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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 amy18 on June 18, 2000, at 1:32:00
I am extremely confused. I went to a pdoc because I was only sleeping 2-3 hours a night and severely depressed. I was put on paxil and given lorezepam to sleep. I began to have what I call zombie days. I was put on Wellbutrin and given clonazapan to sleep. Then I had two weeks of grand spending, sex, wonderful conversation, blah blah blah, and my pdoc decided I was bipolar. Then it was paxil, wellbutrin, and lithium and clonezepam to sleep. Now after what have been labeled as suicide attempts (i saw them as great ideas at the time), I'm on depakote and seroquel and wondering if there is ever going to be a month where I use to feel what I deem as normal and awake. Will I ever get my life back or is my head just screwed up entirely. It must be said though that I did change my doctor after the first "great idea" of mine (he reduced my meds). I am not functioning well at work. The scary thing is, I could care less. All I want to do is curl up in my bed and never move. I had a therapist, but we got no where so I found it not worth $25/week. So basically, can anyone tell me, is there a cure for this or am I destined to just function through life and that's it? I don't take the seroquel when i'm depressed (i can sleep without it), but then when i'm depressed, my pdoc wants to see me but i'm too tired to wait in the waiting room for an appointment. i fall asleep then end up leaving. sometimes i can't stand the noise other people make, i can't think, my mind wanders in the middle of a sentence while i'm talking. today is a good day, but some days i just wake up and want to cry for nothing. someone out there does any of this sound familar?
Posted by Angela5 on June 18, 2000, at 3:05:47
In reply to confused, posted by amy18 on June 18, 2000, at 1:32:00
Amy -
The feelings you describe sound very familiar. In fact, I have gone through and am going through many of them myself.
The first time I was majorly, severely depressed was four years ago. Finally, I actually checked myself into an inpatient mental health clinic. I was only there for a few days, but it gave me a few things that I couldn't get anywhere else, and it may be able to help you in the same way. You could get a little bit of rest from the outside world, for one. You could also get a place where it is easier to find people/doctors to talk to; they can come to you in there, or you won't have to go far to get to them. You need some constant care right now, as well as some time to find more stability.
I'm not sure what else to say, but I do understand and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers (hope that's ok).
Angela
Posted by JohnL on June 18, 2000, at 7:00:58
In reply to confused, posted by amy18 on June 18, 2000, at 1:32:00
Amy,
I sure am sorry to hear how frustrating things are for you right now. I can sure relate. And how.
Even though this is impossible to believe, hold it close to your heart and remember it...you WILL get better. As sure as the sun rises. All these things shall come to pass. As my mother always told, "the pendulum swings". It can't stay where it is forever.
Based on what you have said about previous medications, can I suggest something to consider? Zyprexa + stimulant. I could spend pages explaining why, but in a nutshell this is it:
* The odds of one medication working are no better than another. Since others have already been tried, the odds of these working has increased. You've narrowed down the field.
* These medications target different chemistries than other medications you've tried. Wellbutrin is sort of like a stimulant, but in no way can predict how you would respond to a real stimulant.
* Stimulants work by increasing norepinephrine and/or dopamine function, both of which are pleasure centers in the brain, and they also increase blood flow to parts of the brain that may be lacking. The best thing is that if they are to work, they will do so in 24 to 72 hours. No long suffering trials to find out. That is a HUGE plus for someone in your shoes.
* Stimulants are ironically appropriate for people susceptible to mania.
* Check out Dr bob's 'Tip' section to see what other doctors have to say about stimulants for depression.
* You won't have that zombiness with a stimulant.
* Zyprexa is turning out to be a wide spectrum medication capable of treating a wide range of symptoms. It is being used to treat depression. It was just approved for controlling mania too. It's far more than the antipsychotic it was first meant to be. Don't let the word antipsychotic scare you. Zyprexa is a good wide spectrum medication.
* Zyprexa will let you sleep like a baby. You can expect a hangover kind of feeling upon waking, which goes away with the morning coffee. At low doses of 2.5mg to 5mg, and especially when combined with a stimulant, daytime zombiness is not likely.In your shoes, knowing what I know now, with the benefit of hindsight, that's what I would do. Zyprexa 2.5mg-5mg plus either Ritalin, Adderall, or Provigil. Which ever works best in comparison trials.
