![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JasonL on September 10, 2000, at 14:46:18
I have been suffering severe depression for several years. I recently came across this board and been amazed by the information put forth by the members.
Most recently I have started serzone 200mg and welbutrin 100 per day. I have nervous energy, lack of pleasure, little drive, and in the past few months, intense suicidal ideation. I am 27 and physically I look and feel fine and strong. But the pain of depression, of not enjoying anything is overwhelming. I am so overwhelmed and and confused as to what types of medicine could help me. I had a nervous break down and almost went to the hospital two days ago. I was calmed down with the help of a kind doctor who spoke with me over the phone for an hour and a half.
He suggested the welbutrin/serzone combination for now.
I need the best help from this board, to help me see that there is a way out.JasonL
Posted by Lexie on September 10, 2000, at 15:43:54
In reply to new to this board seeking help, posted by JasonL on September 10, 2000, at 14:46:18
Jason, I think you are off to a good start. Most of us have been exactly where you are right now. The most important thing is to follow what your doctor is telling you. The medication will take some time to work so don't give up. The support of your friends here will help to get you through until then. If you read the posts from last week you will see that I was having a tough week with the support here I was able to keep going and now my meds have been adjusted and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel again. When things look bad just remember there is hope and visit your new friends here. Smiles, Lexie
Posted by Donna Lynn on September 10, 2000, at 18:14:02
In reply to new to this board seeking help, posted by JasonL on September 10, 2000, at 14:46:18
> I have been suffering severe depression for several years. I recently came across this board and been amazed by the information put forth by the members.
> Most recently I have started serzone 200mg and welbutrin 100 per day. I have nervous energy, lack of pleasure, little drive, and in the past few months, intense suicidal ideation. I am 27 and physically I look and feel fine and strong. But the pain of depression, of not enjoying anything is overwhelming. I am so overwhelmed and and confused as to what types of medicine could help me. I had a nervous break down and almost went to the hospital two days ago. I was calmed down with the help of a kind doctor who spoke with me over the phone for an hour and a half.
> He suggested the welbutrin/serzone combination for now.
> I need the best help from this board, to help me see that there is a way out.
>
> JasonLJason, I'm pretty new here too, but the people who have spoken to me seem very concerned and supportive.A few of them can even make you laugh out loud. I like it here. You will too. Listen, when my depression hit I wanted to die, it hit me fast and hard and threw me for a loop. It took me 4 months to finally go to a doctor. I was convinced that a doctor would not help me, that he wouldn't give me anything anyway, that why would he care. So why bother going. But, I went. My depression was soooo bad if I had won lottery I probably would've said "F the world" and torn up my ticket and not claimed a dime. That's how bad I was. And I coulda used the money!! I don't know much about wellbutrin, but I take 100mg of Serzone and it makes me soooooo sick to my stomach. I need help with the social squirrelies. How long have you been depressed? How long did you let it go before you got some medication? If you just started the medication and it works- you'll feel better, I promise. If it doesn't work, then you'll try some other med. People here are on all different stuff, you'll eventually find someone who can tell you exactly what the side effects are just in case you may experience them too. Talk it all out. We're all behind our curtains, nobody knows anybody, that's whats so great. That's why I'm here. Don't be afraid to talk- and I really hope you feel better soon. D.
Posted by stjames on September 10, 2000, at 23:21:25
In reply to new to this board seeking help, posted by JasonL on September 10, 2000, at 14:46:18
James here.....
Welcome, Jason. You will find a lot of people here
who have depression just like you. keep in mind that
with antidepressants it takes 4-8 weeks for them to
start working. You might want to come up with a game plan
to get you thru this time. I am really sorry you are having such a hard
time. I found the right meds in 1985-86 and have done well ever since. I
know you can get better, try to hang in there till the meds start working.
I know this sucks but we are here to help.James
Posted by shar on September 11, 2000, at 1:33:37
In reply to Re: new to this board seeking help, posted by stjames on September 10, 2000, at 23:21:25
Jason,
I am glad to hear that you took good care of yourself by getting to a hospital and speaking to someone who could help with a meds suggestion. That's a big positive step (remember that!).Wellbutrin is a stimulating type of anti-depressant (AD) and is often used as an augmentation for AD's that have the opposite effect (makes people sleepy). Serzone has been a topic on many boards (archives) here, and some people do great, and some people don't. Of course, that applies to about every AD!
The deal with ADs is that sometimes it takes a little pinch of something here and a dash of something there to get to the right place. So, it's possible you may have to up or lower your dosage, or change meds, etc. Or, you could end up doing really well with your current combo and never have to change!
I will tell you, though, the worst of a poor combo is better (for me) than being in the black pit of depression. Even if I'm not "happy" it is so much better than the alternative. And, I can still work on getting a better combo if needed.
As other posters have said, don't give up too soon. Along with taking weeks to work, you may have initial side effects that will go away.
How are you now? Has your suicidal ideation decreased? That is also one of my problems, and many people who post here can relate to it.
Give yourself a chance, and keep us informed about how you are, and ask whatever questions you have (of course you can always ask your pdoc,too!) and you'll find many helpful responses.
Best of luck!
Shar
Posted by Cindy W on September 11, 2000, at 9:09:49
In reply to new to this board seeking help, posted by JasonL on September 10, 2000, at 14:46:18
> I have been suffering severe depression for several years. I recently came across this board and been amazed by the information put forth by the members.
> Most recently I have started serzone 200mg and welbutrin 100 per day. I have nervous energy, lack of pleasure, little drive, and in the past few months, intense suicidal ideation. I am 27 and physically I look and feel fine and strong. But the pain of depression, of not enjoying anything is overwhelming. I am so overwhelmed and and confused as to what types of medicine could help me. I had a nervous break down and almost went to the hospital two days ago. I was calmed down with the help of a kind doctor who spoke with me over the phone for an hour and a half.
> He suggested the welbutrin/serzone combination for now.
> I need the best help from this board, to help me see that there is a way out.
>
> JasonLJasonL, you're not alone...people here have "been there" and really care. Hang in there! --Cindy W
Posted by Nibor on September 12, 2000, at 15:21:10
In reply to new to this board seeking help, posted by JasonL on September 10, 2000, at 14:46:18
> I have been suffering severe depression for several years. I recently came across this board and been amazed by the information put forth by the members.
Welcome, Jason. Yes you found a great place, with wonderful, supportive people. Obviously you have surfed and found many of the depression websites around. If you haven't found ours, check it out at http://www.undoingdepression.com
There are several sections that you might find helpful, particularly in the Living Well section.
Take care,
Nibor> I need the best help from this board, to help me see that there is a way out.
>
> JasonL
Posted by JasonL on September 30, 2000, at 0:46:55
In reply to Re: new to this board seeking help, posted by Nibor on September 12, 2000, at 15:21:10
Friends,
Thank you for your understanding and encouragement. I never got to say that...its been a difficult few weeks. Its so important that I find encouraging posts out there...people who have travelled the same path, people who are getting better.
Much appreciation,
JasonL
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.