![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 31, 2013, at 10:17:09
I am back on IR Ritalin, and as usual, when I take a dose I get 2hrs of feeling actually human, followed by about 3hrs of anxiety. In the past, it has always been worth it to have those 2hrs, and I also used to have meds that would help with the anxiety, but they no longer work for me.
And the anxiety is hitting much harder than it used to; it's pretty much unbearable.
I am interested in Prazosin, any advice would be appreciated, but I really hope to hear what Scott has to say.
Scott has suggested I ask my pdoc about Prazosin, and I always forget (blame it on the ect lol) because I do suffer from PTSD as well as depression and anxiety.
What I would like to know is this: do you think Prazosin would also help with this anxiety I get? Do you think taking Prazosin along with Ritalin 3 times a day might be a good combo? When I don't get this crippling anxiety, Ritalin works better than anything else to help my depression.
So I was thinking, maybe Ritalin + Prazosin might be a good combo to fight my depression, my anxiety, my PTSD, and even my hypertension all in one!
My only concern is that my understanding has always been that alpha blockers could potentially worsen depression...is this true? But then, even if so, that effect would most likely be overriden by Ritalin.
Can't wait to hear answers, especially from Scott, if you are available! Thanks so much.
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on January 31, 2013, at 10:42:34
In reply to Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!!, posted by ChicagoKat on January 31, 2013, at 10:17:09
I don't know with ritalin stimulants don't know but isn't prazosin minipress? Your high blood pressure would be helped? Phillipa
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 31, 2013, at 11:25:58
In reply to Re: Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!! » ChicagoKat, posted by Phillipa on January 31, 2013, at 10:42:34
> I don't know with ritalin stimulants don't know but isn't prazosin minipress? Your high blood pressure would be helped? Phillipa
Yes, to both questions. I could probably give up my Quinapril if I took Prazosin, which would be good b/c it can be hard on the kidneys, and ever since the Rhabdo I have to be careful with my kidneys.
Kat
Posted by bearinthewoods on January 31, 2013, at 14:44:50
In reply to Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!!, posted by ChicagoKat on January 31, 2013, at 10:17:09
I started on a very low dose of prazosin for PTSD/nightmares at night. I found that at the lowest dose, it didn't do anything, and at higher doses it made the nightmares worse!
I took it during the daytime a few times since there have been studies but didn't notice much of anything.
I am however now on Propanolol for daytime anxiety/ptsd/flashbacks and I think it has worked to reduce the intrusive thoughts I was having quite a bit. My main problem was daytime stuff anyway, not so much the nightmares, and in my case for whatever reason the doctor seemed reluctant to prescribe it other than just low doses before bed. Give propanolol a try if you haven't already.
Posted by SLS on January 31, 2013, at 16:43:54
In reply to Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!!, posted by ChicagoKat on January 31, 2013, at 10:17:09
> I am back on IR Ritalin, and as usual, when I take a dose I get 2hrs of feeling actually human, followed by about 3hrs of anxiety. In the past, it has always been worth it to have those 2hrs, and I also used to have meds that would help with the anxiety, but they no longer work for me.
Propranolol might be worth a try.
> And the anxiety is hitting much harder than it used to; it's pretty much unbearable.
Seroquel? Remeron? Doxepin?
> I am interested in Prazosin, any advice would be appreciated, but I really hope to hear what Scott has to say.
I can't say that prazosin is acting as an anxiolytic for me, as anxiety has not been a part of my condition for quite a few years. However, it is working as an antidepressant. It also makes my sleep less choppy.
> Scott has suggested I ask my pdoc about Prazosin, and I always forget (blame it on the ect lol) because I do suffer from PTSD as well as depression and anxiety.
> So I was thinking, maybe Ritalin + Prazosin might be a good combo to fight my depression, my anxiety, my PTSD, and even my hypertension all in one!
I would definitely consider it. The only downside is a possible decrease in sex-drive.
> My only concern is that my understanding has always been that alpha blockers could potentially worsen depression...is this true?I have never heard this.
TCAs are NE alpha-1 blockers.
NE alpha-2 agonists like clonidine can be depressogenic.
