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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by floatingbridge on October 9, 2009, at 13:48:14
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by sowhysosad on October 9, 2009, at 13:07:53
Sowhysosad,
I'm pleased to hear that you are able to be working with your wife. Depression is tough on the whole family. When I was at my worst, I almost lost my long-time husband due to the strain (and yes, my behavior). We are doing better than ever now. I'm getting better treatment, acting out less, and he spent some time really listening and 'groking' what 'it' was like for me. no 'snapping out of it' as they say.
I'm very relieved for you.
fb
Posted by sowhysosad on October 9, 2009, at 13:57:03
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by floatingbridge on October 9, 2009, at 13:48:14
Thanks fb!
> We are doing better than ever now. I'm getting better treatment, acting out less, and he spent some time really listening and 'groking' what 'it' was like for me.That's great news.
Posted by SLS on October 14, 2009, at 5:08:07
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » floatingbridge, posted by sowhysosad on October 9, 2009, at 13:57:03
I'm still alive, but things feel as if they have stalled and plateaued. I don't know whether to intervene now or allow things to work for awhile longer. I am still less than 50% improved. I am grateful to feel better, but my life is not likely to change much at this point. I feel that I need to feel a bit better before seeking employment.
- Scott
Posted by sowhysosad on October 14, 2009, at 12:48:07
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 14, 2009, at 5:08:07
> I'm still alive, but things feel as if they have stalled and plateaued.
But you're not any worse since you bounced back post-Abilify?
> I feel that I need to feel a bit better before seeking employment.
I'm in a similar situation. I feel that I would benefit from the routine of a regular job, but I'm scared to commit myself in case I deteriorate and suffer the embarrassment of having to quit early on.
Posted by SLS on October 14, 2009, at 15:40:58
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by sowhysosad on October 14, 2009, at 12:48:07
> > I'm still alive, but things feel as if they have stalled and plateaued.
>
> But you're not any worse since you bounced back post-Abilify?That's correct. I seem to be no worse for having stopped the Abilify.
> > I feel that I need to feel a bit better before seeking employment.
> I'm in a similar situation. I feel that I would benefit from the routine of a regular job, but I'm scared to commit myself in case I deteriorate and suffer the embarrassment of having to quit early on.The hardest part is to get started. I'm not ready yet. I hope I haven't become too accustomed to being unemployed and collecting disability.
- Scott
Posted by Bob on October 14, 2009, at 18:35:13
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by sowhysosad on October 14, 2009, at 12:48:07
>
> > I feel that I need to feel a bit better before seeking employment.
>
> I'm in a similar situation. I feel that I would benefit from the routine of a regular job, but I'm scared to commit myself in case I deteriorate and suffer the embarrassment of having to quit early on.
Ain't that the truth! I have this thought almost every day. I was disappointing a lot of people, not to mention myself, at the end of my employment before I finally acquired disability. A sense of obligation, responsiblity and commitment only go so far. My problem was serious enough that it eventually overwhelmed me.
Posted by sowhysosad on October 14, 2009, at 19:42:39
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by Bob on October 14, 2009, at 18:35:13
> I was disappointing a lot of people, not to mention myself, at the end of my employment before I finally acquired disability. A sense of obligation, responsiblity and commitment only go so far. My problem was serious enough that it eventually overwhelmed me.
Yeah, I had a little taster of that last year when I lost a freelance job because of this depression.
I'd only been there a couple of months and it was only two days a week, but it was still disappointing. I recall turning up one day but having to leave as I was completely unable to function!
This time around I just want a no-brainer, minimum-wage kind of job, so it would be particularly humiliating not to be able to stick it out.
Posted by sowhysosad on October 14, 2009, at 19:44:34
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by SLS on October 14, 2009, at 15:40:58
> The hardest part is to get started. I'm not ready yet. I hope I haven't become too accustomed to being unemployed and collecting disability.
I'm sure you'll be fine when the time is right but, as you say, you need to be 100% ready to make the leap.
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2009, at 19:44:48
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by SLS on October 14, 2009, at 15:40:58
Scott thanks!!!! Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:06:26
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by sowhysosad on October 14, 2009, at 12:48:07
Scott, you try and do some volunteer work. It will keep you busy and you can work when you want to work. I find doing volunteer work essential for mental health.
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:44:19
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:06:26
Posted by SLS on October 15, 2009, at 14:38:46
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:06:26
> Scott, you try and do some volunteer work. It will keep you busy and you can work when you want to work. I find doing volunteer work essential for mental health.
You're too smart. This has been suggested to me by numerous people in the mental health profession. I will call this week to find out what resources there are available locally. Thanks.
The last few days have been pretty crappy. I hope it is only a temporary worsening. I would hate to have to go back to Abiify, but I will if necessary.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » Maxime, posted by SLS on October 15, 2009, at 14:38:46
I have been deteriorating rapidly over the last week. Increasing my dosage of lithium to 900mg has not helped. My best guess is that my discontinuing Abilify has allowed for this worsening of depression to occur. Although I am not at all happy about having the need to take Abilify, I have decided to restart it.
- Scott
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 16, 2009, at 10:25:39
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
Hi Scott:
I'm sorry you'll have to go back on the Abilify, but I commend you for doing whatever you need to in order to feel better.
