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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on October 7, 2007, at 10:03:16
As some of you may know, my doctor went away for a year on some form of leave.
I found out a few days ago that he was actually canned (or left?) from the position as the head psychiatrist at Waterloo University.
I am kind of not suprised if he was fired. He didn't much listen to what I was saying and kept going on about treating depersonalization, even though the depression was more cripling. He didn't much believe in antidepressants even though they had been them most tollerable and sucessful.
Anyhow, as I had no doctor, I went to the ER after not sleeping almost 4 nights in a row.
The doctor put me back on effexor and zyprexa. (75mg/2.5mg). It is helping some, *definately* more than lamotrigine and seroquel. I am sleeping much better.
I find it suprising that I can sleep better on effexor than I could on lamotrigine.
Anyhow, I am more pleased that while the meds won't be perfect, I do think this is a step forward as many of you know I have been struggling to establish get my bipolar/unipolar condition reassesed.
Linkadge
Posted by deniseuk190466 on October 7, 2007, at 11:39:49
In reply to restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 7, 2007, at 10:03:16
Hi Linkadge,
I'm glad that the Zyprexa/Effexor combination is helping you sleep better. I was going to say straight away that it must be the Zyprexa but then Seroquel is supposed to be good for sleeping too so that doesn't quite add up.
I found effexor to be quite sedating. I remember it helping with the anxiety but not helping much with the depression.
By the way, I remember you mentioned in a previous thread about what you thought the best tricyclic was, I can't remember the name now, can you remind me. Also, have you tried a number of tricyclics, just wondering why you thought that particular one was the best??
Thanks......Denise
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2007, at 12:40:34
In reply to restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 7, 2007, at 10:03:16
Link I'm glad you feel better also thought you were antimed guess it was because you couldn't get anyone to prescribe for you. Why did you pick effexor? Phillipa
Posted by Racer on October 7, 2007, at 12:51:05
In reply to restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 7, 2007, at 10:03:16
I'm glad to hear you sounding more hopeful, Link. And sleeping is a good thing -- I have it on the best authority.
Can you remind me, are you currently dx'd as bipolar rather than unipolar? If so, is that what you're looking to have reassessed? It seems like a good idea to me, if so. I'm not sure you come across to me as bipolar, although I obviously only know you through your words here.
My own experience with Lamictal was mixed -- I had about three great days on it at 150mg, then crashed; another two very good days when I raised it to 200mg, then another crash. My pdoc said raise it again, but I was so much more depressed on it after the crashes, I refused. Sleep was a problem, although sleep problems are a big part of my symptomology, so that's not surprise...
Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're sleeping better, and hope the improvement continues. It would be nice to see things turning around for you.
Good luck.
Posted by linkadge on October 7, 2007, at 18:25:10
In reply to Re: restarting effexor » linkadge, posted by Racer on October 7, 2007, at 12:51:05
>Can you remind me, are you currently dx'd as >bipolar rather than unipolar? If so, is that >what you're looking to have reassessed? It seems >like a good idea to me, if so. I'm not sure you >come across to me as bipolar, although I >obviously only know you through your words here.
I have seen 5 or so doctors over the years, and only one suggested I was bipolar. He was, unfortunately the only one I could see at the time. My current diagnosis (as par the hospital is unipolar)
Don't get me wrong. I am still anti-med. Its one of those can't live with them, can't live without them type of situations.
>My own experience with Lamictal was mixed -- I >had about three great days on it at 150mg, then >crashed; another two very good days when I >raised it to 200mg, then another crash. My pdoc >said raise it again, but I was so much more >depressed on it after the crashes, I refused. >Sleep was a problem, although sleep problems are >a big part of my symptomology, so that's not >surprise...
I can take 75mg of effexor right before bed and have little problem sleeping. If I take as little as 25mg of lamictal before bed I am up the whole night. Its like it completely blocks my ability to enter any phase of sleep.
>Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're sleeping better, >and hope the improvement continues. It would be >nice to see things turning around for you.
I am pleased that I am being considered unipolar again. Even if I have marginal results with meds, it will still be good to know that should more effective future meds come out that at least I will be receiving meds for the right diagnosis.
thanks for responding.
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on October 7, 2007, at 19:10:04
In reply to Re: restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 7, 2007, at 18:25:10
>
>
> Don't get me wrong. I am still anti-med. Its one of those can't live with them, can't live without them type of situations.
>
> Even if I have marginal results with meds, it will still be good to know that should more effective future meds come out that at least I will be receiving meds for the right diagnosis.
You know, taking both those statements together, I end up wondering whether that cognitive position influences your results from medications? It's easy to say, "not at all," -- at least, it has been easy for me to say not at all when I'm in the grips of it -- but harder to consider whether it does have an impact. I do think it's worth exploring, at any rate.My brain isn't working very well right now, but I have a vague memory of you saying that you wouldn't benefit from therapy, because your depression was entirely biologically based. I know others here have said basically the same thing, so if I'm getting you confused with someone else right now, I do apologize. The reason I bring that up is that a therapist could help you figure out whether your anti-medication stance does have an impact on their effectiveness for you, as well as whether the lack of effectiveness might be affected by some psychosocial elements which could be best addressed through therapy. Besides, sometimes it's just nice to be able to grouse to someone for forty five minutes...