If you decide to go with prazosin, it is very important to start at 1 mg given at bedtime. It can cause a great deal of dizziness at first. I recommend staying at 3 mg/day (1 mg t.i.d.) for a week before increasing the dosage. For PTSD, dosages of 6 - 12 mg/day are effective. I do well at 15 mg/day. I experience no dizziness.
Whether you try propranolol or prazosin, you can always discontinue them if they make things worse.
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 1, 2013, at 9:55:54
In reply to Re: Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!!, posted by bearinthewoods on January 31, 2013, at 14:44:50
> I started on a very low dose of prazosin for PTSD/nightmares at night. I found that at the lowest dose, it didn't do anything, and at higher doses it made the nightmares worse!
>
> I took it during the daytime a few times since there have been studies but didn't notice much of anything.
>
> I am however now on Propanolol for daytime anxiety/ptsd/flashbacks and I think it has worked to reduce the intrusive thoughts I was having quite a bit. My main problem was daytime stuff anyway, not so much the nightmares, and in my case for whatever reason the doctor seemed reluctant to prescribe it other than just low doses before bed. Give propanolol a try if you haven't already.Thanks for the info bear, it is much appreciated. I'm very leery of propranolol b/c I've been on it in the past (when my depression was under control, oh those were the days!) but it actually made me very depressed. Maybe though, with Ritalin on board, it would have less of a negative effect on my mood. I'll see what my pdoc says. Thanks again.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 1, 2013, at 10:14:02
In reply to Re: Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!! » ChicagoKat, posted by SLS on January 31, 2013, at 16:43:54
Thanks for all the info Scott. I did find a couple mentions of prazosin beng used for anxiety, one in the wiki article.
But one more question for you, if you have a moment....do you know the rationale for using prazosin for depression? Since it acts by blocking Norepi, I would think the opposite would be the result. But there is no doubt you are the expert, and I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say. Thanks so much.
Kat
Posted by SLS on February 1, 2013, at 12:21:16
In reply to Re: Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!! » SLS, posted by ChicagoKat on February 1, 2013, at 10:14:02
> Thanks for all the info Scott. I did find a couple mentions of prazosin beng used for anxiety, one in the wiki article.
>
> But one more question for you, if you have a moment....do you know the rationale for using prazosin for depression? Since it acts by blocking Norepi, I would think the opposite would be the result. But there is no doubt you are the expert, and I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say. Thanks so much.
> KatDon't think so much! It makes my brain hurt!
I am no expert.
Regarding prazosin, I would think that things are not so simple. I have a few ideas, though. It might be that a reduction of NE activity in the amygdala reduces anxiety and PTSD while a reduction of NE activity in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex might be responsible for its antidepressant effect.
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 1, 2013, at 14:17:37
In reply to Re: Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!! » ChicagoKat, posted by SLS on February 1, 2013, at 12:21:16
> > Thanks for all the info Scott. I did find a couple mentions of prazosin beng used for anxiety, one in the wiki article.
> >
> > But one more question for you, if you have a moment....do you know the rationale for using prazosin for depression? Since it acts by blocking Norepi, I would think the opposite would be the result. But there is no doubt you are the expert, and I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say. Thanks so much.
> > Kat
>
> Don't think so much! It makes my brain hurt!
>
> I am no expert.
>
> Regarding prazosin, I would think that things are not so simple. I have a few ideas, though. It might be that a reduction of NE activity in the amygdala reduces anxiety and PTSD while a reduction of NE activity in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex might be responsible for its antidepressant effect.
>
>
> - ScottSorry for making your brain hurt!!!! But see, you are so very smart, you had an answer for me, one that I don't fully understand, but that you, Mr Smarty Pants, do. Maybe an extra Prazosin will help your brain from hurting ;)
Thanks so much!
Kat
p.s. Just fyi, the reason I am asking so many questions is I want to present the idea of trying Prazosin at my next pdoc appt. So, don't get hypervigilant or anything ;), but there may be more questions coming in the next week or two, in addition to humble requests for citations to jourrnal articles, if you have any. Thanks again EXPERT.
