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Double depression and hard time finding a med

Posted by Cybele on August 2, 2005, at 17:48:05

I've posted on here quite a bit, but it's been a while. I have had dysthymia for over 30 years now (I am 44), and only rarely is it so bad I need meds. My "depression" is mostly manifested in difficulty concentrating. I used to be helped by Wellbutrin, which I have taken off and on for 10 years (more off than on), but over time it caused increasing REM sleep problems to the point where I could only take 100mg of SR in the morning. If I took any more than that my REM latency would drop to about 2 seconds. Now I know what narcolepsy must feel like.

The last 3 years have been very stressful for my family--job losses, a move, death of family member--and I've been really struggling. The last month has been really difficult, and I think I am going to have to drop out of the graduate class I was taking this quarter and will put a hold on my job search. I absolutely cannot concentrate. I watch TV, I play computer games, I minimally take care of house and family and finances.

A year ago I had some luck with Effexor. My depression was not as bad then as it is now, and I felt pretty normal when I was on teh Effexor. However, I gained 20 pounds, despite exercise and watchign what I ate, and I have yet to lose this weight. Any med that lowers my metabolism, as Effexor undoubtedly did, is not an option for me; it will make me feel worse!

I also cannot take SSRIs. I took 6 weeks of Paxil 10 years ago which made me feel much worse. I took 2 weeks of Prozac once and felt like a zombie.

My family doctor asked me to schedule an appt with a PDOC, but it takes 2 months to get in to see one with my health insurance. Until then, she would consider any AD I present to her based on my research. Exercise helps, but the effect is temporary--lately only lasting a couple hours.

So double depression, no SSRIs, no Wellbutrin, no Effexor, nothing infamous for weight gain... what's left?

Thanks for reading this and any thoughts you might have.


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poster:Cybele thread:536807
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050728/msgs/536807.html