Posted by Racer on March 4, 2004, at 20:39:02
In reply to Re: Hospitalization, posted by Ilene on March 4, 2004, at 17:56:05
Um, not to put too fine a point on it, but if you're taking an MAOI, and it's not working, how about trying a drug from another class of anti-depressant before going into lithium and ECT? ECT can be a life saver, but it comes with a lot of risks. Scares the hell out of me, so I can only imagine your reaction to hearing about it.
MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and the newer drugs like SSRIs are all about equally effective. That is to say, they help about the same proportion of people who take them. The main differences are in side effects. MAOIs, for instance, require dietary changes which the other drugs don't. There are a lot of drugs out there, one or more of which might help you.
Going from MAOIs to any other drug requires a period of at least two weeks to get the MAOI out of your system before starting the new drug. It may be that your doctor is suggesting inpatient treatment to keep you safe during that time. It may not be that, but that would be a reasonable reason to do it.
As for help in hospitalization, it's a mixed bag along with anything else about mental illness. You have your son to think about, your husband across the country, lots of major real life stressors to complicate your illness. I've got a similar stressor right now, a cat with kidney failure. If I didn't know that I needed to give him subQ fluids, I would ask to be hospitalized myself. Those are very valid concerns. Anyone who tells you otherwise is exhibiting disrespect.
What's the best thing to do? Well, I'm a reactionary sort of person, so I'd say "find a doctor who knows that someone's come out with alternatives to MAOIs, first..." That probably isn't the right answer for you, since you're also feeling unsupported with your husband away from you and sole responsibility for your son. What would my advice to you be? Interview yourself. Is there someone whom you trust who could take care of your son while you were hospitalized? If not, there's your answer: hospitalization at this time under these conditions is contraindicated. What other options do you have? Well, you're staying in DC until your son finishes the school year, right? He'll have consequences no matter what you do right now, so which would be worse: moving to California before the end of this grade? Or feeling confused about what you're going through without someone who can help him resolve those fears? It might just turn out that moving him mid year isn't the worst thing that can happen to him.
My heart goes out to you, dear, and I wish you all the best.
poster:Racer
thread:320157
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040219/msgs/320354.html