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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 15:11:36
I'm in university of pennsylania hospital, after a nightmare week of detoxing without help from oxycontin.
I'm waiting for a bed on the regular unit--they've housed me in geriatrics waiting. I am so scared of my depression, have gone off all opiates, and don't know what the next step is.If I knew ect would not hurt my photography skills, I would go for it. Anyway, have not really even been assigned a real doctor yet since they are moving me as soon as a bed is open. I'm also thinking effexor.
please write
Shelli
Posted by SLS on December 18, 2001, at 16:30:04
In reply to ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write, posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 15:11:36
Hi Shelli.
> I'm in university of pennsylania hospital, after a nightmare week of detoxing without help from oxycontin.
I haven't been following the board recently, so I am unaware of your reasons for discontinuing methadone. I have nothing to offer you except a hello and a smile.
Hello.
:-)
Ask for Jay Amsterdam.
- Scott
Posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 17:06:41
In reply to Re: ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write, posted by SLS on December 18, 2001, at 16:30:04
> Hi Shelli.
>
> > I'm in university of pennsylania hospital, after a nightmare week of detoxing without help from oxycontin.
>
> I haven't been following the board recently, so I am unaware of your reasons for discontinuing methadone. I have nothing to offer you except a hello and a smile.
>
> Hello.
>
> :-)
>
> Ask for Jay Amsterdam.
>
>
> - Scott
thanks scott. I'll accept with gratitude.
shelli
Posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 17:20:28
In reply to Re: ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write » SLS, posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 17:06:41
> > Hi Shelli.
> >
> > > I'm in university of pennsylania hospital, after a nightmare week of detoxing without help from oxycontin.
> >
> > I haven't been following the board recently, so I am unaware of your reasons for discontinuing methadone. I have nothing to offer you except a hello and a smile.
> >
> > Hello.
> >
> > :-)
> >
> > Ask for Jay Amsterdam.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
who is jay amsterdam?
>
>
> shelli
Posted by Lorraine on December 18, 2001, at 17:59:37
In reply to ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write, posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 15:11:36
Shelli:
Wrote a message to you above. Have you taken Effexor before? I'm having a rough day/week (life?)--something is clearly not working and I'm not sure what I should do about it (although I started taking St John's Wort today...hoping). I have been thinking about you and am so glad that you have people around you who can get you where you need to be when you need to be there (your friend taking you to the hospital). If he though it was necessary, it probably was. I hope you get a great doctor who has a magic wand (or knows what he is doing:-)
Lorraine
> I'm in university of pennsylania hospital, after a nightmare week of detoxing without help from oxycontin.
> I'm waiting for a bed on the regular unit--they've housed me in geriatrics waiting. I am so scared of my depression, have gone off all opiates, and don't know what the next step is.
>
> If I knew ect would not hurt my photography skills, I would go for it. Anyway, have not really even been assigned a real doctor yet since they are moving me as soon as a bed is open. I'm also thinking effexor.
>
> please write
>
> Shelli
Posted by judy1 on December 18, 2001, at 22:26:47
In reply to ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write, posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 15:11:36
shelli,
i would sue your ex-doc for malpractice. i hope the pdoc at the hosp listens to you and gives you meds that will help- you are in a good hosp. my husband is siding with the docs, i feel like crawling in a closet. hope you are better soon- judy
Posted by SLS on December 19, 2001, at 6:52:50
In reply to Re: ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write, posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 17:20:28
> > > Hi Shelli.
> > >
> > > > I'm in university of pennsylania hospital, after a nightmare week of detoxing without help from oxycontin.
> > >
> > > I haven't been following the board recently, so I am unaware of your reasons for discontinuing methadone. I have nothing to offer you except a hello and a smile.
> > >
> > > Hello.
> > >
> > > :-)
> > >
> > > Ask for Jay Amsterdam.
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> who is jay amsterdam?
> >
> >
> > shelliJay Amsterdam was one of the first investigators to focus on treatment-resistance. As of September, 2000, he was not taking on private patients, but perhaps you can get your attending physician to consult with him.
Here you go:Depression Research Unit
Diagnosis and treatment of affective disorders (depression and manic depression) with an emphasis on pharmacologic treatment approaches. Research on the development and use of new and conventional antidepressant medications including lithium carbonate is ongoing. Other areas of specialized investigation include treatment resistant depression and the interaction of hormones and mood.
