![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 0:38:41
Posted by SLS on April 23, 2013, at 1:02:39
In reply to Kind of illuminating!, posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 0:38:41
> http://hereditarian.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/treat
Yuck.
- Scott
Posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 1:14:49
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating!, posted by SLS on April 23, 2013, at 1:02:39
> > http://hereditarian.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/treat
>
> Yuck.
>
>
> - ScottI know...but truly that is how I feel about most physicians, especially psych drs. Not all, but most. And I come from a long line of inept, money hungry, relatives in the medical profession . The only one I respect, my aunt who is a nurse.
Posted by vanvog on April 23, 2013, at 1:15:26
In reply to Kind of illuminating!, posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 0:38:41
Interesting article, what he doesn't mention is that in many cases its peoples own fault they are TR in the first place as they fail one medication after another as soon as some side effects start bothering them (what did you expect?) instead of giving it 8 weeks at max dose, some of the meds they failed might have actually worked but it seems easier for some people to declare themselves treatment resistant than to sit through the initial side effects, ironically it's often the same people who are scared sh*tles of ECT and MAOIs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying everybody with TRD is just a wuss, it's a real condition but you have to give your meds some time to work.
Also could have mentioned high-dose MAOI treatment.
Posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 2:33:25
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating!, posted by vanvog on April 23, 2013, at 1:15:26
> Interesting article, what he doesn't mention is that in many cases its peoples own fault they are TR in the first place as they fail one medication after another as soon as some side effects start bothering them (what did you expect?) instead of giving it 8 weeks at max dose, some of the meds they failed might have actually worked but it seems easier for some people to declare themselves treatment resistant than to sit through the initial side effects, ironically it's often the same people who are scared sh*tles of ECT and MAOIs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying everybody with TRD is just a wuss, it's a real condition but you have to give your meds some time to work.
>
> Also could have mentioned high-dose MAOI treatment.You're most definitely right. The guy is a blogger bringing to light what many of us experience as psych patients. I guess this touched a nerve with me because not too long ago my doctor told me she was out of ideas though she had never suggested MAOIs (except for Emsam) or TCAs, mainly because my unwillingness to put on any more weight. When i went for a 2nd opinion to one of the heads of Psychiatry at a major university, he told me I was being overmedicated, offered no treatment alternative, told me to come back in a month for another full hour to discuss meds adjustment and when I called to confirm the appointment, the nurse told me the he couldn't see me anymore and to continue treatment with my actual dr. I couldn't believe how this so called top of the line Dr. could drop me 1 day before my appointment for whom I so waited with the expectation of him coming up with a new treatment plan. I have always been a respectful and compliant patient. So for now I am still with my old doctor who I know means well but is not aggressive enough in coming up with a different plan. Usually, I am the one to suggest new meds and she goes along with it. If I performed my job as a high school teacher or my husband as an engineer in the same fashion as this doctors, we would be fired on the spot.
I began weaning off many of the meds and in the process of possibly suggesting Parnate to my dr. (as per Scott's wisdom) if my current regimen gives out. However, I still want to see how ditching some of the meds, Lamictal 200 1 year, Klonopin 2-3 mg 10+ years, Wellbutrin 3 years (all of the above off for over a month)and keeping Vyvanse, Xanax prn, Lexapro work for now. Hope you are doing well.
Posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 2:35:31
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating!, posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 2:33:25
Posted by Phillipa on April 23, 2013, at 10:03:00
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating!, posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 2:33:25
I keep cutting down on them also. My pdoc may be old but he's not dumb and doesn't see the point of high doses of meds for long periods of time other than in conditions such as bipolar and schizophrenia. He recently did this DNA test for metabolism on me. Why don't know as won't chnge a thing? Phillipa
Posted by Beckett on April 23, 2013, at 22:22:44
In reply to Kind of illuminating!, posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 0:38:41
That was fun to read.
Posted by ihatedrugs on April 24, 2013, at 0:49:08
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating!, posted by Beckett on April 23, 2013, at 22:22:44
> That was fun to read.
I thought so!
Posted by brynb on April 24, 2013, at 10:57:46
In reply to Kind of illuminating!, posted by ihatedrugs on April 23, 2013, at 0:38:41
Definitely interesting. I've been dropped by several docs that had no idea what to do with me or just intimated that it was borderline personality disorder with MDD. And for all of the $ I shelled out, I had to make med suggestions (only one of many pdocs even suggested an MAOI).
Having been on an up and down ride since November (mostly down) with several psych ER visits and a recent ketamine trial that doesn't seem to be sustainable, I'm in a washout so I can begin Nardil next week. MY idea. My pdoc has not given up on me (he wants me to try TMS), but I practically had to beg to try an MAOI and of course, his initial suggestion was Emsam (which I immediately shot down as it wasn't right for me in the past).
Right now, I'm just on Ativan, white knuckling it until I start Nardil and TMS, and praying that I made the right decision. I feel mentally and physically beaten and can't help but wonder if my pdoc hasn't given up on me because he makes so much money off of me. I guess I'm "lucky" he's sticking it out with me.
As a patient, this blog echoed my sentiment of being scared that these guys are so quick to label us or give up, and if they aren't, it's because of the easy money they make off of us. I'm so confused and frustrated.
-b
Posted by ihatedrugs on April 24, 2013, at 11:35:18
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating!, posted by brynb on April 24, 2013, at 10:57:46
> Definitely interesting. I've been dropped by several docs that had no idea what to do with me or just intimated that it was borderline personality disorder with MDD. And for all of the $ I shelled out, I had to make med suggestions (only one of many pdocs even suggested an MAOI).