That's my bias, though. I do think that therapy is good for just about everyone, including those who are healthy and just want to improve performance in some area or another. Some is purely from my own experience: medication alone has never been as helpful as it is with a side of psychodynamic therapy. I describe it as being like the physical therapy I needed after a car accident. I'd spent more than a month in traction, several more months in a cast that covered my entire lower body, and my bones had healed. That's the part that the medication would do in depression. After all that, I couldn't walk. (No one had warned me, by the way. I was only five, so it was very traumatic -- I tried to jump off the table when they'd taken off the cast, and finding out I couldn't walk was so frightening.) Physical therapy involved exercises to strengthen my legs and hips, and teach me how to walk again. Psychotherapy does the same for me -- all the compensatory behaviors I've developed to protect myself due to the depression and anxiety have left my healthier coping skills as atrophied as my legs were.
Enough rambling. I hope that makes sense. If not, well, guess I don't make much sense then.
>
> thanks for responding.
>
> Linkadge
>
>You're welcome. You may find this hard to believe, but I like you and I wish for the best for you. I hope that you can find what you need in life, because I believe you are capable of a great deal of good, and a great deal of happiness. I want both for you.
Posted by DharmaBum on October 7, 2007, at 20:21:42
In reply to Re: restarting effexor » linkadge, posted by Racer on October 7, 2007, at 19:10:04
I had brutal insomnia during my last major depressive episode. Was put on effexor and sleeping within three days. Something was working fast...
Posted by linkadge on October 8, 2007, at 9:06:21
In reply to Re: restarting effexor » linkadge, posted by Racer on October 7, 2007, at 19:10:04
I've never been anti-therapy. I've had some benifit from therapy at many times.
>The reason I bring that up is that a therapist >could help you figure out whether your anti->medication stance does have an impact on their >effectiveness for you
See thats where I differ in thought. If my view affects the effectiveness of a med then really isn't doing its job. I know that people who believe their meds will work have a statistically higher chance of remisson, but maybe its the reverse (ie more optimistic people believe the meds will work, but more optimistic people are likely to get better because they are optimistic).
>as well as whether the lack of effectiveness >might be affected by some psychosocial elements >which could be best addressed through therapy. >Besides, sometimes it's just nice to be able to >grouse to someone for forty five minutes...
I've been on meds for a while (5+ years) with marginal results. I know there are a lot of people who feel somewhat better but not well. I am not expecting the meds to do everything so even if I just get some improvement, thats ok.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2007, at 19:56:01
In reply to Re: restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 8, 2007, at 9:06:21
I really do believe if you believe something will work it will. Fear can't possibly helpa a med work. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on October 8, 2007, at 20:45:49
In reply to Re: restarting effexor » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2007, at 19:56:01
I am of the impression that if the med is going to help ameleorate some form for biochemical disturbance than it will do so with or without my support.
Thats what the med is for, to pick up where my will power is insufficiant.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2007, at 21:42:43
In reply to Re: restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 8, 2007, at 20:45:49
Link what made you pick this one? Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on October 9, 2007, at 20:22:35
In reply to Re: restarting effexor » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on October 8, 2007, at 21:42:43
I didn't have too much choice. The hospital seemed to think it would be a good idea.
It has been effective in the past but has caused some palpitions.
It seems to be working fairly well though.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2007, at 22:03:26
In reply to Re: restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 9, 2007, at 20:22:35
Meaning you feel better too soon or the side effects aren't bad and what is the dose? Love Phillipa
Posted by Netch on October 11, 2007, at 9:54:26
In reply to Re: restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 9, 2007, at 20:22:35
> I didn't have too much choice. The hospital seemed to think it would be a good idea.
>
> It has been effective in the past but has caused some palpitions.
>
> It seems to be working fairly well though.
>
>
> Linkadge
I'm glad your combo is making you feel better link. I had palpitations too from effexor... I also had problems with apetite and fatigue.
Maybe you have a schizoaffective disorder (depressive type) since you get better on this combo./Netch
Posted by AnneL on October 12, 2007, at 21:45:56
In reply to restarting effexor, posted by linkadge on October 7, 2007, at 10:03:16
I have been on Effexor XR 225 mg. since 2000. A few months ago I tapered my dose down to 37.5 mg. daily and sunk into a deep, deep depression. Once I got back to 150 mg. I had a 100% improvement and then climbed back to 225 mg. I also started restarted Lamictal (now at 50 mg) as a mood stabilizer. So far so good.
I tapered down to 37.5 mg. of Effexor because I felt I no longer needed to be on anti-depressants and did not like the sexual side effects. I'll take the sexual side effects over the incapacitating depression. :) AnneL
This is the end of the thread.
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