(215) 662-3462
Director
Jay Amsterdam, M.D.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=4&term="amsterdam%20jd"[author]&dispmax=200
Posted by SLS on December 19, 2001, at 6:54:50
In reply to Re: ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write » shellir, posted by SLS on December 19, 2001, at 6:52:50
I don't know why the Medline URL didn't turn out right. I'll try again.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=4&term="amsterdam%20jd"[author]&dispmax=200
Posted by mair on December 20, 2001, at 7:47:41
In reply to ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write, posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 15:11:36
> Shelli - i sent you an email at your regular email address and posted a message to that effect on PSB. Is there a different email address you want me to try? I'd love to hear from you at least to know that you're getting my messages.
Miss you
Mair
PS I also forwarded you an amusing email about wordplay but I did that from my office email address that you might not recognize.
Posted by shellir on December 20, 2001, at 8:18:13
In reply to Re: ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write » shellir, posted by mair on December 20, 2001, at 7:47:41
> > Shelli - i sent you an email at your regular email address and posted a message to that effect on PSB. Is there a different email address you want me to try? I'd love to hear from you at least to know that you're getting my messages.
>
> Miss you
>
> Mair
> university of penn sent me home to therapy! ass**les. I am now at my parents and I'm not sure if I can get my e-mail. I finally took an opiate today and feel better and am looking into ect. I am that desperate. I miss you,Shelli
> PS I also forwarded you an amusing email about wordplay but I did that from my office email address that you might not recognize.
Posted by shellir on December 20, 2001, at 12:11:46
In reply to Re: ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write » shellir, posted by mair on December 20, 2001, at 7:47:41
> > Shelli - i sent you an email at your regular email address and posted a message to that effect on PSB. Is there a different email address you want me to try? I'd love to hear from you at least to know that you're getting my messages.
>
> Miss you
>Mair
I think I can get e-mail at [email protected]. I am trying to make an appointment in washington with a psychiatrist who treats everything (hormones, head, etc.) recommended by my psychologist friend in d.c. He's between $3,000 and $8,000 total, for all the tests and my father said he'd pay. His office said he would call me back between 8 and 9:30 this evening. Right now I'm in philadelphia taking my mom's pain pills to get by. I left my business (my sister called everyone) and of course I feel terrible about that. I don't think opiates will be the long term answer and I don't really want ect because I'm scared of memory loss. Anyway, I hope you are in the Christmas spirit (you, lorraine, eliz, scott and everyone else). For me it just means every psychiatrist is off and little chance of treatment. If you saved the e-mails, send them to the above address and I'll write back.Shelli
> PS I also forwarded you an amusing email about wordplay but I did that from my office email address that you might not recognize.
Posted by Elizabeth on December 28, 2001, at 12:22:19
In reply to ELIZ,LORRAINE,MAIR please write, posted by shellir on December 18, 2001, at 15:11:36
Hi Shelli. I'm sorry it took so long to write; I've been doing all sorts of holiday stuff and haven't been reading PB. I'm afraid I don't have any great suggestions, but I wish you the best and hope you can get the help that you need.
How did you come to be in PA, BTW??? As it happens, I was in Princeton, not that far from you, for several days (visiting my boyfriend). I wish I'd read your post -- I could have come and visited you! I know how lonely the hospital can be. (The geriatric unit, no less -- yikes.)
Best of luck to you. You're in my thoughts.
your friend,
-elizabeth
Posted by shellir on December 28, 2001, at 13:16:44
In reply to Re: hi there » shellir, posted by Elizabeth on December 28, 2001, at 12:22:19
> Hi Shelli. I'm sorry it took so long to write; I've been doing all sorts of holiday stuff and haven't been reading PB. I'm afraid I don't have any great suggestions, but I wish you the best and hope you can get the help that you need.
>
> How did you come to be in PA, BTW??? As it happens, I was in Princeton, not that far from you, for several days (visiting my boyfriend). I wish I'd read your post -- I could have come and visited you! I know how lonely the hospital can be. (The geriatric unit, no less -- yikes.)
>
> Best of luck to you. You're in my thoughts.
>
> your friend,
> -elizabethHi Elizabeth,
Thanks for writing.