>
> Having been on an up and down ride since November (mostly down) with several psych ER visits and a recent ketamine trial that doesn't seem to be sustainable, I'm in a washout so I can begin Nardil next week. MY idea. My pdoc has not given up on me (he wants me to try TMS), but I practically had to beg to try an MAOI and of course, his initial suggestion was Emsam (which I immediately shot down as it wasn't right for me in the past).
>
> Right now, I'm just on Ativan, white knuckling it until I start Nardil and TMS, and praying that I made the right decision. I feel mentally and physically beaten and can't help but wonder if my pdoc hasn't given up on me because he makes so much money off of me. I guess I'm "lucky" he's sticking it out with me.
>
> As a patient, this blog echoed my sentiment of being scared that these guys are so quick to label us or give up, and if they aren't, it's because of the easy money they make off of us. I'm so confused and frustrated.
>
> -bbrynb,
I'm so sorry you're going through a rough patch. I pray you'll find some relief with Nardil. Please keep us posted.
Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2013, at 20:48:57
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating! » brynb, posted by ihatedrugs on April 24, 2013, at 11:35:18
Bryn me also. Phillipa
Posted by brynb on April 29, 2013, at 15:03:04
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating! » brynb, posted by ihatedrugs on April 24, 2013, at 11:35:18
Thanks ihatedrugs and Phillipa,
I caved and restarted Lexapro (I couldn't bare a washout right now especially as I wasn't guaranteed success on Nardil). I'm also back on a low dose of Tramadol, which, while it's an analgesic, seems to be the only NRI I can tolerate and makes a remarkable difference in my mood. So, I'm on Lexapro, Tramadol, Ativan and I'm beginning TMS tomorrow.
Thanks for the support; I'll keep you posted.
-b
Posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2013, at 20:54:36
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating! » ihatedrugs, posted by brynb on April 29, 2013, at 15:03:04
Tomorrow? Fingers & Toes crossed. Keep us posted!!! Phillipa
Posted by ihatedrugs on May 4, 2013, at 23:48:39
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating! » ihatedrugs, posted by brynb on April 29, 2013, at 15:03:04
> Thanks ihatedrugs and Phillipa,
>
> I caved and restarted Lexapro (I couldn't bare a washout right now especially as I wasn't guaranteed success on Nardil). I'm also back on a low dose of Tramadol, which, while it's an analgesic, seems to be the only NRI I can tolerate and makes a remarkable difference in my mood. So, I'm on Lexapro, Tramadol, Ativan and I'm beginning TMS tomorrow.
>
> Thanks for the support; I'll keep you posted.
>
> -bI have a friend who does very well on Tramadol. Has been taking it for quite a while. Hope TMS does the trick. :)
Posted by brynb on May 5, 2013, at 9:26:41
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating! » brynb, posted by ihatedrugs on May 4, 2013, at 23:48:39
> > Thanks ihatedrugs and Phillipa,
> >
> > I caved and restarted Lexapro (I couldn't bare a washout right now especially as I wasn't guaranteed success on Nardil). I'm also back on a low dose of Tramadol, which, while it's an analgesic, seems to be the only NRI I can tolerate and makes a remarkable difference in my mood. So, I'm on Lexapro, Tramadol, Ativan and I'm beginning TMS tomorrow.
> >
> > Thanks for the support; I'll keep you posted.
> >
> > -b
>
> I have a friend who does very well on Tramadol. Has been taking it for quite a while. Hope TMS does the trick. :)
Thanks :). Does your friend take Tramadol for pain or depression? I'm fine with taking it daily--it's been no different than taking Lexapro (in fact I take it with Lexapro every morning).I'm doing so much better now that I'm on this combo--better than I have been in a long time. I'm hoping the TMS will further my progress and hopefully all of these treatments together will help prevent relapse. Thanks again and I hope you're doing well.
-b
Posted by ihatedrugs on May 6, 2013, at 21:23:16
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating! » ihatedrugs, posted by brynb on May 5, 2013, at 9:26:41
> > > Thanks ihatedrugs and Phillipa,
> > >
> > > I caved and restarted Lexapro (I couldn't bare a washout right now especially as I wasn't guaranteed success on Nardil). I'm also back on a low dose of Tramadol, which, while it's an analgesic, seems to be the only NRI I can tolerate and makes a remarkable difference in my mood. So, I'm on Lexapro, Tramadol, Ativan and I'm beginning TMS tomorrow.
> > >
> > > Thanks for the support; I'll keep you posted.
> > >
> > > -b
> >
> > I have a friend who does very well on Tramadol. Has been taking it for quite a while. Hope TMS does the trick. :)
>
>
> Thanks :). Does your friend take Tramadol for pain or depression? I'm fine with taking it daily--it's been no different than taking Lexapro (in fact I take it with Lexapro every morning).
>
> I'm doing so much better now that I'm on this combo--better than I have been in a long time. I'm hoping the TMS will further my progress and hopefully all of these treatments together will help prevent relapse. Thanks again and I hope you're doing well.
>
> -bI'm so glad you are doing better. My friend takes it for both. She suffers from migraines and depression. She also takes an AD but not sure which one.
Posted by brynb on May 6, 2013, at 22:09:23
In reply to Re: Kind of illuminating! » brynb, posted by ihatedrugs on May 6, 2013, at 21:23:16
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.