![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
Hello y'all!
This is the second thread I started, since the first one I opened up didnt get many a response.
I have been diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD in March, 2003. I have tried Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro and Lithobid since then.
I am not doing well these days, becuase I throw up a lot, have chest pain & tightness, am always dizzy and nauseated, very very fatiuged and weary of this whole mess that is my life.
From being a top%5 grad student, I slipped down to this sorry excuse for a student who cannot get anything done. I cant think. I am too tired to put two sentences together. What happened to the girl who could write articles top off her head......... I am angry and frustrated, and while I dont want to take it out on anything, seems like meds never worked for me in the last 4-5 months. And they gave me some sort of cloud around my head, so fog I cannot shred! I am afraid this may just be so from now on. A permanent side effect. Can ADs diminish my IQ?
What should I switch to? thanks, daisyQUESTION to DR.BOB: great website but i havent been able to evoke enough interest to get personal replies. Any ideas as to why?
MED HISTORY: I used Celexa (20/40 mg) then for 5 months. Run out of supply while abroad. Two months no medication.
Then I chose Lexapro since it boasts of less side effects. What a mistake!! I started with Lexapro 10-Wellbutrin150 for 5 weeks, extreme anxiety, almost panic-attacks, insomnia >>so Wellbutrin dropped, Lexapro upped to 20...
Lexapro 20 for 3 more months, and 4 weeks ago Lithobid 600 mg added to prevent suicidal plans.
Works for suicidal tendencies for about two weeks, then fades, so(as of yesterday) Lexapro lowered to 10 mg and Lithobid upped to 900mg. I went to the ER two times last week...
Posted by zeugma on December 16, 2003, at 14:39:46
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
I don't have med advice for you, except to point out the obvious fact that if your meds are making you feel worse instead of better, you need to drop them alotogether and find something that works. I don't know why lithium was added- it is a well-known augmentation strategy BUT augmentation usually works if a previous med is partially effective. That doesn't sound like the case with lexapro.
Posted by linkadge on December 16, 2003, at 14:54:26
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
I am a student who faces many of the problems you have mentioned. I was taking a combination of Lithium and Celexa for a while.
For the most part it did help but I did not feel fully normal.
Firstly you've got to let go of who you were. I too was close to the top in my high school and in university was doing very well. You need to find a course load you can handel. Drop courses if necessary to get yourself back on track. When you're 75 years old you're not going to give two hoots if you took an extra year or two in university.
Secondly what I have found with some of the medications you have tried. They certainly do help but you've got to master the timing and the doses to get anywhere.
First of all, BUY FISH OIL. In addition to celexa, this has helped me get my brain back. The brain composed of more fat than anything else, and many neurological problems can be greatly helped by eating more omega 3's. Secondly add folic acid to your regiment.
Take 1mg of folic acid in the morning. This is another neutrient that is very low in people with depression. It also is very good for cognition.
Thirldly, if possible take your medications in the evening. I weened myself down to 10mg of celexa by adding the fish oil and the folic acid. My mood was good enough to stay on a reduced dose of celexa, which was low enough that I could take in the evening. Expecially in depressed women, folic acid can boost SSRI responce dramatically.
Anyhow, of course things might not be exactly the same between two cases, but for heaven sakes stop blaming yourself. The ONLY way to improve is by first assesing and accepting where you are. The brain has the remarkable ability to repair itself and regenrate lost neurons, its called neurogenesis, and its part of how medications and excercise work for depression.
Best of luck
Linkadge
Posted by brussell on December 16, 2003, at 15:25:58
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
I'm curious about why you're taking the lithium. You didn't mention being bipolar, and lithium is usually best at preventing mania. I've never taken it, but I've heard it can cause cognitive dysfunction.
You might want to see another psychiatrist. I think your depression should be treated aggressively, but unless you are really bipolar, lithium is probably not a good choice.
Antipsychotics might be helpful if your depression has quasi-psychotic, desperate features. They have the advantage of working fast to calm you down.
Make sure you get emergency treatment when necessary
Don't worry about your school performance right now; you have more important things to worry about. Your cognitive problems are probably the result of depression and anxiety (the lithium might play a role, too) and will get better when you find a treatment that works.
