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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kaleidoscope on March 28, 2007, at 15:22:05
Hi Scott
I haven't posted for a few weeks but now I've come back you're not here. Is this a good sign?
Does anyone know how Scott is doing?
Ed
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 28, 2007, at 16:00:59
In reply to Scott (SLS), posted by kaleidoscope on March 28, 2007, at 15:22:05
Yes apparently he's in remission, and judging my the length of his absence, doing very well! Which is great news. Go Sott!!!!
Posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 8:32:35
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS), posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 28, 2007, at 16:00:59
Hi guys!
Thanks for thinking about me.
Things are a little bit more complicated than just my achieving remission and flying away.
I am about 25% improved, which is, of course, remarkable.
I am currently attempting to discontinue Lamictal. I have lost some ground, but I believe this only to be temporary. My reasons for doing this are to evaluate the drug's impacts on memory and cognition along with tremulousness. It could be that these things are residuals from the illness itself, but it is important for me to weed out the drugs that are not contributing to the antidepressant response.
I have other reasons for not participating on Psycho-Babble. Right now, I don't think it is in my best interest to do so.
Kaleidoscope: I know you feel stable with your current treatment, but remain less than happy with it. Perhaps Lexapro would afford you more energy? If not, I encourage you to try an augmentor from time to time. You know, things like methylphenidate, modafinil, mirtazapine, or Adderall.
Meri-Tuuli: I am extremely appreciative of your well-wishes for me. Prior to Kaleidoscope's inquiry, you were the only one who asked about me. Please keep your cheerful demeanor so that others can glean positive energy from it. You don't have to do anything special, actually. Just be you. I don't know all of what you are looking for in life, but I hope you can find a start with improved mental health at Psycho-Babble.
- Scott
Posted by kaleidoscope on April 1, 2007, at 8:56:46
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS), posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 8:32:35
Hi Scott
It's very positive to hear that you're feeling significantly improved. What doses of phenelzine and nortriptyline are you taking now?
>it is important for me to weed out the drugs that are not contributing to the antidepressant response
I agree completely. If any of your meds are either not helping or making you feel worse, you need to identify them and taper off.
>Perhaps Lexapro would afford you more energy? If not, I encourage you to try an augmentor from time to time. You know, things like methylphenidate, modafinil, mirtazapine, or Adderall.
Thank you for the ideas. There are problems however. Lexapro is not available as a generic - it is unlikely that my doctor would prescribe it. Methylphenidate is only prescribed to children with ADHD here and Adderall is not available. I tried mirtazapine in the past but it was too sedating during the day and caused a lot of weight gain!
Take care Scott
PS. I hope you keep posting occasionally even though you're not coming on p-babble much lately. I've not been posting much myself either.
Posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 9:38:47
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS) » SLS, posted by kaleidoscope on April 1, 2007, at 8:56:46
> Hi Scott
>
> It's very positive to hear that you're feeling significantly improved. What doses of phenelzine and nortriptyline are you taking now?I am taking Nardil 75mg and nortriptyline 150mg. These drugs are currently perfectly tweaked.
Abilify will be the next drug I evaluate for its necessity to produce the current antidepressant response.
I like what I am feeling this morning. Perhaps I can indeed do without the Lamictal.
Currently:Nardil 75mg
nortriptyline 150mg
Topamax 100mg
Abilify 10mg
I wish I could take others with me.I worked very hard and suffered unspeakably to get here.
I deserve this.
Everyone does.
- Scott
Posted by kaleidoscope on April 1, 2007, at 11:03:23
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS) » kaleidoscope, posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 9:38:47
Hi Scott
>I am taking Nardil 75mg and nortriptyline 150mg. These drugs are currently perfectly tweaked.
It's great that the higher dose of nortriptyline has been helpful. Do you think a higher dose might help even more?
>I like what I am feeling this morning. Perhaps I can indeed do without the Lamictal.
I hope so, you might feel more clear-headed without the anticonvulsant.
>Abilify will be the next drug I evaluate for its necessity to produce the current antidepressant response.
What about Topamax? Will you try reducing the Topamax too?
