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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shy_Girl on March 7, 2005, at 22:19:02
Hello
I just discovered this site very recently. Some of you seem to know very much about medications. I've only started researching about meds. I was on Zoloft for a long time for occasional depression and my social anxiety. I stopped taking it on my own and my pdoc eventally agreed with me that I was doing ok. I was doing very well during the summer and did very well in my studies. I stopped seeing my pdoc. Then the next semester started and I started getting horribly anxious in my lab classes. I couldn't study and became obsessed with researching suicide methods (again), but I wasn't suicidal. I couldn't study and ended up taking an overdose of ASA in an effort to induce symptoms and get a doctor's note for deferral of my midterms. I had researched the LD50 for aspirin beforehand and made sure to take a non-lethal dose of about 250mg/kg. I made the stupid mistake of telling the doctor I took the aspirin and got myself sent to the ER!! I would have been ok without the sodium bicarb IV right?? The hyperventilation would have corrected the metabolic acidosis right?? Afterward I got stuck in the psych ward for an assessment! I guess it doesn't matter how 'sane' one sounds when one self harms (even in a responsible way). I got labelled with an adjustment disorder. Now I'm on Celexa. After a few days of being released from hospital, I got really suicidal and was really happy about it. I find that I really love bing suicidal...it's exciting. It's wierd, I feel totally hopeless and happy at the same time. I find my depressions are more atypical...they never last very long and I can be happy. I may be getting just a little hypochondratic about this, but I find I have a few borderline traits and 'may' have experienced hypomania in the past? Anyways, no one has told me there was anything wrong with me, but I'm starting to wonder if a simple SSRI is enough for me?? I tend to get upset easily and my thoughts quickly turn to suicide. Just as quickly I can become ok. I'm wondering if there is such a drug out there that can be taken on an as needed basis for when I'm suicidal/extremely upset. I've read about ppl with BPD taking Haldol for dsyphoria...would that be too extreme for me??
Thank-you for reading! :)
Posted by FredPotter on March 7, 2005, at 22:39:29
In reply to Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidality?, posted by Shy_Girl on March 7, 2005, at 22:19:02
I'm told GHB dissolves suicidal feelings almost immediately, so presumably Xyrem would. However most doctors think substance abuse is more serious than suicide-induced death, so it can be difficult to get drugs that lift these feelings quickly
Fred
Posted by Dinah on March 7, 2005, at 22:40:06
In reply to Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidality?, posted by Shy_Girl on March 7, 2005, at 22:19:02
Maybe you can talk to your doctor about an anti-psychotic? They aren't just for psychosis, they're also a pretty potent tranquilizer without being overly sedating.
I take a small dose of Risperdal when I'm agitated and it works quite well.
There are potential side effects. :(
Posted by Shy_Girl on March 7, 2005, at 22:48:23
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidality?, posted by FredPotter on March 7, 2005, at 22:39:29
> I'm told GHB dissolves suicidal feelings almost immediately, so presumably Xyrem would. However most doctors think substance abuse is more serious than suicide-induced death, so it can be difficult to get drugs that lift these feelings quickly
> FredHmmm...I will have to research GHB and Xyrem. Don't know what they are. :)
Posted by Shy_Girl on March 7, 2005, at 22:54:09
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidality? » Shy_Girl, posted by Dinah on March 7, 2005, at 22:40:06
> Maybe you can talk to your doctor about an anti-psychotic? They aren't just for psychosis, they're also a pretty potent tranquilizer without being overly sedating.
>
> I take a small dose of Risperdal when I'm agitated and it works quite well.
>
> There are potential side effects. :(Hmmm...I though Haldol was also an antipsychotic, a very fast acting older antipsychotic that has more possibility of inducing tardive dyskinesia? Risperdal is one of the newer atypical antipsychotics right? It's pretty expensive isn't it? I somehow think my pdoc isn't going to give me anything stronger than an SSRI...she more into psychotherapy than prescribing.
Posted by Dinah on March 7, 2005, at 23:05:38
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidality?, posted by Shy_Girl on March 7, 2005, at 22:54:09
I have prescription coverage. I think Risperdal is one of the older new antipsychotics. I think it's very hard to get psychiatrists to prescribe the older ones. Many of them are scared. But the newer ones are getting a lot of activity for any number of conditions. After all, tranquilizing is tranquilizing.
Posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 0:13:31
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidality?, posted by Dinah on March 7, 2005, at 23:05:38
Lithium is the best antisuicide med bar none. I believe it is the only med indicated for suicidal feelings actually.
Brian
Posted by Maxime on March 8, 2005, at 0:28:36
In reply to Re: Lithium, posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 0:13:31
> Lithium is the best antisuicide med bar none. I believe it is the only med indicated for suicidal feelings actually.
>
> BrianI second the motion. You are right Brian ... but this is only from what I have read.
Maxime
Posted by Neal on March 8, 2005, at 3:03:41
In reply to Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidality?, posted by Shy_Girl on March 7, 2005, at 22:19:02
Your symptoms suggest some kind of rapidly cycling bi-polar disorder to me. Treat all this very seriously and take your meds! What seems fun now, can get very grim in a hurry, especially if you experience a loss, such as a romantic breakup. BTW, acute suicidality is called depression.
Posted by ed_uk on March 8, 2005, at 10:08:46
In reply to Re: Lithium, posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 0:13:31
Hi Opt!
Hope you're doing well!
>Lithium is the best antisuicide med bar none. I believe it is the only med indicated for suicidal feelings actually.
Clozapine decreases the risk of suicide in schizophrenia, not that this is relevent to shy_girl.
Best Regards,
Ed.
Posted by SLS on March 8, 2005, at 10:18:23
In reply to Re: Lithium » Optimist, posted by ed_uk on March 8, 2005, at 10:08:46
> Hi Opt!
>
> Hope you're doing well!
>
> >Lithium is the best antisuicide med bar none. I believe it is the only med indicated for suicidal feelings actually.
>
> Clozapine decreases the risk of suicide in schizophrenia, not that this is relevent to shy_girl.
>
> Best Regards,
> Ed.
I have had success using Zyprexa as an acute treatment for a suicidal state. It helps settle the anxiety and ruminating thoughts that accompany suicidality.
- Scott
Posted by Shy_Girl on March 8, 2005, at 11:00:19
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidalit, posted by Neal on March 8, 2005, at 3:03:41
> Your symptoms suggest some kind of rapidly cycling bi-polar disorder to me. Treat all this very seriously and take your meds! What seems fun now, can get very grim in a hurry, especially if you experience a loss, such as a romantic breakup. BTW, acute suicidality is called depression.
I'm pretty sure I don't just have a 'simple' major depression when I get depressed. As I understand it, there is a spectrum between unipolar and bipolar depression. I don't think I meet the criteria for any bipolar depression because of my very rapidly changing moods that change in response to psycho-social stressors (real and perceived). Labels don't really matter that much anyways. Hmmm...Lithium...isn't that only for mania or something? Isn't it also dangerous? I am able to behave very normally in public despite intense inner turmoil...which makes me wonder whether or not my unhappiness is biological in nature and hence responsive to medication. Are suicidal behaviours/ideations/gestures always indicative of some inbalance in neurotransmitters?
Thanks for the opinions! :)
Posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 12:54:29
In reply to Re: Lithium » Optimist, posted by ed_uk on March 8, 2005, at 10:08:46
> Hi Opt!
>
> Hope you're doing well!
>
> >Lithium is the best antisuicide med bar none. I believe it is the only med indicated for suicidal feelings actually.
>
> Clozapine decreases the risk of suicide in schizophrenia, not that this is relevent to shy_girl.
>
> Best Regards,
> Ed.Hey Ed,
I think many drugs can DECREASE the risk, but in terms of scraping you off the floor of depression quickly nothing compares to lithium. That is for depression/bipolar, for schizophrenia I'm not entirely sure, as the reason for suicide may be different for someone with psychosis I'd imagine but I may be wrong. I'm not as familiar with schizophrenia/psychosis states, even though my sister has experienced them.
I've heard Clozapine has the best AD qualities with respect to APs too, with Zyprexa coming in second. I think it has to do with the 5HT2a:D2 antagonist ratio I've read somewhere.