I'm concerned that you are being medicated as if you were bipolar, yet you do not describe any manic episodes. Make sure you get an accurate diagnosis. The treatment strategies for bipolar disorder and non-bipolar depression are quite different. If you are not bipolar, your doctor should probably ditch the lithium and work more aggressively to find an antidepressant that actually works for you.
Good luck.
Posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 15:53:49
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by brussell on December 16, 2003, at 15:25:58
Hello all!
thanks for the input. As for linkadge's note, I am not clinging to who-I-was. High school is so far beind, I can hardly remmeber. So is college. But I've buried so much time and money in this damn grad school, I want to finish it. But I cannot, if I cannot think. If I cannot write passable papers. I have a year of mediocre grades, and a previous semester of reduced course load and incompletes. this semester I took just one course (one I very much liked) and I wont be able to finish it either. I have to go around the faculty, asking for permission to get an incomplete rather than Fs. I need to submit another she-is-crazy letter from my pdoc to the Dean. I ve been on an off depression all my life, and never ever in my life, had I felt so incompetent so incapable. I am angry and frustrated. I mentioned what I used to be because I know that I have the mental (ouch, not mental) intellectual capaticy to do this. Depression is why I am disabled. And I HATE this.
I spent a fucking semester waiting things to get better, and they didnt, so a month ago I found myself scheming suicide. I had wished that I was dead many times before,yet I had never found myself staring at my boyfried's Ambien bottle and calculating whether it was enough to kill me. I was so scared of what I was thinking, I called my counsellor and pdoc immediately. They were worried for me, so they've put me on Lithium. And I was ok with that, because in spite of what depression tells me, I know all I want is a more meaningful, satisfying life where I can be myself. (I dont want a fancy life. just simple healthy existence) So, this is why I am taking Lithobid. (Even though I am not BP)
I recevied emergency treatment twice last week. My brain got so foggy and dizzy I knew I was about to loose conciousness. So I went to the ER. I was horribly sick to my stomach, had palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing etc. Blood tests and ekgs show that I wasnt poisoned by lithium levels and my heart was fine.
Two days later, I saw my doctor to follow up and she ordered a D-dimer test to see if i had any clotting in blood. The test was positive, so I rushed to ER again to get more tests done. Had a ct-scan (sp?) more ekgs, blood tests etc. No clots in the lungs or a heart atack etc. Yet, Since last sunday I never stopped feeling dizzy, nauseated (i had n. before but not like this), having chest pain, difficulty breathing, dry moouth, throat, etcI was told upon initial amittance to ER that it might be a panic/anxiety attak, but I wasnt hyperventilalting then, nor now, and I hasnt disseappear in the last ten days.
sorry for the rambling on. i am really upset and i dont know how to fix this. i am going to my weekly therapy sessions (which helps a lot) i was in a specialty group and i keep in close contact with my pdoc. what else is missing?
daisy
Posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 15:58:24
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 15:53:49
i am having a bad hair with bad spelling day. sorry about it. put the blame on us, stupid foreigners. ;)
Posted by jay on December 16, 2003, at 16:36:15
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
Hi...I can understand your frustration as a student, since I've been there, got the t-shirt..etc..lol. Regarding the suicidal tendencies, I believe the antipsychotics, even in low doses, have been shown to be anti-suicidal. Many have different side-effects, though, so it's best you get as much non-biased information about. It may take a *fair* amount of time to tinker and get the right med, combo, and as others have said, timing. With there being so many meds available, there is a lot of hope in that you will, eventually, get treatment that works for you. Just keep that particularly in mind.
Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by mtdew on December 16, 2003, at 20:16:38
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 15:53:49
I really feel for you, because I went through (and am going through) much the same thing. I wish I could say I found a solution. Luckily I did find a few things that helped, but I think you will end up having to postpone grad school indefinitely. What you are describing is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and there's no cure. Obviously I hope for your sake that it isn't. You should have your thyroid checked, CBC, B12, etc first to rule out simple things. But my advice from experience is to stop pushing yourself now. Even though people will tell you that you're not trying hard enough, don't let them get inside your head. You have a medical problem, not a psychological problem. If you want to chat over email or AIM, let me know, because I HAVE BEEN THERE and IT SUCKS.
mtdew
mtdewcmu_@_yahoo_com> Hello all!
