Posted by annabamma on September 25, 2009, at 14:31:24
In reply to Re: Running out of options » Monica L, posted by merry-dove on September 25, 2009, at 11:18:07
> >
> > I've been reading a lot about atypical >depression and I think I can narrow it down >pretty close. Of course I will let a Dr. or >therapist make that decision. I've always dealt >with depression, just never knew what kind.
>
> Monica, I have struggled with atypical depression since I was a teenager. I also developed an extreme anxiety disorder and social phobia in my twenties. I'm 53 now and still fighting it. Many times I have thought about giving up but I couldn't do that to my husband, mom, sister and grown son.
>
> All antidepressants eventually "poop out" in my experience. So you try another and if it doesn't work at all you try another. Or if it works a little you work on the dosage or the time of day you take it. Or you augment with something. You just keep trying because your family needs you.
>
> Two months ago I switched from Cymbalta - an SNRI (pooped out after 2 1/2 years) to Pristiq, also an SNRI. Before switching I had been at an ALL TIME LOW with NO energy and NO desire to to ANYTHING. I was crying all the time, had EXTREME fatigue, rarely left the house except to go to work part-time and I didn't know how I was going to keep working. I started Pristiq and it helped "some". Not nearly enough. I was still in a very bad place. I saw a commercial on TV for Abilify. My Dr. gave me some 2mg samples and I started taking it 1 1/2 weeks ago. All I can say is that it has been a MIRACLE DRUG for me! I have energy, the desire to go places, talk to people, basically LIVE rather than exist!
>
> I was at the point you were at, thinking about trying an MAOI. But I was afraid to go through the wash-out period between stopping the SNRI. Also, I was afraid of the side effect of weight gain. (I lost 30 lbs this past year on Nutrisystem.)
>
> I spent HOUR upon HOUR researching drugs, reviewing the side effects, reading other people's experiences on various web sites. Then I was just too tired to do it any more. I saw the commercial for Abilify and decided to try it even though I didn't have much hope it would work.
>
> I am VERY happy right now- I hope it continues to help me!
>
> Maybe this could be the medicine you need to augment your antidepressant.
>
> BTW, I was on Paxil for a couple of years and it made me a zombie. I didn't care about anything and slept all the time. Have you tried Prozac, Zoloft or Cymbalta? These all helped me - Prozac was the very first antidepressant I took in my twenties and it changed my life at that time. Zoloft lasted a fairly long time. I did have to augment the Zoloft with Wellbutrin, however. Also, I have almost always taken Ritalin along with the antidepressants for fatigue. After many years though, the Ritalin started to only give me an hour of feeling "ok". Then the crash. I stopped the Ritalin and started 72mg of Concerta 3 months ago but the extreme fatigue persisted. I also started taking klonopin for anxiety and social phobia about 3 years ago. I was taking Cymbalta then. At the time it helped TREMENDOUSLY. But the effects are not the same any more. It still helps some.
>
> If it helps, this is what I take right now:
>
> Pristiq - 100mg 1 x day - AM
> Concerta - 72mg 1 X day - AM
> Klonopin - .25 mg. 3 x day and .5mg at bedtime
> Vicodin - 1/2 pill 3-4 X day (5mg/500mg tabs)
> Abilify (the miracle drug) 2mg 1 x day - AM
>
> Don't give up searching. Everyone on this board knows the only person who can really help you is yourself. The doctors certainly don't care enough in my experience.
>
> Good luck and God Bless!
>
> Terry
>
> P.S. I believe with all my heart that God led me to this medicine. He's always helped me in the past when I've reached a bottom point.Do you think just Abilify would help? I have the EXACT same problem with NO energy or motivation to do ANYTHING, but I can't take any thing too activating or my heart gets too nervous and my wimpy CNS gets all upset..
poster:annabamma
thread:917857
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090921/msgs/918458.html