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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on October 28, 2003, at 13:31:45
Hi,
I was diagnosed recently with Major Depressive Disorder and Geranelized Anxiety Disorder. I've been having a lot of trouble with meds. I'll try to keep this short.
At 16 tried paxil monotherapy with no results. Switched to Zoloft and it only made me tired.
At 17 I tried Desimpramine and Amytriptaline. After a week or so I had a full blown psychotic episode. I also had very fast heartbeat and tremors.
At 22 I tried Wellbutrin. After 2 weeks I had a severe allergic reaction and went to the ER. I only had mild tremors prior.
I recently started new meds.
The first was Prozac and Neurontin. I could never reach an effective dose. I was nauseus, dizzy, lightheaded, cognitive problems, not eating, shaky, uncoordinated, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, etc. The therapy ended when I went to the ER with a severe allergic reaction. to one or the other.Next was Lexapro and lithium. Both introduced very gradually. 3 weeks later, the side effects were the same as above but worse, and add major tremors, tics (still not totally gone), memory lapses, stronger than usual suiciadal ideation, etc.
Now I'm trying Tegretol. an extremely graduated introduction. I'm even having problems with this!
I still have tics, I still have mild tremors, I still feel a little nausea. I'm more irate, I'm weak, uncoordinated. My muscles always feel moderately cramped. I feel costantly fatigued. I still have cognitive problems, etc.I was on Ritalin from 7-14. I have never overdosed and I don't use recreational drugs. Nobody seems to have a story similar to mine. Any suugestions? I talk to my pdoc soon. What about maoi's?
Posted by john1022 on October 28, 2003, at 14:42:49
In reply to really resistant to meds, posted by socialdeviantjeff on October 28, 2003, at 13:31:45
First, every medication I have tried so far has made things much worse than what I had to begin with, so you are not the only on in that boat. I believe Elavil left me with permanent cognitive problems to some degree, luckily not too much.
A lot of people have had very good luck with Nardil, an MAOI, so that might be something to look into.
Have you ever tried the natural routes like L-trytophan, L-tyrosine, 5HTP, St. John's Wort, Sam-e, inositol or fish oil? There seems to be some pretty good luck with all of these lately in some cases.
I would also look into getting a very complete blood, urine and hair test done and all the most comprehensive tests you can to see if you are possibly defiecient in some kind of nutrient. Some don't necessarily believe these tests to be accurate, but you might want to try to rule everything out.
In rare cases, some people's depression can be caused by a simple defiency of a given nutrient like B6, magnesium, zinc, potassium etc. from what I have read and can be fixed by diet and supplementing in some cases (probably not a whole lot, but it's worth a shot if you are as desperate as I am)
Studies have also shown excercise to help depression and help the regrowth of brain cells. Just a thought. It's hard for me to believe that this alone will cure my depression, but I am doing everything I can to try.
Posted by Robert Fairburn on October 28, 2003, at 14:49:58
In reply to really resistant to meds, posted by socialdeviantjeff on October 28, 2003, at 13:31:45
I would suggest that you try MAOI drugs, please increase your dosage over a expanded time frame
Regards Robert
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on October 29, 2003, at 0:14:04
In reply to Re: really resistant to meds, posted by john1022 on October 28, 2003, at 14:42:49
> First, every medication I have tried so far has made things much worse than what I had to begin with, so you are not the only on in that boat. I believe Elavil left me with permanent cognitive problems to some degree, luckily not too much.
>
Thanks, glad to know I'm not the only person. (I guess misery loves company) My pdoc says that in his whole practice, (3+ decades) only 4 or 5 people have responded to meds like me.
> A lot of people have had very good luck with Nardil, an MAOI, so that might be something to look into.I'll look into it.
>
> Have you ever tried the natural routes like L-trytophan, L-tyrosine, 5HTP, St. John's Wort, Sam-e, inositol or fish oil? There seems to be some pretty good luck with all of these lately in some cases.Actually, I did try a lot of those. They didn't work very well and pooped out after a cuople months.
>
> I would also look into getting a very complete blood, urine and hair test done and all the most comprehensive tests you can to see if you are possibly defiecient in some kind of nutrient. Some don't necessarily believe these tests to be accurate, but you might want to try to rule everything out.
>Fabulous Idea. Sadly, I can't afford it. I don't make enough to pay cash, can't afford private insurance, and I make too much for state assistance. Odd, since I'd actually have more money if I had SSDI!
> In rare cases, some people's depression can be caused by a simple defiency of a given nutrient like B6, magnesium, zinc, potassium etc. from what I have read and can be fixed by diet and supplementing in some cases (probably not a whole lot, but it's worth a shot if you are as desperate as I am)
I tried thaat route, too. B vitamins make me sick after a while. Wierd, huh?
>> Studies have also shown excercise to help depression and help the regrowth of brain cells. Just a thought. It's hard for me to believe that this alone will cure my depression, but I am doing everything I can to try.
>
> I would love to exercise. Problem is, my fatigue is such that even working a couple of days takes a whole lot outta me.I will definitely check into Nardil. Thanks.
This is the end of the thread.
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