>
> thanks for the input. As for linkadge's note, I am not clinging to who-I-was. High school is so far beind, I can hardly remmeber. So is college. But I've buried so much time and money in this damn grad school, I want to finish it. But I cannot, if I cannot think. If I cannot write passable papers. I have a year of mediocre grades, and a previous semester of reduced course load and incompletes. this semester I took just one course (one I very much liked) and I wont be able to finish it either. I have to go around the faculty, asking for permission to get an incomplete rather than Fs. I need to submit another she-is-crazy letter from my pdoc to the Dean. I ve been on an off depression all my life, and never ever in my life, had I felt so incompetent so incapable. I am angry and frustrated. I mentioned what I used to be because I know that I have the mental (ouch, not mental) intellectual capaticy to do this. Depression is why I am disabled. And I HATE this.
>
> I spent a fucking semester waiting things to get better, and they didnt, so a month ago I found myself scheming suicide. I had wished that I was dead many times before,yet I had never found myself staring at my boyfried's Ambien bottle and calculating whether it was enough to kill me. I was so scared of what I was thinking, I called my counsellor and pdoc immediately. They were worried for me, so they've put me on Lithium. And I was ok with that, because in spite of what depression tells me, I know all I want is a more meaningful, satisfying life where I can be myself. (I dont want a fancy life. just simple healthy existence) So, this is why I am taking Lithobid. (Even though I am not BP)
>
> I recevied emergency treatment twice last week. My brain got so foggy and dizzy I knew I was about to loose conciousness. So I went to the ER. I was horribly sick to my stomach, had palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing etc. Blood tests and ekgs show that I wasnt poisoned by lithium levels and my heart was fine.
> Two days later, I saw my doctor to follow up and she ordered a D-dimer test to see if i had any clotting in blood. The test was positive, so I rushed to ER again to get more tests done. Had a ct-scan (sp?) more ekgs, blood tests etc. No clots in the lungs or a heart atack etc. Yet, Since last sunday I never stopped feeling dizzy, nauseated (i had n. before but not like this), having chest pain, difficulty breathing, dry moouth, throat, etc
>
> I was told upon initial amittance to ER that it might be a panic/anxiety attak, but I wasnt hyperventilalting then, nor now, and I hasnt disseappear in the last ten days.
>
> sorry for the rambling on. i am really upset and i dont know how to fix this. i am going to my weekly therapy sessions (which helps a lot) i was in a specialty group and i keep in close contact with my pdoc. what else is missing?
>
> daisy
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 17, 2003, at 8:43:14
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 15:53:49
> QUESTION to DR.BOB: great website but i havent been able to evoke enough interest to get personal replies. Any ideas as to why?
See:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#respond
> I spent a f*cking semester waiting things to get better
Also, I'm sorry things have been rough for you, but please don't use language that could offend others:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Thanks,
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Posted by daisymm on December 17, 2003, at 13:14:27
In reply to Re: please be civil » daisymm, posted by Dr. Bob on December 17, 2003, at 8:43:14
My apologies to pyscho-babble community for my recent use of foul language. Learning how to not let frusration get better of you while sleeping 16 hours and feeling fatigued is difficult.
I'd be happy if ideas continued to flow regarding brain fog and ADs and lithium.
best, daisy
Posted by HappyGirl on December 17, 2003, at 14:51:42
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
Hi:
In regard to Litium, .... it helps for 'major' depression, because Lithium has two different properties, one for 'manic' as everyone else knows, ... also another for 'depressive episodes.' Thus, if there is soft/milder form of Bipolar, Lithium only med. regimen would take care of.
Some of podc. prescribes Lithium for 'augumentation' for 'ADs' such as in your case/descrpiton. Then, in this respect, you need to not worry. In my experience, even atypical med. such as Zyprexa too helps in regard to 'augumentation' for ADs, if yours is serious form of depression.
Second, in my knowledge along with my personal experience as Bipolar II that has mostly 'major form of depression,' I hate to say this to you, ... however, it takes quite awhile to feel better. I myself needed to drop out a study in the middle of semester due to the dx, as Bp. Then, as saying in one of posts/replies on your post, you need to take time. Without any appropriate treatment and outcome, first of all, you won't get your studies done the way you wish, ... at least 'C' average that would bring you into a promising career.
I know that it must be 'harsh' to say, ... but this is to be 'real world' as having/being a serious form of mental illness.
H.G.