>I deserve this.
Absolutely, I wish you all the best.
Ed
Posted by gardenergirl on April 1, 2007, at 14:31:17
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS) » kaleidoscope, posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 9:38:47
>
> I deserve this.
>
> Everyone does.I agree 100 percent. I'm glad you're feeling better, and please know you are definitely missed here. You've helped me a lot with support and advice when I've asked. Thank you. If I can ever return the favor, please feel free to email me.
Namaste
gg
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2007, at 15:32:02
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS) » SLS, posted by gardenergirl on April 1, 2007, at 14:31:17
Scott I didn't know you had responded to the thread. I wish you the best and no one deserves it more than you. Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 16:54:24
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS), posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2007, at 15:32:02
> Scott I didn't know you had responded to the thread. I wish you the best and no one deserves it more than you.
Perhaps. But neither does anyone else deserve it less.
One of the things that helps prevent me from feeling too much guilt is to know how hard I had to work to achieve this antidepressant response and all the pain I had to suffer through.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 17:06:57
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS) » SLS, posted by kaleidoscope on April 1, 2007, at 11:03:23
> Hi Scott
>
> >I am taking Nardil 75mg and nortriptyline 150mg. These drugs are currently perfectly tweaked.
>
> It's great that the higher dose of nortriptyline has been helpful. Do you think a higher dose might help even more?I tried that already. :-)
200mg left me feeling no better than 150mg and produced a mental fog.
> >I like what I am feeling this morning. Perhaps I can indeed do without the Lamictal.
> I hope so, you might feel more clear-headed without the anticonvulsant.
That's the idea.
> >Abilify will be the next drug I evaluate for its necessity to produce the current antidepressant response.
> What about Topamax? Will you try reducing the Topamax too?That's a tough call. I found that Topamax produced a noticeable psychotropic effect yielding less depression and more mental energy and motivation. That's why I chose the Lamictal to discontinue first. I have also seen Topamax produce a significant anti-manic effect in someone that probably exceeds that of Lamictal. I should have something on board that keeps things under control. For now, I would guess Topamax to be a better choice than Lamictal. I have had manic reactions to antidepressant manipulations that Lamictal did not prevent. One could argue, of course, that Abilify might occupy the role of an anti-manic, but I would rather avoid neuroleptics if I could.
> > I deserve this.> Absolutely, I wish you all the best.
Thank you.
And to you as well...
- Scott
Posted by Klavot on April 2, 2007, at 14:50:48
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS), posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 8:32:35
> Meri-Tuuli: I am extremely appreciative of your well-wishes for me. Prior to Kaleidoscope's inquiry, you were the only one who asked about me.
Many of us have enquired about you before, though not always on the main boards, see e.g.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070305/msgs/740396.html
Posted by KayeBaby on April 3, 2007, at 4:16:52
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS), posted by SLS on April 1, 2007, at 8:32:35
Scott,
I have missed your presence here but had the impression that you were on to something and spending your time persuing wellness rather than focusing on illness by being here right now.I didn't want to be the first to ask of you fearing that it would conjure you away from your hard work and healing.
Strangely, I think we have all been holding our breath. Waiting for you to re-emerge with nothing less than your salvation.
Don't think for a moment you are not missed. Your absence has been taken as a positive sign.
We want you happy even if it means that we may lose some of your support and inspiration.
Be Well, Scott.
Kaye
Posted by SLS on April 3, 2007, at 8:25:05
In reply to Re: Scott (SLS) You are missed, posted by KayeBaby on April 3, 2007, at 4:16:52
:-)
Thanks.
> had the impression that you were on to something and spending your time persuing wellness rather than focusing on illness by being here right now.
Yes. Very insightful.
Depression and positive energy are not mutually exclusive. Every attempt is a success, regardless of outcome. Of course, the closer one is to being where they wish to be, the easier it is to say such things. However, positive energy can be cultivated - each little bit being so precious and requiring so much work to grow, especially when one is depressed. I found that I needed to conserve mine. Unfortunately, I found that the current state of Psycho-Babble was no longer conducive to my recovery from mental illness.
- Scott
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