I am still in Philadelphia (entire family is here),and everything remains up in the air. The only thing that is settled is an appointment the third week in January with Dr. Robert Hedaya, the "total" psychiatrist who teaches at Georgetown.
Meanwhile, first I was rejected for ECT at U of Penn (need therapy); yesterday I got rejected because I need to be off opiates for a month--presently I have about another ten days of methadone (15mg 2 or 3x a day). Then I have a few hydrocodone at home. I am so tired of explaining my "opiate" history. I am not yet broken into thinking drugs are my problem rather than depression. I am much stronger than I ever imaged, although if not for my parents, I am sure I would be either in McLean in Boston (my first choice) or dead.
What is your situation? You are also very much in my thoughts.
Shelli
Posted by Elizabeth on December 29, 2001, at 6:15:45
In reply to Re: hi there » Elizabeth, posted by shellir on December 28, 2001, at 13:16:44
Hi Shelli.
> I am still in Philadelphia (entire family is here), and everything remains up in the air.
Ahh, that's how I came to be in NC too. Also, same here about everything being up in the air!
> The only thing that is settled is an appointment the third week in January with Dr. Robert Hedaya, the "total" psychiatrist who teaches at Georgetown.
That sounds like a plan. I think getting tests done is probably a good idea if conventional psych treatments haven't worked very well.
> Meanwhile, first I was rejected for ECT at U of Penn (need therapy);
What is with this therapy crap? Haven't you been in a lot of therapy already? And how is therapy incompatible with ECT, anyway -- why can't you do both?
> yesterday I got rejected because I need to be off opiates for a month --presently I have about another ten days of methadone (15mg 2 or 3x a day). Then I have a few hydrocodone at home. I am so tired of explaining my "opiate" history.
I'd just tell about the doctor in DC who prescribed them for you -- I wouldn't go into the previous self-medication with hydro, as it might make them distrustful of you.
> I am not yet broken into thinking drugs are my problem rather than depression. I am much stronger than I ever imaged, although if not for my parents, I am sure I would be either in McLean in Boston (my first choice) or dead.
I have the same feelings about my parents. I don't know what I'd do without them. My sister has been wonderful too, although being in college she sort of has her own world that she lives in right now.
> What is your situation? You are also very much in my thoughts.
Thanks. :) I'm trying to find a decent pdoc in NC, staying with my parents. I'm also trying to get Medicaid so that I can see a neurologist and get the expensive tests that will probably require. Medicaid is *very* hard to get here -- I wish they would just let me transfer it from Massachusetts, but here they actually require you to be approved for disability before they'll consider you for Medicaid! So that's a PITA. Otherwise, I'm just trying to stay active, get out regularly, get/stay in touch with friends and family, etc. I've been pretty psyched about the _Lord of the Rings_ movie because I've been a big fan of the books since I was a little kid (I've reread LOTR twice since September). My sister is home for the holidays, which is nice since I don't get to see her that often. I visited my boyfriend in NJ just before xmas -- I hadn't seen him for a month or so. I hope that I can go up there pretty often, but it's pretty tricky (the last couple times, I've taken Amtrak from Union Station to Trenton after driving up to DC). That's pretty much where I stand now.
I hope things improve for you. It's hard, but I know that you're strong.
best wishes,
-elizabeth
Posted by Lorraine on December 30, 2001, at 23:29:14
In reply to Re: hi there » shellir, posted by Elizabeth on December 29, 2001, at 6:15:45
Elizabeth:
Good to hear from you. You sound good. How are your meds doing? I know disability and medicaid are a pain--people in NDMDA complain about the hoop jumping all the time. Perseverance seems to be the biggest piece--which you certainly have.
I'm on St John's Wart, ritalin XR and neurontin. Day 12 of SJ, thought being that since I react so negatively to so many meds may as well try one that is "supposed" to have few side effects. Funny thing, noticed reduction in physical anxiety right away (stopped all daytime Neurontin, which was about 800 mg before started SJ), but also noticed fatigue. Having been on an MAO before as well as the blood pressure reducing drug had my suspicions and took my bp--sure enough low. Recent stuff says SJ is not an MAO, but the bp effect is interesting. I'm actually thinking that it is this dip in bp that has a lot to do with the fatigue that I have felt on other ADs, but then again, noone was taking my bp.
