Posted by greywolf on December 4, 2009, at 20:56:39
In reply to Re: ECT or wait in hell? to alchemy » greywolf, posted by uncouth on December 4, 2009, at 9:50:36
> grey, how did you respond to zyprexa vs. other atypical antispychotixs?
>
> and how long ago did you have VNS implanted? is it working? side efx?I have taken Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Abilify all at therapeutic levels. Abilify had no effect, either good or bad, on me. It was like a sugar pill. Zyprexa and Seroquel turned me into a zombie and substantially interfered with work, which requires creative thinking and extensive writing.
Right now I'm on Parnate, Cytomel, Geodon, Xanax, and, if needed, Lunesta. That's a laugh because Geodon knocks me right out, so Lunesta is useless (and really didn't work for me anyway).
The VNS is a very long-term process. After the implantation, it takes many months to crank the amperage up to the level that works for you. I do believe that it is accomplishing some positive benefit because the length of serious depressive episodes has shortened and the depth of the depression during those times is less. I also have fewer suicidal thoughts.
While the depression situation is improving somewhat, the mania is getting way worse. Heavy duty risky behavior, anger, etc., then combine it with hundreds of intrusive OCD thoughts during the day--basically, I'm worn out. The Geodon is supposed to help with the intrusive thoughts, and at 20mgs it did seem to help. Now that I'm about to start 120mgs, I'll probably be sleepwalking all day. But, I'll give it a shot.
Greywolf
poster:greywolf
thread:927524
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091127/msgs/928105.html