Posted by hyperfocus on February 3, 2013, at 21:18:17
In reply to Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!!, posted by ChicagoKat on January 31, 2013, at 10:17:09
Atenolol is generally superior to propranolol for PTSD because of less side-effects and one-time dosing and because it doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier. I don't know about the significance of the last one because for me atenolol definitely interacted with the other meds I was taking. Atenolol also elevates blood glucose levels and significantly increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The alpha-blockers like prazosin have more clinical evidence of effacy for PTSD than beta-blockers but beta-blockers also have been shown to reduce intrusive thoughts and nightmares and physical symptoms of anxiety.
Atenolol was effective for me in treating my overall anxiety -- almost as good as benzos and sometimes superior. It didn't seen to treat much of my dissociation and intrusive thoughts apart from its general anxiety-reducing effects. It also made me drowsy and increased somnolence when I took it with amitriptyline and Lyrica.
There doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence for effective med treatment of dissociation and PTSD. For me I find cognitive and behavioral techniques and a long-term living framework to be a lot more sustainable and consistent in treating my C-PTSD. Like I said in a previous post the helplessness and hopelessness PTSD engenders is centered in the loss of control of our inner experience -- intrusive thoughts and memories, emotional dysregulation, loss of executive control, destruction of systems of meaning -- the causes and ramifications of these things go a lot deeper than depression and anxiety. Any improvement from meds alone just transfers the locus of control to another external factor, which just trades one set of helplessness and hopelessness for another in my opinion.
I'm concerned about your reliance on Ritalin -- not wrt potential for dependence but as an unrealistic benchmark for other longer-acting meds. The emotional state we experience with short-term dopamine-enhancing drugs can't really be sustained long-term and can lead to unrealistic treatment expectations. There may not be any perfect med combo for any of us. Meds that improve long-term depression and executive control and focus will probably worsen anxiety and other symptoms. I think it's necessary to figure out what you value the most and gives you the most fulfillment in your day-to-day life that conventional meds can help and work on treating that, and try CBT and other theraputic approaches for the other things. It will not be possible to recover everything in your life the way you thought of it before. You will be a different person after recovery but this is not a bad thing. Right now I think the important thing for you is to find a way to re-establish some measure of control over your inner-experience: even if it means enduring predictable levels of depression and anxiety. You can't set full remission as your immediate treatment target with PTSD -- your mind just doesn't heal so simply.
The mind is an extremely complex thing. I think one thing you need to do is drop any objective measurement of how much depression or pain or anxiety meds cause or reduce. You might find yourself able to tolerate levels of anxiety and depression that are way above your baseline, but still able to function consistently in your day-to-day activities. Set attainable short- and medium- term goals and don't try to hit a home-run and sustain what short-acting drugs like Ritalin give you.
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 4, 2013, at 15:41:27
In reply to Re: PTSD treatment » ChicagoKat, posted by hyperfocus on February 3, 2013, at 21:18:17
Hi hyperfocus,
Thank you for your very informative post and all your good advice.
I do take Atenolol, but I did not realize it can increase your risk for type II diabetes, which now concerns me. I'm glad it helps your anxiety, but it does not seem to have that effect on me.
As far as Ritalin goes, that's a toughie. My pdoc and I have tried literally everything, except for a few TCAs. We've found that Ritalin is the *only* thing that does anything at all to relieve my severe depression. I'd give it up in a heartbeat though, if you knew of any non-traditional agents that might help. But until I can find something else that can help and does not have intolerable side effects, I just have to stay on Ritalin. Otherwise, I fall into the abyss and become morbidly depressed and suicidal. It's a conundrum.
Thanks again for your post; it is much appreciated.
Kat
Posted by hyperfocus on February 7, 2013, at 9:42:33
In reply to Re: PTSD treatment » hyperfocus, posted by ChicagoKat on February 4, 2013, at 15:41:27
I'm not against Ritalin definitely. I'm as pragmatic as anyone as far as meds are concerned, and if a med can alleviate pain and give a person hope then it should be used. It's a well-established principle that people suffering severe anxiety cannot establish psychological dependence on benzos for instance, and I imagine the same might be true of severe depression and dopamine drugs. I know benzos literally saved me and gave me hope that there was treatment for my severe anxiety. It's just that dissociation and PTSD satisfies every checklist for severe depression and severe anxiety but it's something that requires a specific mode of treatment. Many, many survivors of trauma and abuse struggle for years unsuccessfully trying to treat severe depression and anxiety, with different and often conflicting diagnoses from psychiatrists, till they uncover the core issues.