Posted by Interject79 on December 17, 2003, at 17:29:15
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by linkadge on December 16, 2003, at 14:54:26
Fish oil, as linkadge pointed out, is very helpful--get some good stuff. Folic acid too, and B-6. Lithium, and all stabilizers really, can lead to mental slowing in some (should I say many?) people. That's probably a bad choice for you. SSRI's can do the same thing, though not as severely I've found. At 40mg and above of Celexa, my cognitive abilities diminished (temporarily), same with Zoloft above 75, and with Lexapro above 5.
I certainly understand your concerns. My college GPA college dropped .3 or so while I was being treated with the wrong dosages of SSRI's. And my depression, as you could guess, worsened.
Best,
interject
Posted by daisymm on December 17, 2003, at 19:49:16
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by Interject79 on December 17, 2003, at 17:29:15
Hey!
Today I met with my pdoc, and she wanted to change my AD but decided not to, bcs I am going abroad for a month and she doesnt want me to have new episodes with new meds. But Lexapro is lowered to 5 mg (which sounds like a joke) and Lithobid is to stay as it is now. (900mg)
I mentioned whether the extreme fatigue can be bcs of Chronic Fatigue Synd (I had a viral syndrome in late august and since then, my energy levels slowly but steadily detoriated.) She thinks it is too early to consider that and she ordered another lithium -blood test for tomorrow. I skipped meds yesterday and this morning, and around 6pm my nrg and mood started to pick up.
I also asked her about ginko biloba, fish oil, etc and she told me she wasnt in a position to suggest a dose that would work. (as these stuff is alternative trestments, i guess) She mentioned there was a lack of research about interaction and dosage between these supplements and ADs/Lithium.
So I'd be really happy if you could tell me what medications you were taking at which dose, and which supplements worked best at which qyantity. Please be as specific as you can. (like I bought the generic wal-mart brand fish oil and its name was... etc)
Thanks,D.
ps: I am hung up on schol, I admit. It is because school had been the only constant in my life that gave me a sense of achieveent and success. Now that it's gone and I have to submit my second she-is-crazy letter to the Department, I feel bad, really bad about losing the only thing I enjoyed for last 20 yrs. I know I so deperately wish to do well at school to prove myself to myself-profs-classmates, I may be burdening myself. Come to think about it, I cannot even finish the 3-credit hrs course I was taking this semester, and I couldnt finish the two incompltes either. I may have to drop out, and have to learn how to live with it. But as disabled I am with depression, I do not find the support and new coping skills in my environment. It's as if I had lost an arm or legs (some pyshical disability) noone would lift a brow; and there'd be a lot more understanding and help. But beeing disabled by depression has received a treatment of laziness and slacking from the faculty, and that makes is just so much more difficult to let go of clinging to school. BTW, I only gave an example of physical disablity to show that society is not yet accepting depression-caused-disability as it sould be. No offense intended.
> Fish oil, as linkadge pointed out, is very helpful--get some good stuff. Folic acid too, and B-6. Lithium, and all stabilizers really, can lead to mental slowing in some (should I say many?) people. That's probably a bad choice for you. SSRI's can do the same thing, though not as severely I've found. At 40mg and above of Celexa, my cognitive abilities diminished (temporarily), same with Zoloft above 75, and with Lexapro above 5.
>
> I certainly understand your concerns. My college GPA college dropped .3 or so while I was being treated with the wrong dosages of SSRI's. And my depression, as you could guess, worsened.
>
> Best,
> interject
Posted by maryhelen on December 17, 2003, at 20:09:44
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
After reading all of the above posts I am not sure if I have this right. You have been diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD. I cannot respond to your PTSD, but I have major recureent depression. Have struggled with it most of my life. I am not bipolar. I believe lithium is used more in the treatment of bipolar depression, although it is also indicated for atypical, unipolar, major, treatment resistant depression (so many different ways of defining depression), usually to augment another medication. I now have a diagnosis of treatment resistant depression, as I have taken more meds and combos than I will ever remember, without success. I was taking Parnate, an MAIO, 2 years ago and my pdoc augmented it with lithium about 7 months ago. I never did adjust to the lithium. I had hand tremors, nausea, nervousness, hair loss, but more importantly, at the time I was trying to return to work after a 2 year sick leave, and the best way that I can describe it is that I had became 'stupid and dull'. I had to stop taking it. My pdoc then augmented the Parnate with Lamitcal. This medication worked fast and I had the only true relief from the depression and felt better than I ever had in my 51 years. Unfortunately, this lasted for just over 4 weeks and then the Lamitcal stopped working. Although we tried to increase it nothing more happened and I ended up coming off both the Parnate and Lamitcal.