I wish you the best New Year (you truly deserve it).
Lorraine
> Hi Shelli.
>
> > I am still in Philadelphia (entire family is here), and everything remains up in the air.
>
> Ahh, that's how I came to be in NC too. Also, same here about everything being up in the air!
>
> > The only thing that is settled is an appointment the third week in January with Dr. Robert Hedaya, the "total" psychiatrist who teaches at Georgetown.
>
> That sounds like a plan. I think getting tests done is probably a good idea if conventional psych treatments haven't worked very well.
>
> > Meanwhile, first I was rejected for ECT at U of Penn (need therapy);
>
> What is with this therapy crap? Haven't you been in a lot of therapy already? And how is therapy incompatible with ECT, anyway -- why can't you do both?
>
> > yesterday I got rejected because I need to be off opiates for a month --presently I have about another ten days of methadone (15mg 2 or 3x a day). Then I have a few hydrocodone at home. I am so tired of explaining my "opiate" history.
>
> I'd just tell about the doctor in DC who prescribed them for you -- I wouldn't go into the previous self-medication with hydro, as it might make them distrustful of you.
>
> > I am not yet broken into thinking drugs are my problem rather than depression. I am much stronger than I ever imaged, although if not for my parents, I am sure I would be either in McLean in Boston (my first choice) or dead.
>
> I have the same feelings about my parents. I don't know what I'd do without them. My sister has been wonderful too, although being in college she sort of has her own world that she lives in right now.
>
> > What is your situation? You are also very much in my thoughts.
>
> Thanks. :) I'm trying to find a decent pdoc in NC, staying with my parents. I'm also trying to get Medicaid so that I can see a neurologist and get the expensive tests that will probably require. Medicaid is *very* hard to get here -- I wish they would just let me transfer it from Massachusetts, but here they actually require you to be approved for disability before they'll consider you for Medicaid! So that's a PITA. Otherwise, I'm just trying to stay active, get out regularly, get/stay in touch with friends and family, etc. I've been pretty psyched about the _Lord of the Rings_ movie because I've been a big fan of the books since I was a little kid (I've reread LOTR twice since September). My sister is home for the holidays, which is nice since I don't get to see her that often. I visited my boyfriend in NJ just before xmas -- I hadn't seen him for a month or so. I hope that I can go up there pretty often, but it's pretty tricky (the last couple times, I've taken Amtrak from Union Station to Trenton after driving up to DC). That's pretty much where I stand now.
>
> I hope things improve for you. It's hard, but I know that you're strong.
>
> best wishes,
> -elizabeth
Posted by Lorraine on December 30, 2001, at 23:39:36
In reply to Re: hi there » Elizabeth, posted by shellir on December 28, 2001, at 13:16:44
Shelli: They sure like to put you through the paces don't they? The general outline in the Survival Guide to Antidepressants has been the approach that I have been using with my medical doctor as well. Did I tell you she tested my aminos and found lots of deficiencies in the ones that are precursors to neurotransmitters? Anyway, then prescribed custom blend, which threw me into the depths of despair in about 3 days. Do NOT ask me why. (I suspect the gods laugh at my efforts to get well.) Will see her sometime in January and ask what she thinks about that reaction. I know she is interested in giving me a challenge test for mercury toxicity (many, many fillings throughout my life). There is also a web site called thewayup.com that is very useful. This woman is in Palm Springs and I have thought of making the treck (couple hours) to get her take on all of this as well. Meanwhile, very happy with my doctor, although I do not think the "natural" route is a quick one--at least not the way she approaches it. We test one thing; try to correct it and then move on. Part of my faith in her (she is very bright and actually a nice human to boot) is that she once had to abandon her practice because of CFS and managed to wrestle that demon down.
I am hoping that your New Year manages to push you towards health (me too.) Though with both of us, it certainly is not from lack of trying that we are not where we want to be (as happy as the day is long).
Lorraine
Lorraine
> > Hi Shelli. I'm sorry it took so long to write; I've been doing all sorts of holiday stuff and haven't been reading PB. I'm afraid I don't have any great suggestions, but I wish you the best and hope you can get the help that you need.
> >
> > How did you come to be in PA, BTW??? As it happens, I was in Princeton, not that far from you, for several days (visiting my boyfriend). I wish I'd read your post -- I could have come and visited you! I know how lonely the hospital can be. (The geriatric unit, no less -- yikes.)