If you're not responding to ADs it could be a sign that depression is not the major issue for you. Also depression is almost always co-morbid with ADD, and in the converse case, it seems to be epidemic among people on Babble for example. ADD can be compensated for when are well but depression and and anxiety and dissociation especially can quickly destroy this ability to compensate. ADD robs us of the ability to find fulfillment in work or hobbies or interests or relaxation or even just spending time with our family and greatly magnifies the pain and suffering and hopelessness of mental illness, but it also requires specific targeted treatment. I am wondering if your response to Ritalin has more to do with its ability to improve control of your executive cognitive functions and attention.
Could you list three or four things you do (not feel) when you respond to Ritalin; like for instance:
1. I do not ruminate as much on my past
2. I can work better and do more routine and boring tasks
3. I can focus more on and get enjoyment from activities that I like
4. I can spend more time with and take care of my family.
When you have multiple conditions it is very hard to find a drug combo that can address everything. If you could find a drug that could work on some of the things you list, you could be equipped to deal with other issues while tolerating high levels of depression and anxiety that might even be exacerbated by your chosen med. The mind is an extremely complex thing -- everything we do is interconnected with how we feel and what we remember. PTSD is a very complex condition that takes a long-term strategy to recover from. However in spite of everything we still maintain control of our mind and the ability to construct a framework that can get us better.
> Hi hyperfocus,
>
> Thank you for your very informative post and all your good advice.
>
> I do take Atenolol, but I did not realize it can increase your risk for type II diabetes, which now concerns me. I'm glad it helps your anxiety, but it does not seem to have that effect on me.
>
> As far as Ritalin goes, that's a toughie. My pdoc and I have tried literally everything, except for a few TCAs. We've found that Ritalin is the *only* thing that does anything at all to relieve my severe depression. I'd give it up in a heartbeat though, if you knew of any non-traditional agents that might help. But until I can find something else that can help and does not have intolerable side effects, I just have to stay on Ritalin. Otherwise, I fall into the abyss and become morbidly depressed and suicidal. It's a conundrum.
> Thanks again for your post; it is much appreciated.
> Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 7, 2013, at 14:15:28
In reply to Re: PTSD treatment » ChicagoKat, posted by hyperfocus on February 7, 2013, at 9:42:33
That's really interesting stuff hyperfocus; you've given me lots to ponder. My husband who *has* been diagnosed with ADD has told me he also wonders if I have ADD too. To answer your little quiz, i'd say my list is exactly the same as yours, though my work is that of a homemaker.
I should tell you that in the past I have responded to ADs, many of them. They all just gave up the ghost on me. Especially after ECT, which made my feelings of depression and anxiety far worse than they had been.
But, once again, thank you for your thoughtful and isightful post. I plan to bring up these issues with my therapist.
Take care,
Kat> I'm not against Ritalin definitely. I'm as pragmatic as anyone as far as meds are concerned, and if a med can alleviate pain and give a person hope then it should be used. It's a well-established principle that people suffering severe anxiety cannot establish psychological dependence on benzos for instance, and I imagine the same might be true of severe depression and dopamine drugs. I know benzos literally saved me and gave me hope that there was treatment for my severe anxiety. It's just that dissociation and PTSD satisfies every checklist for severe depression and severe anxiety but it's something that requires a specific mode of treatment. Many, many survivors of trauma and abuse struggle for years unsuccessfully trying to treat severe depression and anxiety, with different and often conflicting diagnoses from psychiatrists, till they uncover the core issues.
>
> If you're not responding to ADs it could be a sign that depression is not the major issue for you. Also depression is almost always co-morbid with ADD, and in the converse case, it seems to be epidemic among people on Babble for example. ADD can be compensated for when are well but depression and and anxiety and dissociation especially can quickly destroy this ability to compensate. ADD robs us of the ability to find fulfillment in work or hobbies or interests or relaxation or even just spending time with our family and greatly magnifies the pain and suffering and hopelessness of mental illness, but it also requires specific targeted treatment. I am wondering if your response to Ritalin has more to do with its ability to improve control of your executive cognitive functions and attention.