I am now taking Nardil, another MAIO Inhibitor, have only been on it for 6 weeks. I know many here on this site have had great success with this medication. I also have an addiction to opiates and I am going to try a fairly new medication called buprenorpnine, indicated for depression, opiate withdrawal and pain, (I also have chronic pain, hence the addiction problem to pain pills). Although, it has been a long, hard, hellish journey in this depression, I am going to hold out hope that the Nardil and bupe will be the answer for me.
Sorry for the long post. There are just so many different stories, medications, drug trials, side effects, that it can take us all a while to find what may work for us. I believe the sharing and caring we have here is invaluable for those of us who struggle with these various forms of mental illness, and we are so lucky we have each other to support and get opinions and input from each individual and varied experiences.
Another thing I wanted to mention, is that for the first time in my life, a month ago, I underwent serious stress and pressure when trying to return to my job and ended up with chest pain, pressure and tightness. Went to emergency to rule out heart attack. My family doctor prescribe Xanax for short term use. I know benzos are not recommended, but soon thereafter, the symptoms have disappeared and I no longer need to take it. You mention that you also have these type of symptoms. Again, I also just wanted to share that I felt 'stupid and dull' when I was taking lithium. This also went away immediately when I stopped taking it.
I hope things will begin to get better for you soon.
maryhelen
Posted by brussell on December 17, 2003, at 23:55:02
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 17, 2003, at 19:49:16
Daisymm:
Do you think travelling right now is a good idea? I'm think you should have more confidence that your symptoms are under control before you add any new source of stress in your life.
As others have mentioned, I think you should take a break from school. When I was a student at the University of Chicago, I derived most of my self-worth from my academic achievement, and when I started to become seriously ill and had to drop out my entire life (family, friends, achievements) completely unraveled.
I had to pretty much build a new life from scratch, and surprisingly, it's much better than my old one. Believe me, there is life outside school, and discovering that you have a viable choice NOT to do school will probably eliminate a lot of your suffering.
I would like to repeat that I'm concerned about your usage of lithium. As another poster mentioned, it could be playing a role in causing your cognitive problems. Furthermore, it isn't really a good antidepressant and is probably not a good choice if you aren't suffering from mania. I think you should stay in the area and work with your doctor to find an antidepressant that works.
Best Wishes
Posted by Simcha on December 18, 2003, at 1:07:57
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 17, 2003, at 19:49:16
Hi,
> ps: I am hung up on schol, I admit. It is because school had been the only constant in my life that gave me a sense of achieveent and success.
I'm in grad school too. I was in remission for Major Depressive Disorder for the past three years. Suddenly that is gone.
I have had a hard time completing this semester. I've been sick from work too much. I have to work full-time and go to school, financial aid does not go very far here in the Bay Area when you go to a private school.
It's extremely difficult to keep it all going and I'm not sure that I'll be able to do it if the current med change does not work. My psychiatrist eyed me with some curious look when I told him all that is on my plate. He asked me if I feel overwhelmed and that perhaps I'm over-worked.
Geez, I'm finally getting somewhere in my life and I have to deal with another major depressive episode. I hate it too.
I hope you have a great time overseas. It's been a few years since I've jumped the pond. I don't know when I'll be able to do that again...
I am going to Chicago for a week to visit the family. During a med change this is dubious at best.
Take Care,
Simcha
Posted by nicky847 on December 18, 2003, at 9:18:08
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 17, 2003, at 19:49:16
Daisy-
I use fish oil as well, they say that 1500 mg of Omega 3 a day can be helpful..when you buy fish oil tablets be sure to read the label to see how much mg of Omega 3 fatty acids are in each capsule..b/c it will differ from the amount of fish oil in the capsule..usually 2 or 3 capsules a day in the morning is what i take..can't tell if it helps or not b/c i'm sure that the Lexapro I am taking has more effect..but I know it can't hurt so hey why not..I also take a vitamin B6 tablet every morning as well..it aids in serotonin production..glad to hear you are going to go abroad I hope you enjoy it!
