Posted by KarenB on March 20, 2001, at 12:23:29
In reply to Re: have i tried everything??, posted by Cindylou on March 18, 2001, at 22:07:58
Dear Cindylou,
I have had the same response to every SSRI - EXTREME fatigue and sleepiness. I have tried six. Turns out, I was misdiagnosed for years with depression, when it was actually Bipolar Disorder that was causing my depression and alternating energy/irritability/agitation.
I finally spent the big bucks and saw one of the best mood disorder specialists in the country here in Denver. He said I am most assuredly Bipolar and suggested some beginning routes of therapy - which are working better than anything ever has. It was money well spent. I wish I would have done it years ago (I just turned 40).
I still struggle with fatigue (and PMDD) but it is getting substantially better as my doc and I adjust the dosages. Most importantly, I now have HOPE of getting to some semblance of "well," soon.
My med combo is: Trileptal (mood stabilizer)600mg am & pm, Geodon (anti psychotic - helps with ruminating thoughts and breakthrough mania) 40mg am & pm, Xanax .5mg (anti anxiety) as needed, although I have found after adding the Geodon just recently that I rarely need the Xanax.
You didn't say, Cindylou, if you had an actual psychiatrist. Sounds like it may be your family doc guessing and throwing the SSRI's at you. Please...do yourself a favor and find a really good psych doc - preferably a woman, especially with your hormonal issues (they LISTEN). I am very happy with mine of the past few months but I did get a real bonehead on my first attempt. Don't give up if that happens to you. A teaching hospital or a university school of medicine is a good source for referrals. And don't forget to tell your new doctor EVERYTHING about the meds you have tried and their effects. It helps to write it out for them.
Take your health into your own hands and find the very best help available. You go, girl.
KarenB
poster:KarenB
thread:56863
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/56982.html