>
>
> Could you list three or four things you do (not feel) when you respond to Ritalin; like for instance:
> 1. I do not ruminate as much on my past
> 2. I can work better and do more routine and boring tasks
> 3. I can focus more on and get enjoyment from activities that I like
> 4. I can spend more time with and take care of my family.
>
>
> When you have multiple conditions it is very hard to find a drug combo that can address everything. If you could find a drug that could work on some of the things you list, you could be equipped to deal with other issues while tolerating high levels of depression and anxiety that might even be exacerbated by your chosen med. The mind is an extremely complex thing -- everything we do is interconnected with how we feel and what we remember. PTSD is a very complex condition that takes a long-term strategy to recover from. However in spite of everything we still maintain control of our mind and the ability to construct a framework that can get us better.
>
>
> > Hi hyperfocus,
> >
> > Thank you for your very informative post and all your good advice.
> >
> > I do take Atenolol, but I did not realize it can increase your risk for type II diabetes, which now concerns me. I'm glad it helps your anxiety, but it does not seem to have that effect on me.
> >
> > As far as Ritalin goes, that's a toughie. My pdoc and I have tried literally everything, except for a few TCAs. We've found that Ritalin is the *only* thing that does anything at all to relieve my severe depression. I'd give it up in a heartbeat though, if you knew of any non-traditional agents that might help. But until I can find something else that can help and does not have intolerable side effects, I just have to stay on Ritalin. Otherwise, I fall into the abyss and become morbidly depressed and suicidal. It's a conundrum.
> > Thanks again for your post; it is much appreciated.
> > Kat
>
>
Posted by SLS on February 9, 2013, at 9:06:16
In reply to Re: PTSD treatment » ChicagoKat, posted by hyperfocus on February 7, 2013, at 9:42:33
> Also depression is almost always co-morbid with ADD
Interesting notion.
- Scott
Posted by hyperfocus on February 10, 2013, at 14:37:50
In reply to Re: PTSD treatment » hyperfocus, posted by SLS on February 9, 2013, at 9:06:16
In the sense that teenagers and adults born with ADD almost always develop depression and anxiety as secondary pathologies. I don't know of the converse case i.e how many people with depression as a primary diagnosis also can be diagnosed with ADD, but here on Babble among myriad cases of severe depression and bipolar and anxiety, it seems epidemic among posters.
In my case I know that depression and anxiety masked the underlying inattention issues in the sense that I believed my universal avoidance of routine tasks and inability to maintain focus and complete things and organize and begin lengthy tasks and procrastination was just 'depression' -- anheodnia, fatigue, apathy, low self-esteem. But it turns I do have a moderate-to-severe inattention condition that is separate from all my other problems.
For the purposes of treatment, to me it's vitally important to separate out neurodevelopmental conditions like Asperger's and ADD from psychological and psychiatric conditions. ADD can wreck conventional depression and anxiety med treatment because how we measure quality of life comes down to what we do, not what we feel or an absence of pain. My ADD severely restricts the things I'm able to do during the day that could make me feel less depressed and leaves me frustrated and almost catatonic sometimes. In cases like Kat I think she needs to explore whether inattention is a big contributor to her illness and whether targeted treatment of inattention could benefit her more than just antidepressants.
Posted by SLS on February 10, 2013, at 18:13:57
In reply to Re: ADD » SLS, posted by hyperfocus on February 10, 2013, at 14:37:50
How do you separate inattentiveness from the inability to concentrate?
I think one needs to be careful when characterizing the differences between the cognitive impairments that are attendant to major depressive disorder and those of ADD. The cognitive difficulties produced by depression resemble those of dementia. How would you differentiate mild dementia from ADD?
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 13, 2013, at 11:05:45
In reply to Re: ADD » SLS, posted by hyperfocus on February 10, 2013, at 14:37:50
Very intresting stuff, thanks for posting it. I'm going to explore the possiblity of having ADD. It is absolutely true that when I feel 'really down' or 'anxious', I find it impossible to focus on anything...it drives me insane, bc all I want to do is to be able to cncentrate better so I can read my books, and so that I can do more cleaning of the house.
