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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ania on March 15, 2000, at 8:10:04
Hello Everyone,
I've been following your conversations for a while and it has been very helpful ,as well as, frightening (all the side effects).
I suffer from depression and haven't had much luck with Prozac or Effexor XR. My psychiatrist has put me on Celexa yesterday, but I'm not very encouraged from what I have read so
far.
I just read a book by Dr. Martin T. Jensen, "The Successful Treatment of Brain Chemical Imbalance." He devised a new method of testing what chemicals are out of balance in the
patient's brain and uses "Protocols" to find the right antidepressant. He uses 3-4 different AD's for 3-5 days each to see which one works best (he doesn't wait 6 weeks).
The approach seems to work. But when I confronted by doctor with it, he was not very open to the suggestions.Has anyone heard of this guy? or read his book? or tried his methods?
Please give me your thoughts on this.Thanks,
Ania
Posted by michael on March 15, 2000, at 11:20:11
In reply to Brain Chemical Imbalance, posted by Ania on March 15, 2000, at 8:10:04
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I've been following your conversations for a while and it has been very helpful ,as well as, frightening (all the side effects).
> I suffer from depression and haven't had much luck with Prozac or Effexor XR. My psychiatrist has put me on Celexa yesterday, but I'm not very encouraged from what I have read so
> far.
> I just read a book by Dr. Martin T. Jensen, "The Successful Treatment of Brain Chemical Imbalance." He devised a new method of testing what chemicals are out of balance in the
> patient's brain and uses "Protocols" to find the right antidepressant. He uses 3-4 different AD's for 3-5 days each to see which one works best (he doesn't wait 6 weeks).
> The approach seems to work. But when I confronted by doctor with it, he was not very open to the suggestions.
>
> Has anyone heard of this guy? or read his book? or tried his methods?
> Please give me your thoughts on this.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ania
I think John L. had mentioned the same concept. I mentioned it to my new psych, and I got the standard "it can take up to 6 weeks..." - not very open to the idea.
Posted by JohnL on March 16, 2000, at 3:36:55
In reply to Brain Chemical Imbalance, posted by Ania on March 15, 2000, at 8:10:04
I read the book and found it fascinating. It actually makes perfect sense. I have lots of books on depression. If I had to throw them all out and keep just one, The Successful Treatment of Brain Chemical Imbalance is the one I would keep.
These are specifics I really like:
A description of how and why each of 10 different chemical imbalances result in the same symptoms. 250 case examples to illustrate.
A section for the general public to understand, as well as a section for the physician or the more technical oriented patient.
Specific examples with case stories, bar graphs, etc etc.
This book is loaded with cool stuff on every page.
If you think about it, it makes perfectly logical sense. We see it all the time in the real world, and here, but fail to put it into an organized manner as Dr Jensen attempts to.My doctor has never heard of Dr. Jensen, yet uses a very similar approach. He likes to do relatively quick two week comparisons and then let me choose which was the best to continue with. The underlying assumption is that our unique chemistry will prefer one molecule over another, and that when it does it is obvious quickly.
I've tried Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac. Prozac was the best. But that wasn't good enough for my pdoc. He wanted to compare Celexa, Luvox, and Effexor before getting committed to any one of them. So I did. Celexa was clearly inferior. As was Luvox. One week each. Right now I'm on Effexor and I have to admit I was astounded with how good it made me feel THE VERY FIRST DAY! Just like he said would happen. I think my chemistry likes this molecule called Effexor! Dr Jensen's strategy has proved itself in real life with my own experiences. I find it interesting that he isn't the only one using this approach, though admittedly most pdocs don't. They prefer to commit their patients to these long drawnout trials where they'll never know if a different drug within the same class might have been a whole lot better. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to compare. Results are indeed obvious very quickly when the right drug is found.
In the beginning I objected furiously to Dr Jensens quick-trial comparison method. But after reading the book, I find it impossible to blow a hole in the theory. Results speak for themselves as well. He specializes in getting people well who have failed with other doctors, and getting well fast. His book makes it dramatically obvious that he understands the intricacies of the brain and the subtle differences between drugs like I never thought possible. He blows most pdocs right out of the water. He's a genius in psychiatry and brain chemistry. Six week trials become ancient primitive methods in his hands. Sure, drugs take 6 weeks to work fully, but the right ones make themselves obvious much quicker. The slower long trials usually indicate an inferior match.
