Posted by JahL on March 9, 2001, at 13:03:13
In reply to treatment resistant depression, posted by sweetmarie on March 7, 2001, at 14:29:45
> I suffer from (severe chronic `double`) depression, which has proved VERY difficult to treat (I`ve had Tricyclics, SSRIs, an MAOI (Nardil), ECT, Maclobomide, Reboxetine, L-Tryptophan, Venlafaxine, and different permutations. I am currently on Nardil, Trimipramine, Lamotragine and Epilim to no effect). I`ve been referred to a specialist in `difficult to treat depression`, who plans to put me onto Venlafaxine, Mirtazapine and increase the dose of Lamotragine. I don`t really know why I am posting this message; I guess that I was wondering whether anyone else out there has had similar difficulties (I have been going through a major depressive episode for the past 6/7 years now, which has been severe over the past 3. Has anyone `been` where I am now? Any success stories? Or even partial success stories? I am very ill at the minute, and feel extremely hopeless - something which grows more with every treatment failure. I have had different kinds of `talking` therapy over the past 9 years, and hope to be well enough at some stage to do CBT. Can anyone help?
Hi there.
Like yourself I'm UK with treatment-resistant double depression (+ADD+social phobia...). I've had high-dose trials of all the meds you mention, & many more besides. All w/out significant success...that was until I started Lamotrigine just over 2 wks ago. I'm only just up to 37.5mg but already the improvement has been dramatic (see 'BIPOLAR EXPERT' thread 4 details).At yr current 25mg dose I can almost *guarantee* (tho' definitely no expert) you won't feel significant remission of yr depression. The proposed 250mg will give Lamotrigine scope to work it's magic (I'm biased).
You are fortunate to have found such a forward-thinking UK pdoc-I can't even find one to prescribe Lamotr. monotherapy, let alone such 'power combos'. I have to order mine from abroad (tut,tut,eh steve?). It's just a shame you have to reside in hospital.
I have high hopes for the Lamotrigine (which has the most anti-depressive profile of the mood-stabilizers); you may even find the Venlafaxine+Mirtazapine become/are redundant! Your doc sounds like he knows what he's doing.
Good Luck,
Jah.
poster:JahL
thread:55847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010302/msgs/56012.html