Kat
Posted by hyperfocus on February 13, 2013, at 15:07:59
In reply to Re: ADD » hyperfocus, posted by SLS on February 10, 2013, at 18:13:57
Dementia at least in my layman's understanding corresponds to a global degradation of cognitive ability. ADD derives from an underlying understimulation from cognitive and sensory inputs, not impairments in cognitive ability. I think they key difference is that people with ADD still retain full cognitive ability at some tasks like counting or telling time. I guess like in myself and rj's case, we don't have any problems researching video games on the 'net for instance. A person with dementia would have many impairments in doing this.
It's true that ADD has a significant psychological component and also shares neuroreceptors implicated in depression. Successfully treating depression will always improve ADD and conversely ADD drugs can have significant positive effects on depression. It's also true that cognitive ability generally degrades significantly from severe depression. But in many cases depression alone doesn't explain the inability to do certain things. It was always strange to me that whenever I experienced periods of euthymia my mind still wandered wildly and I still found focusing on single tasks for more than a few minutes very difficult -- a behavior which was unchanged from my regular severely depressed self. The consequences of this behavior were much less irrational and emotionally distressing in my mind during these times, but it took me a long time to realize that I had an underlying inattention condition that severe depression deprived me of the ability to just manage with, along with other things.
Both conditions are linked but for treatment purposes, medication and especially learning the skills to cope with ADD can make a world of difference to a person with both ADD and depression. Successful diagnosis and treatment of ADD can even open up activities and opportunities that a person had thought closed to them or that they weren't suited for. This as well obviously can have positive effects on depression.
Posted by hyperfocus on February 13, 2013, at 16:44:19
In reply to Re: ADD » hyperfocus, posted by ChicagoKat on February 13, 2013, at 11:05:45
>I find it impossible to focus on anything...it drives me insane, bc all I want to do is to be able to cncentrate better so I can read my books, and so that I can do more cleaning of the house.
>
I feel exactly the same way. When I did have periods of antidepressant response it was primarily my ability to simply do these things that benchmarked how my meds were working. It took me a while to realize that what my meds did was simply give me back the ability to cope with moderate-to-severe inattention that I had been working against my whole life.
ADD isn't a deficit in cognitive ability or motivation -- it many cases it's quite the opposite. People with ADD often just need to be doing more things simultaneously. All of us get taught at an early age about the value of discipline and habits like single-minded focus; we get told we shouldn't read or study with the TV on and to always finish one thing before starting another. Those rules don't apply to ADD people who often need desperately need to do more things simultaneously. Not being able to read a book chapter or fill out a simple 2-page form or vacuum the living room is not solely a symptom of severe depression if you can still mindlessly read Wikipedia articles for hours.
Simple habits to try like reading with the TV or radio going or reading three things at once or starting three housework tasks at once can make a significant difference. ADD can't be cured with meds alone so habits like these are ones you will have to cultivate over a lifetime. There's a lot of good stuff on adult ADD on the 'net if you search for it.
If you're able to do things that give you emotional fulfillment it will improve your depression, regardless of what may be happening at your neuroreceptors. If Ritalin primarily gives you the ability to do these things for a few hours it's possible you could learn strategies and behaviors that allow you to do these things and slowly build up an arsenal of small things to fight against the depression. It could turn out to be a positive thing if you are able to effectively address a life-long condition.
Posted by SLS on February 13, 2013, at 17:33:21
In reply to Re: ADD » hyperfocus, posted by ChicagoKat on February 13, 2013, at 11:05:45
> Very intresting stuff, thanks for posting it. I'm going to explore the possiblity of having ADD. It is absolutely true that when I feel 'really down' or 'anxious', I find it impossible to focus on anything...it drives me insane, bc all I want to do is to be able to cncentrate better so I can read my books, and so that I can do more cleaning of the house.
> KatThat sounds more like depression than ADD. It really is a good idea to either continue to research the matter yourself or allow a doctor to make the diagnosis.
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 14, 2013, at 12:20:26
In reply to Re: ADD » ChicagoKat, posted by hyperfocus on February 13, 2013, at 16:44:19
hyperfocus, thanks for all the very useful and insightful info you have provided. You've got me thinking, and I see my therapist today, and I'll get her input. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again, so much, for all the info.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 14, 2013, at 12:23:00
In reply to Re: ADD » ChicagoKat, posted by SLS on February 13, 2013, at 17:33:21
Good point Scott, and thank you. I'm seeing my therapist today and I will ask her what her thoughts are on the subject. I'll also ask my pdoc when I see him in a couble of weeks.
