Posted by Brody on September 8, 2007, at 14:31:34
In reply to To Brody, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 8, 2007, at 12:55:29
>
>The only thing I can count on to help relieve it is Zyprexa.
>Hi Denise,
I copied this from Crazy Meds... always an entertaining take on meds there:
Zyprexa: "Odds of it working for depression - Really good. As a stand-alone med for depression it can work but not very often. But when you mix it with an antidepressant for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder no other atypical antipsychotic works as well as Zyprexa (olanzapine) at pulling people out of the abyss of endless days and nights of laying in a bed of dirty, rumpled sheets staring at the walls and ceiling waiting, waiting, waiting for someone to just come in and kill you to finally put an end to it."
I hope I didn't break any rules by copying that!
>
>couldn't really say I had any of those core beliefs, unless I was in denial.
>
>For certain, our histories with depression are quite dissimilar.
It doesn't sound to me as though you are in denial about your thinking. If you have read the material, and a bell of recognition didn't go off in your head, as in: YES! THAT'S WHAT I DO!!", that may be very telling... It seems our only sure commonality is the misery!
I was always aware of my tendancy toward low self esteem and other distorted perspectives, and I knew where they came from. I just couldn't find any help in eradicating them. I wish I could have had this type of help when I was in my 20's.
>
> Do you always get a complete response with antidepressants and what are you taking now?
>
That would be a definite NO. I have had varying degrees of response:SSRIs: Total ZERO, except for constant desire to sleep.
TCAs: Pretty good help from Desipramine. (works on norepinephrine) I was able to go off of it successfully and was off meds for about 2 years.
SNRIs: Wellbutrin provided partial relief with continued dosage raises until 450mg, then Abilify was added and that helped some but it didn't last. Ultimately, this completely pooped out.CURRENT: For the past 4+ months I have been on EMSAM, my first MAOI. My p-doc was very aggressive in raising doses: 2 weeks on 6mg; 2 weeks on 9mg; 1 month on 12 mg. The 12mg was great for the depression but my blood pressure plummeted and I was falling over all the time so we dropped back down to 9mg and I felt some of the previous "boost" diminish. She then added 100mg Provigil, and that has been the secret ingredient that brought everything into the light for me.
There is an increase in anxiety and insomnia for many EMSAM users in the initial weeks. I have handled those times with a little Xanax. I am pretty much off the Xanax now.
Are you taking the Zyprexa now? Do you go on and off of it?
Have you had any of the tests for hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, food allergies? I have read here that this has been helpful for some.
I wish I knew more about your national health care system. I think they are a good idea in theory... Am I right that the Canadian one works a little better in terms of getting treatment faster? I guess there are med restrictions there as well. I hope I am here to see the day when someone finally comes up with a way to get all of us the equitable treatment we need and deserve. My meds are some of the most expensive on the list, and I would be without them if not for my health insurance. I know how fortunate I am in this regard.
I really hope you can find the formula that will alleviate your depression and that you don't have to wait until you are my age to get there!
Janet
poster:Brody
thread:780829
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070831/msgs/781628.html