
> > Was that your first episode or have you been battling that for a while now?
>
> I became severely depressed at age 17. I was first diagnosed and treated at age 22. With few exceptions, I have been severely depressed for every hour of every day ever since. I am 44 now (ouch - that hurt). It is an anergic and anhedonic depression with profound cognitive impairments that limit my abilities to read, learn, and remember. My writing style is deceptive.I first got "in touch" with dutch psychiatric care when I was 13 and got weekly "chats" with a social worker... when I was 15 I got diagnosed schizophrenic and I think from that point my life has gone down hill (21 now). The funny part is that the one who diagnosed me only saw me once for half an hour maybe... she put me on paxil and pimozide.
> > I've been straight unipolar depression so I don't have the fear of feeling too high.
>
> I was originally diagnosed as unipolar. It wasn't until I was 26 that a manic phenomenon occurred, and that was the result of a reaction to medication. I have never had a spontaneous manic episode.Ironically they told me I had unipolar depression as well although I now take lithium after going through a manic episode on parnate (coincidence?).
> > You said that you haven't had the same response to Parnate since your episode. Did you also add in the desipramine again?
>
> Yes. :-(
>
> > I would think that if that combo worked, you could add something else to keep the mania in check. I am probably showing my naive perspective with that remark but I felt I had to ask.
>
> Actually, that is exactly what the doctor should have done. He should have continued me on the antidepressants and treated the mania with lithium and Klonopin. Given my previous history of treatment resistance, he should have at least returned to the same combination of antidepressants once I relapsed. Unfortunately, Prozac had just come out, and it was a new toy for him to play with.That sounds familiar... I remember complaining about a side effect of the pimozide (my lip making unvoluntary movements - found funny by my peers but eh... well not by me.) she (the woman who gave me pimozide in the first place) wanted to try a new atypical anti psychotic while she could have given me something against the parkinson like side effects, which was done at a later stage anyway since the atypical (seroquel I believe) had more severe side effects.
> I have tried returning to Parnate + TCA several times, and have added other things to the combo - Parnate 120mg + desipramine 300mg + Dexedrine + T4 for example.
>
> > Also, do you have a lot of confidence in your doctor?
>
> I have been working with my present doctor for over a year. I have quite a bit of confidence in him. Of all the doctors I have seen, he has been the most willing to extend himself beyond traditional treatments.I just got a new psychiatrist (the one diagnosing me with autism), I guess I'll see how it works out :\
> > Have you ever considered trying any herbal, nutritional or nutraceutical remedies in addition to the meds?
>
> Not as many as some of the people on the PB Alternative Board. I don't have much confidence in them, and I don't want to foster adverse interactions with the drugs I am taking.I know what you mean, I'm a little hesitant of taking them myself. I have tried some things though, ranging from vitamins to supplements that are supposed to help against depression...
> > Anyway, wish I could give you a hug but since I can't, I'll just say hang in there. It may take longer than you'd like but there are still plenty of options.
>
> Hmm. Not so many I don't think. You should see my list of the things I've tried. (Actually, that's how my drug chart got started). I guess there are enough things left untried that I haven't given up just yet. However, I don't know how I will react emotionally if Cymbalta doesn't work. That the FDA pissed on gepirone doesn't help. That would have been one more thing to keep me going. I don't know how much rope I have left.It's amazing how much I've learned about drugs since I've started visiting this board, I thought I already know a reasonable bit but I did not... The forum gave me some hope in terms of options might one combination fail, seeing that there are a lot of medications awaiting FDA approval (even though it will still take three years or so to get approved here probably.).
>
> - Scott
It really is too bad there isn't a definite and permanent "cure" for mental disorders, or at least something that makes living the "normal" way possible be it with or without side effects.The awkwardness which I feel when I go out the door and meet other people sometimes leaves me paralyzed, and even though I'm not getting treated for it, I'm sure it must be something in the social phobia area. Hmm, I hope my rambling made some sense... :-\
Take care.
- Falco
poster:Just a little...
thread:13117
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040712/msgs/365240.html