Posted by Bob on January 17, 2005, at 14:42:41
In reply to Re: Need advice on what to do next. (long), posted by johnsmith12345 on January 17, 2005, at 2:45:19
> Did you have the physical problems while you were on the meds, or only after you stopped them?
I'd say most of the problems (plus others were present on the meds, but only in the latter years (maybe last 4 or 5, with the last 2 being even worse). I developed similar breathing problems on Welbutrin, but much to my chagrin, it hasn't seemed to dissipate with my discontinuation.
> Have you gone to a regular doctor to get these physical symptoms checked out?
Oh yes. I've seen my general/primary physician a number of times in the last few years, and have gotten at least two physicals (the last being only 2.5 months ago). Nothing has been found - it's crazy. I've also gone to see a psychiatrist who specializes in difficult cases, and we did a number of tests for things like cortisol, testosterone, as well as SPECT scans, and the like. Basically, everything we could think of within reason. Nothing out of normal turned up. He did send me for a sleep study, though, and they said I have apnea. It has proven quite difficult for me to remain compliant with that godforsaken machine, however, and if I manage to use it on any particular night, it seems just as likely to cause me to feel worse as better. I'm thinking about doing another sleep study, but I don't know.
> Do you have any negative thinking patterns that might be helped by a psychologist?
I'm seeing a "therapist" right now, but she's not a psychologist. In the past, I've entertained the possiblity of a psychologist, but never went through with it. This may come across has a bad attitude, but at this point, I don't see how negative thinking could be producing muscle pressure, bad reactions to physical activity, breathing abnormalities, etc. For thought problems (which I still do have, of course) maybe, but for physical problems? That's one of the reasons why I would wonder about the efficacy of ECT for my particular situation.
> Nobody has any way of knowing whether, in your specific case, waiting it out would be a dead end. They can only rely on statistics, which would indicate a high probablity of a dead end. That is my gut feeling as well.
Good point. It's real hard to know when enough is enough. I REALLY had some bad times on some of those meds, and REALLY don't want to go back there.
> If you decide to go back on medicines, I would recommend immediately trying the MAOIs. Why have you avoided them for so long?
I avoided MAOIs because it was so terribly hard, and took so long, to get off meds that I was afraid the withdrawl would precipitate suicide, since I wouldn't be able to take other meds at the same time to fight that. Additonally, I have always been a major weight gainer on meds (45 lbs on Anafranil in a matter of months), and always been very adversely affected sexually. I haven't heard a lot of good things about tolerability with Nardil, rigorous diet notwithstanding. I see myself eventually sleeping all the time (happened with Effexor, Paxil, Anafranil, and many others), gaining massive weight, never having an orgasm, and that doesn't even address whether it would address my mental issues. My doctor actually has encouraged my waiting to see, as he doesn't see how drugs are really solving the problem. I won't rule anything out at this point.BTW, thanks for your input. I appreciate it.
poster:Bob
thread:443015
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050113/msgs/443216.html