I hope it will put you back where you were a few months ago; i.e. feeling pretty darned good!
I've missed your valuable input on things!
Good luck!
Gayle
Posted by ricker on October 16, 2009, at 11:35:09
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
> Although I am not at all happy about having the need to take Abilify, I have decided to restart it.
Hi Scott,
Sorry to hear about your decline in mood. I'm in the same boat with Zyprexa but have no other choices at the moment.
I keep telling myself it is a fair trade-off (weight gain) for the mood enhancement. I also try and remain optimistic in that our options will broaden with the discovery of newer, user friendly drugs coming down the pipeline?This time of year (Thanksgiving/Christmas/winter blues) seems to challenge my ability to remain optimistic, but I keep telling myself it's temporary! Hang in there my friend, you will overcome your temporary setback. If you need the Abilify then so be it, nothing to be down about.
All the best,
Rick
Posted by floatingbridge on October 16, 2009, at 18:59:52
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
Scott, I'm sorry to hear about your deterioration of mood and having to start abilify. Do you think a lower dose might be therapeutic and give you some of the benefits that seem negated at the higher dose (like weight gain). (My two cents worth.)
My best wishes for your renewed health and mood,
warmly,
fb
Posted by uncouth on October 16, 2009, at 19:27:56
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on October 16, 2009, at 18:59:52
scott have you tried zyprexa? i seem to be fairly similar to you in background and meds tried, and zyprexa has been significantly different than geodon and abilify for me. zyprexa at 5mg made abilify 10mg and geodon 120mg look like a sugar pill.
yeah, there's weight gain, but i don't think that's a reason to suffer!
Posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2009, at 19:42:13
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
Scott not to anger or upset you but you know I've been here since your cymbalta trial. I've noticed a pattern the last year at least. That is when you start to think about work again you seem to deteriorate. And same time of year. And the weather's been absolutely horrible. Love Phillipa and do hope the abilify begins to work quickly for you
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:30:45
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by uncouth on October 16, 2009, at 19:27:56
> scott have you tried zyprexa? i seem to be fairly similar to you in background and meds tried, and zyprexa has been significantly different than geodon and abilify for me. zyprexa at 5mg made abilify 10mg and geodon 120mg look like a sugar pill.
>
> yeah, there's weight gain, but i don't think that's a reason to suffer!I tried Zyprexa once. I think I started at 10mg. I experienced a brief improvement in the first week, and then watched it disappear. Raising the dosage did not help. However, I have not combined Zyprexa with the same drugs I am currently taking, so I guess it must remain as an alternative.
Thanks, Uncouth.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:31:34
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 16, 2009, at 10:25:39
> Hi Scott:
>
> I'm sorry you'll have to go back on the Abilify, but I commend you for doing whatever you need to in order to feel better.
>
> I hope it will put you back where you were a few months ago; i.e. feeling pretty darned good!
>
> I've missed your valuable input on things!
>
> Good luck!
>
> Gayle
Thanks, Gayle.:-)
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:36:46
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on October 16, 2009, at 18:59:52
> Scott, I'm sorry to hear about your deterioration of mood and having to start abilify. Do you think a lower dose might be therapeutic and give you some of the benefits that seem negated at the higher dose (like weight gain). (My two cents worth.)
A very valuable 2¢.
:-)
I'm going to begin taking Abilify at the higher dosage. Once I establish a good response at that dosage, I can try reducing it from there.
> My best wishes for your renewed health and mood,
>
> warmly,Thanks. Your sentiments are much appreciated.
- Scott
Posted by uncouth on October 18, 2009, at 16:56:34
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » uncouth, posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:30:45
just as an FYI, in the last 1.5 years i've been on emsam, effexor, abilify, geodon, nortriptyine, clomipramine, luvox, lithium, rilutek, lamotrigine, deplin, memantine, parnate, nardil....but my current cocktail over the past 4 weeks has lifted me out of the pit and substantially reduced my obsessive rumination and pain over the past. importantly, i'm getting a response without being pushed into a mixed state, which all SSRIs and SNRIs have done.
i'm not at 100% by any means, but 70% is much better than 10%
what is working for me:
agomelatine 25mg
zyprexa 5mg <--as stated in previous post, I believe this is key
bupropion 600mg (as aplenzin)
deplin 7.5mg
lithobid 600mg
sam-e 400mg
lunesta 2mg (tapering off)i also take a variety of supplaments, including 2000mg of l-tryptophan at night.
i hope you feel better.
uncouth
Posted by uncouth on October 18, 2009, at 16:58:30
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by uncouth on October 18, 2009, at 16:56:34
also, i think there is some thinking about antipsychotics these days that they can be very different drugs at low doses compared to high doses. you may want to try zyprexa at 2.5 or 5mg if you try that drug again.
Posted by Maxime on October 18, 2009, at 19:19:38
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » floatingbridge, posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:36:46
I hope you start to feel better soon with the Abilify on board.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 20:31:43
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by Maxime on October 18, 2009, at 19:19:38
> I hope you start to feel better soon with the Abilify on board.
Yes. Ditto!
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