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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 JohnM4402 on November 17, 2004, at 16:38:03
I'd like to introduce myself to everyone on the board. I have occasionaly visited this site in the past usualy when I was perscribed a new medication and I was doing research on it. I have decided to register and actually contribute to the board because I am in need of serious help. I suffer from depression and have seen a psychiatrist and taken anti depressants for the last 6 years. I am sure I was depressed before 6 years ago when I first brought up the subject of depression to my primary care doctor. My depression has gotten gradualy worse over the past couple years and especially so in the past two or three weeks. I have tried all the standard AD drugs without any relief. This is currently what I am taking.
Geodon 60mg
Effexor 225mg
Ritalin 80mg
Cymbalta 30mg (just started this week)
Eskalith CR 450mg (just started this week)It was suggested to me a while back that I do ECT. I was reluctant to do it because of the time off from work and the memory loss side effect and of course the death risk. My depression has become nearly unbearable recently and have come close to going to the hospital several times including today. With this in mind I have come to the conclusion that I need to do ECT and have decided to do this starting the begining of February. This will allow me to finish the project I am currently working on for my job. I am questioning now though as I write this if I can wait long. I just started on Cymbalta and Lithium so I am hoping that these will have some effect and allow me to wait until Feb for the ECT treatment.
I see now that this is turning out to be a very long introductory post and I apologize for that but I want to get everything out.
I also am now suffering from another problem that certainly does not help my depression. I am addicted to Ritalin and it is seriously draining me. It is only the second drug to ever work for me. The first was Geodon which worked miracles for a couple months and then the depression came back in full force. When I started taking Ritalin I thought it was the cure for me because it helped with my depression so quickly and effectively. I know I will get off it soon but I havn't had the heart to tell my doctor yet because I don't want him to think negatively of me or something like that. I know it's a lame excuse.
I'm not sure what else to say except that I would appreciate any feedback even though I'm not realy asking any questions here. I just want to be able to discuss my problems with someone who may have gone through the same thing as me.
Thanks for taking the time to read this... apologize again for being so long.
Posted by chellyb on November 17, 2004, at 16:44:33
In reply to New to the board, need some help, posted by JohnM4402 on November 17, 2004, at 16:38:03
Hi John,
I should have actually introduced myself as being a new member. I have been here so many times reading though, that I kind of forgot!
Ive just been a nut all my life and just recently got help. I don't really understand bipolar, just know they say I am! I could always explain my crazy highs off, and my lows, which consisted of just SLEEPING.........With Seroquel I feel much more on an even playing field.
Posted by partlycloudy on November 17, 2004, at 17:18:23
In reply to New to the board, need some help, posted by JohnM4402 on November 17, 2004, at 16:38:03
Hello and welcome to babble. There are other members here with experience with ECT and I'm sure you'll find lots of support.
I'm glad you hung in there today. It's nice to meet you.
Posted by phillipa on November 17, 2004, at 17:23:53
In reply to Re: New to the board, need some help » JohnM4402, posted by partlycloudy on November 17, 2004, at 17:18:23
John, you need to tell your MD now that you are addicted to Ritilan because it is a stimulant as you probably already know. The Escalith is a mood stabilizer used a lot for bipolar depression and it seems that some of these meds are contradicted with your symtoms and depression. the Ritalin could be giving you a paradoxical reaction with the other meds and making you depressed instead of energized. I don't know your dx and am also new to thread. Feel better. Phillipa
Posted by JohnM4402 on November 18, 2004, at 11:41:46
In reply to Re: New to the board, need some help, posted by phillipa on November 17, 2004, at 17:23:53
> John, you need to tell your MD now that you
I only have one doctor who perscribed me my meds. I know I should tell him now about the Ritalin problem. I just keep thinking that I can solve my problem on my own. So far today I am doing very well with it and I will make an effort to manage it responsibly.
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2004, at 19:12:18
In reply to Re: New to the board, need some help, posted by JohnM4402 on November 18, 2004, at 11:41:46
John, I want to apologize for sounding like I knew it all. I used to work in psych as an RN, but since getting sick have not worked or kept up with current tx. I truly don't understand some of the new combos of meds that pdocs are using but would love to be educated by one of you up-to-date real people who have been tx'd with them. like right now my doc wants to try lamictal and I don't understand how a antiseizure drug can help daepression and anxiety.Someone help because I said no. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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