Nick> Hey!
>
> Today I met with my pdoc, and she wanted to change my AD but decided not to, bcs I am going abroad for a month and she doesnt want me to have new episodes with new meds. But Lexapro is lowered to 5 mg (which sounds like a joke) and Lithobid is to stay as it is now. (900mg)
>
> I mentioned whether the extreme fatigue can be bcs of Chronic Fatigue Synd (I had a viral syndrome in late august and since then, my energy levels slowly but steadily detoriated.) She thinks it is too early to consider that and she ordered another lithium -blood test for tomorrow. I skipped meds yesterday and this morning, and around 6pm my nrg and mood started to pick up.
>
> I also asked her about ginko biloba, fish oil, etc and she told me she wasnt in a position to suggest a dose that would work. (as these stuff is alternative trestments, i guess) She mentioned there was a lack of research about interaction and dosage between these supplements and ADs/Lithium.
>
> So I'd be really happy if you could tell me what medications you were taking at which dose, and which supplements worked best at which qyantity. Please be as specific as you can. (like I bought the generic wal-mart brand fish oil and its name was... etc)
>
> Thanks,D.
>
> ps: I am hung up on schol, I admit. It is because school had been the only constant in my life that gave me a sense of achieveent and success. Now that it's gone and I have to submit my second she-is-crazy letter to the Department, I feel bad, really bad about losing the only thing I enjoyed for last 20 yrs. I know I so deperately wish to do well at school to prove myself to myself-profs-classmates, I may be burdening myself. Come to think about it, I cannot even finish the 3-credit hrs course I was taking this semester, and I couldnt finish the two incompltes either. I may have to drop out, and have to learn how to live with it. But as disabled I am with depression, I do not find the support and new coping skills in my environment. It's as if I had lost an arm or legs (some pyshical disability) noone would lift a brow; and there'd be a lot more understanding and help. But beeing disabled by depression has received a treatment of laziness and slacking from the faculty, and that makes is just so much more difficult to let go of clinging to school. BTW, I only gave an example of physical disablity to show that society is not yet accepting depression-caused-disability as it sould be. No offense intended.
>
>
> > Fish oil, as linkadge pointed out, is very helpful--get some good stuff. Folic acid too, and B-6. Lithium, and all stabilizers really, can lead to mental slowing in some (should I say many?) people. That's probably a bad choice for you. SSRI's can do the same thing, though not as severely I've found. At 40mg and above of Celexa, my cognitive abilities diminished (temporarily), same with Zoloft above 75, and with Lexapro above 5.
> >
> > I certainly understand your concerns. My college GPA college dropped .3 or so while I was being treated with the wrong dosages of SSRI's. And my depression, as you could guess, worsened.
> >
> > Best,
> > interject
>
>
Posted by Mimi on December 18, 2003, at 13:18:14
In reply to ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 14:18:41
>Dear daisymm,
Don't give up. I, too, carry the diagnosis of severe depression and chronic PTSD.
You may be an atypical med responder or what is otherwise called a slow metabolizer. A very small percentage of the population naturally lacks a certain liver enzyme that metabolizes psych meds.
My treatment has been successful but it took many years to find the right meds and I had to do my research homework because I am an atypical responder. My doses are incredibly low (many pdocs just don't understand this).
I have had the best 1 and 1/2 years of my life due to proper meds. Yes, the meds can & will affect your intellect. You must find the useful balance of meds. This takes being self-educated. Use the PDR (full) and this very useful site.
I will write more if you care to know it.
Mimi
Hello y'all!
>
> This is the second thread I started, since the first one I opened up didnt get many a response.
>
> I have been diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD in March, 2003. I have tried Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro and Lithobid since then.
>
> I am not doing well these days, becuase I throw up a lot, have chest pain & tightness, am always dizzy and nauseated, very very fatiuged and weary of this whole mess that is my life.
>
> From being a top%5 grad student, I slipped down to this sorry excuse for a student who cannot get anything done. I cant think. I am too tired to put two sentences together. What happened to the girl who could write articles top off her head......... I am angry and frustrated, and while I dont want to take it out on anything, seems like meds never worked for me in the last 4-5 months. And they gave me some sort of cloud around my head, so fog I cannot shred! I am afraid this may just be so from now on. A permanent side effect. Can ADs diminish my IQ?