I'm rambling. But yes, I've read the book. It's a masterpiece. It turned me--a true disbeliever and critic--into a true believer. And my own pdoc has proved the validity of these methods with me personally. Everything I read in the book has actually happened with me. Defintely a superb addition to the library. It is being used in some medical schools, and I can understand why. After reading it, I can't help but laugh at myself for being so critical before reading it. I thought I knew it all. I was way wrong. JohnL
Posted by Ania on March 16, 2000, at 9:09:45
In reply to Re: Brain Chemical Imbalance (long), posted by JohnL on March 16, 2000, at 3:36:55
(sorry if this is a repeat)
Hi JohnL,
Thank you so much for all your insights and indepth analysis of the book.
I feel similar to you. I just wish I could find a pdoc
who agrees with me. My current pdoc is not very responsive.
He even tried to make me feel bad for wanting to try this approach.
I think it's time for a new doctor! The problem is my insurance (HMO).
They're very strict. I'm thinking about getting a phone consultation from
Dr. Jenesn himself, but that's abound $300.00.Do you have any suggestions? I live in Baltimore, MD.
Thanks again,
Ania
Posted by JohnL on March 17, 2000, at 3:46:06
In reply to Re: Brain Chemical Imbalance (long), posted by Ania on March 16, 2000, at 9:09:45
> (sorry if this is a repeat)
>
> Hi JohnL,
>
> Thank you so much for all your insights and indepth analysis of the book.
> I feel similar to you. I just wish I could find a pdoc
> who agrees with me. My current pdoc is not very responsive.
> He even tried to make me feel bad for wanting to try this approach.
> I think it's time for a new doctor! The problem is my insurance (HMO).
> They're very strict. I'm thinking about getting a phone consultation from
> Dr. Jenesn himself, but that's abound $300.00.
>
> Do you have any suggestions? I live in Baltimore, MD.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> AniaMy HMO won't cover services outside of the program, so I am used to paying outright for services. I don't like the two pdocs in the HMO in my area. They're both pretty lame. So even though it's more expensive, I tighten my belt in other places to be able to afford to write a check for services outside the HMO. At first I thought the $300 was a lot. But actually, every initial pdoc visit I've had cost about the same. Fifteen minute visits in my area cost $75 to $80, so Jensen's fees are really no different than anyone else. He just knows what he's doing a lot more than most others.
If you have a family doctor who will cooperate, Jensen will phone and fax your doctor in a teamlike manner in treating you. A regular doctor would be cheaper than a pdoc. If your doctor has objections to Jensen's approach, email Jensen and let him know. At your request he will call your doctor personally to address any concerns. He's quite professional and mild mannered. JohnL
Posted by Ania on March 22, 2000, at 10:50:19
In reply to Re: Brain Chemical Imbalance , posted by JohnL on March 17, 2000, at 3:46:06
I contacted Dr. Jenesn and I have a pre-consultation with him on Thursday.
I have to set up a time when he can talk to my regular doctor.
I'm very excited.
I hope this works!Thanks for your advice!
Ania
>
> My HMO won't cover services outside of the program, so I am used to paying outright for services. I don't like the two pdocs in the HMO in my area. They're both pretty lame. So even though it's more expensive, I tighten my belt in other places to be able to afford to write a check for services outside the HMO. At first I thought the $300 was a lot. But actually, every initial pdoc visit I've had cost about the same. Fifteen minute visits in my area cost $75 to $80, so Jensen's fees are really no different than anyone else. He just knows what he's doing a lot more than most others.
>
> If you have a family doctor who will cooperate, Jensen will phone and fax your doctor in a teamlike manner in treating you. A regular doctor would be cheaper than a pdoc. If your doctor has objections to Jensen's approach, email Jensen and let him know. At your request he will call your doctor personally to address any concerns. He's quite professional and mild mannered. JohnL
This is the end of the thread.
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