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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Trev on May 2, 2003, at 13:55:50
Hey, I've had this illness for the last 8-10 years of my life. Just a year ago I came into contact with pdocs, being diagnosed as either bipolar 2 or atypical depression. I'd like to hear if anyone else has had my symptoms, cause I haven't read about one although my present pdoc says there are more of us.
The trouble is, my long "depressions" can only be described as an extreme lack of mental energy. Most days I haven't dressed myself, not finding myself something to eat before hours after I started to feel hungry. Some hypersomnia as well.
But I don't feel tired physically. There's been no sadness, nothing of what most people think about when they hear about depression. Except for what you could expect when faced with reactions from those close to me when I stopped taking exams etc. Not that I'm emotionally blunted either, I just have a rather stable mood, "depressed" or otherwise.
At any point during this time I've felt like I could be up and about the next day, reading and studying for 12 hours. When sitting still, I really can't tell the difference, feel the difference between a state of depression or non-depression. But when depressed, when I want to stand up, start reading, make myself coffee, it just stops. It stops. After doing very little I have to take a break.
Between these depressions I've had a couple of good periods when I've had a lot of energy, working very long hours 7 days a week. But without feeling very different. More focused and interested, but who wouldn't be when shifting input from daytime television to academic reading material.
Anyone else who can relate to this?
I've already tried SSRI, which I'm still taking, and Mianserin, which I've quit taking. I'm now trying lamictal which had a good initial effect that has mostly gone away by now. Still upping the dose though so who knows.
I'm interested in knowing what kind of medication people with similar symptoms have had success with. That would help a lot!
Regards Trev
Posted by Frog on May 3, 2003, at 18:31:40
In reply to Similar depression symptoms? (medication), posted by Trev on May 2, 2003, at 13:55:50
Hello trev,
I have a depression for 5-7 years and this is only recently that a pdoc has diagnosed this illness, through the time this depression has become major.
Regarding my symptoms , I have extreme mental fatigue 24/7 , I have lost interest in everything I used to enjoy in the past , and I can’t concentrate at all (or maybe just for a very short period). Regarding extreme mental fatigue , I can say that I can clearly see the difference between mental fatigue and physical fatigue : I am physically in good condition but mentally , I feel like I have a very strong fog in my brain , and also that something in my brain is consuming all my psychic energy which therefore prevents me from living normally . No matter what I have done in order to be better (sleeping more , doing sport.....) , result is that I am always down 24/7 . I also have high cortisol levels (results comes from a 24h urine test).
I have really recognised myself when you said “After doing very little I have to take a break” , I act exactly the same way , For myself I am a student , and I try to study the best I can but this has become nearly impossible since I only advance with little steps I mean that usually when I have done 1/10 of what should be done , I just have to stop and I usually feel “satisfied” that I have accomplished at least 1/10 of the work since it is really a pain for me.
Contrary to you, I never had any good periods .I have already tried many SSRI (Prozac, Deroxat (Paxil)); SNRI (Effexor, Ixel); tricyclic(Anafranil) but none of them had effect on me .
I am currently on a drug which is supposed to be the most powerful one ever made , its name is Marsilid and I am at 125mg/day , I will increase the dose at 150mg/day which is the maximum dose allowed . Marsilid is an MAOI (non selective and irreversible like Nardil or Parnate).
So , I really hope Marsilid will work for me or I would need to look for another drug..........Frog
This is the end of the thread.
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