> What should I switch to? thanks, daisy
>
> QUESTION to DR.BOB: great website but i havent been able to evoke enough interest to get personal replies. Any ideas as to why?
>
> MED HISTORY: I used Celexa (20/40 mg) then for 5 months. Run out of supply while abroad. Two months no medication.
>
> Then I chose Lexapro since it boasts of less side effects. What a mistake!! I started with Lexapro 10-Wellbutrin150 for 5 weeks, extreme anxiety, almost panic-attacks, insomnia >>so Wellbutrin dropped, Lexapro upped to 20...
> Lexapro 20 for 3 more months, and 4 weeks ago Lithobid 600 mg added to prevent suicidal plans.
> Works for suicidal tendencies for about two weeks, then fades, so(as of yesterday) Lexapro lowered to 10 mg and Lithobid upped to 900mg. I went to the ER two times last week...
Posted by Mimi on December 18, 2003, at 13:30:29
In reply to Re: ADs, Diminished brain-power, Dr.Bob, posted by daisymm on December 16, 2003, at 15:53:49
>Daisymm,
Try to find a peer mood disorder or PTSD support group. These are very helpful for gaining med info and coping skills.
I graduated very near the top of my prestigious college. It took me six years to complete in part due to my (at that time) untreated depression and PTSD.
After that, in my 30's, I had to completely bottom out with a full breakdown before I agreed to treatment. In the course of treatment and due to the severity of my depression, I lost probably 50% of my cognitive function. Yes, yes, I've been there. It is one hell of a place.
Key right now is NOT to give up. There is a way out and you will find it because you seem to be smart.
Keep posting.
Mimi
Hello all!
>
> thanks for the input. As for linkadge's note, I am not clinging to who-I-was. High school is so far beind, I can hardly remmeber. So is college. But I've buried so much time and money in this damn grad school, I want to finish it. But I cannot, if I cannot think. If I cannot write passable papers. I have a year of mediocre grades, and a previous semester of reduced course load and incompletes. this semester I took just one course (one I very much liked) and I wont be able to finish it either. I have to go around the faculty, asking for permission to get an incomplete rather than Fs. I need to submit another she-is-crazy letter from my pdoc to the Dean. I ve been on an off depression all my life, and never ever in my life, had I felt so incompetent so incapable. I am angry and frustrated. I mentioned what I used to be because I know that I have the mental (ouch, not mental) intellectual capaticy to do this. Depression is why I am disabled. And I HATE this.
>
> I spent a fucking semester waiting things to get better, and they didnt, so a month ago I found myself scheming suicide. I had wished that I was dead many times before,yet I had never found myself staring at my boyfried's Ambien bottle and calculating whether it was enough to kill me. I was so scared of what I was thinking, I called my counsellor and pdoc immediately. They were worried for me, so they've put me on Lithium. And I was ok with that, because in spite of what depression tells me, I know all I want is a more meaningful, satisfying life where I can be myself. (I dont want a fancy life. just simple healthy existence) So, this is why I am taking Lithobid. (Even though I am not BP)
>
> I recevied emergency treatment twice last week. My brain got so foggy and dizzy I knew I was about to loose conciousness. So I went to the ER. I was horribly sick to my stomach, had palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing etc. Blood tests and ekgs show that I wasnt poisoned by lithium levels and my heart was fine.
> Two days later, I saw my doctor to follow up and she ordered a D-dimer test to see if i had any clotting in blood. The test was positive, so I rushed to ER again to get more tests done. Had a ct-scan (sp?) more ekgs, blood tests etc. No clots in the lungs or a heart atack etc. Yet, Since last sunday I never stopped feeling dizzy, nauseated (i had n. before but not like this), having chest pain, difficulty breathing, dry moouth, throat, etc
>
> I was told upon initial amittance to ER that it might be a panic/anxiety attak, but I wasnt hyperventilalting then, nor now, and I hasnt disseappear in the last ten days.
>
> sorry for the rambling on. i am really upset and i dont know how to fix this. i am going to my weekly therapy sessions (which helps a lot) i was in a specialty group and i keep in close contact with my pdoc. what else is missing?
>
> daisy
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 18, 2003, at 20:59:55
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by daisymm on December 17, 2003, at 13:14:27
This is the end of the thread.
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