> >
> > Best of luck to you. You're in my thoughts.
> >
> > your friend,
> > -elizabeth
>
> Hi Elizabeth,
>
> Thanks for writing.
>
> I am still in Philadelphia (entire family is here),and everything remains up in the air. The only thing that is settled is an appointment the third week in January with Dr. Robert Hedaya, the "total" psychiatrist who teaches at Georgetown.
>
> Meanwhile, first I was rejected for ECT at U of Penn (need therapy); yesterday I got rejected because I need to be off opiates for a month--presently I have about another ten days of methadone (15mg 2 or 3x a day). Then I have a few hydrocodone at home. I am so tired of explaining my "opiate" history. I am not yet broken into thinking drugs are my problem rather than depression. I am much stronger than I ever imaged, although if not for my parents, I am sure I would be either in McLean in Boston (my first choice) or dead.
>
> What is your situation? You are also very much in my thoughts.
>
> Shelli
Posted by shellir on December 31, 2001, at 22:53:21
In reply to Re: hi there » shellir, posted by Elizabeth on December 29, 2001, at 6:15:45
Hi Elizabeth
>
> > The only thing that is settled is an appointment the third week in January with Dr. Robert Hedaya, the "total" psychiatrist who teaches at Georgetown.
> That sounds like a plan. I think getting tests done is probably a good idea if conventional psych treatments haven't worked very well.The more I read and hear about this guy, the more optimistic I am feeling about the potential that he will be able to help me.
>
> > Meanwhile, first I was rejected for ECT at U of Penn (need therapy);
>
> What is with this therapy crap? Haven't you been in a lot of therapy already? And how is therapy incompatible with ECT, anyway -- why can't you do both?
>Because they are ass*oles. And yes, I've been in therapy and I am still in therapy (well, I was until my therapist told me I couldn't work with her again until I went through in patient habilitation for opiates before she would work with me again. :-0 So, I don't think I do have a therapist, afterall.
Anyway, I read one of your earlier posts which mentioned ECT where you mentioned that real people have real horror stories. Do you know if any of the reports of memory loss, etc. were reported by people who had unilateral ect. I've been looking into ECT as a real possiblity, only because I have been reading about the lack of significant memory loss with unilateral ECT. I also talked to a woman when I was at University of Pennsylvania Hospital who was receiving unilateral ECT (she had had five in a scheduled series of twelve) and thus far, she described no memory impairment. When I spoke to her she had received ECT four hours earlier and she had total orientation and conversational skills in tact.
I would have definitely said yes last week when I was "rejected" unless I was off of opiates for four weeks, and the week before when I was sent back to therapy. Now that I am back on methadone and found enough hydrocondone (I hope) for another few weeks until I see the new pdoc, ECT is starting to lose some of its appeal. But I am still waking up with horrible pain, heaviness and despair in my chest (how I experience depression) until the methadone kicks in, so it remains an option.
I'd just tell about the doctor in DC who prescribed them for you -- I wouldn't go into the previous self-medication with hydro, as it might make them distrustful of you
That's good advice, although it seems like whatever I say doesn't matter that much--it all just translate into "addict" and "rehab" is the answer. I can see going off of opiates if the new pdoc has better ideas, but I really can't picture going to twelve step groups and giving myself over to "god" in order to do it.
>
Medicaid is *very* hard to get here -- I wish they would just let me transfer it from Massachusetts, but here they actually require you to be approved for disability before they'll consider you for Medicaid!That's strange; I didn't realize that it varied so state to state. As far as I know, in Maryland, you just have to have a certain income: at least I don't think it's related to disability. With disability, though, you probably could get both medicare and medicaid, right?
visited my boyfriend in NJ just before xmas -- I hadn't seen him for a month or so. I hope that I can go up there pretty often, but it's pretty tricky (the last couple times, I've taken Amtrak from Union Station to Trenton after driving up to DC). That's pretty much where I stand now.Is that new? You got your license?
> I hope things improve for you. It's hard, but I know that you're strong.Things are seeming better. I was home for the last few days trying to get some work done, but I didn't feel strong enough to stay. Now I'm back in Philadelphia for at least the rest of this week.
Take care,
Shelli
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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