Posted by manowar on May 21, 2002, at 16:03:47
In reply to The Holy Grail(s) of Meds » manowar, posted by IsoM on May 18, 2002, at 1:44:33
> So true, Tim. One psychiatrist told me that treating patients was more an art than a science. Psychiatry wasn't a quantitative science like regular medicine but had to be qualitative. It's slowly becoming more quantitative but it may never really be. Even with all things being equal, each person will perceive the same conditions differently.
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> All the different parts in your brain not working to full par sounds much like me. That's why I was excited by adrafinil & its ability to improve overall brain metabolism. I always score so very high on IQ tests (top 0.25% of population) but can't seem to get my 'act' together to do something that would lead to anything concrete. Like a handful of loose little gems that can't be strung together into a necklace. I'd be great a century ago when a Jill-of-all-trades would be valued. I, too, am always looking for just a little more to fine tweak that brain of mine to make it more productive.
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> Another pdoc I spoke with once said something similar to what you believe - that few people will stick with a med long enough to realise its full effect & then add another when needed. He's a teaching pdoc too, so he keeps very up-to-date & I found him very sensible - something not always found in pdocs like it should be.
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> Take care, Tim. I can't speak about Toronto as it's been many, many years since I was last there. I was in Montreal not too long ago but I prefer the West Coast where I live now - considered Canada's "banana belt". (And yes, we can really grow banana plants here but only as ornamentals; not a long enough growing season to ripen the fruit.)^I'd bet they're small. Small bananas would look cute as Christmas tree ornaments:)
IsoM,
Thank you for your kind words.Actually, I wasn't citing my own neuro-functional problems in my last post, I was just using an example.
But it did take me a long time to figure out the fact that it would take several medications before my condition would begin to really improve.
I found an ADD doctor, and he's better than any pdoc I ever saw (just personal experience). He's an expert in psychopharmacology, and he also lectures. So I guess we're both very lucky with our drs.
He has a very strong "good brain function through good psychopharmacology = good mental health" type attitude which I really appreciate. And, when I see him, we don't have a set time. Frankly, I’m just glad that I no longer have to sit in an oversize chair and blather on and on to some nitwit for a half hour...
He normally only costs $45-$60 a visit and he's way more aggressive in his pharmaceutical approach than any pdoc I’ve ever had.
But anyway, I just wanted you to know that over the last week I’ve felt better than I have in years. I’m Cyclothymic, so I don’t know how long this ‘upswing’ will last. I just started taking the Nortriptyline two weeks ago and I definitely feel a difference. At this point, whether I’m experiencing the ‘placebo effect’ or not, I don’t really give a damn. I just want it to last:)
Isn’t it interesting that it's normally the bright people that suffer the most with mental health issues? I guess great minds do think alike:)
Go Red Wings!
Tim
poster:manowar
thread:106073
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020517/msgs/107179.html