I've found it helpful to print out my research on drugs like these to show my doctor when requesting a trial of this or that. You might find that helpful too. Dr Bob's 'Tips' has been especially helpful in pursuading my doc. It shows the doc what other docs around the world are having success with, and lends credibility to your requests. Stimulants for depression in 'Tips' is very convincing. There's good info on Zyprexa. To find the recent news release on its approval for mania you'll have to search the web. Your doc may already be aware, but just in case...
Zyprexa plus a stimulant is my pdocs favorite strategy for treating frustrating cases like yours. It covers a lot of bases all at once and increases the odds for success, but most especially when other more routine approaches have already failed. Which they have. You qualify.
JohnL
Posted by CarolAnn on June 18, 2000, at 18:59:32
In reply to confused, posted by amy18 on June 18, 2000, at 1:32:00
Amy,
Don't give up on therapy, it took me three tries to find the therapist who was finally able to help me. I still suffer depression, but I have dealt with all my "issues" and this helps me cope with the chemical depression I am now trying to 'cure'. What therapy will do also, is teach you coping mechanisms for the times when your depression is stopping you from living your life and dealing with responsibilities. So keep trying, we're rooting for you! CarolAnn
Posted by shar on June 18, 2000, at 19:53:47
In reply to Re: confused, but not for long, posted by JohnL on June 18, 2000, at 7:00:58
> Amy,
I just want to echo what others have said. Hold on, it's no fun, but you are on your way to feeling better. I can remember how awful the angst was before I had any treatment, and the day-to-day felt like eternity.
However--there are many posts and people here that can tell you that things get better, and it will be worth it.
Onward through the fog!
Shar
Posted by ChrisK on June 19, 2000, at 6:49:42
In reply to confused, posted by amy18 on June 18, 2000, at 1:32:00
Amy,
There is hope, but you need to hang in there for now. I suffered from depression for at least 25 years. It wasn't until I had two suicide attempts that I found the right doctor for me. He worked with me until we found the right meds. It took about 2 years of playing with different meds and doses until I found a cocktail that makes me feel human again.
I agreee with JohnL about trying Zyprexa. It really cleared my thought patterns and helped me to focus on things. Of all the meds I've tried, Zyprexa was the one that made the biggest difference in me. I take it to augment Wellbutrin and don't feel any side effects.
I've made it through the same place you are in. It can happen. I'm far from perfect right now but I am so much better than I was two years ago.
Keep coming back here and you will see success stories. There is hope.
Stay with us and let us know how you progress.
Chris
> I am extremely confused. I went to a pdoc because I was only sleeping 2-3 hours a night and severely depressed. I was put on paxil and given lorezepam to sleep. I began to have what I call zombie days. I was put on Wellbutrin and given clonazapan to sleep. Then I had two weeks of grand spending, sex, wonderful conversation, blah blah blah, and my pdoc decided I was bipolar. Then it was paxil, wellbutrin, and lithium and clonezepam to sleep. Now after what have been labeled as suicide attempts (i saw them as great ideas at the time), I'm on depakote and seroquel and wondering if there is ever going to be a month where I use to feel what I deem as normal and awake. Will I ever get my life back or is my head just screwed up entirely. It must be said though that I did change my doctor after the first "great idea" of mine (he reduced my meds). I am not functioning well at work. The scary thing is, I could care less. All I want to do is curl up in my bed and never move. I had a therapist, but we got no where so I found it not worth $25/week. So basically, can anyone tell me, is there a cure for this or am I destined to just function through life and that's it? I don't take the seroquel when i'm depressed (i can sleep without it), but then when i'm depressed, my pdoc wants to see me but i'm too tired to wait in the waiting room for an appointment. i fall asleep then end up leaving. sometimes i can't stand the noise other people make, i can't think, my mind wanders in the middle of a sentence while i'm talking. today is a good day, but some days i just wake up and want to cry for nothing. someone out there does any of this sound familar?
This is the end of the thread.
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