Kat
Posted by Meltingpot on February 21, 2013, at 11:23:25
In reply to Re: Prazosin - SLS need advice and info *please*!!! » Phillipa, posted by ChicagoKat on January 31, 2013, at 11:25:58
Hi,
Have you tried Zyprexa 10mg for the anxiety. That always seems to help me with the physical, wretched symptoms of it.
I wanted to ask you about your experience with ECT, you said that your meds stopped working after you had ECT and that your depression got worse. Which meds were you on that stopped working and in what way did your depression and anxiety get worse?
Denise
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 27, 2013, at 15:30:45
In reply to To Chicago Kat, posted by Meltingpot on February 21, 2013, at 11:23:25
Hi Denise,
Thanks for the recommendation of zyprexa, but it gave me akathisia, which was awful. And all of the APs, typical or atypical cause agitation in me. I have a weird brain :)
*I would like to preface this to the lucky few who did get benefit from ect, because I know some of you did*
As far as ect goes, I'll be honest, I *hated* it. I wish I have done more research before I started it. I had 5 sessions; I cancelled the rest b/c it was making me feel awful. It's hard to explain, but I felt like a vacuum cleaner was working in my mind. Also my cognitive abilities, during treatmen, dropped dramtically. I kept reading a internet page on honda cars and how thy evolved. Not terribly interesting to me, but believe it or not, I could *not* figure out how to load something more intereting. I was ike a zombie and it felt terrible and scary. After allthis took place, I read about ect. How I wish I had reasrched before hand. And I've had two admissions to a psych hospital, which would never have happend pre-ect. And every single person who had had ect told me they wish they had never done it..The pdoc tells u you'll only have mild memory effects. HA!!! They don't tell you about the negative side effects, such as a loss in cognitve function, nor do they tell you the truth about how many people respont to ect. 80-90 per cent is a huge lie...it's more like 20-30 percent. And, they don't tell you, but if you do have a good response, you have to have maintance treatment, I'm not sure but I think it's every month. And yep, I had been on Lexapro, and even though I was still depessed, it was *nothing* compared to the way I feel now Lexapro helped me back then. Now it is like taking a Tic Tac. And b/c I'm in such bad shape, I can't work, which I enjoyed. The best description I can think of is that it's constant agony. My pdoc has precribed Ritalin to help me so that I wont fall into the abyss. Problem is, it can worsen my anxiety. We are looking for a solution. I develop tolerance to drugs way quicker than ever. I don't know if it's b/c of the ect (which was 2 years ago) But I'm starting to notice big problems with my memory and my cognition. Maybe it's early onset of Alzheimers or something (I'm 47), but most likely, I've been off my Ritain for 1-2 weeks, b/c I had nothing to treat the anxiety. Vistaril worked *great*, but it ws a personal best: I developed tolerance to it in a week. We are now trhing mepbromate, an old anxioytic, but we'll see if it works. These days I spend a lot of time in bed - I'm on disability b/c after the ECT I couldn't possibly work. Oh, and I have read a study,wish I'd saved the link! But it proved, using rats, that the grop that did get ECT, had brain damage.
And I know isolating myself doesant help the depression, but I have become rather agoraphobic :( I have become a ghost of what I was. How I wish I could be the normal me.
Anyways,this turned into a long email...I better stop before I write a novel :)OK, I could go on forever about ect. Personally, I think it's dangerous and should be outlawed. But that's just me. I've heard it has helped a few people, and I am happy for them. But OH HOW I WISH I'D NEVER DONE IT. But your mileate may vary. Listn to what a lot of the people say here on Babble
Kat
> Hi,
>
> Have you tried Zyprexa 10mg for the anxiety. That always seems to help me with the physical, wretched symptoms of it.
>
> I wanted to ask you about your experience with ECT, you said that your meds stopped working after you had ECT and that your depression got worse. Which meds were you on that stopped working and in what way did your depression and anxiety get worse?
>
>
> Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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