Brian
Posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 13:08:56
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidalit » Neal, posted by Shy_Girl on March 8, 2005, at 11:00:19
> > Your symptoms suggest some kind of rapidly cycling bi-polar disorder to me. Treat all this very seriously and take your meds! What seems fun now, can get very grim in a hurry, especially if you experience a loss, such as a romantic breakup. BTW, acute suicidality is called depression.
>
> I'm pretty sure I don't just have a 'simple' major depression when I get depressed. As I understand it, there is a spectrum between unipolar and bipolar depression. I don't think I meet the criteria for any bipolar depression because of my very rapidly changing moods that change in response to psycho-social stressors (real and perceived). Labels don't really matter that much anyways. Hmmm...Lithium...isn't that only for mania or something? Isn't it also dangerous? I am able to behave very normally in public despite intense inner turmoil...which makes me wonder whether or not my unhappiness is biological in nature and hence responsive to medication. Are suicidal behaviours/ideations/gestures always indicative of some inbalance in neurotransmitters?
>
> Thanks for the opinions! :)
>
Yes, lithium is used as a mood stabilizer for mania, but it is also used for aggression, treatment resistant depression, and suicidal states, among other indications I'm sure. Lithium isn't that dangerous if you monitor your blood concentration level and make sure you have sufficient fluids and sodium. The reason lithium gets such a bad rap is it's association with a severe illness like bipolar, and gets thought of as equically severe which it is not. It is highly underutilized due to this stereotype.Could it be possible you are experiencing mood reactivity as part of atypical depression? I think mood reactivity is defined as an increase in mood to positive events while low at other times. Certain antidepressants are quite effective in treating it.
Brian
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2005, at 17:03:01
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidalit » Shy_Girl, posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 13:08:56
Why does lithium act to curb the desire to commit suicide? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Shy_Girl on March 8, 2005, at 18:57:08
In reply to Re: Is there a drug that can stop acute suicidalit » Shy_Girl, posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 13:08:56
> Yes, lithium is used as a mood stabilizer for mania, but it is also used for aggression, treatment resistant depression, and suicidal states, among other indications I'm sure. Lithium isn't that dangerous if you monitor your blood concentration level and make sure you have sufficient fluids and sodium. The reason lithium gets such a bad rap is it's association with a severe illness like bipolar, and gets thought of as equically severe which it is not. It is highly underutilized due to this stereotype.
>
> Could it be possible you are experiencing mood reactivity as part of atypical depression? I think mood reactivity is defined as an increase in mood to positive events while low at other times. Certain antidepressants are quite effective in treating it.
>
> BrianI agree that my depressions are very much like atypical type depressions, except that I don't gain weight. I'm not sure how indicative of biological causes certain symptoms are compared with other ones. My sleep is also not overly disturbed. I tend to sleep about 10 hours pretty soundly (or 12 when extremely tired) when I have time. I'm not sure if it is the 20mg Celexa that is now causing me to wake up every 2-3 hours during the night.
I read that MAOIs are superiour to tricyclics. Don't know how they compare with SSRIs. I don't think I can follow the MAOI diet restrictions...there's a lot of soy sauce in my diet. : )
Well, it doesn't really matter. I think I'm feeling much better now, so for now the 20mg Celexa seems ok.
Happy thoughts :)
Posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 12:41:00
In reply to Re: Lithium » ed_uk, posted by Optimist on March 8, 2005, at 12:54:29
Hi Opt!
I noticed someone in the archives called 'optimistic' - is it you???
Best Regards,
Ed.
Posted by Optimist on March 9, 2005, at 16:56:55
In reply to Re: Lithium » Optimist, posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 12:41:00
> Hi Opt!
>
> I noticed someone in the archives called 'optimistic' - is it you???
>
> Best Regards,
> Ed.
>
>
Hey Ed,Nope... not me. I think I saw that as well. Did his/her posts sound similar to mine? :)
Brian
Posted by ed_uk on March 10, 2005, at 8:55:21
In reply to Re: Lithium » ed_uk, posted by Optimist on March 9, 2005, at 16:56:55
Hi Brian!
>Did his/her posts sound similar to mine? :)
I'm not sure, I didn't read that many! Yesterday, I also asked rainbowbrite whether she used to be called rainbowlight, rainbowlight was also a different person!
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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